Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games seiries. That honor belongs to Suzanne Collins. Please don't sue!

Lorenzo Kayai walked into the square. He immediately attracted a whole group of people, and he smiled at them.

He never knew why he was so popular.

It certainly wasn't how he looked, that was for sure. He was fifteen, but looked about twelve, as he was coated in freckles and a little chubby. He was never very eloquent either, or very extroverted. He wasn't especially smart, either.

There was only one thing that Lorenzo could think of, really.

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"Lorenzo?" Lorenzo's father was bedridden. He looked sickly pale. Lorenzo and his mother knew that their beloved family member was on his way out..

"Yes, Father?" Lorenzo had been eleven at the time. He was scared, not having any experience with death.

"If I…lose this battle with illness, and I have to leave you and your mother, there's something I want you to remember."

"What?"

"Don't lose yourself for me. Keep smiling when I'm gone. Life goes on."

Lorenzo wanted to scream.

Instead, he swallowed hard and nodded.

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Ever since then, Lorenzo had managed to abide by his father's orders. Every time something went wrong, Lorenzo forced himself to chin up, to look towards the sunny side. Nothing was so bad that it couldn't get better, right?

Right?

Life, Lorenzo mused, was a good experience overall. For him, the sun was always shining, the birds were always singing, and the glass was always half full. Sure, there were always bad things that could and would happen, but what good would it do to focus on them? He would only make himself miserable! He also believed in the general goodness of humanity. Why would life exist if it were out to get everyone?

He sometimes wondered if his critics were right about him being naïve. Maybe life really did stink!

However, every time he thought this, he felt a flush of guilt. He felt he would be dishonoring his father's memory if he abandoned his orders. His father wouldn't give him bad advice, would he?

Besides, people liked him because he could always manage to turn a horrible situation around. Nothing seemed to faze him at all! He could tackle the worst news imaginable with a smile on his face and a lollipop for all involved-or at least, that's always how it felt to District Five.

"…and the male tribute for District Five is…"

Lorenzo held his breath.

"…Lorenzo Kayai!"

Lorenzo's heart dropped into his stomach. He staggered up to the platform. However, he still kept a smile on his face.

After all, things would be all right, wouldn't they?