Mila Aaron POV
The early sun streams through my bedroom windows, the curtain blowing towards where I lay. I sit up and rub my eyes. Today is reaping day, which I would normally not have to worry about this year. When you turn nineteen, your name is taken out of the bowl for good. Yeah, not this year. Because it's the Quarter Quell.

I stretch my arms and turn to where my brothers sleeps. Opal, he's still sleeping. It's only his second reaping, as he is only thirteen.

"Opal, get up, the reaping's in three hours." He sits up and yawns.

"Aw, Mila, do we have to go?" I nod sadly.

"Of course we have to. Now, go get dressed, and I'll make breakfast."

I walk out to the kitchen. There are old, dusty, family photos from a while back on the walls.

My parents died a few years ago, in a really weird car crash. The thing is, it's apparently their fault, so they were sued and Opal and I barely have any money. I'm the only one who can care for Opal.

But, there's always Kendrick. Kendrick, my boyfriend, my best friend, always looking out for me, and with him I know that I am never truly alone.

I get some bread out of the box and and pop it in the toaster. I remember when my parents were alive, we would get warm croissants and goat cheese on reaping day, but obviously, we will never be able to afford it now.
Opal emerges from the hallway, freshly showered and dressed. The bread pops out of the toaster, so I butter it and give it to him.

"Eat up while I go get ready." I tell him. I walk to my room and search my small closet for something presentable to wear.

Hm, I guess this will do. I take down a slim fitting white tank top, dark wash blue skinny jeans, tall brown boots, and a leather jacket. I take my wavy blond hair and tie it back in my usual long braid. I actually look pretty, the outfit compliments my tan skin and rosy cheeks, and my blue eyes really pop.

I walk back to the kitchen and Opal is waiting in the living room, done with breakfast.
"C'mon, Opal, Kendrick will walk with us to the reaping." He gets up and we walk out the door.
Kendrick lives a few houses down the block. We walk over mainly in silence.

Kendrick ReddWillow POV

The doorbell rings. I rush and slip on my khaki shorts and blue t-shirt. I quickly put on my running shoes and rush to the door.

I answer it, and it's none other than Mila and Opal, my girlfriend and her brother. "Hey." I say and give Mila a quick hug.

"Hey. Ready to go?" she replies. I nod. We walk out the door and set off for the square.

We get there, and the PeaceKeepers are standing there, needles in hand, ready to prick our fingers. I wince a bit- I haven't gotten it done in two years, Mila's face doesn't display any emotion, but Opal almosts cries. Niome meets us at the gates.

"Hey, Mila, Kendrick." she says. We wave. Niome is our closest friend, and she is technically still eligible for the reaping. It helps her chances, as more names are being put in.

Opal and I walk over to the boys section, him being in the thirteen year olds and I stand in the twenty years through thirty years section.

The second rebellion video starts, the boring one that they've showed recently, with Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. When it ends, Mayor Blayd reads the Treaty of Treason and the escort, named Azure Felip, walks up.

"Welcome, everybody, welcome to the District Two reaping!" the neon haired, glow in the dark eyed escort chimes. She then goes over a long list of rules about volunteering, as the District Two citizens who train are very...eager to be the first to volunteer.

"Now, we will choose our female tribute!" Azure sticks her hand in the bowl and chooses a slip, carefully, as if she was scared the paper would rip.

"Mila Aaron!"

What? NO!

Mila Aaron POV

A wave of emotion washes over me. Fear. Love. Worry. But mostly fear. It's as if I'm drowning in fear.

I walk up to the stage. I will not become a bloodthirsty monster of a Career in these Games. I refuse.

I look over to see Kendrick, in shock. He mouths something:

'I will volunteer'

I shake my head no as hard as I can. No. I'm not losing him too.

"Well?"

I turn and see the escort. "I beg you pardon?" I ask.

"How old are you, for the third time!"

"Oh. Nineteen." I reply. Azure nods.

"And now for the male tribute!" she shouts, enthusiastically.

"Michael Yumaki!"

"I volunteer!" a voice in the crowd shouts. I told him not to do it. I told Kendrick not to volunteer!

He walks up to the stage. "Oh, goodie! Your name and age, please?"

"Kendrick ReddWillow, twenty."

Goodbyes, 3rd person.

Niome and Opal run in to see Mila. Niome tells Mila how happy she will be when she sees Mila again, and Opal cries a bit, and gives Mila and old piece of leather as her token.

Jefry, Jay, Sean and Niome come in to see Kendrick. Sean jokes around and tries to lighten the mood, Jefry and Jay pat him on the back and tell him to stay safe. Niome offers Kendrick a locket as his token, but Kendrick denies it, he's using a leather anklet given to him by Mila, who says it's very special. Kendrick has never known why.

Kendrick and Mila agree not to be Careers, even if they want them. Kendrick knows they have a chance.

But, it's all about the odds, right?