Late, but not as late as last chapter! I love y'all!

--x

My hair was in my eyes when I woke up, like it usually is. I'm pretty thankful for its light color, because otherwise I would spend half the day not able to see. It's a bit obsessive, but I already can't wait to see Ipso, even if it is at the reaping, eh?

I really got lucky to have such a good girlfriend. I wouldn't say I'm the smartest, or the best looking, or anything, really, in our year. But everything really came together about a month ago, and now I only leave her alone to eat and sleep. Ipso is perfect, at least to me. Everything is perfect.

Due to the noises in the kitchen, I could guess that mom was up already. Maybe making some food. She couldn't ever go wrong with food. I'll stick to it; mom is the best cook ever. She can make even the Tessera taste good.

Despite some long behind me school issues, the prospect of unlimited food has never made me want to volunteer for the games. I sort of regret it. Our boy tribute last year was a Twelve. He would have made a great kid, when he was a little older. It was horror watching him try to make friends with the District Six girl, and get shot through the stomach just a few moments after she fell.

I cried a lot that day. Ipso had tried to help me through it, but even she has her limits. Though I hate to say that. I really shouldn't.

There was breakfast on the table by the time I made it out of my room. Tessera rolls, and a sort of mint jelly. It wasn't the best, but show me a Capitol cook who could make do with my mom's salary feeding two, and I'll show you a wild dog who can tap-dance while doing calculus equations, eh?

I actually thought that, and I couldn't keep from laughing. Man, I can be funny. Even though the reaping is nothing to joke about. Ipso could be chosen, or me. And that would ruin my good mood, permanently. Because neither of us (and probably, no one in District Ten) stood a hair of a chance.

My assumptions were proven corrects, as I flipped on the TV in time to watch the District Two girl turn on a dime to disable her friend, who had been talking to her seconds before. Just because she volunteered too. Violence at the reapings? There's a first. Nothing like that ever happens in District Ten, eh. But we've rarely won...

I turned the TV off. If I was picked, I could watch it on the train. But I wouldn't be. Way more kids had more Tessarae than me, and I felt bad for them, despite being thankful.

For a while, I just sort of lounged on the couch, listening to mom talk about 'Crazy Theon' and his poor daughter, Hypatia, to Vitale. She just stopped by to chat, but left quickly, once she ran out of gossip. I don't really listen in, but I was bored. I actually couldn't wait for the reaping.

Though time was as slow as... Well, anything, the time for the reaping finally came. Mom and I stepped out of the house, me whistling happily. Nothing could go wrong...

I was going to see Ipso.

She wasn't there yet, when I sat down to wait for the reaping to begin. She'd come, though. Everyone comes to the reapings, eh? The stands filled up slowly, but I was able to watch everyone. A tiny blonde girl was escorted all the way to the Twelves by her dad, poor girl. I felt a bit bad, but laughed with everyone else.

Finally, Ipso got there. She sat down with me, but looked distant, and incredibly sad. Her pretty green eyes were watery, and distant.

"What's wrong?" I asked, putting my arm around her.

Ipso sniffed deeply.

"It's Diotima."

What? Her little sister had always been a bit pale, and had never gained any weight, no matter how much food Ipso and her mom tried to get into her. But there were never any other problems, were there?

"She died last night," Ipso said, barely audible.

That poor girl! If only this was District Two. For all our math, and methodical reason, we have never received enough supplies from the Capitol for medical patients. The earlier districts get first crack at it. Only Eleven and Twelve are worse off, really.

Unfortunately, before I had time to reply, the mayor came onstage. I had noticed that he had recently been saying more and more Capitol-trashing things. I bet it was annoying the President.

Anyway, he made a really boring speech, and I really did try to listen. But it's awful hard to focus when your girlfriend is crying into your shoulder, and there's absolutely nothing you can do.

Eventually, our escort (Medea? Miranda?) came up after him. I think I saw her make a face at him, but I don't think anyone else did. Besides, I was preoccupied with Ipso, who was still crying.

She still did the whole 'perky-happy' routine, and went to select a name.

"Hypatia Leanodas!"

Oh no! A little Twelve, skinny as a stick and pale as a... Pale thing, was walking up to the stage, trembling and looking, in general, terrified. I felt Ipso stiffen in my arms. She looked horrified, and I quickly realized why.

"Diotima," she whispered.

I watched in abject terror as Ipso stood up. Not her...

"I vo..."

I pulled her down as fast as I could. Had someone heard? Obviously. I put a hand around her mouth. There was no way I was losing Ipso, not now, not today.

"No, Ipso! Don't go!" I whispered, but by now, the cameras, and microphones, were all focused on me. Every citizen of Panem could ear me. Unexpectedly, I felt my ears heat up. Why was I embarrassed?

The attention was turned away abruptly; apparently, a man in the crowd was doing something more interesting than saving his girlfriend's life.

We were very lucky. The Peacekeepers, and escort, decided not to pursue Ipso's almost-volunteer. I could feel it. We were in the clear. We could go home, and cry for Diotima, and the little Twelve, but in safety.

Me-something reached into the second bowl, pulling out a slip. I wonder who has the job of writing down all those names. Must get pretty boring.

"Antiphon Marinus!"

Someone. Volunteer. Anyone. Please.

No help was offered, and still thinking in syllables, I walked up to the stage, where the little girl looked almost happy. Why was I with her, instead of Ipso? Would something have changed if I had let Ipso volunteer?

No... Only that I would have had to watch her die...

I only let Ipso come to see me. Mom would have liked it better that way. She's a strong woman. I don't want to hurt her with my last words.

Ipso's been crying even more. I can't blame her. I'd be doing the same thing, if she wasn't here. Why did this have to end? Poor Ipso. Poor me.

She hugs me for nearly a minute, without talking, and then looks up, with her eyes huge and wet.

"Take care of Diotima."

What? Diotima died! I can't help her any more. But I can't say that out loud. It would be insensitive. So instead, I ask "how?"

Not much better.

"Keep her safe. Don't let them kill her."

She wants me to protect the little girl who was happy I was chosen? I had heard about people going into shock when someone died, but this was way more. She was asking me to die. I wasn't ready.

"You want me to... Die?"

She looked shocked. "No... Yes... Just... Don't let them kill her. And don't let them kill you. Come back."

Usually it's her with the commitment issues... She continues to look pleadingly up at me, and I love her. I guess. Maybe I still do. So I lie.

"We'll both be safe, Ipso. We'll both come home. I'm sorry."

A peacekeeper comes in, informing us that our time is up. No, her time isn't up. His time isn't up.

But my time is.

And I can't even hide behind my love for Ipso any more.

--x

So? Like him, hate him? Review, and tell me.

Or, vote in my brand-new poll, which is very shiny, and allows you to place ANOTHER vote.

And yes, your votes have already influenced the course of the story.

Special thanks to LoveTheBoyWithTheBread, for your angry pm. You got me back on track.

And scared my laptop into submission.