Paxton Hayes [capitol / 10th GM ]

Paxton Hayes

Growing up was hard, even before the dark days and the war. I never had much, and sometimes it felt as though I was the scum on the bottom of someone's shoe. My parents barely had enough to get by despite living in the Capitol, yet they gave me the life I wanted. Sometimes after hours, I would work as stitching together clothing that people ripped. Soon, I had enough money to buy my own yarn. I would save for weeks, sometimes even months, but purchasing the yarn was always rewarding because it allowed me to sit down and start working on making blankets or clothing items. My first thing I created was a blanket, and it sold for a decent amount, but it took me over a year to actually finish it as it took so much yarn. It was discouraging, yet it gave me something to work for.

My parents started seeing that my blankets would sell, and they started buying me more yarn, more ways to create more things. When I was eighteen I started my own clothing line. It took a while for it to take off, but as things would sell, I would work hard making sure I had enough backups. It was hard, though, seeing as I'm only one person, and I didn't have any sort of help until others reached out to give me a chance. They became my friends. We worked together, and we split the funds that were brought in. We created more and more clothing items until more people started buying them. I switched from making clothes to making blankets and quilts. It took a lot of work, yet I spent hours upon hours hurrying to finish them. And it took off, and it took off fast.

And here I am now.

"Mr. Hayes, everyone is fascinated by the way you design clothes, jewelry, and other items, and we were wondering if you'd accept the invite into being a gamemaker for the tenth hunger games."

It initially caught me by surprise. I've been working my ways up through the ranks, and I've given people what they've asked for. My family has a nice place to live now because of me. They are essentially at my mercy, and I want nothing more than to make things right for them. It's important to succeed.

"You'll be working with the best of the best, and your designs could make the arena stand out."

It's enticing, and it's a way to make myself more known. I lost so much, and I've gained so much in the process.

"I'm sure it will do a lot for your brand."

I look around trying to take it all in. I've always wanted a glimpse of power. A chance to see what it's like to be in charge, to have everything I've ever wanted. If it's successful, people will help me to understand what it means to be in charge.

I own my own shop, so what difference does being a gamemaker make?

"It'll be an honor. Thank you so much."

I head home, and I grab my belongings and head to the headquarters. I'm excited for this chance to see exactly what goes into the hunger games, but I'm also terrified. I'm wanting to see where this goes, and I know I'm capable. I'm just concerned of what this will do to me.

I'm excited to grow, to become a stronger person, to have a life that I desire. I want fame, and this is how I get it. More importantly, I want to taste the power and maybe have a career change before I'm too old. Life is a journey, and I'm excited to brand this arena as something I created, and something I've made. Nobody will take that away from me.