This is the fanciest room I've even seen, I've decided. Everything is so plush- the floors, the chairs, everything. I run my hands over the chair I'm sat in, trying to memorize the way it feels. I have been in a room like this once before, five years ago. When Finn was reaped.

I dream about that day a lot. I don't think I'll ever be able to forget that fear I felt. But Finnick promised he'd come home. And Finnick Odair doesn't make promises he can't keep.

I never took my eyes off the screen during his games. I remember I would sit, cross legged, in front of our very small television and cry most of the day. I also remember that I had sent the little, tiny bit of money that I had to Mags in the Capitol. I found out later that it was put towards the trident he was given by a sponsor.

I'm glad I helped him somehow, even if it was only a little bit of money.

But now, this is different. I'm the one that's going into the arena, not Finnick. I know Zenner is in the room beside mine, and I really wish we could be together for this. But we can't. They won't let us.

Capitol people are mean. So are the peacekeepers. I haven't done anything wrong, I don't understand why they're so cruel. Not just to me, but to everyone. Panem hasn't done anything wrong, so why do we deserve the hunger games? I don't get it, and I doubt I ever will, considering I'm going to die in a matter of days.

I'm not afraid of death. At least I don't think I am. Heaven is where I'll be going, so I'm not afraid. Maybe people my age are nicer up there, and they'll be my friends, not enemies. Maybe there's no such thing as the hunger games up there, and all there is to do is swim and fish all day long. I wonder what the beaches are like up there.

My head snaps up when the door opens. Ivory stands in front of me, staring at me. She doesn't cry, she doesn't move, she just stares at me. I hope she isn't in shock, that can't be healthy. The amount of time we get together is three minutes, but what is there to say? I love you and I hope you come home? We both know we love each other, and we both know I won't be coming home, so it's pointless.

The seconds tick by, but they feel like hours. She just stares at me, looking me up and down, up and down, over and over. Maybe she's trying to memorize me. Yeah, that's probably it.

When the peacekeeper calls out that we have thirty seconds left, she finally walks to me. She bends down and kisses my forehead gently, before wiping her thumbs under my eyes.

"You're coming home." Are the three words she offers me before turning around and walking out. Why would she say that? To give me false hope?

Or maybe she thinks it because she knows Zenner is going to be in there with me. I remember when we were little, Ivory used to tease the two of us by singing this song, that went something like, 'Annie and Zenner, swimming in the sea, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage.'

It used to annoy me a lot. Zenner is my brother. I can't even think about kissing him. The only person I can think about kissing is Finnick.

But I don't think that's what Zen feels about me. He's tried to kiss me before, but I've told him no. I don't like him like that. But he likes me like that. Love is confusing. I don't think I ever want to be in love. Well, it's not like I'll ever have the chance, anyways.

The only other people to come in are my parents. They hold me and they cry silently, which makes me cry. I turn into a sobbing mess, and the peacekeepers yank them away from me before I have a chance to choke out I love you. I curl into myself and continue to cry as I'm led out of the room.

What does it matter, how the people of the Capitol see me? I'm not going to change for them, maybe I would if I had the chance of winning, but still.

The second I'm with Zenner, he puts his arm around me. He doesn't look like he's been crying. I know his family isn't as close as mine, but still. He's so big, he can use a knife, he might have a chance of winning this.

I hide my face in his side, hearing the cameras go off as we climb onto the train. The second I see Finnick, I go from being in Zenner's arms, to his. He holds me and strokes my back gently, not offering any words. Again, there isn't much to say right now.

Everyone that is on the train right now- myself, Zenner, Finnick, Mags, and our escort, who's name I'm yet to know- knows that me and Finnick are best friends. It doesn't matter to them if I cry to him. He's my mentor, I can do that.

Normally the female escort takes the female tribute, but I know Finnick'll never stand for that. I doubt he'd want to help Zenner anyways. I don't think they like each other very much.