Hullo! It's Woof28 again! Thanks to everyone for helping my story reach six follows and eight favorites on Fanfiction dot net! Woohoo!

Also, a personal thank you to anbrivity on AO3 for all the nice comments. It means a lot to me. :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Pyra's POV

"-ck?!"

I can't believe who I'm seeing. Rex.

To be honest, part of me DID see this coming. That doesn't mean I wanted it to happen.

"R-Rex? What are you doing here?"

Rex looks at me with nothing but concern in his eyes. "I came here to bring you back! Pyra, you can't do this! It's too risky!"

"Rex," I say. "don't try and stop me. I know that we're struggling. We need this money! More than anything!"

Rex began to panic. "Pyra, you don't have to do this! I can find a better paying job-"

"And who's gonna hire someone who didn't even finish high school?" I interject. "You were extremely lucky to get the job you have now!"

"I-I can find a way..."

But he can't and we both know it.

"Rex," I say quietly, "why are you trying so hard to stop me?"

He looks at the floor. "B-because..." He says. "I... I love you."

My throat turns dry. I don't know what to say.

He frowns. "Y-you don't have to say anything... it was stupid to think you felt the same way..."

My vocal cords don't seem to work. I want to tell him so badly that I love him too. But the shock has gotten to me. Well, if I can't tell him, I'll show him.

Without hesitation, I run up to him, grab him by the shoulders, and kiss him.

Rex's Pov

One moment, we're standing apart. The next, I feel her lips on mine. It takes me a moment to realize that she's kissing me. Oh my god, the girl I love is actually kissing me! Never in a thousand years did I expect this to happen.

This is my first kiss, and I have no clue what to do. Her lips are soft and warm, and her kiss is full of love.

A few moments later, our lips separate. Pyra's face is completely red with a blush.

"R-Rex..." she whispers, "I love you too..."

After hearing this, I take a moment to think. It's clear that she's gonna register as a Player no matter what I do. But I know that if I don't do what I can to help, I'll never forgive myself.

I clear my throat. "Alright. I've decided. Pyra. I'm going to register with you."

Her eyes widen, and she nods. "Alright."

Twenty minutes later, we are sitting side by side in an auditorium, waiting. The registration process goes like this:

Although thousands of people try to get in, only thirty are selected as Players. Those thirty are decided by a raffle. Upon entering the building, if you are trying to register, you are given a ticket with a number on it, then you are directed to a large auditorium where the other potential Players sit. To be a Player, you must be between the ages of 15 and 20. After a while, thirty numbers are called out, chosen by chance. Whoever had those one of those thirty numbers would be allowed to be register.

I look at my ticket. 1876. Pyra's is 9637.

After a few minutes, numbers are staring to be called. Twenty seven numbers have been called, and I'm worried.

4851 is called. A boy a row in front of us stands up. He seems about a year older than me, has grey hair, and I notice that a black eyepatch covers his left eye. He is quiet as he walks up front to join the twenty seven other Players.

The next one is about to be called. I hold my breath.

"9637!"

I gasp. Pyra stands up, her eyes wide. She slowly walks forward, looking nerviously back at me.

I close my eyes and pray.

"1876!"

I open my eyes. That's me. I stand up. I join Pyra up front. Someone is saying something. I don't know who, I don't know what.

I grab Pyra's hand, and the realization sets in.

From here on out, it's life or death.

Aaaaaaand that's the chapter! Sorry for the delay and all that. Hope you enjoyed! See ya'll next time!