To my lovely readers who have stayed with me this far: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Today has been a collection of moments in which I snuck away from family to bring this to all of you, so I hope you enjoy! (I was writing at the kitchen table where everyone was talking but then my 10 year old cousin started telling me about how she's read Hunger Games but couldn't stand it so I decided it wasn't a good environment anymore. Also, kids killing other kids on TV is not something your 10 year old should be reading.
2011 Thank Yous: Howlynn, Confused-Sprite, Carmencielle. The three of you have become the major reason I write because your reviews are so uplifting and get me just as excited about whats coming next as I think you are! Your predictions have really influenced this story and given me new ideas and when you guess something big I get super excited. (Howlynn… you seem to know everything as soon as I do especially. Makes me incredibly proud of my fanbase's close reading!)

Without further ado… LET THE 74th HUNGER GAMES BEGIN! (p.s: I know I cheated and on the title, but nothing worked better than our favorite quote)

Chapter 26: May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

It hurt to pull myself from Cory's side, his frail body lying in his bed at home after two weeks of little improvement. The Capitol was supposed to have all the cures, all the remedies and no sickness. We all wanted to scream. Cory, Coriolanus Snow Jr, didn't have a cure. The President's own son, the heir to that seat of power, was sick and nothing could be done. If he didn't have hope, who would?

But today, we had to walk away for the sake of the cameras, it was reaping day. I felt a hand on my arm and looked up to see the Avox father had given me after our return tugging me away. She and May's were the only ones who could get us from the room, feed us and clothe us, no one else had the energy. She pointed to the clock that read 8 am. I had told her to get me at 8. In an hour, the train to 11 would be pulling into the District and Thresh would be waiting for me. I had to call Seeder.

I stumbled to my feet, grabbing the Avox's arm as she supported me from the room. "I'll be back, I promise." I kissed Cory's forehead and he grumbled in response.

"I'll watch him for another hour then mama is coming in. She's already getting ready for the reaping so she can be in here until the last minute."

"Are they setting up a dias in the circle?" She shook her head.

"No, but mama said we need to go out on the balcony after it's over Father, you and I are going to the party but mama will stay with Cory." A night of dressing up and smiling seemed the most painful experience of the next few months I could imagine. The Avox pulled me from the room and I thought through any reasonable excuse I could tell Seeder to pass on to Thresh, guilt tormented my mind. I promised him I would be there.

"Leave me." I waved the Avox away as soon as I walked into my room, reaching immediately for the phone. I felt my eyes filling with water as I dialed the number and the phone started to ring.

"Hello?" The voice that answered the phone was sharp, impatient.

"Seeder. It's Ember."

"Ember?" Her voice was confused and her words were followed by a slight gasp. "December Snow? The President's daughter?"

"Yes. Now listen to me. You have to find him. You have to find him before the train gets in and tell him I'm not on it. Tell him I'm sorry and I'll explain it all on the Victory Tour but papa wouldn't let me come…."

"Hush. You shouldn't be calling me, I'll tell him, I'll explain. You should know he'll be disappointed, but understand. He cares for you too much." I couldn't say another word before she slammed the phone off and the line went empty, beating annoyingly.

He cares for you too much. I collapsed on the bed, crying, only thinking of him laughing with his grandmother and Trina at the breakfast table, having their reaping feast. Would he already be thinking of me, of where we would meet up? Would he be trying to decide what disguise I would use? I laid down, tiredness overtaking my body and trying to sleep but I couldn't, I just couldn't move.

A knock sounded on the door and I wiped my eyes before calling for it to open. Margarita pushed in quietly, and when I glanced at the clock she spoke in barely a whisper. "I came early because I assumed you wouldn't want to be surrounded by a prep team right now." I gave a weak smile in gratitude, trying to push myself off the bed.

"Is my Avox in the hall or did she disappear somewhere?" Margarita nodded. "Call her in. I want tea and this room needs to be cleaned up. I can't stand it anymore." I was determined to make myself cheerful, brighten up a bit. It was reaping day after all, the beginning of the best season of the year. I heard Margarita passing on my orders, and the Avox scurrying away. At least the girl was clever enough to learn fast exactly how I liked things done.

"Come on. Let's get to work. We only have about two hours at this point. District 1 reaps at noon." She helped me over to the vanity, silently working as tears glistened in my eyes, equally for Cory and Thresh.

The next two hours passed in a flurry of activity. Margarita perfected every speck on my face and hands, while the Avox refilled my teacup forcing me to gulp every single one. She opened windows, airing out the dark room and for the first time in a few weeks I felt like I could breathe.

Walking into the family living room, I could convince myself everything was normal for a minute. May sat in her usual spot up against mother's chair, mother flipping through papers while holding a glass of wine. Papa was talking to Seneca Crane at the living room door, going over the last minute details of the arena.

"December! Come say hello to Seneca." I waved to the Head Gamemaker, crossing the room quickly to shake his hand.

"I can't wait to see your work soon, Head Gamemaker. From what I've heard, the arena will be spectacular."

"What you have heard, Miss. Snow, always surprises me. Will you tell me today your sources?"

"Why, your own meetings with my father of course! How many of those have you seen me in?" He laughed, knowing my father's office was never closed to me. I could get in there easier than May's room.

"I will make the necessary calls before I get into the Circle, President Snow. Your request shall be taken care of, as always." Seneca Crane shook my father's hand once more before leaving the room.

"What request?" I raised my eyebrows as he slung his arm around my shoulders.

"I just didn't want a dais set up tomorrow as the trains come in." He seemed distracted, glancing off towards the window. "Come, my rose, the Reapings are about to start."

I nodded, joining my family on the couch as the screen blared to life, our anthem filling our ears. Caesar Flickerman appeared, sporting powder blue as his color of the year.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen to the reaping of the 74th annual Hunger Games! Right now, the first reaped districts are reading their history and the people have been gathered in their town squares. In just a moment we will have the go to transfer screens to District 1, our provider for luxury items. While we wait, I've been asked to share an announcement from the beautiful Maribelle Snow, the lovely wife of our President." The crowd cheered and the cameras zoomed out to show the crowd in the Circle waving towards our home. Flickerman pulled a paper out of his pocket and started to read. "The Presidential family shares their excitement for the games and would like to propose that any pairs who successfully dress for the Opening Ceremonies ball tomorrow, will be given front row seats at the closing ceremonies. We would also like to invite an extra 1,000 citizens to the ball and tickets will be given out randomly in the crowds tomorrow as the trains come in. Happy Hunger Games!"

I could hear the cheers from outside the mansion, a real excitement bursting through the crowd. My mother was smart, throwing something new at the Capitol to distract them from our minimal presence. If anyone thought of it they would just assume it had to do with more surprises.

"We have the clear to switch to District 1. As our Lady President said, Happy Hunger Games!" The screen changed immediately, showing the semi-nice Justice Building, glittered with a fresh cleaning. Their victors were lined up behind the District escort, who smiled and dipped her hand into the bowl for girls.

"Glimmer Cervante!" A tall, sexy girl emerged from the roped off areas, soon join by a boy called Marvel.

The screen quickly switched to District two, a girl called Clove who appeared healthy, even for the Career districts. The boy who followed her volunteered and she seemed frustrated at his name. He must be strong and assumed successful by the District.

Tributes were continually called, my eyes focused on the screen as I measured up each one. There was a girl from 4 who seemed determined, and a girl from district 5 who sported the same mischievous smile I had sported myself. The district 7 boy would be gone in a matter of minutes, he was too distracted and was almost crying.

"District Eleven; agriculture." Flickerman's overvoice increased my attention and I leaned forward, hoping to glimpse Thresh in the crowd as the cameras scanned over the town square.

The escort dug her hand around the bowl, and calls forward a tiny girl from the twelve-year-old section named Rue. She was small, looked weak but I thought maybe worth something. Sometimes being small makes it easy to hide. She could score me a couple of points at least.

"Thresh Frawley." My heart stopped as I heard the name, my eyes still focused on the small girl standing behind the escort. Thresh Frawley. Thresh Frawley, Thresh Frawley. No. His name continued echoing in my mind as I struggled to catch a breath. Without thought I reached out for my father's arm, trying to grab onto something.

"What is it, my rose? You've gone pale." I tried to pull my gaze from the screen as I watched him walk up to the platform, shoulders back and strong as if nothing was wrong. Seeder seemed shock on the corner of the screen as he got closer, yet quickly hid her fear. I felt my family still staring at me and I stumbled for words.

"It's just… I… him…I know him. We met on one of my trips to 11." May continued looking on curiously as Papa just smugly smiled.

"Well, it's good to remind the Districts that getting in close doesn't save who they are."

If only you knew how close. I wanted to punch myself for not thinking it, I should have saved him, I should have thought of it.

The screen shifted to district 12 but Thresh was still all I could see. I vaguely saw a little blond girl get called up, then another volunteer for her. I think it was his sister. I paid no attention to the boy either, they would all be dead soon. 11 and 12 never lasted long.

Thresh Frawley. I must be dreaming, I must be. He's strong and he's going to win no matter how much more training the careers have. That's how dreams work, they have happy endings or you wake up.

I felt a hand grab my arm, papa pulling me to my feet. "Snap out of it, December, the cameras are waiting." Panem is waiting, I thought. They are all waiting to see my smile but I didn't feel as if I had anything left in me. Cory was laying upstairs sick in bed, Thresh was going into the Arena, my arena.

Right now, his grandmother and Trina would be walking into the Justice building, trying to see him one last time. Trina, carrying a baby that I couldn't promise would ever see his uncle. I wanted to hurl. Was this what it was like for Districts, pain and suffering? Why had we never seen it before?

Then I blamed myself for not listening. I should have known it would never work, that I was being stupid. I was Capitol, I was the elite and the ultimate victor, the high class and I shouldn't have been frolicking with the inferior. Papa was right, it was fun but sometimes fun had to stop. Then again, why did I feel such pain and sadness? Had my heart honestly broken? Can one die from a broken heart? I felt like I could.

The doors to the balcony was thrown open and I walked out with Papa holding my arm. I smiled brightly, seeing everyone cheering for us, our family, because we were above all the pain and hardships, weren't we?

Like a little girl, I looked to Papa for guidance, seeing his radiating smile, hearing his voice cheer back to the crowd. No matter how much pain I felt, it was my duty to hide it. Finnick's voice echoed in my ears, Pretend the camera is your friend. This wasn't just the camera's, this was the entire Capitol. But the Capitol was my friend, they wanted to support me and if I played it right would support Thresh. If I could show the pain, wouldn't they help. If they knew, even though I couldn't risk it for Cory, I could break my false smile for a moment. Success would be nothing difficult, success would be easy.

Welcome to the 74th annual Hunger Games. Let the rigging begin.