"It's your fault. It's all your fault. She's gone. Your fault. She's gone. She–"

I jump awake, the salty air greeting me. Reaping Day. I sigh as I shift from my side onto my back. I just hope today goes by quickly. The sunrise peaks through my window. "Okay, we've got about four hours until the reaping. Time to get up." I say to myself before I swing my legs off the side of the bed for the rest of my body to follow.

I head downstairs towards the restroom. My hand begins to reach for the doorknob when, "Here." My father grabs my attention. I spin to find black fabric in my face, just in time to catch.

"What is this?" I reply.

"Wear it to the reaping. One of my customers gave it to me, for you."

I unravel the fabric to find a haltered minidress with sparkling trimming that ends way too far above my knees, completely outside of my comfort zone.

"Thank you dad, but this isn't really my style. Besides, I already have an outfit planned for today. I really do appreciate it th-"

Before I could finish my sentence, I am pushed against the nearest wall with a hand around my throat and forearm across my chest.

"Listen, I'll say this one time and one time only. When I tell you to do something, you will do it. I don't want to hear any questions or excuses, understood?"

My vision begins to blur toward darkness and my head begins to pound. "Okay. I'm sorry. I'll wear it." I choke out. I gasp and cough as he removes his hand. My knees buckle and I fall to the floor.

One day, it'll be over. One day, he'll forgive me. Maybe then, I'll be able to start forgiving myself.

He walks away without a word, leaving me on the floor with nothing but the minidress and my returning breath. Soon after I catch my breath, I go into the restroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I grab the dress and leave.

Moments like this, I just have to get out of here, but I also don't want to be alone. There's only one person that can comfort me in this moment, Jayson.

With Jayson and I, it's a tale as old as time. Our mothers were best friends so we've been best friends ourselves since we were kids. Our moms called us soulmates, as if we were destined from the start. I was just the last one to know. It wasn't until I was unconscious in the apothecary after a training accident that I knew Jayson loved me.

I had slipped and fallen from nearly the top of the climbing wall directly onto my back and was unconscious for two days and numb for a week. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Jayson; he squeezed my hand in his and brought it to his forehead, tearfully he said, "Maena, listen. I need you to wake up. I can't do this without you. I love you." As if on instinct, I said, "I love you too, Jay." He lightly gasped, smiled, and kissed my forehead. "Welcome back, Mae." He whispered before lightly kissing my lips, "Don't leave me again." I giggled before saying, "I'll do my best."

I grab my sandals as I walk out of the house. Cold and teary eyed, I take the familiar half mile long trek to Jayson's house. I tap three times on his window in my signature greeting '-tap-tap tap.' Luckily, he's already awake so I don't wait too long for him to come to the window with his signature tap '-tap tap-tap,' before he opens the window.

"Hey Mae. Happy Re-" his face darkens as he looks upon my face. "What did he do?" He cradles my face in his hands as I break into even more tears while recounting the abuse.

"You don't have to put up with him any longer. You could stay here. You know we'd love to have you, and we'd do anything to protect you." Jayson's family has been nothing short of a miracle to me. Jayson's mother, Janice, has been a godsend since my mother died. I'm all Janice has left of her. The twins, Josiah and Jasriel are basically my own little siblings and I would do anything for them. But, my dad is my dad.

"I love you guys, you know that. But, I can't leave my dad."

"Even though he hurts you?"

I muster up a small smile, poke his nose and tell him, "We should take a little nap, the reaping is in about 3 hours."

He slightly nods his head before taking my hand and leading me to his bed. He lays down first, on his back, I lay next to him and rest my head and hand on his chest. I can feel his heart rate slow as he lulls away, although I allow my body to relax in his presence, my mind races. Instead of sleep, I stare at a bird perched on his window.

After almost an hour, I wake him up to get dressed. We both dress relatively quickly, me in the black minidress and Jayson in his dress pants with a white shirt and tie. Once we're dressed, we head to the kitchen to make breakfast. Of course, Janice is already there in her classic blue dress with ruffled skirt, spreading jelly onto the last slice of toast. "Good morning you two. As usual, I didn't make too much, you don't want to be nervous on a full tummy. Right?" We simultaneously thank her as we devour our toast.

"Hey Butthead. Oh hey Maena."Jasriel says with a yawn. I stretch my arms our for a hug and she comforts me with no hesitation. Josiah isn't too far behind with an identical greeting and response. "What are you getting us for our birthday?" They say together.

"It's a surprise." I retort.

"You can still tell us." Jas says.

"But then it wouldn't be a surprise. " I poke her side and she shrieks and scurries away.

Janice interjects, prompting the twins to hurry with their toast so they can get dressed and we could leave on time. They scarf down their bread and run to their room.

Right on time Jasriel comes out in a cute light blue skirt and white blouse. Josiah follows with nice black pants and a classic white dress shirt.

"You two are adorable!" I squeak. Jo and Jas have always made me want to have kids of my own. Seeing them grow and learn and become who they are just melts my heart. They're only ten, I can't wait to see them grow even more.

"It's time to go now." Janice says after giving the twins a final look over.

We walk out together, Janice has one twin on each hand and Jayson and I are together a few steps ahead of them.

Once we get to the City Center, Janice takes Jayson and I in her arms, kisses our cheek, and says "I'll see you for lunch." With a big smile. The same as every year. The twins hug us and wish us luck before going to the side with Janice. Jayson and I get into the check-in line so they can prick our fingers and match our DNA to our name. Before we separate into our groups in the very back for the 18 year old boys and girls, I hug Jayson and whisper, "I'm kinda nervous, honestly." He squeezes me a bit tighter before before saying , "As long as I'm here, I'll protect you." We say our I love your before it's time to go.

Zophina Light walks onto the stage wearing blue from head to toe. As always, her eyelashes extend way longer than needed, and her headpiece is just as extravagance. Five medium sapphires are the base and dozens of smaller sapphires and diamonds surrounding them, spread out to resemble fireworks. She wears a shade of blue with a scale like pattern every year to represent being the designated escort for District 4, The Fishing District. She introduces herself, welcomes all participants and family members then queues The President's Message, a video of President Snow explaining that The Hunger Games are a reminder (I'd say punishment) of The Great Rebellion now 74 years ago.

"Well said President Snow." Zophina says once the video ends. "Now onto the excitement." She leaves the mic post at the center of the stage to go to the big glass ball filled with small folded papers.

"Ladies first." Zophina squeaks. With her hand, she does a subtle spin around the inside of the ball, dips it in, pulls out one sliver of paper, and reads.

"Maena Greenwater."

Time slowed. Every sound became heightened. My heart thrashing within my chest. The crunching of the sand beneath as the other girls around me separate.

I let out a sigh of relief as I begin to move my feet. One would think this would be a crushing weight, but this is my chance. My chance at redemption.

I can do this. I have a fair chance. I have top ranks in training, all I need is to emphasize my storyline to get sponsors. I have good chances of winning.

Just as I finish my thought, almost immediately, I hear my father from the sideline cackling and yelling, "Yes! Finally! Retribution!"

I try my best to ignore it, but I do roll my eyes. I take a deep breath. I walk to the stage with my chest up and my head held high. As I walk up the steps to the stage, Zophina reaches her hand out to me, I take it and she guides me to stand right in front of the glass ball. Zophina gives me a light smile and goes to the other ball, does the same subtle hand spin and dip, and calls out, "Everett Ab-"

"I volunteer!" A voice all too familiar calls out. Zophina gasps and says, "Alrighty, come on up dear."

The sea of boys split and he comes to the main path, to the stage, up the stairs, looks at me as he heads toward the other ball, and stands. It feels as though every drop of blood is boiling within me. I feel dizzy. Devastated.

Zophina brings the mic to him after she asks, "What's your name love?"

"My name is Jayson. Jayson Gatewood.

After the applause and announcement of Jayson and I being official tributes, we are ushered into the Justice Building. We are separated into different rooms. I am in the velvet room, alone with my thoughts for a few minutes.

How could he be so stupid? Does he really think I'm that weak? That I couldn't protect myself? Janice is going to hate me! Oh no, the twins. He has to be the one to make it home. He ruined everything.

Janice and the twins explode through the door, their faces already drenched with tears. Immediately, every instinct that told me to hold in my tears had disappeared.

Through my tears I say, "I'm so sorry Janice. I promise I didn't know he was going to do that! I swear."

Janice reaches out her hand and my body tenses in fear. "Oh Maena, baby I'm not mad at you." Janice wraps her arms around me. "I don't blame you, I never did."

I sobbed into her chest.

"You know how Jayson is. He follows his heart and impulse is his middle name."

"Yeah, so is idiot."

"Just do your best to protect each other."

"I promise."

"Maena, do you have to go?" Josiah interjects, peaking out from behind his mother.

"Ah little ones. Come here." I gesture for both Josiah and Jasriel. I take a hand from both of them, "I'm sorry I'm going to miss your birthday, I'm so sorry." I wipe the tear from Josiah's eye.

"I love you Maena." Jasriel sobs. "You're the best big sister ever. One of you need to win, okay. Promise?"

I wrap them both in a tight squeeze, "I love you guys, so much. You mean the world to me. I promise I will try my best, okay?" I feel them nod on my shoulders. Janice comes down to embrace us all before a Peacekeeper enters the room to tell us our time together is up. I kiss the twin's foreheads and whisper a final, "I love you." I stand with Janice, she kisses my forehead and gives me one more hug. We say, "I love you" simultaneously. I tell her that the twin's birthday present is in my locker at the training center, and the combination is my mother's birthday. With one final squeeze, she's gone.

I have one more moment to myself before the door opens again. My father comes through the door, still cackling. Through my tears I say, "You seem happy."

"Well duh!" He says. "This is a win-win for me. Either I'm rid of you, or I'm rich. I'm hoping for the former, honestly. This is how it always should have been." His face darkens in anger. "You killed my daughter. You killed my wife. I just hope Jayson dies before you, so you can feel a sliver of my pain. You deserve this."