District Six Reaping:

RYLAND "RYLIE" FRAY'S POV

I brush my long, straight, golden blonde hair. It gleams in the shaft of sunlight just squeezing through my window.

I examine my warm, light brown eyes and wash my face quickly when I find a bit of what my mother calls "crud" stuck in my eye.

I walk down and hug my mother. She's kind but stubborn. A lot of people say I'm just like her, which I don't really like.

"You're getting too tall, child," my mother says. She's about five inches shorter than me – around 5' 3''.

"You can't stop her growth," Dalle, my older brother scowls. He's kind of angry most of the time. "It's just a matter of life."

"I WAS JOKING!" my mother says. I'm ready for her to go and slap him across the face when Koda walks in.

"Good morning," he says, not noticing the argument brewing. He's my boyfriend.

"Hello," I say. I kiss his cheek and he smiles brilliantly at me.

"What's going on here?" Rain, my best friend, says. She smiles innocently and I tell her she's crazy.

"I am not!" Rain retorts.

"Yes, you are," Koda says, smiling just as innocently as Rain did.

"Ohhh…" Rain says, smiling playfully. "You did not just challenge me! Rylie! Pick a side!"

"Umm," I hesitate. Both look expectantly at me.

"I'm your best friend," Rain says, putting an arm on my shoulder.

"I'm your boyfriend," Koda shoots back, kissing me gently on the cheek.

"I'm on Koda's team," I say quickly. Koda shoots a triumphant smirk at Rain and she growls.

"You won, this time," Rain says. "But you'd better watch your back, Koda Vazer."

AT THE REAPING…

"Ryland Fray!" our idiot escort says. Even her name is stupid – Bubble Guhme. Her parents must be crazier than Rain is.

Wait… ERGH! That's me!

I clomp up onto the stage and scowl resentfully at the crowd, then at the cameras.

"Welcome, Ryland!" Bubble Guhme smiles and I do something sort of stupid.

I slap her across the face.

KODA VAZER'S POV

"TATE!" my father screams at my mother.

"DETNO!" my mom retorts.

Oh, no. They're having another argument. I get dressed and brush my brown hair. It falls just to my bright blue eyes.

I stroll out of my room, right past my arguing parents, and rush to the door.

"Good-morning-I'm-just-going-to-be-going-out-to-Ryland's-house-that's-alright-okay-see-you-later-have-fun-at-wherever-you're-going-so-I'm-just-going-to-leave-now-see-you," I say quickly, not letting my parents get a word in otherwise.

I get to Ryland's house and open the door slowly.

Great.

Ryland's mom and brother are also arguing. I guess Ryland and I have a lot in common.

I waltz in, pretending not to see the argument.

Is my life just an arguing game?

AT THE REAPING…

Ryland slaps the escort across her face.

Gasps echo throughout the crowd and I wince.

"Oh!" Bubble Guhme screeches. "Oh!"

"Get on with it!" Rain says, trying desperately to get Ryland out of trouble. "Who is our boy tribute?"

"Oh, oh, oh," Bubble Guhme hurries to the microphone and reads out a name. I don't even hear it because I'm watching Ryland. She's in danger now.

A scrawny 12-year-old boy walks up. I don't want this kid to die. I have to be there for Ryland, especially because she slapped the escort.

"I volunteer."

I step up.