Alexandra ground her teeth. Nothing was ever easy in District 12, not since the capital began punishing everyone for the actions of District 13.

She turns to James, making sure he is okay. Things can happen in a split second.

The drawing for tributes to the Hunger Games is tomorrow, and Alexandra sincerely hopes she does not get pulled, as that would leave James in immeasurable danger.

She decides she cannot do anything now, and pulls James close to her as she falls asleep.

The next morning, she takes James with her to the center of the district to hear the names of tributes called.

The pronouncer stands on a high platform as he calls out the names.

"John Laurens!" He shouts.

Alexandra breathes a sigh of relief that it is not her.

A very handsome young man comes to stand next to the pronouncer, a look like vengeance in his eyes.

The next one should be a girl, Alexandra hopes it's not her.

"James Hamilton!" The man shouts again, rolling up his scroll.

Alexandra is a little surprised that it is not a girl. Then she realizes they have just called James.

They cannot take James! He's too young! Alexandra can't lose him!

She realizes James is ten years old, not meeting the age requirement of twelve to eighteen.

She makes her way to the front.

"Sir, James Hamilton is too young, not yet twelve." She tells the official.

"I don't care! Find someone to replace him!" The official shouts.

Alexandra's eyes widen. Who can she volunteer to take his place?

"Like you, for instance." The official suggests. "You have ten seconds to answer."

He starts counting down. Alexandra panics, not having a replacement.

As he reaches five, she cracks.

"Okay, I'll go!" She shouts.

"Great." He says.

All the way back to James, Alexandra tries to justify her actions.

I have to save James's life, he's my only family and I'd never forgive myself if something happened to him.

But what if she dies? She can't protect him anymore then.

Ah, she wishes her family was around. But their mother died of sickness, their father was a drunkard, and the cuzoun died in a previous Hunger Games.

When she gets back to James, she tells him it is all sorted out.

"Who is going?" James asks.

"I am." Alexandra says, with as much strength as she can muster.

"No, Alexandra!" James cries.

"That's the end. Come on, we're going home." Alexandra pulls James by the hand.

She worries what she has gotten herself into.

Happy Leap Day! Happy Birthday to Amy Deems! This is a Lams fanfiction, if you are curious. Please leave suggestions in the reviews, they make my day. If you have time, I'd love to read them.

-HamiltonAsparagus