Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Hunger Games or any of the characters in this chapter.

District Twelve Reaping

Erica Carter POV

I walk with my mother along the gravel road. We are heading to the reaping, to once again watch children be sent to their deaths. Being twelve, it was my first year being entered into the games. I am filled fear, and I know my mother was too.

We walk past the mines and I turn my head away. My father was killed in a mining accident when I was six. I can't stand to see the mine which I refer to as the Graveyard of the Miners. Many men died in there that day, thereby making it the Graveyard of the Miners.

I reach out and grab my mother's hand. I close my eyes and let her guide me away from the Graveyard of the Miners.

I keep my eyes close the rest of way to the town square. When I feel my mother has stopped moving, I stop too. I open my blue eyes and see my mother staring at me. She fixes my blue hair band that lies on top of brown hair. I always wear the hair band. It has one white flower on it and today it matches my blue dress that puffs around the knees. I smile my trademark sweet smile, hoping it will ease my mother. She smiles back, but I can see how fake it is.

"I love you Mother." I say.

My mother kisses the top of my head and walks away. I go to the twelve year old section and see my best friends, Lily and Lola. Lily and Lola are identical twins with blonde hair and brown eyes. They are my only friends and understand me more than my own mother does. They are like the sisters I have never had.

"Hey." I say when I finally reach them

"Hello Erica." Lily and Lola say at the same time.

Then we fall into silence. It feels awkward, so I play with my bracelet that has the charm my father gave me on it. The charm is a house. My father always said if I ever felt homesick or scared, just kiss the charm and I will be back home.

The mayor comes onto the stage. He reads the Treaty or Treason, reminding all of us why we are here today. Then the escort, Effie Trinket, comes onto the stage sporting bright pink hair. My mouth falls open a little at the sight of Effie. She is wearing all pink, down to her makeup. She looks like someone drop a bucket of pink on her.

"Welcome to the reaping for 67th Hunger Games! May the odds ever be in your favor!" Effie calls out to the crowd.

Effie makes her way over to the glass bowl holding the girls' names.

"Erica Carter!"

I feel mixed emotions about what just happened. My name was called. Twelve year olds are usually never called!

I shuffle my feet to the stage. I finally make it on and I'm forced to face the audience. I see Lily and Lola clinging onto each other, tears making their way out of their brown eyes. I look back further and see my mother, who is staring at me with tears silently streaming her face.

I bring my bracelet to my lips and kiss the house.

Nothing happens.

Leo Burnte

I face a mirror. I pull a green button down shirt over my head. I brush my black pants free of any lint. I slip my feet into my black dress shoes with white highlights. I find myself staring at my reflection. My dark brown eyes that are the same color as my hair and eyebrows bore into me. The boy in the mirror seems different from the one standing in reality.

My mother knocks on my door and I know it's time to go to the reaping. I stare at my mirror counterpart once more and run out of the room.

"Hello Mr. Burnte."

I was just making my way into the fourteen year old boys section when I heard that voice behind me. I turn to see Mr. Rumble, a peacekeeper who seems to have some kind of grudge against me and my friends.

"What do you want?" I say. Outside of my friends and family, I don't open up to anyone. I shut them out by being cold and unfriendly.

"Just wanted to make sure you were going to your proper place. We wouldn't want any trouble today, correct?"

"Correct."

"Have a wonderful day Mr. Burnte." Mr. Rumble says sarcastically before walking away.

I roll my eyes and join my group of friends in the fourteen year old section. I'm crazy and fun loving around my friends. They bring it out in me. Then we fall silent at the sight of the mayor coming onto the stage. He reads the Treaty of Treason then Effie Trinket comes onto the stage in her pink glory. My buddies snicker and hold back laughs at the sight of her, as do I.

"Welcome to the reaping for 67th Hunger Games! May the odds ever be in your favor!" Effie calls out to the crowd.

She makes her way over to the girls' bowl first and pulls out a name.

"Erica Carter!" Effie yells out.

I see a twelve year old girl make her way to the stage. She is an average height and weight for a twelve year old. She looks scared beyond belief. I can't blame her. I have butterflies raging in my stomach at the sight of Effie making her way to the boys' bowl.

"Leo Burnte!"

My name. Effie Trinket just called out my name. I turn and face my friends, who faces have drained of all color.

I nod my head and them and walk down a path that has cleared for me. I walk onto the stage and next to Erica. She is staring hard at her mother who is crying. Next to her crying mother are my mother and father. My mother is sobbing into my father's shirt and is clinging onto him. My father is just staring at me. From all the way up here, I can see he is trying to be strong.

Effie asks the crowd if there is any volunteers. By the silence and sobs of my parents and Erica's, I can tell the answer is no.

"District Twelve's tributes for the 67th Hunger Games, Erica Carter and Leo Burnte!"

Nobody claps for us. Erica and I shake hands, our fear mirrored in each other's eyes.