Jesse Gale

District 4

My deep green eyes opened to the sound of footsteps and voices.

"Can't you guys shut up? I'm trying to sleep!" I squeezed my eyes shut again, suddenly knowing why everyone was up, and wishing they weren't. The reaping was today.

I pushed my self off the bed and stood up, then made my way to a chair where my reaping clothes were always laid. I picked up my green button-up shirt and pulled it over my head, then pulled on my gray pants. Next I slid a comb through my hair, and finally was the sharktooth necklace Rikki gave me for my 12th birthday.

Rikki… I wanted to talk to her right now. She helped me live in the moment, it didn't matter if we could be sentenced to death in a few minutes, because what mattered, was then. She didn't know I liked her though.

I sighed and pulled on a pair of grey shoes, before heading downstairs and grabbing a piece of bread. Leslie laughed at my outfit when she came stomping down the stairs, and I glared at her.

"I'm not really used to seeing you all dressed up like that. Sorry!" She continued to laugh quietly, and I continued to stab at my eggs with a fork. How did sisters always know the right buttons to push?

My mood instantly lightened when mom and dad came downstairs with Sprinkle and Mark in tow.

"Sprinkle!" She was definitely my favorite sibling. She was so much nicer then Leslie, and didn't constantly annoy me like Mark.

"Jesse!" She ran over to me and made her way into my arms.

"Hold on, hold on, I'm eating eggs. Want some?" I handed her my fork and she eagerly took it, downing the rest of my eggs in no time.

"Well, I will see you guys at the reaping. I have Talon and Jason to meet up with. Bye!" I practically ran out of the door to catch up with Talon and Jason, seeing as they had already went about five minutes past the house.

"Hey!" I called to them. They spun around, and the look in there eyes showed I had scared them.

"Hey. We were talking about the games in the past." Talon told me.

"So that's why you looked scared to death when I said hey." I grinned at them, and laughed as they denied it.

"Hey, its that Rikki girl. And her friends. Lilly and Dani?" Jason stared forward at Dani, and I grinned. Maybe Talon would like Lilly? That would be great.

"I'm going to go talk to Rikki. Lilly and Dani will probably come back here, ok?" They nodded, as if they loved the idea of that happening, and I grinned again.

"Rikki!" I walked quickly to catch up with her, and once I did Lilly and Dani fell right back to Talon and Jason.

"Hey Jesse. You ready for the reaping?"

"No, You?" She shook her head, which I had known she would do. It took a lot to mentally prepare yourself for the reaping, especially if you or your family was in the running to get picked and slaughtered.

Rikki and I walked the rest of the way there together, talking about stuff that didn't matter, to get our minds off the reaping. I pointed out the annoying clacking of her shoes, and she just laughed. I offered to take them off and she let me, something I hadn't expected.

OoOoO

On our way to the 14's we were stopped by a peacekeeper.

"Hey, you can't bring your little sister over there." He pointed to Rikki, then pointed to the 12's. "12's go that way." We both stood confused for a minute until Rikki burst into her musical laughter.

"No, I think your mistaken. I am 14. Promise." The peacekeeper checks her over to see if she is lying, but then shakes his head and leaves.

"And now welcome Dee Farell!" The mayor yells, and a man with black skin and otherwise white features steps forward.

"Ladies first!" He sticks his hand in the bowl and pulls out a small slip. I cross my fingers and hope it isn't Rikki. It can't be Rikki. It can't.

"Rikki Neptune!"

I let out a gasp, then cover me mouth before I can say anything. Rikki slowly steps forward, walking to the stage. With every step she takes, I feel like tears are about to explode from my eyes.

"And now the boys!" Dee made his way over to the boys' bowel, and picked a slip right from the top.

"Jesse Gale!"

I freeze for a minute, but then calmly make my way to the stage. I can see how shocked Rikki is, but I ignore it. For now, I need to be strong.

Once I was up there, Dee nodded to us, and we shook hands, like they do every reaping.

"Congratulations to the tributes from District four, Rikki and Jesse! Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

OoOoO

Leslie, Mark, and Sprinkle all came in together. Sprinkle was crying her eyes out onto her dress, Leslie sat in the corner watching, and Mark simply sat there, trying not to cry.

"Enough of your male pride Mark. Just let it out." Leslie finally looked up long enough to say.

"Why don't you let go of your male pride!" Ah… My five year old brother learned well.

"Well, as we can all see, Sprinkle has no male pride. And I love her for that." I picked up Sprinkle and looked her in the eye.

"Don't go!" She commanded me.

"I have to, and I will try to come back ok?" She nodded and ran out, continuing to cry as she did. I couldn't blame her though. Mark followed her, probably about to go let go of his male pride somewhere away from Leslie.

"Why are you so mean?" I asked her. She gave me no answer, except for three words.

"Just come back."

I nodded and she left. Before my parents came, I picked up Rikki's shoes and made my way to the one place I wanted to be.

She was almost passed out on the floor when I came in, and I gave a small smile.

"Hello there Sleeping Beauty. Would you like your glass slippers back?" I grinned as her eyes opened, and she playfully slapped me. I then proceded to kneel down and put the shoes back on her feet.

"What are we going to do?" She moaned. My grin faded and was replaced by a frown, which was quickly replaced by a smile. But I didn't know. I honestly, could never, ever kill her. If she died, I would die too.

I didn't want to show that I was clueless too, so I leaned in and whispered into her ear.

"We play it by ear." I grinned again as I helped her back up, making sure to keep myself calm.

"Well, lets go to the trains. They are probably waiting." I continued to pull her too the trains as I thought over the situation.

What were we going to do?

A/N – I'm in a bit of a hurry, got a million things to do, wash, chores, clean my room, write this, then my friends for a couple hours later, so I know its not my best. But hey! We are on district 5! I might be able to get the girl for district 5 up today, so yeah. And guess what? I GOT TANNED! What now?

Ok, but really. Thank you for your reviews! I love them! They make you deserving of a taco. Yes, a taco. I'm craving them right now haha