A/N (Glossy): Alright, here is District 12. If anyone wants, please grab one of the dropouts.

Lilac Hartland, 15 (written by klickmaster92)

District 12 Female

I wake on the Reaping Day at 5:00 in the morning, like I do every day. At 5:15, after I've eaten breakfast with my father, my tutors arrive. Just because the Reapings are today doesn't mean I have any reason to stop learning. It's not like I have anything better to do. At 9:00, my educators leave, and it's just me, my father, and our staff again.

Of course, Dad's too busy today to talk about anything. He has to be out of the house and welcoming the district escort soon. He's running around searching for his glasses, his tie, his left shoe. Considering that he's the mayor of District 12, he's quite disheveled.

"Lilac," my father's voice echoes from downstairs, "have you seen my black suit jacket?"

I sigh, now standing at the top of the stairs. "Did you check your closet?"

Dad dashes up the stairs and into his room. When he comes back out into the hall, he looks like the man everyone knows him to be. The best mayor District 12's ever had. By 9:15, Dad and his assistant are out of the house. Off to the square, to meet with Azuela, ensure she's comfortable, and make a speech at two. I run around the house helping the staff clean things for about fifteen minutes before I get bored. Nothing interesting is on television right now, either, since there's no point in watching the Reapings halfway through. I plan to watch them all tonight, on the replay. Until a better idea presents itself, I figure I'll just do my history reading.

At 9:50 sharp, a gentle tap on my bedroom door signals the arrival of my best friend, Katina. I toss my book aside and jump up to greet her.

"Katina!" I say, giving her a brief and simple hug, like I always do.

""Lilac!" Her enthusiasm equals mine. She closes the door behind her and pulls a few small bottles from her bag, they're made of an intricate pattern of blue and gold glass. Something that would have had to be made in District 1. But I don't really care about their origin, or how she got them. I care about what's inside them. Raising my eyebrows at her, she giggles a bit, "It's tequila. Ash found it at the Hob, and I promise you'll love it."

Katina's boyfriend, Ash, is always finding crazy things at District 12's main illegal trade location. It makes no sense to have the entire district's black market in one building, but it's not my place to teach the district about strategy. Everyone knows we're hopeless with that. Anyway, Ash is a crazy drug addict. But as Katina puts it, "he knows his way around the female anatomy." Whatever that means. The two have been working on introducing me to the real world. I think it's ridiculous, I mean, I exist in the real world. I don't think there's anything less "real" about my world than theirs. If anything, my world is more real. I've experienced more things from more places than they have. True, I know nothing about anatomy, but I've had my hair done by the best in the Capitol, and I've worn the finest things District 8 has ever produced.

I stare at the bottle, about the size of my hand, and wonder what tequila tastes like. The smell itself is almost enough to intoxicate me. Katina pops the lid off and takes a swig. I glance up at a picture of my mother, and for a passing moment I wonder what she would think of this. She's been dead since I was two. I feel like I'm letting her - and my father - down by wanting all these experiences, but I know I'm capable of more than learning every single fact about Panem. Then again, do I really need to get drunk to understand it? No. And besides, I have to look nice today. Dad would notice if I showed up to the Reapings drunk.

"This is a terrible idea. It's Reaping Day, and I have to sit up in front of everyone. I can't be-"

"Drink it."

"Okay."

I take the incredibly beautiful bottle from her and take a small sip. It burns my throat, and for a moment, I feel like my entire body is on fire.

"So," Katina's smiling her devilish little smile, "What do you think?"

I shrug, "It's better than vodka. Now, onto a more important matter. What am I gonna wear today?" I slide my closet door open, and Katina takes another gulp of tequila and hops inside. It's 10:00.

Over the next hour, Katina and I try on different outfits, occasionally sipping from the tequila bottles. She drinks an entire bottle in about ten minutes, leaving me in complete awe. I've barely made a dent in mine. I don't know if I should be amazed by her, or if I should get her a Healer. She assures me that she's fine, takes my mostly full bottle from me, and shifts the focus back to my attire. She suggests a sexy, short, low-cut black dress, which I obviously veto, wondering how it got into my closet. At 11:30, we've decided on a blue and gray dress that shows off my assets. Or maybe Katina just said ass. I can't tell because her words are all slurred.

By noon, Katina can barely stand and I'm pretty sure she's seeing triple, my head feels a little airy, and we're out of tequila. A staff member I've never seen before comes up to bring lunch, and she gives me a questioning look upon hearing Katina's retching in the bathroom. I just shrug, not knowing what else I can do. She and I stand in silence, trying to ignore the undeniable sounds of puking in my bathroom. I take a second to look at her, she's not the kind of person you'd expect to find in 12. Shocking blonde hair, green eyes, and she's heavy. Of course, that's an accomplishment around here. I figure Katina's not hungry, and I've definitely lost any appetite I had.

Trying as hard as I can to sound polite, I say, "Sorry about that. She hasn't been feeling well all day. I don't think either of us will be having lunch today. You should take it to the Seam, they need it more than we do." The blonde lady nods and exits, lumbering down the stairs. Soon after, Katina swings the bathroom door open, leans against the doorway and sighs.

Even in her drunken stupor, she looks like she's the queen of Panem. I mean, that's not a real position, but if it were, it would be hers. And while I'm thinking this, she turns back into the bathroom and throws up some more. I sit down on my bed and desperately try to think of things other than what I'm imagining swirling around my toilet bowl right now.

At 12:30, I feel completely fine, and Katina's passed on my bed. A soft knock on my bedroom door makes her mumble something, though I can't quite make it out, and giggle. I quietly step into the hallway, ridiculously delighted to see my boyfriend - wait no, he's my fiance now I guess - standing there.

"Aidan," I smile, "hey. What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd come over and say hi. What's up with Katina?"

I sigh, "She's drunk. Sleep is good for that, right? Oh, should somebody take her back home?" Aidan's pretty experienced with those 'real world things,' and I figure he would know what to do better than I would.

Aidan, who knows everything apparently, nods. "Yeah, probably."

"Okay. Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back." I bolt down the stairs and almost run into the fat blonde lady. All in one breath, I say, "Hi. Remember Katina, you know, throwing up in my bathroom? Could you get her back to her house? It's near the Victor's Village, big blue house. Thanks." Before she can say no, I run back upstairs and into my room. I find Aidan lecturing Katina about who-knows-what. They kind of hate each other, though I have no idea why.

Aidan's quiet, but there's anger and disappointment just radiating from him. "If her dad finds out, he's gonna kill both of us. Katina, you can't just bring that stuff here."

"Not like you're any better," Katina's giggling again, "I know what you've been up to."

"Lilac, hey." Aidan notices me, and shuts Katina up. honestly, I'm curious about where she's going with that, but it's probably for the best that I don't know. That's how most things go. An awkward silence ensues, and it probably would go on indefinitely, but the blonde lady comes in.

She looks at us, standing around. We probably look really suspicious. "Katina, you're going home now." There's anger in her voice, too, and she makes it sound like Katina won't be coming back. Why is everyone mad at Katina?

Katina leaves, and then Aidan and I sit around for a few minutes in silence. It's 12:45. I look over at Aidan, who is usually ridiculously calm. He's looking at me, too, and I feel like he wants to have one of those silent conversations we used to have all the time. I'm not in the mood.

"We should go to the square." He says, instead of the "Sorry for being rude," that I was hoping for.

I nod, get up, and leave. I don't wait for him to follow, because I know he will. On our short walk to the square, I realize that this is really weird for me, too. Maybe I still have some tequila in my system. I usually don't expect people to feel bad about things. I don't know, maybe it's just the stress of the Reapings catching up with me. True, my name's only in the bowl about 3 times. But it's still a possibility, and that's scary, I guess. Now I'm just justifying my anger.

Aidan and I walk in silence, and then he goes off to his age group, and I head up to the stage to find my dad.

Being the mayor's daughter, I don't have to stand around for hours while the "festivities" take place. I get to sit in front of the entire district/all of Panem and watch while people are sent to the Capitol. honestly, it sounds kind of fun. It's not like anybody actually dies in the Games anyway. I mean, that would be ridiculous.

Soon after I sit down next to Azuela - did I mention that literally everyone in Panem could see me - Dad gets up to make his speech. He talks about the history of Panem, how everything's better now...I've heard it all before. He mentions me and I have to smile and wave to the cameras. Then we watch a little video from the Capitol, I've seen it several times, too. The whole thing is very mechanic, nothing new happens. Nothing unexpected. Then Azuela stands up and carefully walks to the microphone in her heels. She blabs on a bit before getting down to business.

"As always, ladies first." She dips her hand into the bowl filled with names and an eerie silence settles over the district. Nobody takes a breath. Everyone's nervous it's going to be someone they know, or themselves. I don't know why they make such a big deal about it. I mean, you get to go to the Capitol and eat Capitol food and wear Capitol clothes and it seems like it would just be fun. Azuela pulls a slip of paper out and reads, "Katina Shaw."

Crap. There's no way she's here. She could get in a lot of trouble for not being here. Crap crap crap crap crapperdoodles. My mind is kind of broke, trying to think a solution to this when it hits me.

"I volunteer!" I shout, before anyone gets suspicious about Katina's absence.
I can almost feel everyone's eyes boring into me as I take a few steps toward Azuela. Especially my dad. He looks really mad. But I'll be fine, and I'm going to the Capitol. And I'll get all kinds of real world experience.

Azuela looks shocked, but she has to follow the escort rules or whatever. "Okay then. District 12's female tribute for the 22nd Annual Hunger Games: Lilac Hartland! Now, for the boys." She steps over to the boys' bowl, sticks her hand in, and I stop listening. I find Aidan in the crowd, and he's staring at me. He looks like he couldn't decide on his emotions. Struggling with anger and sadness, heartbreak and grief. I have no clue why, or what's going through his mind, but I can see it in his eyes.

"Jack Lestrange." Azuela reads.

A few seconds letter somebody is plowing through the boys section, and I assume he's not Jack. Azuela says something, but I'm not listening. The guy comes up and says his name, Ethan or something, but I'm still staring at Aidan. Ethan and I shake hands, and I look at him, his eyes glazed over with almost-tears. Looking at him makes me feel sad, and I don't know why. The Games aren't that big of a deal. But he looks so heartbroken that I begin to feel an ache, too. We're ushered into the Justice Building, and the doors shut behind us. Shutting our district away from us.

My dad comes in to yell at me for being so boneheaded. I don't know what that means, or why he's mad. He's the one who always told me they didn't emreally/em kill people in the Games. It was just television. Then he starts crying and I don't know what to do. "I just don't want to lose you, too." He mumbles. I'm confused by what he means, but then a Peacekeeper comes in and tells him that his time's up. Then Aidan comes in and spares me the anger and frustration.

He just kisses me and tells me it's gonna be okay. He looks like he's been crying for the past ten minutes, but I don't mention that. I just let him be all weird and affectionate until a Peacekeeper comes in and says that our time is up. Aidan slips something into my hand and says a quick "I love you." Then he's gone, too. After the door shuts, I look down at my palm and see a ring. It's simple gold, but it shimmers, as if little specks of diamonds were fixed in with it. It's my ring. I've only seen it once before, when Dad was explaining how me and Aidan's marriage would work. I'm not supposed to even look at it until I'm 18. I realize that Aidan doesn't think I'm going to come back. This is his way of saying goodbye.

And suddenly, I'm wondering just how much I really know about Panem.

Ethan Craste, 16 (written by FireIsCatching17)

District 12 Male

There were often times when I can't take it. The stress, the silent disappointment that my parents never said aloud but I can read it on their faces. Both of them had always wanted to be in the games, they were different like that. But they were too old by the time the Games started, so they tried to live their dream through me. They made me watch all 21 Games every years over and over and-

But I don't want to think about that. About the countless hours my parents forced me to learn how to survive so one day I may win the Games and make them proud. But unlike my bloodthirsty parents, I have no interest in being reaped or volunteering like they wanted. I always feel pity whenever I saw people kill someone on the screen and I will never be able to forget the faces of those tributes the second before they were about to be killed. The look of pure terror. It is etched into the front of my brain and for the longest time when I was younger that was all I saw every time I closed his eyes.

My parents would, on occasion, take me on a hunting trip in the forest. Everything would be fine, and I would almost begin to enjoy myself but then I would turn around and they would be gone. They forced me to survive on my own for the night. If I was lucky, they would find me the next day but usually I ended up being stuck for a few more, trying to survive.

I suppose I am lucky in that way. It could be worse. My parents are focused on learning and surviving. They make me read countless books about anything they got their hands on and make me memorize it. I hate it. But, they don't have me learning to kill people. At least, not the traditional way. My parents are all about the sly way of killing people. Like slipping poisonous berries into their food or drink. Though, I muse, if my parents had the resources they probably would make me.

I shuddered and shook the thoughts from my mind. No. I told myself I didn't want to think about that. Right now, I just want to swim. Swimming always clears my mind and helps me focus. I stand up on a large cliff, staring down at the water deep water beneath me. I guess I must be around a hundred feet from the water, which isn't too bad. I have never dived from this height before and am eager to feel the thrill which came whenever I jump.

Closing my eyes, I bent my knees and jump. I felt like I was soaring. A smile spreads across my face as the wind sweeps over my body, and carefully I angle myself so I don't hit the water and get flattened like a pancake. Adrenaline rushes through my veins and my mind goes blank, unable to process anything besides the thrill of the moment. As I near the water I hold my breath and then all at once my body is surrounded by water. I can feel a slight sting on my skin, but ignore it for it was not an unfamiliar sensation.

I open my eyes under the water and grin at the fish that has swum in front of me. I have always loved water and the animals that called it home, and they don't seem to mind me on most occasions. The fish bopped my nose with its mouth (which is a very slimy feeling that makes a shudder go down my spine) before swimming away into the deeper depths of the water.

When my lungs begin to burn from lack of oxygen, I kick my feet and start swimming back to the surface. I keep my eyes fixed on the sun shining through the water and when I break the surface I close my eyes and gulp in sweet, fresh oxygen.

Opening my eyes again, I shake my head and water droplets fly around as the excess water was shaken out of my hair. I look around and a smile spreads across my face once more. It was very peaceful out here, the lake was completely still other than the ripples of water that came from where I am swimming. Out of the corner of my eyes I see something move and turn my head to get a better look. At the edge of the lake staring at me, frozen in place, was a baby deer. I couldn't help the small smile that grew on my face and chuckle softly as the deer takes off like lightning a second later.

I let my gaze wander the tree tops, managing to catch a glimpse of the singing birds through the thick leaves and study the sky. The sun was almost in the middle of the sky, and I'm guessing it was probably almost time for lunch. Which meant I have to go back home and get ready for the reaping. I stifle a sigh and dive under the water one last time before I swim back to the shore. I walk across the sandy shore and grab my towel off of the rock I had laid it on, wiping the water off of my face. I sit down on the large rock on the sandy shoreline where I had placed my clothes and close my eyes. I allow the sun to dry me off, paying little attention to the thoughts in my mind and instead focusing on the weird sensation that always came when the sun dries me off.

I must have dozed off, because the next time I open my eyes the sun has moved from its spot in the sky and my stomach is growling like a beast. Damn, I thought, quickly putting on my brown trousers and white cotton shirt. I hope I won't be in trouble for being late. It was too hot to put on my brown leather hunting jacket my father had given me as a 'Good Luck I Hope You Get Reaped' present, so I grab it in my hand and after I shove my shoes back on I took off into the woods.

My lake isn't too far away from the fence, causing me to have mixed feelings about the place. It is a great place to relax but it is also so close anyone could find it if they looked hard enough. As I make my way through the familiar path in the forest, I catch sight of the fence and feel relief wash through me when I don't see any Peacekeepers standing guard. Or worse; my parents waiting for me.

With a grunt of effort, I manage to climb over the fence with little difficulty and quickly make my way back into the town. I don't have any time to stop at the Hub, but I'm not worried. I can just go after the Reaping.

I sort of thought my parents wanting me to be Reaped was a good luck charm in some insane way. It seemed they were jinxing the system. My name was in there... 40 times? I will get my rations, even though I don't need them, and give the food to the families who need it. I'm not rich by any means, but with the meat I manage to gather and the shop my parents have, I have enough to get by and then some. There was this one little boy... I love him dearly. His name is Jake, an innocent little thing who I give most of my unused rations to. He is twelve this year and attending his first Reaping.

One winter, two years ago, I found Jake begging around the town for food. Of course, no one would willingly give up their food in the middle of winter, even if it was to a ten year old boy who was starving. I couldn't give Jake any food from my house; my parents would find out and punish me so instead I went and got rations at the cost of putting my name in the Reaping bowl. To this day I'm still not quite sure why I offered to help Jake and his family. Perhaps it was because Jake was so innocent... so young. It was so rare, I wanted to keep Jake innocent.

Jake has no older siblings and his father is dead. His mother works in the Hub, but makes little money and they both live in a broken down house that looks more like a large shack then a house. I do everything I can to help them. My parents have enough money and food as it is, so all of the food I got when my parents told me to hunt, I give most of it to Jake.

I force myself to quit thinking about this. I can't get sentimental. If by some chance one of us is Reaped, then it won't be good for either of us. The Capitol doesn't care about sentimentality. They just want a good show.

I sigh and run my hand through my hair as I reach the edge of town near the Victor's Village, where the wealthier of District 12's inhabitants lived. I force myself to take a deep breath before I push the door open to my house and walk inside. I am greeted with silence, which is a nice change for once. Usually my parents will start yelling at me, demanding to know if I have done my training today or not.

I quickly head up the staircase, trying to get to my room as soon as possible before one of my parents show up. Once I get into my room, I notice the clothes lay out on the bed, my finest. My mother, no doubt. She always insists I look perfect for every Reaping. Which was stupid, I think with a scowl spreading across my face. I won't be Reaped, my parents are too hopeful I will be for that to happen.

Nevertheless, I grab the clothes and make my way to the bathroom. My mother seems to have already provided a bath with water, though the water is slightly chilled by the time I get in. So she must already be in the house somewhere, I think and close my eyes. My parents want to be able to afford a shower but do not have enough money, and I refuse to help them gather the money. They have enough as it was and there were people in the Seam who would be grateful to even have a bathtub as big as the one we have.

Once I'm done washing, I dry off and get dressed, not bothering with doing anything to my hair. My mother will complain but whatever, I don't care. After one last glance at myself in the mirror, I make my way down the wooden stairs and towards the kitchen, looking forward to getting some food in my stomach.

I have just opened the fridge when I eel hands wrap around my throat and for a split second I freeze and then stomp my foot on the ground and when I feel something soft I assume I hit a foot. The hands around his neck loosen only a fraction but it is enough. Prying myself out of the grip I then kick backwards as hard as I can before spinning around, ready to attack again.

My mother is standing across from me with an approving look in her eyes but not a smile on her face. I have never seen her smile before. "Good. Better. Much better."

I roll my eyes and turn back around to get food. My stupid parents were always doing this, I think to myself angrily as I pull a sandwich from the fridge and sit down at the dinner table with a huff. Always 'training' me and keeping me on edge. The only time I ever get to relax is when I am at the lake.

"Hurry up, Ethan, we don't want to be late for your Reaping." They always say it like that. Like the Reaping is meant for him and only him. I quickly finish my sandwich and follow my mother out of the house.

We meet up with my father on our way to the Town Square where the Reaping would take place this year. On the way there he gives the same lecture and I give into the same thoughts of punching him in the face to make him shut up. I try my best not to look bored as my finger is pricked and I am sent to stand with the other boys. I don't think I succeeded though, because when my eyes meet Jake's, who is standing with the younger boys, Jake giggles and makes a funny face. I chuckle under my breath and do the same to amuse him. Anything to keep Jake from freaking out over the Reaping. We continue to make weird faces at each other throughout the stupid videos they play and I have to choke back my laughter when I hear the loud screech as the microphone is tapped.

I scowl at the woman standing there. Her name is Azuela, I have met her a few times and hate her. I wish Lillian was still representing District 12. She was so much nicer but rumor has it she has gotten a job promotion elsewhere within the Capital. "Welcome one and all to the 22nd Hunger Games! Aren't you all excited?" She beams at the crowd but no one speaks. Of course no one here is excited, why should we be?

She sighs and then smiles at us again. Gosh, I can't wait until this is all over. "Alright then! As always... ladies first." She daintily makes her way over to the bowl and sticks her hand in. The entire District seems to hold its breath as her hand sifts through the folded papers. When she finally pulls one out and walks to the microphone, no one moves. No one breathes.

"The female tribute of District 12 is Katina Shaw."

I let out a breath of relief when I realize it wasn't anyone I know, and zone out during the rest, staring down at the ground. I am trying to decide if I should go hunt after this or go for a swim. I'm not worried about getting caught, why should I be? After all, no one is crazy enough to try and climb the 'electric' fence. I let out a soft sigh and force myself to pay attention as Azuela walks over to the boys bowl and pulls out a piece of paper. I stare up at her, wondering who is going to be the unlucky boy this time, but when I hear the name I almost have a heart attack. The world seemed to freeze around me.

"Jack Lestrange."

No. No no no. Not Jack, it couldn't be. I had promised that Jack wouldn't be reaped. My entire body seems completely frozen and I can't move or talk. My vocal chords aren't working and I can only stare helplessly as Jack slowly starts walking forward, escorted by the Peacekeepers. Then Jack turns and looks at me, and there are tears streaming down his face and I snap. I start shoving people out of my way in my desperate attempt to get to Jack. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel every. Thump thump thump.

My mouth is open and he I'm yelling something but I can't tell what was coming out of my mouth because all of the sudden Jack was running towards me and hugging me and crying into my shoulder. I am saying something, but I don't know what. I finally am able to realize I'm continually muttering 'I volunteer' under my breath over and over. Then someone is grabbing my shoulder and pulling me and Jack apart. There are tears in Ethan's eyes but I refuse to let them fall. I would not allow the other tributes to see me as weak. Jack is sobbing and screaming, begging for them not to take me. I feel a strange numbness trickle through me and I allow myself to be led up next to Azuela, though I don't take her hand when she offers her help. "Well this certainly is... different." She says in that stupid perky voice of hers.

I am only half listening. I'm staring at Jack who has hidden his face in his mother's clothing who is also crying. With grief or relief I cannot tell. I refuse to look at my parents, for I know I will only see pride and smugness in their eyes and that is the last thing I want. I can feel... well no. I can't feel. Everything was just sort of... numb. It is shock, my mind told me that. I read about the symptoms of it and know that it happens all the time to the people who re Reaped. Or in my case... volunteered.

I must have tuned out again because the next thing I know Azuela is asking my name and I'm telling her and then it is over. She told us to shake hands and I do, staring at the girl across from me and vaguely realizing it is the mayor's daughter. But the mayor's daughter's name isn't Katrina. It is something else. The shake seemed to pull me together and I don't bother thinking about it anymore. It doesn't matter; we'll probably end up trying to kill each other anyway. My thoughts clear, and though my heart is heavy with grief, I cast one last look at Jack before I allow myself to be led inside of the town hall.

I never thought this would happen. Never thought I would volunteer. But I realize in that moment that when it came down to it... I will do anything to keep Jack safe. And I will make it back. I will make it back to him and prove myself to my parents.

The wooden doors weren't locked, I know that. I also know that right outside the door is only a single Peacekeeper. I suppose I could take out the Peacekeeper, easily, and run away so I won't have to compete in the Games. But there was a part of me that refused to go anywhere, to run away. It would be too cowardly and I am anything but a coward.

It is small office, where I was shoved into. It is vaguely familiar. I remember being in here once or twice to try and convince the mayor to give me extra rations (it didn't work). It seemed a lot more inviting back then. Sun used to stream through the open windows and give the wood a warm sort of glow. The trinkets that were on the desk would glint when the light hit it and I remember the warm smile of the mayor and the apologetic voice that seemed to flow easily through the room.

It isn't like that now.

Now the windows re boarded shut with planks of wood and the sun that I know is shining against the wood barely sneaked in through the cracks, only a small stream of light here and there. The desk is empty and as I run a finger across the rich oak wood, I notice it has a fine layer of dust on it. The warm smile that used to light up the room is gone. The room is exactly the same but completely different.

I pin around when I hear the door open behind me and I see Jack running towards me with tears streaming down my face. I bend down and hug him tightly, Jack practically clinging to me. The little boy buries his face in my shoulder and I can feel the tears soaking through the thin fabric of my shirt. Gazing upwards, I meet the tear-filled eyes of Jack's mother who stands in front of the door. Her eyes seem to express a hundred emotions at once and I give her a small nod and a smile before I turn my attention back to Jack.

I put my hands on Jack's shoulders and gently pull him away from me. "Jack," I say softly. The young boy is still crying and not meeting my eyes. "Look at me." I say firmly, but gently. Slowly, Jack's bright blue gaze met mine and I smile. "Don't worry. This isn't your fault, I'll be fine."

Jack sniffed and angrily rubbed his eyes with his hands. "B-But you're going..."

I cut him off. "I will be fine Jack." I try to sound confident, even when in my heart I am absolutely terrified. "Hey, listen to me." I rub Jack's back soothingly, an action so instinctual I don't even realize I am doing it. "I'm strong. I'm smart."

Jack slowly started to nod, realizing where I am going with this. He gave me a watery smile. "You're really smart. You could probably outsmart everyone, right?"

I felt relief wash through my body and ruffled his hair. "That's right." I lied. Not everyone. I knew there will be people smarter than me, better than me. But I'll be damned if I'm not going to try my hardest to be the victor. My heart seems to constrict when I see the door open and the Peacekeeper demand for them to leave. "Hey, hey." I try to get Jack's attention. His eyes had flashed in panic and he spun around to look at the guard but I made him refocus his attention on me. "I will win." I promise Jack, even as the Peacekeepers start dragging him out. "Stay strong, Jack!" I yell right before the doors slam shut and I am left alone once again.

A lone tear slips out of my eye and tumbles down my cheek and I make no move to wipe it away. That is quite possibly the last time I will ever get to see Jack again. It made me angry, made rage bubble in my veins and I wanted to punch something. This wasn't fair. It wasn't fair!

I'm not left alone for very long though. I hear the door open again and when I turn around my mother and father are standing in front of the door, both looking very proud. My mother walks up to me and kisses my forehead. "I'm so proud of you. I knew this was your day."

My father walks over and claps me on the back. "Congratulations son," he beams, so proud one would think I have just become President of the Capitol. "You'll make us proud. I know it."

I felt something being pressed into my hand and confused, I look down at it. My mother has put a small necklace in my hand. It was a simple golden chain and a swirl of metal made to look like a flame. I don't know what to say. I look up at both of my parents and realize in that moment, that even though they show it in a different way, they do love me and are proud of me. I realize it too late though. Clutching the necklace tightly, I hug both of my parents before they are forced to leave and I am left alone with my thoughts.