"Finnick! Fix your collar!"

As my hands slightly shake with fear, I could feel the silence outside. All you can hear is the distant waves and the ever so often call of a bird. My fingers fumble trying to tie my tie as mum walked up to me.

"Sweetie, it's ok. No one in our family has ever been called. Your name is there twice, the chances are very small." She finishes my tie and places a kiss on my forehead. She has never made me take extra rations in exchange for my name in the bowl.

"I know mum." Even though it didn't reassure me. I can feel the heavy droop of my eyelids. My body exhausted from my lack of sleep. I wipe the sweat from the palms of my hands and run my fingers through my blonde hair. I don't understand why I'm so nervous. We're one of the career districts, one of the districts that train and take pride in participating and winning. There has to be people that have been training that would volunteer anyway. I calm myself down a little with my own thoughts.

"Time to go Finnick," mum called from the front door.

As we leave mum locks the door and walks three houses down to see Mags. She was one of the first girls in District 4 to survive the games. The Hunger Games, the annual event that puts 24 kids in an arena to fight to the death. Mags is like our Grandma, one of the closest people to me. As we all walk towards the square I leave to go line up with the other 14 year old boys.

"You'll be fine honey." Mum gives me a pat on the back.

"Good luck." Mag's gives me a kiss on the cheek that I immediately wipe off. I really hate it when they embarrass me in public…even on days like this.

As I run into the line I catch a glimpse of Annie Cresta, gorgeous red curls running down her back. Her green eyes catch mine and my cheeks blush red. She lines up with the 13 year old girls as I hear the boom of the microphone go around the square. All eyes go up to Zuki Goldsworth, District 4's escort. She wears a silly blue wig on top of her head this year along with some sort of gold sparkling dress...if you can even call it that. As she begins to speak she welcomes our town mayor to the microphone. I blank out as they go into the speech that is the exact same every year.

"Ok now for the reaping." She walks over to the girls bowl. I realise that I could fit my entire small body into the bowl if I tried. She pulls one name out. "Misha Laplante," the crowd goes quiet as a tall girl steps from the crowd she isn't skinny but she isn't tough. She looks like she wouldn't harm a butterfly.

As Misha makes her way up to the stage Zuki moves over to the boys bowl. My hands tremble with fear. I try breathing deep and slow. She pulls out a name, and walks back over to the microphone. "Finnick Odair!" booms through all speakers. I didn't process what had just happened until I hear my mum's sobs coming from the crowd. My legs are moving before I can process what I'm doing. I slowly walk up to the stairs and catch my face on the screen.

I try not to cry, I stay strong whilst my mum can see me. I get greeted by the mayor as I hear Zuki's voice. "Any volunteers?" I see a girl's hand go up. She is strong, a lot stronger than Misha. I look towards the boys and there is nothing...Nothing at all. The other girl is walking up to the stage and Zuki is saying something I can't hear.

I catch Annie Cresta's beautiful green eye's in the crowd. The same green eyes I have. She gives me a sympathetic smile and I realise this might be the last time I see her beautiful face, her big green eyes. I go to smile back but I'm pushed away. They usher me into the justice building and into a room.