Chapter 3: Goodbye

Ash – District Twelve

I lock eyes with Coley again as I make my way to the stage. When I get to Jaxx's row, I stop momentarily. I look to my left, down at him to see Nano holding his head right at the edge of the row. Jaxx must have ran toward me, but Nano stopped him. I wipe the tears off his face and ruffle his hair before walking up the stairs onto the stage. I look at Coley and we just stand there staring at each other.

I faintly hear Effie saying something along the lines of, "Though you two look nothing alike, I could swear you two are related!"

The ceremony ends and we're ushered inside.

Once we're inside the door I crouch down and Coley jumps on my back without a word.

We follow the Peacekeeper into a room and one of them speaks: "This one is for the girl, the boy needs to come with us to the next room."

We stare at him. He looks uncomfortable so I speak up, "Can't we both stay here, we're siblings."

He looks confused, then shakes his head. "Sorry, no can do. Regulation. Boy comes with me."

I turn to look at Coley. I can tell that she's about to cry so I hug her. "Shhh, it's gonna be ok. I'll be with you every step of the way. I'll be in a different room but not for long. Be strong. I'll see you soon."

She nods and let go. I kiss her forehead and follow the Peacekeeper into another room down the hall.

I sit on the coffee table, too anxious to sit on the couch.

After five minutes of waiting, Nano walks into the room with tears on his face. I stand up and he pulls me into a hug and just holds me. Tears start running down my face as sobs begin to shake his body. "You can do it. I know you can. I love you man. Try. Please try. You're my best friend," he mutters into my ear. I only grip him harder as a response.

"Remember our promise," I barely choke out. He pulls back and stares at my face, nodding through tears, till the Peacekeeper walks in and starts pulling him out. He grabs onto my arm and holds on with a death grip, screaming nonsense through his tears. I squeeze his arm one last time then I let go and let the Peacekeeper drag him from the room.

I collapse onto the couch, trying, but failing, to control the tears.

A couple seconds that lasted years go by before I hear the door open and the Peacekeeper says "Five minutes."

I look up and see Teargra. She sits down next to me. She isn't crying but I can see the tear streaks on her face. I pull her into me and just rock with her in my arms.

After a couple seconds of silence, she speaks, "I always wanted to marry you, Ash. My mom always said you were the cutest in the class and we were destined to be together. She thought we would make the cutest couple. I never disagreed."

"I wouldn't either," I reply. "I've always liked you. Ever since you cut your hair short when we were eight years old."

"Win. Please Ash, win. For us," she begs.

"I can't. Please understand. My goal is to get Collette home. Please forgive me. My baby sister is who I want to come home. Please understand," I dip my head into her shoulder and cry again.

I don't want to die, but my sister's life comes first.

She lifts my head and looks into my eyes. Then for the second time today, the second time ever, she kisses me. This time she doesn't pull away, showing all her emotions through the kiss; despair, sadness, understanding, and a goodbye.

We continue kissing till the Peacekeeper barges in and snaps, "Times up." Then pulls Teargra out of my arms. She leaves willingly; but before the door shuts closed, she screams desperately, "I love you, Ash, I love you!"

I scream those words back at her as the door slams shut. I don't know if she heard them.

Again I'm left alone for a couple of minutes before the door opens again and my family tumbles in. My dad, stoic, showing no emotion, but showing them all. My mom, in hysteria, crying, her whole shirt wet with tears and snot. Jaxx, pale, staring, tears constantly flowing down his face, yet no sound escapes him. Leo and Derek run up to me with tears on their faces. Macie, a little slow to catch up, with identical tears pouring down her face.

"Ash, are you going to the Hunger Games like Coley?" she asks as I pick up my youngest siblings and sit them on my lap as I sit on the couch.

"Yes, I am Macie," I answer her softly. She's quiet after that.

"My babies! This isn't fair!" my mom screams and starts a new wave of tears. I untangle myself from the kids and pull her into a hug and whisper "Shh." I stroke her hair.

My dad comes up behind me and hugs both me and my mom. Soon the rest of the family is in a hug, the only person missing is Coley.

We stay like that for a bit till I pull back and look at my family. "Dad, Mom, I love you and I'm so sorry. It's not fair Collette and I are in the same year. There can only be one victor. I will fight my hardest to make sure Collette comes out of this." My dad gives me a grim look and opens his mouth to say something but I press on. "Jaxx, you're the man of the house now, with dad. Take care of mom. And Leo and Derek and Macie. Protect them. Don't do anything stupid. You're the best little man ever." Jaxx buries his face into my shirt and sobs. "Leo, keep Derek and Macie out of trouble. Grow up and be strong. You will be, but only when you're ready. Derek, keep building those gadgets, they could be useful one day. Macie, sweet, baby girl. Stay sweet. Don't let the world change you. I love you all." They come back in for a hug.

Seconds later – too soon, way too soon – the Peacekeeper storms in shouting "Times up!" He pulls them out the door. Mom is crying hysterically, dad has finally let a few tears slip, and the rest are bawling. I grab Jaxx's arm before he can be pulled out.

"Under my mattress there are pieces of paper. Promise me you'll do it. Please!" I shout desperately.

"I promise!" he shouts as he is pulled out of the room. I scream "I love you!" over and over till I can no longer hear my family screaming, even with my ear pressed to the keyhole.

Josie – District Four

My uncle and aunt came first. And then Keri and Maria and Nick. All wishing me luck, telling me that I can win. My brother won so I can too. But everyone cries as they say it.
"You can win."
Maybe. But I wasn't a career - I learned some stuff but not really. What can I do that will help me beat those angry eyes from districts one and two.
My friends leave and I back against a wall. It's okay, I tell myself. Mags will see you on the train and Finnick...I want my brother. I want him so badly...I begin to cry quietly. I've seen what the games do to the winners and still I don't want to die. I'm scared, so scared...
The door opens with a bang and my brother is there, panting, tear stains on his cheeks.

"Josie..." He tries to begin but I fly across the room into his arms.
"You saw," I choke out.
Finnick closes the door behind him and let's himself slide down the wall, I curl up on his lap, trembling. I'm trying hard to stem my tears.
"Oh, Josie," he breathes, "Of course...I shouldn't have let you go to the reaping alone."
"I...my name...only once," I don't even know what I'm trying to say anymore, I just hold onto my brother.
"No," I can feel his tears on my head as he hugs me close, "This is my fault. Snow did this to punish me for stopping."
I pull away. He looks so sad; but underneath the tears I see anger.
And so we go, I think. Anger is much more helpful than fear.
"You think so," I ask.
"I know," he whispers, "I have no proof but I'm sure."
"Then let's show him he made a mistake," I whisper back. I feel anger boiling in my veins; I'm still terrified but I'm angry too. He nods, his face set.

"I'm going to help you win," he tells me firmly. "We're coming home together."

The peacekeeper knocks and sticks his head in; "Sir, you need to leave."

"I'm going to the train anyway," Finnick complains. "Can't I…"

"Protocol, sir," the peacekeeper says sternly.

Finnick rolls his eyes and stands. I do too, wiping away my tears.

"So you on the train," he tells me. He manages his wry smile, "About time I show you the Capitol." I try to laugh, but no sound comes out.

I'm in the Hunger Games.

There's no room for any other thought.

Finnick – District Four

I hate him.

There's no room for any other thought. I hate Snow and I hate myself for not seeing that this was going to happen.

"Finnick!" I force myself not to roll my eyes or snap at the approaching figure. Sky with his annoying beacon of hair is running towards me.

"Sky," I sigh, "I'm really not in the mood…"

"This is important!" Sky says, his hands are shaking. I stare into his speckled eyes. I've never seen him this agitated.

"What is it?" I ask.

"How many times was Josie-phine in the reaping?" he asks.

"What type of question…? One of course!" I'm furious at him. How dare he even think that I would allow for her name to be in more than once when I have so much money?

"I thought so…I mean, I know that you have so much money and…but…"

Something's wrong.

"Sky," I prompt, forcing myself to be calm, "Why did you ask?"

"Because," he swallows and looks around nervously. We're alone, but still he beckons me closer. He's tall and wearing these ridiculous high heels to boot so he has to lean down to whisper in my ear.

"When I was putting the bowls away," he whispers. I can feel his hands trembling. "I noticed that some of the slips weren't folded very well. I looked down and…I saw her name at least two more times."

I stop breathing.

I pull away and stare at him. He nods, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Don't…" I gasp out, "Don't tell anyone."

"I know," he whispers. He visibly pulls himself together and says, as cheerfully as ever, "See you on the train, Mr. Odair!"

"Yeah. See you then."

I just have to kiss Annie good-bye first.