𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐍𝐄 : the reaping

I never realized how many people there were in our district until I was standing on the stage, looking out at them all. Dressed in their nicest outfits, as they stare back up at me. The group toward the back had looks of envy, while the younger kids toward the front had eyes of relief. I could see it in their parents' faces too, some glad their kids hadn't been sent in another year. Even though we've been trained for this our whole lives, most parents still can't bear the fact that there's a possibility of death. But I think it's your fault if you die, considering we were born to fight in the games. My eyes meet Linus Staffen: who I just volunteered for, glaring at me from one of the back rows. I gave him a little smirk, before turning to the colorful woman beside me known as Velora Nightshade. The woman was almost as tall as me in her bright orange boots, the heels taller than the shoes she wore last year. Her hair was the same shade of orange as her shoes–styled into a mullet with extremely blunt bangs, the color was vibrant against her deep cocoa complexion. Orange and yellow eyeshadow covered her eyelids, and up the sides of her face like someone took their fingers and smeared it. I'm looking at the clips in her hair trying to figure out what they were, when she asked me a question.

"What is your name, young man?"

"Tyler Chambers."

"Ladies and gentleman, Tyler Chambers!" Velora exclaimed, the peppiness in her voice accentuating the syllables in my name. Suddenly the crowd began to applaud me, almost as if I'd already won the games. Standing tall, I didn't let my smirk falter for a second as the clapping had quieted down. There was a brief moment of silence before it'd been interrupted by Velora once again, "Here we are, our tributes from District One!" The crowd began applauding once more as I turned to face the girl who I'd be ing in the arena. Luxana Voss: a seventeen year old who was only a few months older than me, and a personal friend of mine. We met in training when I turned eleven, and had become frequent sparring partners. I looked into the girl's green eyes, both of our lips holding confident grins as we reached out for each other's hands. I shook Luxana's hand as Velora shot hers up into the air, "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!" She spoke in a singsong, as the Peacekeepers let their guard down, allowing those who were not reaped the opportunity to leave. Most of the crowd found themselves out, while the rest remained to say their goodbyes, or see-you-laters. Being a part of District One allows us to have some time to talk to our families before we leave, something that most districts don't get the opportunity to do. My eyes wander out to find my family, bringing a warm smile across my lips, before my heart skipped a beat at the sight. I just couldn't help but feel that this was wrong, seeing my Mom and Brother stand there without my Dad. He'd been missing for three years, which was something that didn't happen in District One. Something that shouldn't happen to a Career Victor. Of course there were conspiracies and rumors, like how "Frank Chambers couldn't handle the pressure of winning, so he went off and hung himself." Which doesn't even make sense, he won the games thirty-three years before he went missing. I knew he could handle being a victor. Or there's the great "Rival Tribute Victors assassinated him," but how would they have done that without getting caught? Barely anything in Panem goes unnoticed, they would've been caught almost instantly. Now, The Capitols reasoning was that my father had become uncontrollably ill, causing him to put a stop to any appearances. But my Dad is fine, I know he's in perfect health–wherever he is.

Velora lets us off the stage to mingle before we leave, allowing me some time with my family. I'm greeted quickly by my mother who wraps her arms around me tightly, giving me a squeeze. "Oh Tyler, I have no doubt that you'll be back, but I'm going to miss you dearly while you're gone." She choked, squeezing me tighter as I looked over to my brother Felix. "And make it quick, will you? Or else I'll have to hear about it forever." He teased, shooting a grin over to Mom, who had backhanded him in the gut shortly after. Felix stepped back a bit, scoffing at her actions before pulling me over toward him in a headlock. Despite being sixteen years old I was an inch taller than Felix, standing at 6'1. Mom and Dad were both generous in giving me some of their height. Felix hugged my neck, "Seriously, get back here quick or I think Mom is gonna lose her mind." My brother whispered to me, letting out a scoff. Felix let me go and now I was standing in front of the only family present, radiating confident smiles. "We'll let you go talk to the others now. Goodluck, Tyler." My mother spoke, her words escaping her lips in one fluid motion. She truly didn't have a doubt in the world that I would make it back. "See you soon, We love you." She added, before stepping forward and planting a kiss onto my cheek. "I love you guys, too." I replied, a warm loving smile becoming known on my lips.

I stepped away from my family, and made my way over to an angry Linus Staffen. He stood with his arms crossed, and his chest puffed out like he was trying to pose himself as some kind of threat. Linus resented me, he was always trying to compare himself to me even though there was no chance he'd come close. Training was always a competition, but I was going to be the best tribute no matter what. Even if Linus' name wasn't called during the reaping, I was going to volunteer anyway. But the fact it was him, just made the feeling a whole lot better. Not only am I going to win, but I am going to make everybody forget who Linus Staffen is. And if you asked me, that's a terrible name to put on a victory poster. Tyler Chambers, on the other hand.. My time with Linus had been cut short when someone had come tapping onto my lower back. Mordecai Rosemont, a young boy who had taken a liking to me so suddenly. His dark brown hair stopped just under his ears, and his light hazel eyes were nothing but kind. He was eleven years old and started training a couple months ago, ing the group of victory-hungry kids. "Hi Tye!" The boy spoke, his voice full of excitement. "Hey, Morde." I let out, less bubbly as him, but still kind.

"I saw you're going in."

"Oh, did you now?"

The boy's words were so pure, so innocent. Of course he saw, everybody who has eyes in District One saw, but his youthfulness showed that was all he knew to say. Before I knew it Mordecai was wrapping his arms around my hips, giving me a quick hug. "You're going to win, and it's going to be so cool. Then you'll come back home and I can tell everyone that I'm friends with a celebrity." The young boy explained, letting go of me. I couldn't help but chuckle at his words, "Yeah, well you better go ahead and get the jump on that. I'll have you know I'm gonna be the one everyone's talking about, the star of the show." I spoke, kneeling down to Mordecai's height. "I know you will. You're so cool, Tyler."

I was about to say more, until Velora had called out to us, in the same singsongy fashion from before. "I'll be waiting for you, Tye." The young boy called out to me, waving me away. "I miss you already, Morde." I turned my back to everyone as I walked to the stage, climbing the steps to meet Velora and Luxana. A handful of Peacekeepers kept their distance, observing the scene. "Don't forget how much we love you, Lux!" I heard Luxana's Mother: Calista Voss, shout out. This caused both Lux and I to turn back to the group of people who stood watching us leave, giving out our last gestures. I blew a kiss to my mother, and gave a quick salute to Mordecai. Flipping the bird in Linus' direction crossed my mind, but I'd decided I wouldn't bruise his ego anymore. Winning the games would be enough. A peacekeeper then placed her hand on my back, ushering me into the justice building. Quickly after stepping inside, the doors squealed shut behind Luxana and I.