Margo Mead’s POV:

I pull the covers off from over my head and slowly crawl from my bed. I rub the sleep from my eyes and let out a powerful yawn.

‘’ Morning.’’ I smile to my little brother, staring at me from his bed.

He doesn’t respond, he simple gazes ahead, his eyes fixed on a random spot of the wall.

‘’ What’s wrong?’’ I ask.

‘’ Nervous.’’ He replies after a few moments.

‘’ Come on Jango. They’re not gonna pick you.’’ I grin. ‘’ It’s your first year, your name is in there once...Plus, someone always volunteers. You’ll be fine.’’

‘’ But what if this year is different? What if nobody wants to go in?’’ He questions anxiously.

I smile. ‘’ It won’t happen. Ever. Especially during a Quarter Quell. God, you must be the only person to ever live in District Two that doesn’t dream of being in the Hunger Games.’’

‘’ I just don’t understand why anyone would want to be in it.’’ He says.

‘’ I guess everyone just wants the fame. You become known nationwide for your strength, wit or bravery.’’ I explain.

‘’ Well why do you want to enter?’’ Jango questions.

‘’ Well because we need the money.’’ I explain simply. ‘’ We may not live in District Twelve, but life isn’t easy for us. You’re still too young to understand, but one day you will.’’

‘’ I guess.’’ He says simply and lays back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

‘’ I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.’’ I say and head down the stairs.

I head straight into the kitchen, put on the kettle and turn on the frying pan – pouring a generous amount of olive oil into the pan. I then head back down the hall and open the door of my mother’s bedroom, peaking my head in silently.

‘’ Morning honey.’’ Smiles my mother weakly, then she succumbs to a fit of vicious coughing. When she finally stops, I speak to her.

‘’ Morning. Just to remind you that today’s the day of the Reaping. I’ve arranged it with Alex to take care of you and Jango while I’m gone. He and Lidia will be over at least twice a day. I promise I will win it for you and him.’’ I vow.

‘’ Oh your father would be so proud of you Margo.’’ Smiles my mother. ‘’ Do us proud.’’

‘’ I will mother.’’ I promise, kissing her gently on the forehead. ‘’ I will win and then we can finally get you that Capitol medication.’’

‘’ I love you Margo, I don’t tell you that enough. You are the best son I could have ever asked for. I know you’ll come back to me alive.’’ She smiles and again coughs violently into her handkerchief.

‘’ I love you too. I’ll have breakfast ready soon.’’ I say and head back towards the kitchen, gently shutting the door as I exit.

Just as I enter the kitchen, the kettle boils. The noise of the pan sizzling also indicates that it is ready to be used. I toss in three large sausages into the pan and begin frying them. I then grab three small cups and place a sachet of herbal green tea into each followed by a small drop of milk.

A few minutes later, the sausages have cooked and I toss them onto small plates. I then grab the day old loaf of bread from the cupboard and slice up three generous helpings. I place all the food on the tray and carry it down the hall to my mother’s room. I first give my mother her tea and sausage sandwich and then I run up stairs to fetch Jango.

‘’ Jango. Breakfast.’’ I say, peaking my head into the bedroom.

As he sees me, he shoves something under his pillow and stares at me guiltily.

‘’ What was that?’’ I question.

‘’ Nothing.’’ He replies, far too fast.

‘’ Show me.’’ I say, moving for the pillow.

‘’ No!’’ He yells, diving on me in an attempt to keep me away.

I easily sidestep him and he falls face first onto the soft, carpeted floor. I jump onto his bed and rip his pillow off the bed, revealing a small and crinkled photograph of my mother and father.

‘’ Where’d you get this?’’ I ask.

‘’ I found it.’’ He replies.

‘’ Where?’’ I question.

‘’ Why does it matter?’’ He asks.

‘’ Jango.’’ I say. ‘’ Tell me.’’

‘’ The school.’’ He explains after a few seconds. ‘’ I took it.’’

‘’ Why was it in the school?’’ I question. ‘’ Why would they have it?’’

‘’ An old yearbook.’’ He states and then he snatches it off me. He then holds it up to me so I can have a proper look at it. ‘’ See?’’

I glance at the photo in his hands, it is a picture of my mother and father in their final year at school. The caption on the photo is ‘cutest couple – Matt Mead and Poppy Stakes.’ They are both dressed in simple clothes, nothing fancy and are sitting with their hands interlocking. They both have broad grins painted across their youthful faces and neither of them have any blemishes to tarnish their skin at all – quite different to most teenagers nowadays.

‘’ I miss him.’’ Says Jango, folding the photograph up and stowing it away safely in his pocket.

‘’ Me too.’’ I reply honestly. ‘’ C’mon, breakfast is ready.’’

As we descend the stairs to where my mother is, my thoughts drift to my father and his tragic death.

No. Not death. Murder.

Hung publically for punching a peacekeeper across the face in front of the whole District. The guy deserved it, he was trying to kiss my mother. All my father was doing was defending her. Bastard.

‘’ Hello? Earth to Margo.’’ Says my brother, interrupting my train of thought and making me zone back in to the real world.

‘’ I’m sorry what?’’ I ask, not hearing the start of his sentence.

‘’ Please don’t volunteer today.’’ He says.

‘’ I have to. I’ve explained it all before. We need the money, desperately.’’ I say.

‘’ But-‘’ He begins.

‘’ No buts, not another word in front of mother. We need to enjoy breakfast, it’s the last one we’ll be having together for a little while.’’ I instruct.

‘’ Fine.’’ He moans and we enter my mother’s room and not another word is said about it.

Ravina Quill’s POV:

‘’ Hurry on Ravina! We can’t be late!’’ Instructs my older brother, practically dragging me out the door.

‘’ Relax. No need to get your knickers in a twist. We won’t be late.’’ I reply calmly and follow him out the door.

‘’ I can’t believe it. To think, my sister, the female tribute for District Two.’’ Says Cecilia – my brother’s twin sister.

‘’ Neither can I...’’ Sighs my brother, clearly shocked. ‘’ Why you Ravina? What’s so special about you?’’

‘’ My awesome skills with a spear.’’ I explain.

‘’ Meh. I’ve seen better than you.’’ Teases my brother.

‘’ Oh shut up Slate.’’ Laughs my sister. ‘’ She deserves to be there just as much as any of the others did in the last few years. You’re just jealous you didn’t get to when you were her age.’’

‘’ Jealous? HA. As if.’’ He snorts.

‘’ Whatever.’’ I grin. ‘’ I just can’t wait to get in and spill some blood!’’

‘’ I’d drink to that.’’ Adds Cecilia.

The three of us head straight to the town square, where the majority of the District has already congregated and are waiting in anticipation for the appearance of the mayor and our escort.

I head straight to the sixteen year old section, my older siblings go stand at the back with the other people too old to be eligible for Reaping.

‘’ Hey Ravina. Great day isn’t it?’’ Greets Sanchi – probably my best friend – quite cheerfully as I arrive.

‘’ Morning.’’ I smile in response.

‘’ How are you?’’ She questions.

‘’ Excited.’’ I reply honestly.

‘’ Yeah same, I’m a bit jealous though too. I wish we were eighteen already so our chance to be sent in as careers would arrive! I’m sick of watching everyone else go in!’’ Explains Sanchi.

‘’ Yeah.’’ I reply, trying to kill the topic.

‘’ What’s wrong with you?’’ She questions.

‘’ Oh nothing. I’m just annoyed I’ve to wait another two years to go in.’’ I lie.

‘’ Oh look! Here they come!’’ Someone near us shouts excitedly.

The whole crowd silence momentarily, then as the mayor steps onto the stage, everyone screams crazily and cheers for her. She smiles and waves at the crowd, causing them to scream even louder and she is followed by an entourage of town officials and District Two’s escort – Bongo Burlington.

The mayor steps up to the podium and the rest take a seat at the back of the stage facing the crowd. Her blonde hair is tied up in a neat plait and she is caked in makeup. Her clothes are quite colourful, although nowhere near as flamboyant as those of the Capitol citizens.

‘’ Good day District Two!’’ She screams – which causes the crowds of eager teenagers and proud parents to applaud joyfully. ‘’ Am I the only one who felt that this couldn’t come along quicker? I mean, a Quarter Quell! How exciting?’’

This receives more shouts of excitement and optimism. The crowd applaud crazily and wave flags with either the Capitol or District Two logo splashed across them. Some children too young to be eligible for Reaping are visible at the back of the town square, swinging toy swords around happily.

‘’ Before I open the floor to our lovely escort Bongo, let me first wish you all the best of luck in this year’ Hunger Games. May the odds be ever in your favour!’’ Says the Mayor, then she retreats from the podium and takes Bongo’s seat as she replaces the Mayor at the podium facing the crowd.

‘’ Welcome, welcome! It is great to see so many cheerful and excited faces staring up at me. It is my pleasure to announce that today; the festivities for the fifth Quarter Quell will finally kick off! But before I pluck the two lucky names from the bowls, there is a short documentary to watch. So sit back, relax and enjoy the movie.’’ Smiles Bongo.

As the movie plays – the one we are forced to watch every year – I can’t take my eyes off Bongo. She is so beautiful it is unfair. Why can’t I look like her? She is dressed in a blue dress, with similarly coloured face makeup and the tips of her bright blonde hair are also died blue.

She is tall and slender, her skin is a delicate shade of white with a slight tan and her eyes are as blue and beautiful as her dress is. Her fingernails are painted the same colour blue as her face makeup and dress and her hair is spiked in unusual angles – like I said before, with the tips died blue.

I gaze at her in jealousy, and before I know it, the movie ends and she takes her place on the podium again.

‘’ Ok! The time has come to select our two lucky tributes.’’ Beams Bongo enthusiastically. ‘’ We will – as usual – commence with the ladies.

Bongo dips her hand into the female Reaping bowl and pulls out a name. She carefully – and painfully slowly – opens the name and clears her throat to read the name.

‘’ Indiana-‘’ She begins.

‘’ I volunteer!’’ I scream.

It takes a moment for me and those around me to realise it was I who spoke. Then the other sixteen year old girls around me gasp in shock.

‘’ What are you doing?’’ Questions Sanchi in disgust. ‘’ You weren’t elected by the trainers?’’

I ignore her and stride proudly from the sixteen year old section, as I move I hear hushed whispers of disgust from the other girls my age.

‘’ Who does she think she is?’’

‘’ What the hell is she doing?’’

‘’ Why did she do that?’’

I step out onto the pathway leading up to the stage and I am followed by disgusted voices – all mutters, none loud enough for anyone else to hear.

‘’ Cheater.’’

‘’ Rogue.’’

‘’ I hope you die.’’

I ignore them and climb the steps to the stage. Bongo is faking a smile, although I can see hatred and disgust in her beautiful blue eyes.

‘’ How wonderful.’’ She says half heartedly. ‘’ A volunteer. What is your name and age?’’

‘’ I’m Ravina Quill and I am sixteen.’’ I answer with a broad smile across my face.

‘’ You shouldn’t be up there! You weren’t elected!’’ Screams a furious voice from the crowd.

Bongo does her best to ignore it. ‘’ If you could sum yourself up in one word, what would it be?’’

‘’ Rebellious.’’ I grin, then I take a seat at the back of the stage.

Bongo Burlington’s POV:

Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap! Why would she do that? Why would she volunteer when she knew Melissa Heskins was elected to enter the Games by the trainers? Little bitch! She will ruin me!

I try to keep smiling as Ravina takes a seat at the back of the stage.

Keep smiling. Your career depends on this. Don’t falter. Keep smiling.

‘’ Ok then! Now we will move on to the boys!’’ I chime enthusiastically, hoping nobody sees past it to my quivering and fearful inside.

I place my hand into the bowl full halfway with the names of all the males in District Two eligible for the Hunger Games and pluck out a random one. I then carefully open it and hold it at eye level.

‘’ Mason-‘’ I begin, but again I am cut short.

‘’ I volunteer as tribute!’’ Calls a male voice from the seventeen year old section.

Seconds later, a boy steps out from the section and begins making his way to the stage.

Oh thank God! It is the right tribute.

‘’ Hello there deary! What is your name and age?’’ I question happily.

‘’ My name is Margo Mead and I am seventeen years old.’’ He explains.

‘’ Hello Margo! Congratulations.’’ I smile. ‘’ Now, if you could describe yourself and your participation in the Hunger Games using just one word, what would it be?’’

‘’ Necessary.’’ He replies simply and takes his seat beside Ravina.

‘’ Now then! We have our two tributes from District Two! I will see you all again in a week or two!’’ I call to the crowd and most cheer excitedly, however there is quite a significant amount of booing directed at Ravina.

I ignore it and I lead the two tributes off stage as the Capitol anthem plays in the background.