DISCLAIMER:

There are several concepts, characters, and real life things that I use and/or mention in this chapter that I don't own. These include but are not limited to the Hunger Games, Finnick Odair, and Peacekeepers.

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IN THIS CHAPTER: Mild Adult Language and Mild Sexual Reference

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CHAPTER 2

A Peacekeeper grabs my arm and drags me into the Justice Building.

"Wait here," he growls before stalking out.

While I wait for my visits to begin, I think about what has just happened.

I, Finnick Odair, live in District Four, a Career District.

I, Finnick Odair, was chosen to participate in the Hunger Games.

I, Finnick Odair, was not replaced by a volunteer.

I, Finnick Odair, will be participating in the 65th Hunger Games.

I, Finnick Odair, could die, or I could become a victor and build a new life for my mom and myself.

I, Finnick Odair,—

Crack.

I watch my mom enter the room sobbing.

"Finnick!" she cries.

"Mom!" Somehow, seeing the tears in my mom's eyes makes me feel even worse than I already did. I am the only one left for my mom. And I'm leaving. With a 4% chance of coming back.

"Mom, Mom, I'm so sorry! I'm gonna do this. For us, for Lecia. I'm gonna win this one; no one can stop me. We're gonna live in Victor's Village with a—"

My mom was giving me a look that said that I could cut the BS because she was my mother and she knew me better than anyone else.

"What?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Finnick. Ever since Lecia, I've been a wreck. I've treated you like my husband instead of my son, and I've been no support to you, and your trying to protect me by telling me all this stuff, and I've made—"

I can't take it. "MOM!" I yell.

"Wh-what?"

"Even though it got hard when dad died, and even harder after Lecia died, I've never really needed anything more than you could give. Sure, sometimes I've been hungry—"

My mom flinches when I say this but I continue.

"Sometimes I've had to wear clothes from two years ago that don't even fit right because we can't afford new ones. But you know what I've always had? A mother who I can count on to bring home whatever she can. A roof over my head. Running water. Some amount of food on the table, even if it's only a little. Things haven't always been great for us, but you've always done your very best for me and that's all that I can ask. And when I get back as victor of the 65th Hunger Games, we won't have those problems anymore either."

"Finnick…"

"No, Mom! I'm not going to sit here and listen to you beat yourself up when you haven't done anything wrong."

My mom pulls me into a hug and whispers into my ear, "No matter what...happens, I'll always be proud of you Finnick."

I take her face in my hands. "Mom, this won't be the last time we see each other, okay?"

A Peacekeeper storms into the room yelling, "You're time is up Mrs. Odair!"

Mom ignores him and clings on to me for a long time before letting go. Then, we just sit there looking at each other for who knows how long.

The Peacekeeper begins to get agitated. "Mrs. Odair! If you do not come immediately, I will call for support to escort you out."

She glares at him. "You know what, you're already sending my son to your g*dd*mn Games so he can kill or be killed, I think you can spare thirty seconds for me to say goodbye to him since I won't see him for at least a couple weeks!"

Even though I'm fully aware that this may be the last time I see her, I can't help but smile.

As soon as my mom is out of sight, my girlfriend, Irlissa Vandyerlin, stumbles in.

"FINNICK!" she cries, running towards me.

I sprint towards her until we collide in a seemingly awkward hug. But nothing is awkward with Irlissa.

"I'm sorry Irlissa," I whisper into her hair. "I'm so, so sorry."

"I just don't understand," she moans. "Brent is a career. He's spent his life training for this. And he's seventeen. Why didn't he volunteer?"

Brent was in my survival skills class. He passes weapons classes with flying colors, but doesn't seem to understand that if you can't find food or water, you die.

"Brent?" I ask. "If I die, he'll probably have a party. Why would he volunteer for me?"

Brent hates me. Maybe because I'm just as good as him in pretty much anything, and a lot better with a trident, which is the signature weapon of our district. And he's three years older than me. Not that I care, or rub it in his face, but no, my existence bothers him. Or it might be because he asked Irlissa out and she said no because she wanted me. Either way, that guy would give up everything he owns if it means my death. So he obviously wouldn't volunteer to replace me in the Games.

"Well he's wanted to be in the Games all his life…"

"Correction, he's thought he wanted to be in the Games all his life. Maybe when opportunity came a' knocking he decided he didn't want this as much as he thought."

"Oh, Finnick, what if you die? I wouldn't be able to— "

I stop her with a soft kiss on the lips. I hold it until I need to come up to breathe, and being an avid swimmer that is quite a bit of time. I only pull away an inch or two. "No matter what happens, I love you. And when I see you again, I'll still love you."

"Me too," she whispers back to me.

She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a silver bangle.

"I got it made for your birthday, but then I decided to bring it just in case you were stupid enough to volunteer. Please take it as your token."

When I look at the bangle more closely I realize that it has our names embossed in it.

"Irlissa, how did you— ," I stop realizing I knew how she got it made. "Branson"

Branson's a victor. For an exorbitant amount of money, he'll bring back various items that can only be found in the Capitol when he returns from one of his quarterly visits.

"But it must have been so expensive!"

"It was worth it for you Finnick," she tells me.

I'm about to pull her into a kiss when a Peacekeeper barks, "Your time is up Miss Vandyerlin!"

Way to ruin the moment, I think, not that the Peacekeeper would care. He'd probably say the exact same thing with the exact same tone if we were having sex. And call support to "escort her out" when she stopped to put her clothes back on. Heartless Capitol freaks.

qxdNext in is Lance, my best friend. Correction, my only friend, with the exception or Irlissa. Not every pretty boy has millions of friends that he's with 24/7. As soon as he walks in, I know this will be the hardest of my goodbyes. With the girls it is easier, they cry, you hug them and tell them that when you get back you can live happily ever after with them. But I knpw it wouldn't be that easy with Lance. We just stare at each other for a while, not really knowing what to say when he notices the bangle on my wrist.

"From Irlissa?"

I nod.

"Nice. You can bring this one home Finnick. Let's face it, you're everything a guy could hope to be at fourteen."

I'm not sure exactly what to say to that. When I don't respond, he continues.

"You're fit, fast, strong, smart, and attractive."

I raise my eyebrow at that last part but don't say anything.

"For the sake of District Four, you've gotta win this. We sure as h*ll need it…"

I respond for the first time since he started talking.

"I know. And that's why I'm going to come back to District Four wearing a crown, not in a box."

He smiles.

"Good luck, man."

"Thanks."

He gives me an awkward hug, and as we pull apart the jack*ss Peacekeeper comes and says, "Your time is up!"

As Lance walks out the door he mouths, "You can do this."

And all that I can think is, I hope I can.

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A/N: I think my chapters are so short compared to others...I honestly prefer short chapters though. For those of you who love those heartwrenching moments, let me know if this wasn't emotional enough. For those of you who hate them, let me know if it was too emotional. Thanks for your interest and support! I'll update ASAP, but school starts again tomorrow so I'll be exponentially more busy...

Please review, I really appreciate the feedback!

-cindella204