Hey guys! This is a Haymitch/Maysilee fanfic, hope you enjoy the first chapter :) R&R, constructive criticism is appreciated too!

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. It is time for the 50th annual Hunger Games, and this year is the 2nd Quarter Quell- how exciting!" Gloria Chalice exclaims as her thin lips stretch into a sickly smile. When nobody responds, she purses them and flutters her fake purple eyelashes.

"Oh, joy," I hear somebody near me whisper drily. I chuckle.

"Anyway, ladies first, then!" Gloria beams, reaching into the glass bowl and pulling out a strip of paper. Our escort holds somebody's life in her hands. She grins at the crowd. "Maysilee Donner!" Oh. I see Maysilee make her way through throngs of people sighing with relief. She is wearing a simple olive green dress with a lace hem and lace lining the neck. Her curly, ash blonde hair is tied in an elaborate bun held by an olive ribbon and she is wearing polished black flats. I don't see the point of dressing up for the Games; you'll most likely die anyway. She slowly steps on the stage, in a dignified silence. I am a year older than Maysilee, but I know that she's bright and witty. When she turns to face her district, there is a small trace of a tear on her cheek. Somebody in the same age group begins to cry loudly.

"Ah, and now our second female tribute… June Skylar!"

Oh, no. Not June. June Skylar is the most innocent girl I have ever met. Maysilee is fifteen, so she has a chance. But June Skylar turned thirteen yesterday- she has no chance. June is my next door neighbour- I've gotten to know her through the years. I remember being three years old and holding her in my chubby toddler arms. I remember playing with her in my back garden. Now she stands in front of us in a girlish white frock and matching white flats. Her chocolate brown hair is in two plaits, each tied with a white ribbon. The only thing that would be worse than being reaped is potentially being forced to kill June.

"Haymitch Abernathy!" our escort calls, her blood red wig bouncing up and down on her head like strawberry jelly. How ironic. I can still see a curler in the back of her wig as she calls my name, and that's all I focus on as I walk on to the stage in front of my district. I clench my fists and try to appear bored, but really, I'm terrified. I stand next to Maysilee Donner, who is looking at the floor. I glance up at June before quickly lowering my gaze; I can't bear to look at her face. In the distance I hear several families crying. Being from The Seam, I wouldn't think many people apart from my family would be crying for me, so I assume they're crying for Maysilee or adorable June. I'm aware that June is quietly sobbing as I avoid eye contact with anyone. I have to be strong for her, at least. I gaze up, right into her hazel eyes, and I give her a reassuring look; though I know I can't let anybody see emotion on my face.

"Now, our next male tribute is… Kyle Rolland!" I watch from the stage as another merchant boy comes to join our merry party. He has very, very light blonde hair. It's almost white. His eyes are so dark they look black. Our mentor would probably use his looks to get him sponsors. I'm trying to think of the angle our mentor would use to get me sponsors. I'm not good-looking, I'm not a genius, and I'm not friendly… Ah. I know where this is going. I'll have to act like I don't care. Gloria Chalice motions us to shake hands. I see tears in June's eyes and squeeze her hand to comfort her. I lift my chin up a fraction and let my mouth form a very, very discreet smile. June gets what I mean. She begins to smile as she shakes Maysilee's hand. Kyle grins and tosses his hair at Maysilee; I feel like laughing as she throws him a dirty look and turns the other way. If looks could kill, Kyle Rolland has just been brutally murdered.

"Now, let's welcome District 12's mentor this year- Sean Mandolin!" Gloria calls in her stupid accent. Nearly every girl from the eighteen's section swoons, or lets out a longing sigh. The rest of District 12 bursts into applause. Sean Mandolin is something like an idol here, especially to the merchant families. He got way too many sponsors because of his looks, but it was his own brute strength that helped him win. That's why the rest of the Districts aren't as interested. He's twenty-nine years old and won the Games when he was seventeen- my age. He has a chiselled face, sapphire blue eyes and sandy blonde hair that is ruffled enough to look cool but not too messy. Kyle grins at him; Sean is his hero. Our mentor strides on to the stage, waving at everybody like this was a celebration to commemorate everything about him. He stops, raises one eyebrow and smiles.

"Hello, District 12! It's great to be here with you all," he says in a loud clean voice. The 'audience' cheers.

"Hello, Sean!" Gloria beams. "How are you feeling about this year's Hunger Games?"

"I'm feeling great, Gloria," Sean shows his dazzlingly white teeth as he smiles again. The reaping is now over, and when the rest of the district is celebrating their good fortune, Maysilee, June, Kyle and I have a matter of minutes to say goodbye to our families. The Peacekeepers lead us off into separate comfortable, tastefully and expensively decorated rooms. I sit on a red velvet armchair and wait for anybody who wants to see me. My mother and father walk in first.

"Haymitch, I'm so sorry," Mother whispers solemnly. The good thing about my parents is that they won't cry and complain about what they will do without me there. They know better.

"Y'know, Haymitch, I always knew you were a fighter," Father says, patting my arm.

"Thanks. I'll try to win, but I'm not making any promises."

"That's all we ask," Mother smiles sadly.

"We'll miss you while you're gone, but we'll see you soon enough," Father grins.

"Mm, I'll either be alive and well or lying dead in a wooden crate."

Mother frowns, but gives me a hug before she leaves. I smile one last time at them both before they leave. Afterwards, I wonder if that would be the last time I ever saw my parents. I'm not expecting any other visitors, but Mr and Mrs Skylar come in about ten minutes after my parents leave. They're still sobbing slightly after seeing June, but they smile when they see me.

"Hello, Haymitch."

"Hi, Mr and Mrs Skylar."

"Oh, Haymitch, you can call us by our first names, you know that."

"Alright, hi, Lola and Martin… How are you doing? I'm really sorry about June."

"It's okay, Haymitch. You have to do what you have to do. And… if the time comes, I'm sure June would rather see you return home to your parents than…" Lola trails off.

"You've always been like a son to us. Good luck," Martin smiles, squeezing my shoulder before he leaves with his arms around Lola.

When they leave, I make myself promise to never, ever kill June Skylar, even if it's just us in the final two. But then again, I'll probably die before that happens. When I'm in the Capitol train, lying on a mattress stuffed with feathers and hiding underneath a warm, silk duvet, I tell myself what I really need to hear. I need to face the facts. I am Haymitch Abernathy, I'm seventeen and I'm in the 50th Hunger Games. It's the Quarter Quell- twice as many people need to die if I'm to return home. Better enjoy the fancy Capitol lifestyle while it lasts.