Chapter 1

I open my eyes. Today is a new day. Hooray.

It's officially Day 6 in my mourning period. Yes, my mourning period. No, nobody died. Maybe I should make that more clear. This is Day 6 in my Break-up Mourning Period. That horrible day flashes in my mind.

"Violet." Scarlett whispers in my ear.

"Hmmm." I run my nose down her neck, my lips grazing her skin.

"Violet, knock it off. We need to talk."

I reluctantly pull away and look in her blue eyes. My hand still runs through her brown hair. "You're in a mood today. Everything okay?"

"I think we need to break up."

I scrunch my eyebrows. My hand drops. "What?"

"I'm sick of the sneaking around and the hiding in the woods all the time. Either you come out or you don't."

I consider this and shake my head. "I'm sorry, I can't."

"Then we're done." She walks away.

I stare after her with tears in my eyes, then run up to her and grab her hand. "Scar, come on! You're my best friend! You can't, I mean, why are you-"

She drops my hand. "I told you, I'm done with the hiding."

"That's not what you told me two weeks ago! You said you loved it."

She's silent.

"You can tell me. I can take it. Why are you doing this?" "

I- I can't." She runs away.

"Scar!"

Scarlett. My best friend, my first, now ex-girlfriend. The girl that's been haunting my mind for over a year. I shouldn't be thinking about her this much when I'm trying to get over her. It will only make it worse. But I guess that's normal with break-ups.

I will not think of her.

I crawl out of bed and walk into my bathroom. I stop my mirror and catch a glimpse of myself.

My light brown hair is tangled all over, from the top to the bottom, a little past my shoulders. My bangs have escaped from my restless sleep. However, they're a few centimeters away from passing my eyebrows. My purple eyes are drooping. Yeah, they're purple. It's the reason why I was named. I'm glad that it sets me apart from everyone else, but everyone stares at me because of them.

It's a blessing and a curse.

"Violet!"

I walk out. "What?"

My mom, Miranda, waltzes into the room. She's wearing the black dress that she usually wears on formal occasions and high heels. "Oh, good, you're up. Though you're not ready, I see." She eyes my navy blue tank top, matching panties and bedhead.

"Don't worry, I'll be on time for school," I groan. "Even though I don't want to go." I walk over to my closet and open it.

"No school today, Vi," Mom reminds. "Reaping Day."

I roll my eyes. "Oh, right. Well, this day just got ten times better."

Reaping Day is the dreadful day where twenty-six kids, two from each district, are chosen to compete in the Hunger Games. They fight to the death and only one makes it out alive. There was a rebellion against the Games over six hundred years ago and it was led by a girl who competed in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games named Katniss Everdeen. But during the rebellion, she was killed in a bombing at District Eight and President Snow put the Games back on. His descendents have been keeping them going ever since.

If only she succeeded.

"Violet, are you all right?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I dig through my collection of vintage T-shirts. White t-shirt with black stars, blue plaid, scarlet red tank top... Scarlett... Fuck.

My mom sighs. "Vi, I know you're still upset about Scarlett..."

"Scarlett who?" I say bitterly.

"Vi." She sits down on my bed and pats on the spot next to her. I sit there. "It's okay to still be upset."

"I'm not."

"I can see why," she continues, ignoring me. "She was the last person your father and I expected to do this."

"I know." Mom and my dad, Adrian, were shocked when I came home sobbing and screaming, "She freaking dumped me! WAHHHHHH!" Mom and Dad approved of Scarlett a year ago, after I had told them I was a lesbian. Of course they were surprised, but they accepted it and were glad that I was with Scarlett, that I was with someone they knew. Familiar.

Now, not so much.

"Really, Mom, I'm fine. I don't want to talk about it," I snap, getting up.

"Hey, don't get sassy with me! You really shouldn't keep things bottled up inside. I'm just reminding you that you can talk to me about it. Or your father, if he's willing."

"Okay, Mom." Sure. Okay.

"And also," She gets up. "if Scarlett ever says something or does anything that bothers you, remember," She puts her fists up. "I can take her."

I laugh. "Thanks Mom." "Now, let's pick out your dress for the reaping. I don't want you wearing one of your usual outfits. And no ponytail."

"Why not?" She knows I'm most comfortable wearing one.

"It's a special event." She says wearily.

Later

I twirl around in my one dress. It's purple plaid, with straps and it almost comes down to my knees. My hair was also down and curled. I look down at my black ballet flats and sigh. "Better?"

"Much. Ready?"

"Guess so."

We walk into the living room, where Dad is waiting. "Look at my two lovely ladies!" He pecks Mom on the cheek and turns to me. "How you holding up, Vivi?"

I smile at my old nickname. "Doing okay."

"Well, it's good to see you happy again." He smiles back.

Mom checks the time. "Let's go, we can't be late."

Dad nods. "That's right." He turns back to me. "We're meeting the Moons."

David Moon is my other best friend and, as of the last few days, my support system. He had learned I was a lesbian on Day 2 of my mourning period. He was surprised, of course. Any guy would be if he found out two of his best girl friends are gay. And were dating each other. But he's been handling it pretty well in my opinion.

Mr. Moon greets Mom and Dad and the three of them walk ahead of us, leaving me and David trailing behind them.

"Hey, Vi."

"David."

"Why so formal?"

"It's a special occasion," I say sarcastically.

"Oh yes," He speaks in a haughty Capitol accent. "An occasion in which kids are given death sentences. Lovely, isn't it?"

"Very much so," I answer in my own Capitol accent, which sucks and we both know it.

"Yeah, hope the odds are ever in our favor." He laughs, then speaks in his normal voice. "So how are you?"

"I'm okay." I look at him straight in the eye. "Really."

"Just making sure." He sounds doubtful.

Well. I suck at lying, too.

"Well, I'm just starting to feel okay," I argue. "I'm not totally over it yet."

"I can tell."

"Am I that obvious?"

"Yeah. A couple of my other friends asked about it and I said you broke up with your long-distance boyfriend from District Nine."

Why didn't I think of that? "Nice."

"I try."

"Well, we're here," announces Mr. Moon.

We are here. The reaping.

So here is Chapter 1! I'm writing this as I update it, so they may take a while. Please be patient. Also, I have some pictures of Violet and her reaping outfit on my profile. Just scroll down to my section called My Stories, it's number 19.

Song for Chapter: I Don't Wanna Be In Love by Good Charlotte

Review! ~LDD