Hop's POV (D6M, 17)

I wake to the sound of an engine revving, and I groan as I sit up, stretching tiredly. It's probably a new client, so I've got to get ready fast.

I rush over to my closet, putting on a white button-up shirt and generic pants. I don't eat as I run out of my room. I can't keep whoever is outside waiting— they might leave if I take too long.

I slam the door open, and I'm panting by the time I walk out to greet whoever's in the shiny white car in front of my small house.

I frown as the driver exits the vehicle. Caide? My friend, Caide, rarely comes around. What does he want?

"Hey, Hop!" He says as he gets out of the car, signature smirk plastered across his face. "How are you?"

I raise an eyebrow at him in annoyance, rolling my eyes. He knows I can't speak, and he still makes fun of me for it.

"Good to see you too, buddy. Anyways, my car's engine gave out, and I need it fixed up fast so I can make it to the Reaping."

I nod, and shudder at the thought of the Reaping as I gesture to my garage to tell him to bring it in. I had forgotten what day it is, and didn't want a reminder. Caide nods back and jumps in, and I can hear the car splutter as he tries to maneuver it into the small space. It gives up before it's even touching the ground inside, making a depressing whine as it shuts down.

I huff and rush inside the garage, bringing out some tools. It'll be difficult, since I can't get to my supplies as easy.

I throw open the hood of his car as he pats its side with exaggerated sorrow, getting to work as Caide groans on and on about his day to me.

I finally finish on the car, deeming it fixed once he revs the engine and it doesn't cough or smoke. I put my tools away then come back out to meet him.

"Do you need a ride?" Caide asks with a friendly grin. I eye his car and nod.

"Let's go then!" He enters the car, and I walk over to the other side, ducking into the passenger seat.

I barely have time to shut the door and buckle my seatbelt before he zooms off, earning a glare from myself.

In about an hour, we're at the town square, and we exit the vehicle. Once we get our fingers pricked, he leads me to the seventeen-year-old boys' section like I'm blind instead of mute. I don't protest, though, and get into the square with the other teenage boys.

I frown and shuffle to the corner, as far away from everyone else as possible. I don't bother to try and look at the escort as he starts to speak, despite being able to see over everyone's heads, instead leaning back and closing my eyes, trying to relax.

"Welcome, Panem, to District Six's 150th Reaping!" He announces in his shrill voice and thick Capitolite accent. I hear the sound of shoes on wood, and can only imagine him going over to the boys' bowl.

"Hop Lostar!" He says, after a few moments of silence.

Yeah? I think, raising a lazy brow, before I'm snapped out of it and realize why he's calling me.

Oh— OH. I make my way out of the roped-off area for possible tributes and make my way to the stage, the climb up the few steps seeming like it takes ages. I try not to let my eyes go wide, fists lightly clenched as he moves on to the girls' names.

Van's POV (D6F, 16)

Me and my friends laugh as we talk and toy around with some little wooden cars we've put together. We're racing them on a piece of cardboard in Star and Skye's garden.

Star and Skye, two twin sisters, are pretending to battle each others' cars. Others always find us immature, but I just enjoy having fun. We won't live forever.

Speaking of which, it is the day of the Reaping. I tap the oldest in the group, Julius, on the arm. He raises a brow and scooches back so I can talk to him out of earshot of the others.

"What's up?" He asks quietly.

"It's your last year, right?" I meet his gaze, and I can tell he knows what I means.

"It is," Julius says uneasily. "What about it?"

"You won't be in danger anymore, Julius. I want to know how it feels. I want to know how it will feel in two years. Well, unless I..."

I leave the last words unspoken, intensity filling my gaze. "I won't be able to protect the rest of the girls anymore if they get Reaped. What the hell will I do if one of them gets Reaped?!"

Julius gives a dry laugh. "What will we do if you get Reaped, Vinnie? About how it feels, if anything, it's even more terrifying than any other year. I have more slips in the bowl, and the irony of getting Reaped on my last eligible year haunts me."

I open my mouth to reply, but I'm cut off by Star giggling and poking me.

"Vinnie, look! It's Crya!" She points over to where a tall girl with raven black hair and caramel skin is walking by the garden. She waves at us with a smile.

I feel my face grow hot and I elbow Star. "Don't you dare—"

"Vinnie's got a cruuush~ Vinnie's got a cruuush~!

I'm tempted to slap her, but Kestrel waves her arm in between us. "Don't start a fight!" She scolds, but there's a hint of amusement visible in her eyes.

Star huffs and backs off, going to play with the cars again.

Kestrel extends a hand to me and I take it, standing up and brushing the grass off of my pants. I glance back at Julius briefly, who looks away when he meets my gaze.

"Kids!" Star and Skye's mother calls from the house. "It's time for the Reaping!"

Everyone freezes, silence washing over us like a sudden plague. The people still sitting on the ground stood up and we all walked wordlessly inside. I see Star and Skye hugging each other out of the corner of my eye, and if I'm not mistaken, I could see a tear rolling down Skye's cheek as she starts breathing heavily.

Julius puts a hand on her shoulder and mumbles something to her. She nods, wiping the tear away.

The parents lead us out of the house and over to the town square, and we wave them goodbye. We all get our fingers pricked and hug each other before going to our own sections.

Once I reach mine, I feel someone tap my shoulder. I turn around and see Crya standing in front of me.

"Crya?" I blink, and I desperately will myself not to blush.

Crya leans back on one of the ropes surrounding our section. "What were you guys doing earlier, with the cars? It looked fun," she says, intrigued. "Do you think you could teach me to make one sometime?"

"Huh? Oh, sure!" I smile. Usually, I would find the sudden request weird, but I'm used to Crya asking things out of nowhere by now. We've been friends for a long time. I enjoy her company, so I think making wooden cars with her would be nice.

"We would need to borrow some tools from my parents," I muse. "It's pretty easy to make, though. Just a bit tedious."

Crya nods. "Thank you. I'm sure my brother would live to play with them if I can manage to make some."

Our conversation us but short as the mayor's speech comes to an end and the escort starts to speak.

"Welcome, Panem, to District Six's 150th Reaping!" He waves his arms for dramatic effect, winking at the crowd before going over to the boys' bowl.

"Hop Lostar!" He calls. There's a long pause before a boy I don't recognize mounts the stage, hands balled into fists. He seems capable, at least. Maybe not bloodbath fodder.

The escort moves onto the girls' bowl with no hesitation, digging through the bowl and pulling out a name.

"Van McGuire!" He says in his shrill, annoying voice.

"Oh... oh God," Crya whispers. She grasps my hand when I try to walk up to the stage. I turn back to see her face full of fear and pain.

"You can't go," she chokes.

I pull her in for a quick hug. "I'm sorry, Crya. I have to."

When I'm finished talking, I walk hastily up to the stage. I shake my partner's hand, and we're soon escorted to the Justice Building by Peacekeepers.

My parents arrive first, giving me a huge hug. "We'll miss you so much," my mother says quietly, her voice cracking.

"Please... you have to come home," my father pleads.

"I will," I promise, though I don't know if it's true. "I'm strong. I'm brave. I'll come back as a Victor. I promise."

Almost as soon as they come, my parents leave, and Kestrel, Star, Skye and Julius arrive. We all hug, and Julius doesn't talk to me.

"Julius..."

"When I said if you got Reaped earlier... I didn't think it would happen." His voice is pained.

"Don't dwell on it," I huff. "There's nothing to be done."

Julius shakes his head and doesn't say any more. Kestrel rests a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey. You'll come back, I promise. You can do this, Vinnie."

I nod. "Thank you."

Soon enough, my friends leave, and I don't expect to have any more visitors.

The door opens another time, though, and I see Crya enter the room.

"Vinnie," she breathes. "I'm so sorry." She walks up to me with tears in my eyes.

"Sorry for what?" I take her hand in mine. "This was just stupid luck."

"I... I could have done something! I could have volunteered! You can't go into the Games!" She cries.

"Volunteered? Do you realize how devastated I would be if you had volunteered?! I care about you, Crya. It wouldn't be fair." I can feel tears pricking at my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

"I..." Crya sits down beside me and sighs. "I'm sorry, you're right."

There's silence for a few moments.

"Vinnie?"

I look up at her. She has a sad smile on her face. I'm about to reply, but Crya interrupts me when she pulls me in for a kiss. It's so sudden, and unexpected. I flush, gripping her hand tighter as she pulls away. I stare into her level gaze.

"Crya—"

"Win the Games for me, Vinnie," Crya says quietly, hugging me. She hands me a hair clip hurriedly before the Peacekeepers come in to take her away. I examine the clip— it looks like it has fake, sparkling pale blue gems on it. I put it on, letting out a shaky breath.

Once she's gone, I reach a subconscious hand up to my lips.

I will, Crya. I'll come home, I promise.