Disclaimer: I DO NOT own the Hunger Games! QQ

Chapter 2

We are ushered into the Justice Building while the applause still rings in my ears. I'm thinking about who will visit me. Probably my mom, dad, and Izzy. I hope not too many more or I'll start to get emotional. I'm put in a small room with the most lavish furnishing I have ever seen. Leather couches, framed mirrors and not to mention the strong oak desk in the corner inlaid with all different types of jewels. I stroll over to the massive windows that look out to the square. I see kids hugging and high-fiving as a sign of relief that they are out of trouble, al least for this year. It finally hits me that I might never see any of those people ever again. I quickly step away from the window to avoid anymore confusing feelings.

"You have three minutes."

I whirl my head around to find my mom and dad as they step into the room. Instantly, my mom is hugging me and tears are streaming down her face. My dad is also looking sad but certainly not to the extent of my mother. I pull away from her hug and look her in the eyes. Those same green eyes she gave to me.

"Mom, don't worry. I'm coming home."

She seemed so devastated that I didn't say anything else and tugged my dad in for a group hug. We stayed like that until two Peacekeepers took my parents away and left me sitting alone in the room on the verge of tears. I am quick to wipe away my tears when I hear a faint knocking on the door. Izzy walks in and sits next to me on the leather couch.

"You really did it," Izzy says quietly

"Yep. And I'm going to win this thing."

"Well I want to give this to you. Please wear it as your district's token."

Izzy presents a sliver hairpin about the size of paperclip, encrusted with all different types of jewels. Diamond, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and who knows what else. I place it in the sunlight and a brilliant array of colors shoot up to the ceiling. It is so beautiful I was speechless.

"I took it from my dad's collection. It shines all different colors. Just like you."

I am so moved by this, all I can do is give Izzy a long hug. We stay close until Izzy pulls away and clips the hairpin to hold my bangs out of my face. I feel a lump starting to form in my throat but before I can say anything, Izzy takes my hand in hers and looks me in the eye.

"Wear it in the arena ok? Promise?"

"I promise."

And with that, my best friend left and I was once again alone in the small room. Its hard to believe a few minutes ago I thought the room was so beautiful. Now all the room's pieces seem so dark. I no longer see part of the mayor's office. I see is a prison. It's crazy how fast hatred can grow. I never want to see this place again. I get my wish and Peacekeepers escort me to the motorcar that will take me to the train station and eventually, the Capital. I walk out of the Justice Building with a wide smile, intent on displaying my confident personality.

Once we board the train, I can finally let my smile drop and I massage my face. Who knew smiling took so much muscle? By the time the train pulls out of the station, it's only about two o'clock, but I am so drained by the day's activities, I was start to doze off. Unfortunately, my wonderful peace and quiet is interrupted by Katella yelling for everyone to meet in the dining car for a "family" meeting. I laugh at this statement because we all know at least of the "family" members will be dead within a few weeks. However, I obediently follow Katella into the dining room to watch the reapings.

I find Marvel and his mentor already strategizing. He slips me a sly glance and I give him a flirtatious bat of the eyelashes. I need to keep my act up, even in front of my "allies". On the other side of the car, I see my mentor. She is a tall, muscular woman with a large scar running down her right cheek. She looks off into the distance out of the window but puts on a stern face when I approach her.

"Hello. My name is Rena and I will be your mentor. "

"I'm Glimmer. Nice to meet you."

"Yes, Yes. Now that we are all acquainted, lets watch the recaps of the reapings!" Katella squeals excitedly.

Now that I think about it she kind of reminds me of a pig with the ridiculous pink skin and the little curls coming out of her head. Ich. I can't stand her. They start off with our reapings. I'm glad I looked more confident than I felt walking up onto the stage. They continued onto District 2 where a small girl with dark brown hair and freckles volunteered. She looked young, maybe fourteen or fifteen. Her name was Clove. I guess she just wanted to die young.

Then it was time for the boys. A second after a boy's name was called a older kid from the back of the crowd volunteers. He steps out in the open and I think my heart stops. He is tall, muscular and has piercing blue eyes. His blonde hair sways in the wind. I think a few girls faint in the crowd and I think I would have too. He is perfect.

"And what is your name young man?"

"Cato Carveli"

Cato. The name stays in my mind all through the rest of the reapings until they reach District 12. I am brought back to reality when I hear, "I volunteer!" Everyone stops and stares, eyes boring through the TV. A girl with olive skin and grey eyes steps up onto the stage. I wonder what her secret is. I guess I'll just have to wait and find out. Her name is Katniss Everdeen.

How do you guys like it? I'm having a lot of fun writing this :D thanks for positive feedback!