"Nerissa Marine!" I look up from my shoes. My name...that's my name! I slowly walk up to the stage with a smile on my face "Do not show fear! Do not show fear!" I repeat over and over in my head. As I mount the stage I can't believe it. I'm only seventeen and I'm going into the hunger games. I fight back the tears that want to spill over my eyelids "So YOU are Nerissa? I'm Bluebell your escort! Oh your just so adorable! Any volunteers? No? Okay on to the boys!" The Capitol lady walks over in her bright blue dress and high heels. I try to come up with a word for my situation.

You know I don't think there is a word horrible enough to describe this! It's like I'm dying inside! I mess with my curly blonde hair nervously. Looking over at the boys I see several wink at me. Gross! Wait I'll need sponsors! I wink back at them, my pretty blue eyes sparking. They do their best to smile. I mean I'm going into the arena! I'll probably die for Pete's sake! No, positive thinking! I turn my attention back to Bluebell.

"Dylan Waters!" Seriously? Two seventeen year olds?!Great! So now I'm stuck with the strongest,cutest, smartest guy in district four! The brown haired boy quickly walks up to the stage. Oh my gosh! He just smiled at me! Not only that but the smile seems real! How could he be happy? "Well well well we've got a heartthrob here!" Giggles our escort as Dylan winks at her. On the inside I mentally puke. On the outside I have to smile. This could not get any worse! Well he is really cute... No you are going into the games no thoughts about boys girl get your head in the games!

We walk in to the justice building to say goodbye but I know nobody will come. I'm an orphan. I've got no family, no boyfriend, no friends, nothing. Plopping down I began the visit time. I only let two perfect tears slip down my face. I have to be perfect for the cameras! I have to get sponsors! I dry my eyes and walk over to the mirror. Pulling out my compact, I fix all the blurred makeup. I have plenty of money for cosmetics, my parents were merchants and made a lot of money. I inherited it all and since I live in the orphanage, I don't use it often.

Fifteen minuets later we're transported to the train station. I'm smiling and winking the entire time we drive. I mentally say goodbye to district four. Chances are all never see it again. " So Nerissa your room is here!" Bluebell says " And Dylan your room is here! Take a shower, relax, have fun! You will find clothes in the closet in your room. Dinner is in one hour and PLEASE don't be late! You will get to meet the mentors and decide who you want. There are four options. See you at dinner" She bounces away and I open my bedroom door.

It's amazing! The bed is huge,the floor is soft and carpeted, and the bathroom... Don't even get me started! I take off my clothes and get into the shower. Hot water spills over me and I examine the buttons on the side of the shower. I press the one with "honeysuckle" written on it. Instantly I smell a sweet fragrance all around me. A few minutes later I step out and myr body is blown dry. I put my finger on on a button and my hair is untangled. Walking into my room I pick out a filmy blue blouse, white skinny pants, and blue bow flats. I walk out into the living room and plop down on the couch to rest.

" Wake up Nerissa!" I dart up and my head crashes into the unfortunate person who woke me up " Geez! What was that for!" I open my eyes and to my horror I see Finnick Odar holding his head "Oh my gosh! I'm SO sorry! It was reflexes!" He laughs "Hey I'm okay! So you ready for dinner?" I get up and sit by Dylan " Hey Nerissa!" He says "You have got to try these noodles!" I taste them and my mouth explodes with cheesy flavor " Wow! That is really good! Oh and guys feel free to call me rissa. Everybody at home does." " Okay "rissa" after you finish eating you need to choose you mentor." I smile at Bluebell. That Capitol accent can make anything sound funny!

I look at them. Finnick, Mags, Annie, and Coral. Before I can say anything Dylan has decided "I want Finnick!" Finnick smiles and they walk to a different part of the train leaving me all alone. I smile at them trying to decide. Not Annie. She's mentally unstable. Not mags. I already know how to fishand that's pretty much all mags can do. " I'll take coral." The recent victor smiles and walks over to me "Why don't we talk in your room?"

We walk to my room and sit down on my bed. " Okay so do you have any secrets skills?" I think for a moment " Knives. I can throw them pretty well." Coral looks at me " Okay so I'm thinking we go with the attractive killer view. Your are a stunning girl and if your any good at combat I think we could pull it off. Oh by the way the winking and stuff BRILLIANT! You've started us off right! Now we need to watch the reapings of this years tributes 'kay?" We walk into the living room to find Dylan and Finnick starting the reapings I plop down to watch.

District one has wimps this year. Two's tributes are okay but we are the best of the three. I look stunning and so does Dylan. We watch the reapingsfor possible allies. Nobody suits us. I walk back to my room. I hear a knock "Come in!" I yell. Coral walks in and hands me something " Noticed you didn't have a token so I brought you this. It was mine in the 72 hunger games. Now it's yours for the 73." She walks out and I open my hand. On a slim silver chain is a delicate pink seashell. I put it on walk to my bed. It's not till I'm under the covers that It registers. I might be flat out dead in a week. I curl up into a tight ball and cry my heart out. Then I fall into a restless sleep.