Disclaimer: Don't own.

Guess who gets a virtual Finnick (that's right, no cookies. You get Finnicks instead. Consider yourselves lucky)! That's right: Save-The-Snorkacks! I'm going to give out virtual Finnicks for every update that I do. Save-The-Snorkacks got the first virtual Finnick because she was my fist review! Yay! Okay so I'm done talking now. :D

Chapter Two: The Reaping

As all three of us walked together, we were joined by my friends and their families as well. This was standard procedure for us. Callista and River were already deep in a conversation, so I talked to Juniper, Abbey, and Pearl, who were raving about District Four's latest Victor, Finnick Odair. He was tan, had a swimmer's body, bronze hair, and sea green eyes. He was also very cocky, or so I learned. At least I knew he was vain; he checked his hair in a hand-held mirror at least once every five minutes. "I mean, he's so hot," Pearl was saying. "I would give anything to be his girlfriend." Abbey says. "Agreed." Juniper said. "Honestly, I don't know why you guys like him so much." I laugh. Abbey acted offended and said in an overly dramatic voice. "Annie, really! We don't like him. You should know better!" "Oh?" I ask, cocking an eyebrow at them. "We love him! He's so…" Juniper trailed off. "Vain?" I ask, finishing for her. "No! He is not vain! He just wants to look good for the cameras!" Pearl jumps to Finnick's defense, even though he doesn't even know we're having this conversation, or probably that we exist at all. "Yep, sure guys. Whatever you say." I smirk, and walk over to the registration line, where you have to sign your name under your age group and gender. Once I was done signing in, I turned to my family, hugged them all, and they wished me good luck, and left to go into the little roped off areas around the perimeter of the Square. The girls got done signing and came over to me, hugging me one at a time, and we wished us all good luck, and left to go to our separate age groups, Juniper and I together in the area marked 'Fourteen'. Callista, Pearl, Abbey, and River were on their own.

The two long bongs that rang throughout the Square—probably the whole District—signaled that it was two o' clock. Our escort, Fillipa Gems (stupid name, but she's from the Capitol, what did you expect), jumped up to the podium, crystal—I'm not even joking, crystal—eyes gleaming. She welcomes us to another Hunger Games, and lets the mayor come up and talk about how the Hunger Games were created, and how we are never to rebel again. I just zoned out during the whole thing, and tuned back in when Fillipa came back up. She rattled on and on about how District Four was certain to win this year, that she can feel it. And I hope Fillipa's feeling is right, because if Callista really does volunteer… I cast the thought out of my mind as Fillipa dips her hand into the girls' ball, where the names are held. I beg her not to pull out my name. I beg and beg, silently of course. I don't even notice when she calls out a name. She has to say it again, when I'm getting gently nudged forward by Juniper, who already has tears in her eyes. I move forward stiffly, before forcing myself to follow Alex's lessons. One: Relax and smile. Act like your happier than ever to compete. I do so now, relaxing (acting of course) and striding to the stage confidently. I bring up one of my happiest moments; a day when Alex was maybe seven and I was three. Our father had taken us to the bakery to celebrate Alex's first day of grade school. Those cookies are the best thing I've ever tasted. I envision them now, sugar cookies. That is enough to add a little smile on my face just as I turn to face the audience. My eyes automatically sort through family after family, until I locate Alex. He looks scared, upset maybe. He didn't want this to happen, then he wouldn't be able to volunteer for—Volunteer. Callista. She's supposed to volunteer for me, right? I look for her in the eighteen-year-old section. I find her, just to see her face closed off, not moving, mouth not yelling anything to protest. I knew it. I knew she wouldn't do it. I was stupid to think that she'd volunteer. Friendship only goes so far for the Hunger Games.

Fillipa turns to me, smiling her head off. "Annie Cresta! How old are you, darling?" I grin back at her. "Fourteen." I answer confidently. God, I am way too good at this acting thing. Of course, Alex has trained me since I could walk, so I should be. And suddenly, I'm terrified. The shock worn off, I can realize what just happened. I got reaped. I am going to the Capitol. I am competing in the Seventieth Hunger Games. Oh my God.

I am dead.

That was short, I know. But I seriously have to go to bed now—the first day of school's tomorrow. Luckily, it's only a half day, so I'll be back and ready to type the next one up for you guys to read. :D Hope you enjoyed, and review? Maybe?

All the best,

Guardian2Be