I awake early the morning of the reaping, and rub my eyes roughly. I still have quite the headache from last night, and it seems to only have worsened. I pull on a shirt and clean pants, barely managing to tuck it in before pulling on the suspenders. The basket mother has prepared sits on the table, and I can hear my parents snoring in their bedroom. We aren't wealthy, but we have food to spare, and today, for a friend's birthday, mother has spared a few pieces of fruit and a loaf of bread. I grasp it tightly in my hand, and make my way to the shoreline where we decided to meet. Annie, it seems, is already there, her legs outstretched, basking in the virgin sun. I approach her, and take on the best deep voice I can.

"Excuse me, Miss, do you know what time it is?"

I know how peacekeepers unnerve Annie, and it shows, as she jumps to her feet. When she realizes that it's me, She swings her arm forward, punching my shoulder. "Very Funny, Fin." She chuckles. I extend my arm, presenting her the basket. "Happy Birthday." For a moment, her eyes meet mine, and we both drown in the other's. Then she kisses my cheek, and goes to straighten out the blanket. When she is settled, we move together, and she buries her head in the crook of my neck. "I hate this day. I know it's my birthday, but why, of all days, is it today?" This question came up every year, and every year, I had the same answer. "Because when things are meant to happen, they'll happen. Now eat." We do, and we enjoy ourselves, even shedding our clothes for a quick swim. When the town bell rings eleven, we know it is our cue to part. "I'll see you at the reaping." I laugh, and hug her close. "Wear something pretty."

When the time comes I give my name, and enter to the fourteen year old section. The reaping begins and the girls are first, as usual. The man leading is a quirky fellow named Fulton, and he often loses his thoughts before he outright presents them. It's a lot like a lecture in school, actually. He calls up the girl, and multiple people raise their hands to volunteer.

It's often very easy to avoid the games in District 4 if you want to. Most of the kids train their entire lives to be afforded the chance to go to the Capitol and fight in the Hunger Games. However, after last year's particularly bloody ending, where the boy from district fo-

"Finnick Odair."

I gulp. Me? Taking a deep breath, I begin my march to the stage, where I know any minute, the sound of a volunteer will ring forth, and I will be free to go. When I reach the stage and the program goes on, I realize what has happened to me. I look for Annie, and find she is sobbing.

So much for support.