Chapter 2

I stand there for a while as my brain skids to a halt and I have trouble remembering where I am, what's happening and why everyone is staring at me. And then I remember.

I was chosen.

My brain decides to let me retain some dignity, as I at least managed to keep my mouth closed. And I start walking. I don't know if it feels like a long time or a short time, but I'm on the steps, then standing next to Catherine Lowe, and she's staring at me confused. She's not the only one.

I've never really been tall. In fact, I'm almost a head shorter than Darren, although he's pretty tall so the same can be said for most people. I'm skinny, because there were seven mouths to feed before my father died, and six isn't much better. I definitely do not look like I could win. So why was I chosen?

I look at the crowd and most look guilty. They should do. They condemned me. I hear a hysterical sobbing, which can only be my mother. My sisters all look shocked and sad. I try not to look at anyone else, although my eyes involuntarily drift to Darren. He's not even looking at me.

Catherine Lowe must have realised no-one will clap for me, so I think she calls out the boy. I don't hear it. All I know is that a boy is coming up onto the stage and stands the other side of Catherine. He glances at me for just a second and I know I've met him before. I can't put a name or a voice to this face, though. I can't even remember when or how we met. I just know we have.

The mayor's talking again, but I still can't hear. Then the boy turns to me and we shake hands. I see in his eyes that he looks guilty too. He must have voted for me. Or maybe it's something to do with that memory I've forgotten. Then we're being taken into the Justice Building and I'm alone in a room and it takes all I can not to cry.

My mother and sisters come in, and they're all crying. Lucy sits on my lap and sobs into my shoulder. Mum has calmed down a bit, and now she silently cries into her handkerchief.

"I love you, honey. Don't you ever forget that," is all she can say before she breaks down and has to sit on a seat opposite me. Louise just smiles at me tearily and says,
"You were always the least annoying one."
"Thanks" I say.
"I'll miss you," Lottie sniffles, "Come home in one peace, y'hear?" I nod.
"I always knew you were strong. I don't know how you're not crying." Lily says.
"You're not the only one." I say sarcastically and chuckle a bit, but it's forced. Lucy whimpers something, and I almost miss it, but I just about catch her say,
"Please don't die."
"I won't. I promise." I say. I wish I hadn't said the last part. Promising not to die is wrong, because not only would I be dead, but I'd have broken a promise, and I wouldn't be there for Lucy to tell me off.

Peacekeepers come in and I'm alone again, but not for long. Darren crosses to me and sits by me.

"I guess you won't be here for your birthday. Here." He says. It's true. My birthday's only a couple of weeks away. He hands me a box, which is small and flat. I open it and see a gold chain, with a small, gold crescent moon. It takes my breath away.
"Darren… This… This is beautiful. How could you afford it?" I breathe.
"I've been saving up for months. Years maybe. No biggie." He says and shrugs. Only, I can see the nervousness in his eyes. I hug him tightly, and tears prick my eyes. One travels down my cheek and onto his shoulder. I pull back and laugh lightly.
"Don't cry." He whispers. He wipes the wet track off my cheek and keeps his hand there. "You're strong. You'll make it through. Just get a scythe, a knife or an axe."
"Axes are too heavy, they make me slow. Scythes are rare, there probably won't be one. And everyone wants a knife." I reply, whispering too. Another tear runs down my cheek, then another, then another. I'm crying now as I face the reality. I will have a few days of looking pretty for cameras, training and eating as much as I can, then I will most likely die within the first day in the arena.
"They have a scythe most years. I checked. You won't die. You- you can't die." He says, his face only inches away from mine before he stands up and picks up the box. "Here." He says as he removes the necklace from the box and leans down to put it on me. I look at it for a moment, and when I look up, his face is close again. Before I can react, he pecks me softly on the lips and leaves the room, leaving me in a stunned silence.

It's only a short car ride to the train station, but as I look out at the trees, probably for the last time, I barely see them.

The train station is flooded with reporters and cameras, which take pictures at every step. Then we're on the train and allowed to do whatever we want. I go to my own private room, and take a hot shower. The closest thing I've ever had to a shower is when I would stand in the rain. But that was usually freezing. The water warms me up and I don't want to leave. Although, I don't want wet hair at dinner so I get out and dry my hair. I find a silky, forget-me-not blue blouse and black skirt. I put my necklace back on, and decide to only take it off for showering from now on. I leave the compartment and into the dining room to find everyone is already there. There is a space in between Catherine and Grace, which I sit in.

"Oh good, punctual ones this year. Usually I have to collect them for supper!" Catherine says, smiling at me. I get the feeling she was trying to compliment me. A servant comes in with a large platter of food, which I tuck into ravenously.
"Be careful there." Grace says to me. "You're not used to food this rich. You might be sick." I try to be more careful, but I'm still hungry. I didn't eat much breakfast, and I didn't have lunch. About half way through dinner, Gavin starts the conversation.
"Now, we have to think about what we'll do. Tomorrow you'll be going to your stylist, then you'll be displayed for the first time."
"Yes, we need to think about how you'll look." Grace continues. "What do we want you to be like for the Capitol. You, dearie, look adorable." She says to me. "Can you play cute and harmless?"
"I can try." I reply.
"Great. Now what about you, Kyle?" She asks. I guess this must be the name of the boy from my district. For some reason, it doesn't seem familiar. I guess I never knew his name.
"I think he could be sarcastic and confident. The ladies'll love him." Gavin says. "You think you could do that?" Kyle nods.
"Perfect. All sorted. We'll have a rehearsal of sorts at breakfast tomorrow. Now, however, it's time for bed. Get a good night's sleep." Grace tells us. She reminds me of my mother. The way she talks. Her little pet names. Even her smile is always so sincere and happy. I wonder how she does it, after being in the arena. The horrors she must have seen.

On the way back to my compartment, I find myself alone with Kyle. He seems to be avoiding my eyes. I think he must remember what happened when we first met.
"Y'know," I start "I've met you before. The thing is, I just can't remember where." He glances at me for just a second and gulps.
"We must have bumped into each other at school." He replies.
"Wow. I didn't think anybody could be a worse liar than my sister." I say, raising an eyebrow. Somehow, I know it's not true. He sighs.
"Fine. It was a couple of years ago. I was just walking through a forest, when I stumbled across you training. You hadn't noticed me, but then you pointed your scythe right at me. Then you looked shocked, so I guess you didn't know I was there after all. Then you told me not to tell anyone. I nodded and left." He tells me. I smile sarcastically.
"Thaaat's it… Well, you kept that promise well." I say, and disappear into my room.

A/N

Two chapters! Better than the last story! I was going to continue this, but I felt this was the right place to stop.

Thanks to Ainlina101 for reviewing! Speaking of reviews, I won't beg anymore. I'm not even going to say "I won't post another chapter until I get 10 reviews!1". I'm just going to say this. I suffer from extreme procrastination. A review will remind me to get on with this, and will help combat my procrastination.

Also, if anybody spots any mistakes, please mention it to me! Even if there are several thousand, I'd love to know because I love correcting things!

(Three pages… Getting better!)