Updates will start getting just a tad slower because I want to update my SYOT and my other HG fics too and my Criminal Minds fics. No fear, thoug :)

Endeavor

en·deav·or [en-dev-er]

–verb (used without object)

1. to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive: We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.

–verb (used with object)

2. to attempt; try: He endeavors to keep things neat in hisapartment.

3. Archaic . to attempt to achieve or gain.

2 months and a week later

Ever...

The first thing I do when I wake up on August 13th is check the nearest calendar. In vain, I silently, inwardly wish that today is the 14th, that Reaping Day has just somehow skipped by us this year. Sadly, that is not the case. Today is, in fact, August 13th. Reaping Day. Today, I have to send two of my peers off to the Capitol and hope and pray one makes it back.

Not likely.

But one can dream.

Right?

I quickly slip out of my pajamas and find an acceptable outfit- a pair of black skinny jeans and a plain grey V-neck shirt. Of course, I wear the bracelet Kenton gave me and the token I took into the Arena a year ago. A few days shy of a year ago I stepped into the arena to fight for the death. The odds were stacked against me, yet,if by no other way than sheer will, I survived. I just hope I can do the same for some child in my home district.

Again, highly unlikely, but who said dreams hurt anybody?

I walk across the hall to my father's room. He hears me walking around upstairs and I hear a voice from downstairs, "Already ready, waiting for you."

"'Kay." I say. I don't slide down the banister this morning because that's a fun and happy thing to do.

Today is not a happy occasion.

Daddy sees my sad facial expression. "Cheer up a little sweetheart. Odds are you won't know the kids that get reaped today and with oyu winning last year they'll have it in their heads that they can win."

"How will that help?" I ask.

"If they have it in their heads that they can win, they have a better chance at winning. If their mentality is a loosing mentality they have a higher chance of dying because they have already given up."

"That has to be the smartest thing you've ever said." I say.

"Yeah, yeah." He says as we reach the town square. He points at the new escort. "She looks ridiculous."

I giggle. Effie Trinket. Word has it Tanith got promoted to District 9. Poor District 9. Then again, Tanith at least looked like a human being. Effie just looks...whoa.

"Hello District 12!" Effie says cheerily as Peacekeepers force my father and I to join her. The crowd responds with a half-hearted ''Morning.' Effie takes their apathy for stifled excitement. Effie gives the same spiel Tanith would give, then Mayor Undersee recites the Treaty of Treason. My father and I seem to be taking turns nodding off during the reading of the treaty and me have to keep elbowing and hissing, 'Stay awake!' at each other.

Our constant elbowing stops after Effie Trinket says, "Ladies first!" She reaches into the large glass ball with all the names of the girls ages 12-18 in District 12. Save me of course. She stares at the paper before loudly announcing. "Ivy Hopeflame!"

A loud, shrill cry comes from the crowd. But it isn't Ivy's scream. Ivy is calmly approaching the stage. It is Mrs. Hopeflame's scream because this is the third child of hers being sent to the Capitol ,to the arena, to die. I try to make eye contact with my old friend but she is avoiding meeting my eyes. Not that I expected anything different. Also something that doesn't surprise me is the fact that nobody volunteers for Ivy. Effie excitedly moves on.

"Now for our boy tribute!"

"Anon Anthony!" My face pales. I know Anon Anthony. He prefers to go by 'Ant' because he kind of reminds us of one. He is Kenton's neighbor in the Seam and is sixteen years old but an older sixteen than Kenton. Ant I were never that close, but we liked each other and always exchanged smiles and conversation when we meet in town. But now I have to mentor him. Maybe I con convince Daddy to take the boy if I get the girl. No, no that simply won't work. Ivy is the girl and she won't listen to me.

Looks like district 12 won't have a victor this year.

I jump as a hand claps my shoulder then squeezes it. "We'll figure it out sweetheart." I nod and turn my attention back to Effie and the reaping. Peacekeepers lead Ivy and Ant into the Justice building. More Peacekeepers lead Daddy, Effie and I to the car to take us to the train station. I turn around as I hear a disturbance amongst the Peacekeepers.

"Ever! Ever!" Shouts a painfully familiar voice.

"Joshua." I say harshly as Josh Hopeflame hurries to me. He grabs my arm.

"Ever, Ever please. Bring Ivy home."

I purse my lips. I want to scream at him, 'why should I?' but I don't. Instead I tell him the only thing I can tell him. "I'll try Joshua, but I also have to worry about Ant."

"Screw Ant! My older brother and sister are already dead, Ever! I can't loose Ivy to the Games, too."

I scoff, "You speak of her as a lover. Not a sister." With that, I slam the car door. Josh bangs angrily on the window until I roll it down. "What!"

He takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry for being such and ass to you after you won. It wasn't my choice, my mother made me sever ties."

"I accept your apology but that doesn't make anything okay again and doesn't' mean I will be able to bring Ivy home. But I will try to help her as well as Ant. Josh, you know as well as i do that Ivy truly hates me and I cannot help her unless she is willing to let me."

He sighs, "I know. Good luck with mentoring, Ever. Good luck with both of them."

"Thanks Josh." I say before pressing and holding the smooth black button that controls the window. I lean agiasnt the seat and bury my head in my hands. Effie Trinket rolls her eyes and says something about how she can tell I am attracted to Joshua (ugh) and how I need to admit it. My father pats me on the back and murmurs petty things about how it's going to be okay and I have nothing to worry about.

I don't think he believes any of it any more than I do.

Random Quote of the day:

(While discussing Post-Impressionist art at school)

Kirsten: Why did Van Gogh cut off his ear and send it to his girlfriend?

Me: He really wanted to dump her and knew that's what she would do to him so he did it in advance.

Paden: No, she just didn't want to hear her nagging.