There's a small dresser on the east side of the bedroom. It only has six drawers. I kneel down to the lowest right drawer and tug it open as it squeaks in protest. Inside is a stunning baby blue gown with jewels that flit around the hem. This timeless dress was what my mother wore for her reapings when she was my age. My fingers gently graze over the silky fabric before they grip the cloth and swig it form its chamber. In one swift motion I pull the gown out form the dresser and stand up. The early morning sun peeks in through the window and dances on the jewels, reflecting a faint light on the ceiling.

Kade's voice breaks my focus on the dress as he calls from the kitchen, "Are you almost done Piper?"

"Umm, Ya almost," I answer with a little white lie. I haven't even put the dress on yet! I fumble with the old zipper holding the dress together and quickly step into it, pulling the sweet-heart neckline up to my chest. There is only one mirror in our house. My brothers and I have never been very wealthy or anything after both of our parents died. After smoothing out the front and hoisting the top up one more time I look into the dirty cracked mirror.

My mouth almost drops open. I am gorgeous. My eyes jump out at you with the help of the strapless, ankle length dress. It is the exact color of a new born blue bird. Tiny gems trace the neckline only leaving little glimmers of rainbow light. My fair skin stands out on my pale neck and arms. My straight thick hair frames my also pale face.

There's a small six by three inch jewelry box that sits on the top of the dresser. I open the top slowly for the box is very old. A beautiful diamond necklace lies inside, another one of my mother's belongings. My skinny fingers wrap around the ends and reach behind my neck to hook the clasps.

"Wow Pipe"

I spin around startled at the sound of Kade's voice. Naturally, I blush and just look down. "Thanks Kade, you guys done?"

"Yep." He takes a deep breath. "You ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." I sigh and look back to the small mirror one more time. Everett enters the frame behind me next to his brother. I'm gonna be alright. I'm only in there twice. The odds are most definitely in my favor.

I turn around and face my family and took a deep breath.

"Let's go."

The spring air is cold on my exposed skin. My brothers and I stand in line to get our fingers pricked. I always go first, get it over with. The person in front of me turns to enter her age group and I force my hand out of my warm crossed arms and thrust it toward the woman. It hurts a little bit, and I'm not happy at the sight of my own blood, but I'm too nervous and cold to notice the pain.

I stand slightly behind and to the left of the table waiting for Everett and Kade to come meet me. Without saying a word we all gather in a group hug. It only felt like a fraction of a second before we part and find the correct age group. I walk towards the front of the square to the thirteen year olds. I glance back to my brothers, already in their sections. Everett gives me a reassuring nod and I continue forward.

The body warmth of my group allows me to take my hands off of my reddening arms. District three's assigned chaperone struts onto the stage. Her name is Evelyn Fillmore. This year she is wearing a neon purple dress with ruching that pulls up her skirt to her knobby knees. A lavender shawl sprinkled with diamonds was draped over her shoulders. Her head was shaved and covered in tattoos, a classic capitol look. The swirls and flower tattoos were all white and black. My guess is she chose those colors to go with every ridiculous outfit she wore. The makeup on her eyes was extremely heavy. Fake eyelashes with mini jewels on the tips and a very dark purple eye liner.

"Welcome children and families to the 38th annual Hunger Games!" As usual there was no applause.

"Please welcome your mayor, Mrs. Newson!" An awkward applause slowly started, but I never clap at the reapings. Our mayor Mrs. Newson waddles up to the high-tech microphone on the "stage" on the west side of the square. She starts the annual speech that I've only heard once, but I zone out her talking and glance back to my brothers again. Kade is pursing his lips and tapping one leg. Everett keeps is eyes forward and breathes slowly. I bit my lip. His name is in there 34 times this year. Usually he won't let Kade take out any tesseraes, and I guarantee he will never let me take any out.

I turn back to the front of the stage and listen to our mayor finish the speech. Behind her sits Evelyn and the mentor for our district. She won the 29th Hunger Games when she was seventeen. Her name is Croix Clinton. Her jet black hair and green eyes would sound like they weren't welcoming, but her smile begs to differ. I've heard she is very friendly and positive.

Evelyn waltzes back up to the loud mic, "Alright everyone lets hear it for that speech!" Only a few claps are heard from the groups.

"Well, let's start now, shall we?" My heart starts to pound in my chest, so loud I'm sure the girls around me hear it over theirs. My palms begin to sweat, but I keep them at my sides. I take deep breaths trying to calm down. The odds are in my favor. The odds are in my favor. The thought runs on repeat in my head. I can feel my finger tips shaking as Evelyn walks over to the enormous glass bowl containing the girls' names. She clears her throat into the mic.

"And the female tribute for district three is," She unfolds the thin piece of paper. The crowd is absolutely silent. My heart beats through my whole body and my stomach feels like it has a mind of it's own. Evelyn clears her throat again.

"Piper Millium!"

My heart literally stops. I stand completely still. My mind is blank. I feel like I've been turned into a robot. Somehow my feet move me towards the aisle between the groups and I make my way to the stage. By now reality has snapped back to everyone.

"Piper! Piper stop! You don't have to go!" I turn around to see Everett jump out of his section and start to jog to me. I start toward him, but a team of three peacekeepers came and started dragging him back to the 18 year old boys. Tears welled up behind my eyes and I ran to him as he fought the men.

"Stop! Let me go! Piper don't go up there! It's not fair! She's only thirteen! Let go of me! STOP!" The peacekeepers were equally strong and they kept their hold. I reached my brother and the three men, my sight blurred from tears that I wouldn't let fall. I could see the tears building up in his eyes also. I've never seen him cry before. I extend my hand toward him and touch his arm. He has stopped fighting the guards and he looks right into my eyes.

"I will be okay. Go back to your section. I love you." My last sentence was barely a whisper, but I know he heard me. One skinny tear slipped down the side of his face.

"I love you too," he answered in a hoarse whisper. "I'd volunteer for you if I could."

I looked across the 15 year old boys section and I spot Kade and my heart breaks more. His cheeks are completely tear stained and his eyes are red and puffy. I mouth a simple "I love you" to him and he does the same.

"Come on darling! We need to get on to the boys!" Evelyn's thick capitol accent voice pulls me to the stage and I look up to the sky to keep the tears from falling. Slowly, I climb the stairs on the side and stand to face the crowd. I find Everett again with a look of determination in his deep eyes. It worries me.

"You look very beautiful." She whispers to me, but I barely acknowledge it.

"Alrighty! Now for the boys!" She struts over to the other giant fishbowl and digs her boney hand in. Back up at the microphone she clears her throat.

"And the male tribute for district three is Ori Sarf-"

"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" I stare into the crowd searching. Even though I know that voice I have to see it to believe it. I gasp and the tears come again. It was Everett that yelled. This time the tears win. One, then two pool over wetting my cold cheeks. My brother comes up to the stage quickly wiping a tear that escaped his eye. Kade is out in the middle of his group, clutching his mouth as sobs jump out as he watches his only siblings stand bravely on the stage. More tears slide down my cheeks and I look into Everett's eyes as he stands to my right with Evelyn in between us.

"What is your name doll?" She asks and and places the mic in front of his mouth

"Everett Miliium" His voice echoes over the mic and I catch a sob in my throat.

"My, my! This is your sister? Well you two are very brave!" She walks down to the center of the stage with the mic in one hand and says, "District three, I present to you your two tributes for the 38th annual Hunger Games! Piper and Everett Millium!"

As usual there is no applause. I find Kade in the crowd again and he looks into my eyes. He raises his pointer finger and shows it to us, then turns it and places it on his heart. Almost everyone in the audience does the same.

As instructed Everett and I turn to shake hands, and we do so. I stare up into his eyes for comfort. He stares down into mine. We pull ourselves into each others embrace. My tears stain his shirt, and I feel his on my bare shoulder. A pair of peacekeepers come and pull us apart. I almost loose it as they drag me into the Justice Building.

A/N *Deep breath of accomplishment* Yaya! I LOVE this chapter and I hope you guys do tooo! REVIEWS ARE LOVE! This story is gonna get exicting

-GTHN