Alejandro Baez // [District 12/CB]

I was born in the wrong district, and I recognize the paradox of such an assertion. One could argue that no one - not a living soul in all of Panem - was ever born in the right district. Indeed the entire structure of the districts, in and of itself, is contradictory. How separated is Twelve from, say, Eleven - or even One? We are all slaves. The Capitol divides us like cattle, treats use worse, and then expects us to be patriotic.

To avoid further burdening you with worry, allow me to be clear: I do not express these thoughts where they can be heard. Only when Miguel and I are wandering the countryside on his rare day off from the mines, only then do I let my true self be known. I don't think he shares all of my criticism but he's a gentler soul for it. I've never known someone so thoughtful, so sensitive. I didn't know a person could form such admirable qualities in the hazy wasteland of our district.

It's why I love him. He is better than our circumstances.

People used to get us confused, as children. We don't look all that much alike but given the sameness of everyone else, I understand the bias. I started wearing glasses - without the glass, making it wholly ironic - when I was a toddler to differentiate myself from my twin. I wear them now because I need them as much as I need my inhaler. They cost my father a month's pay from his menial hauling job, but not even a day's wage shuttling black market goods around. That's our big family secret, the thing that makes me most vulnerable.

Pardon, not the most vulnerable. Only love can do that.