There is a girl in the woods, her long braid dangling around her neck. There is a boy in the meadow, arranging the flowers on the grass. There is a mother in the house, who knows her children are not safe, and there is a father in the Seem who would think his daughter's chances are good. But he does not. He's not that stupid, he knows the districts want another great show, why else would they have reinstated the games by popular demand?

There is a girl at the reaping; there is a boy amongst the crowd. They are like their predecessors, but now they stand, the bakers son and the storms daughter. They have grey eyes that do not meet, but they know the other is there, it gives them no comfort.

There is a boy on the train, the place he has been dreading for a long time. There is a girl in the compartment, and she knows this is all the boys fault. They want nothing to do with each other; they want to forget about their parents past.

There is a man in the Seem, wondering how this came to be. There is a woman in the house, crying in her husband's arms.

They all know the games won't be so lenient this time.

Asher

It's quite awkward here, with Gale's kid stalking around the close compartments of the train. I guess I should start calling her Juniper, but…

They won't let my parents mentor us. I guess it's good to get someone fresh in, they've already told me everything I need to know about the games, and I guess I've seen my fair share of "happy couple" to get the idea into my head and basically know how to act it. I'm just worried about… Juniper. She might end up coming after me with her teeth as soon as the gong rings. I wouldn't put killing off her district partner past her, especially if her district partner is me.

Dinner feels sulky. Juniper keeps shooting me smug looks, and makes sure to sit beside Rory. Yah, Rory is our mentor. Her dad's brother is our mentor. It's less cheap than Mum and Dad mentoring us, but still. Whoever decided this probably doesn't discern anything messed up about this situation, seeing as all of Panems districts expect us to instantly fall in love. This will be difficult.

I smile at Juniper just to annoy her. She keeps scowling when I do that and it makes me think of Mum, which makes me creeped out. Turning my attention to the opposite wall, I can't help noticing our escort has taken out a camera and started snapping pictures. I blow Juniper a kiss because I might as well; it's majorly overdone and our escort topples out of her chair squealing. Gales kid is staring daggers and Rory just keeps ignoring me.

Within a moment, Carmela Rosamund has slid back into her chair, blushing and giggling. I'm glad these people are so easily fooled; it'll make my life much easier.

Juniper

Freaking pathetic. If that kid seriously thinks I'm going to play along with this, he… he's exactly what he is. A witches and a retarded bakers offspring, a retarded baker witch…wizard. Who knows?

I want to throw my food at that psychopathic woman who keeps taking out her camera. I seriously wonder what exactly she's hoping to take pictures of. Besides the happy family we are. Sarcasm by the way. Plus, we're only related if the witch Katniss is still classified as my aunt second removed.

I get angry at Rory when he stops me from leaving the dinner carriage. I have no idea what he wants, but I learn soon enough

He wants us to watch hunger games reruns. And not those of just any games, he's forcing us to watch the games.

'seriously Rory.' I try pushing past him, he gets in my way again.

'Seriously Juniper. Gale wants you back alive, it's the least I can do.'

'By forcing me to watch his parents make out!'

'They don't make out.'

'No that's not until later.' The bakers kid grins.

'Will you shut up? I don't want to know any the details that lead up to your unfortunate birth, Asher.'

'That's a little harsh.' The blonde retorts.

'thankyou.'

Rory pushes me in the general direction of a couch in the far end of the room, and Asher follows as I reluctantly drag myself onto the arm rest.

'And now we're supposed to snuggle.' I say flatly, and the retarded baker witch pats the couch pillow beside him.

'you're not very good at this.' He tells me.

'you think you are?'

'no. We could at least try to make this work. They'll surely mess up our lives in the arena if we don't.'

'You think our lives in the arena won't be messed up? Psh. In which universe.'

The blondes gaze hardens and I can tell I've passed some line. 'You know I don't, we all know I don't.'

What a wuss.

'Pay attention Juniper. Do it for Gale.' Rory tells me.

'Do what? You think dad wants me to cuddle this guy on camera?' saying that sentence makes me make a face.

'Just try ok? Just try and co come back home.' He clicks the remote and the show starts. He then proceeds to wander off as inconspicuously as possible. He's a hypocrite, but I can't blame him. Dad must have been a mess when this stuff aired.

It's not too bad for the most part. It's laughable that people think I look like the witch Katniss, even though the similarities are admit ably larger when she was my age. I almost gain respect for her the way she ignores the baker for the most part, until the kissing. I resist the urge to shield my eyes. I involuntarily glance at Asher, and notice him staring intently. How disgusting. I push myself off the chair and stomp to the door

'You wish.' I call over my shoulder as I leave.