My Second Reaping

I stand nervously on my second reaping. My name is in there twice, my parents made sure that I didn't take out a tessera. But there's still a chance. I'm thirteen now, I've grown up a lot over the last year and have stopped fantasising about me and Finnick ever being together. We were friends for a week. Nothing more. But even though I think I'm over the stupid tale that I told myself to get to sleep on so many nights I look at him and my heart skips a beat. He's also grown older, stronger and more handsome, if that's possible. But he used to look happy, now he's just sullen and as if he's depressed. I remember what he told me about what Snow's making him do.

He sits on the stage but his eyes are searching the crowd, my section actually, his eyes looking as though they are longing to find someone. Then I feel his gaze rest on me. I look down on my shoes for I know we've both changed but it doesn't stop my heart beat against my chest thinking of him. The stupid escort calls out a name although I am unaware. I look up to see Finnick still staring at me. A girl volunteers but I'm looking into Finnick's eyes. The deep sea green that I get lost in so easily, even if the spark has gone. A boy volunteers and the reaping is over, I don't have time to be relieved I'm just looking back at Finnick, our gazes not stopping.

He leaves the stage, I want to talk to him but I know it's impossible. He's going to mentor the two idiots who volunteered and watch them die. Then he'll stay in the Capitol, coming back every year yet we'll only be able to exchange glances…