Fabian Lockes's POV:

Chayenne really is a fabulous singer. She's been singing for my band, The Troublemakers, for three years now. She was good when she started. Now she's 17, and she's amazing. The band meets once week, at least. It doesn't matter that today's reaping day. We don't stop our band for anything. Reapings can't get in our way. National holiday, it doesn't matter. The band always meets. The only difference is that today we are all in our reaping clothes.

I'm wearing a black leather jacket and a blue shirt and blue jeans. Nice, right? Maybe I would've dressed differently if the band wasn't meeting. Oh well.

Most of the other band members wear regular reaping clothes; dresses and suits and ties like you see on everyone. But Chay stands out, with her blue shirt with the big butterfly. Or maybe it's just that her singing draws my attention to her. Most siblings don't get along very well, but Chay and I are close.

Time passes, but I don't really notice. I'm busy with the band, and that's really all that matters right now. We would've probably stayed there all day if it wasn't for Chayenne.

"Guys, we have twenty minutes until the reaping," Chay says, stopping the music.

"No way," says Tomory. He's the band's main drummer, and my best friend. Tomory lays down his drumsticks. "We just started."

"We started an hour ago, Tomory," Chay says.

"Really?" Tomory shakes his head. "That was fast. Well, I guess we'd better go now."

The band disperses. We put the equipment away, and I go over to Chay.

"You ready for the reaping?" I ask.

"Yeah, sort of," she says. "It's my second to last! And your last! Maybe you should volunteer!"

"Maybe," I say. "I'd be famous. You know I'd like that. It's why I started the band. You?"

"Probably not," Chay admits. But if I'm reaped, I'll win."

"Well, we should head over to the square now," I say.

"We'll be early," Chayenne says. "Oh, I know, you just want to see Milah. Of course you do."

"Well, maybe," I say, turning slightly red. Milah Weterway is a beautiful 18-year-old girl who I really like - and apparently, according to Chayenne, I'm not that discreet about it. Milah and I fight a lot, but that apparently doesn't disguise my feelings.

Chayenne Locke's POV:

Fabian and I walk to the square and sign in. We still have ten minutes before the reaping begins, so Fabian goes off to find his girlfriend, Milah. Okay, they're not quite girlfriend and boyfriend, but they're pretty close. I follow him. I don't want to stand around in my section quite yet.

"There you are, Fabian!" We turn around to see Milah striding confidently torward us. "You're late, Fabian!"

"We - we have ten min - minutes, Milah," Fabian stammers, turning bright red. "Did you look at the - the clock? Or were you too - too lazy?"

"It's good to be here early, so you're late in the scheme of things, Fabian."

"Shut up, Milah." They fight a lot, as you can see.

"Late comers should respect their betters," Milah laughs.

"I - have no betters," Fabian says, flushing again.

"Cocky, I see," Milah says. "Lose the stammer, then try again."

Fabian turns even redder. " I don't - I don't always..."

"Stammer? Always around me, is it?" Milah cocks an eyebrow.

"We - we should go now," Fabian mutters, not meeting her eyes. "It's almost time."

We actually have a few minutes left, but I don't mention this. Instead, I go to my section and wait for the reaping to begin.

Fabian Locke's POV:

I try to forget Milah as the mayor, our dad, begins his speech. I try to listen as he describes the Dark Days and such. Finally, he gives the stage to Bilbany Bronze, our escort. Bilbany welcomes us, and then she goes over to the girls' bowl. I don't really ever pay attention to this part, but the name jerks me to reality.

"Chayenne Locke!" Bilbany announces. "Where is our lucky girl?"

Chayenne never really wanted to go into the Games, but here she is, reaped...

I see her. She stands, shocked, staring at Bilbany. I want to yell at her to put on a brave face, an excited face, but I know not to. But then she does. Her startled expression gives way to one of excitement, and she marches to the front.

"Now, for the boys!" Bilbany shouts.

I realize that I wasn't planning to volunteer. But now I sort of have to, to see Chay through. And I'll be famous, too...

Bilbany has barely picked the next name when I shout "I volunteer!"

I push my way to the stage.

Chayenne and I shake hands. It is only as we are leaving the stage that I realize that at least one of us is going to die.