"Let's go Rosie!" Elizabeth calls out trying to drag me out of the house. "Oh hold on Lizzie! Go ahead and I'll catch up!" Laughing to myself I watch my sister trip and fall running across the street. She can be so clumsy.

I take a last walk around the house digging through piles of papers and textbooks trying to find it. Today was reaping day and I always bring it with me. Sighing with relief I finally find it underneath the couch cushion. I hold up the silver butterfly ring from my mother and watch it shine in the sunlight. It was truly my most treasured item. Taking a last look around I finally step out into the foggy street.

District 3 must be one of the most depressing places in all of Panem. Rows and rows of small grey buildings, all look exactly the same. Labs and factories equally spread out from each other. And worst of all the serious lack of nature. It was one of the few things I truly enjoyed studying.

Eventually I catch up with Lizzie at the local bakery. We had promised mother to buy some bread for tonight's dinner. Really, lasting through another reaping was reason enough to celebrate. Walking up to the counter to pay I stop dead in my tracks. Blushing furiously I step back to hide behind a rack of pastries. Justin Moon was standing right in front of me! "Uh Lizzie, go up and pay for the bread ok?" I whisper keeping a heavily frosted cake in front of my face. She gives me an exasperated smirk and heads off.

I had had a crush on Justin for as long as I remember. It was hard not to really what with his smile, his cloudy grey eyes and wavy blonde hair. The way he always looks out for everyone. Not that the feeling was ever mutual. I'm just that skinny redhead girl walking around with her nose in a textbook. As I am thinking this all over I think I might be getting dizzy, because it looks like he is turning around…No wait he is turning around! In a panic I start to smooth back my hair, fluff my skirt out, checking my breath. He turns to fully see me, mouth open about to speak and stops to look as I try to pick a piece of spinach out of my teeth.

"Um, your Rosie right?" he says smiling. Oh no! He thinks I'm completely gross and disgusting! "U-uh yeah" I mumble trying to act cool. "I just wanted to say thank you for the birthday card." Birthday card? What birthday- Oh! Wait, how did this happen? I thought I sent it anonymously! With thoughts racing through my mind he almost starts to walk away. Quickly I spit out "Oh, uh your welcome!" He gives me one last gorgeous smile and walks out the door. I slump down on a chair completely humiliated. How did he know that I sent him the…wait. "Lizzie?" I ask incredulously. She gave me a knowing smirk and walked off towards the square. I let out a small groan and put my face in my hands.

The reaping speech flies by as I listen to the mayor drone on. After the whole bakery ordeal I have decided that whatever happens, I'll just roll with the punches. I mean really, my life will be so much easier. Our escort Maya Peron walks up to the stage. Honestly, I wouldn't even care if she called my name right now. Suddenly a cry rings out "Rosie Rodgers!" …I guess now's the time to roll.

Get ready Panem, because I can take whatever you throw at me.

….

Putting away broken metal and tangles of wire I catch a glimpse of myself in a shard of glass on father's work desk. Tall, blonde, by any means handsome. I feel ridiculous in a freshly ironed white top, black pants and shoes. What anyone would call perfect I guess. Like that was possible. Before I leave I notice a pink sealed envelope on the junk mail pile. Wondering why it hadn't been opened I read it carefully.

Dear Justin,

I know you don't personally know me, but I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I hope you have a nice day.

-R

Hidden behind the letter I find a small crumpled note with the name Rosie Rodgers on it in a different handwriting. I pause for a moment and fold the card and note and put them in my pocket.

I quickly say goodbye to my mother father and sister and head out for the reaping, even though there's hours left. Some walking should clear my head. In a way I find District 3 to be almost peaceful. It's quiet here. Not many people enjoy the outdoors that much. We're more of a technology oriented society. Well…except for her…

I stop at the bakery to look at some of their new desserts. As I walk in I stop short suddenly nervous. Standing in front of me was none other than Rosie Rodgers. I quickly walk up to the display of cakes, hoping she won't recognize me. For a second I can't help but look back at her. She's one of the most beautiful girls in District 3. With her long red hair and petite figure she could get any guy she wanted. Not that she'd want me. When I make eye contact with her a started look plays across her face and she starts to step back quickly.

Great I think as my stomach churns. She probably thinks I'm some creep. Why would she send me a birthday card? The neat pink envelope and sweet message play before my eyes. Well…I guess I'll have to ask her.

I turn around slowly and start to ask her but I get caught up in the sight of her chewing her nails. I wonder how she keeps them so perfect. "Um, your Rosie right?" I ask her smiling. As if I didn't know who she was. "Uh, yeah." She says looking at me strangely. Oh no. She definitely hates me. "I just wanted to say thank you for the birthday card." She stands frozen staring. Gosh, why do you have to be so stupid Justin? Now she'll never talk to you again. I turn to leave, ashamed when I hear her quickly say "You're welcome". I take one last look at her and dash out the door.

The reaping seems to move by in a haze, one murky moment to the next. The fog in my mind clears instantly, however, when I hear it. "Rosie Rodgers!" the high clear voice of Maya Peron calls out. No. No, no, no. The world starts slowly spinning before me. I'm still in a fog when I hear a second cry of "Justin Moon!" Slowly the world comes into focus again. Umm…what? It only takes me a few seconds to catch on. As I listen to my heart hammer against my chest I walk up to the stage and look into the eyes of the girl I love. I know what I have to do.

Get ready Panem, because I will protect her.

District 3 reaping up! Thank you to Rosie137 for the pair of great tributes!

Thank you again to everyone who took time to review! :D I tried putting in a divider this time, hoping it shows up. I can't tell you how nice it is to hear that people actually like what you are writing.

I didn't write as much of Justins POV because he kind of meshed in with Rosie's.

Finally, the winners of the first chapter question were Sonofhell666 and James018. The answer was nets and a trident, and one said net, and the other said trident.

NEW QUESTION:

What was the symbol of Shakespeare's Old Globe Theater?

Reviews are appreciated! :)