Hello. This is the FBI. By clicking on this FanFiction, you have violated the law, "do not read a story written by a bad writer". A warrant has been issued for your arrest.

LOL. Sorry, I didn't know what else to say for this top author note. Enjoy the chapter!

Jon

I push the huge door to the barn open slowly, careful not to wake any of the animals. I step inside and gently shut the door behind me. The smell is almost overwhelming, but I've grown used to it by now. I walk over to a large stack of hay and lay down ion it, leaning back and letting out a long sigh. I listen to the gentle snoring of the animals and can't help but smile a little. For them, today's just a normal day. They have nothing to worry about. It's different for me, though. Today's the Reaping.

I feel something soft and fluffy rub against my leg, and a grin spreads across my face. I look down at my cat, Peppermint, who looks up at me with huge brown eyes. Her white fur is fluffed up and her tail sticks straight up. When I reach down to pick her up, her whole body is completely tense. It's almost like she knows what today is and is scared for my safety.

I set her in my lap and stroke her, whispering soft words in her ear. "It's alright." I murmur. "I'm going to be fine. I'll be back tonight safe and sound. No need to worry." I'm trying to reassure myself more than I am Peppermint, but she relaxes a little bit anyway. She lets out a long purr and rests her head on my leg. Her companionship soothes me, and before long, I've drifted off to sleep.

xxx

"Jon? Are you in here?" Someone calls, awaking me from my peaceful doze. The barn door is pushed open, letting in bright afternoon light. A girl steps towards me. She throws back her long black hair, her green eyes twinkling. Her fair skin and facial features remind me of that of an elf; graceful and with a unique beauty. Maylee. Just like always, I have to remind myself how to breath.

"Hey." She says, plopping herself down beside where I'm sitting. "What's up?" I shrug. "Nothing much." I say. "Just nervous about today." "Who isn't?" Maylee points out, smiling. I find it hard not to get lost in her eyes.

For a long time, we just sit with each other in silence, enjoying each other's company. I don't mind, though. It's nice to have a little bit of peace and quiet every once in a while. The world is filled with so much noise, and sometimes I just want a break from all of it.

"I guess I should probably go get ready for the Reaping. Maylee finally says. "Yeah, I probably should to." I agree. "Maybe we can get together again after the Reaping…?" Maylee beams. "I'd love that." She says, and my heart does a little summersault. "That is," She adds, "as long as one of us aren't picked." She laughs, but I can tell how nervous she is. "Don't worry. I say. "We'll be fine. Why would we be picked? There are thousands of names that can be chosen." Maylee nods, but she doesn't look convinced. I can't blame her, honestly. I'm even more scared than her.

"Well, I had better go." Maylee says as she heads out of the barn. I stare at her and am suddenly overwhelmed by the urge to stay with her. Before I can call out, however, she's already gone.

xxx

"Good afternoon, District 10." The mayor says, his voice shallow and dull. "I hope you're all super excited for this wonderful event. He said the word "wonderful" with evident sarcasm. I guess I can see why he's so grumpy. After all, he's supposed to be acting excited about picking two kids from his own district and sending them off to their death.

After a quick speech on Panem, the mayor announces our victors. Among the newest is Tracie Hawker, the girl who won just last year. Tracie's 16 now, only a year older than I am. I've heard that she used to be pretty outgoing, but after her games, when she choked the District two boy to death, she's stayed locked up in her home and only comes out when she must. In fact, I don't think I've see her around at all since her victory tour before today. Poor girl.

The escort bounces onstage, his face etched into a grotesque smile, his teeth too white to be natural. His hair has been dyed golden, and his eyes, silver in color, glint with an evil glow in the blinding sunlight.

"Good afternoon, you lovely, lovely district people!" Our escort shouts. He's extra enthusiastic today, seeing as he just got a victor last year. "I hope you guys are all as excited about the Hunger Games as I am. Let's choose a girl to represent this amazing District!" I take a deep breath as he chooses a name from the bowl and brings it back to the microphone. I hold my breath. Don't be Joan, Kacey, or Maylee. Please, please…

"Maylee Templeton!"

I suck in my breath. I can feel tears beginning to build up in the back of my eyes, and I can barely manage to contain them. A lump forms in my throat, making it hard to breathe. I can barely bare to watch it as Maylee takes slow, hesitant steps towards the stage. Deep down, I know that I'm never going to see her again once she goes into that arena. She's not built for the Hunger Games. I'm never going to see my best friend, and my crush, ever again after today.

I'm so distracted by this that I don't really pay attention to the boys' name. Before I know it, however, a group of boys in front of me are clearing a path for me. I look around, shocked.

Was the name he called… was that me?

It was me.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

I'm going into the Hunger Games.

I'm going to die.

I'm going into the Hunger Games.

I'm going into the Hunger Games.

I have to fight to the death in an arena… against my lifelong crush.

My last train of thought is what puts me over the edge, and I begin to cry as I walk to the stage. Maylee begins sobbing when she sees me.

"Shake hands!" The escort orders. I turn to Maylee. We look at each other for a second, and then we begin to hug one another, crying into each other's shoulders. I'm sure it looks pathetic, and it's bound to lose us sponsors, but I don't care. It doesn't matter how many sponsors I have, anyway. It's clear I'm going to die in the Hunger Games.

I'm taken into the Justice Building and put into a room, where my family immediately runs in. They hug me and hold me. Kacey and Joan, my two sisters, are sobbing uncontrollably, and I can tell my parents are just barely keeping themselves together.

All too soon, a Peacekeeper is standing in the door, ordering everyone in the room out. They reluctantly leave, giving me one last huge hug before walking away.

I sit on the couch, trying to stop the flow of tears crawling down my cheeks. Finally, a Peacekeeper comes in and escorts me to the train. Seeing the cameras crowding around me, trying to get a shot of me, overwhelms me, and I stare at the ground.

I'm more scared now, then I've ever been before.

Maylee

I groan and sit up in bed. My mind is immediately filled with terror when I realize what today is. Reaping day.

I take a deep breath, trying not to panic. I'll be fine. I freak out that I'm going to be picked every single year, and every single year, it's never me. Still, I can't shake the terror from my mind when I walk downstairs to breakfast. "Hey, Maylee!" My dad greets me, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. "Hey." I say, sitting down at the table. "What do you want?" My dad asks, looking through the cabinets for something. "Just some cereal, please." I say. I don't think my stomach can handle anything more than that.

My dad grabs the milk and box of cereal, and before long, I have a bowl of cornflakes before me. I thank him quietly and begin to eat, savoring the simple yet flavorful taste.

Once I finish my bowl, I stand up from the table. "I'm going over to Jon's house." I announce. My dad nods. "Don't be gone too long, though." He warns. "I know." I say, heading out the door. I take in the bright sunlight, enjoying the heat of it on my back. Jon's house is only a little ways away, so I reach it fairly quickly. Jon will be able to help calm my fear of the Reaping. He'll know what to say to comfort me.

I push the door of his family's barn open. He's almost always there. "Jon? Are you in here?" I call out. Sure enough, I soon spot him on top of a pile of hay, dozing. His eyes flutter open upon my arrival. When he sees me, he smiles, and my heart flutters. I have to admit, I've had a crush on Jon for a while now. He's not particularly handsome or anything, with thin, pale skin, choppy brown hair, and a bad case of acne beginning to form on his face. There's something about him, though, that I adore, though I can't quite place my finger on what it is.

I walk over to him and sit down on the stack of straw he's lying on. "Hey." I say softly. "What's up?" Jon simply shrugs. "Nothing much." He murmurs. "Just nervous about today." "Who isn't?" I say with a sigh. He gives a small nod, and for a while, we just sit with each other. I wish I could stop time so that we would be frozen in this moment forever, but as much as I wish otherwise, time is an unchangeable thing.

xxx

"Maylee Templeton!"

What? No. He couldn't have just called my name.

But he did. Some of the other girls near me have already created a path.

My mind explodes with terror, and I can barely make myself move to the stage. Our escort, Stanford Mois, gives me a huge smile, but he looks slightly disappointed with me. "Are there any volunteers?" He asks the crowd hopefully. No one makes a move, however, and Stanford walks briskly to the boys' bowl. "Jon Winsi!"

Oh. Oh, god. He just called Jon's name.

Jon begins shuffling to the stage, crying gently, and I can't help but begin to sob hysterically. Stanford looks at us with a mix of pity and disgust. "Shake hands." He says. I turn towards Jon and hug him, tears pouring out of my eyes.

I'm taken to the Justice Building. My parents come in almost immediately and crowd around me, hugging me. They keep telling me that this isn't the end, that I can still win, but I know they're lying. I can't win. I'm not strong enough, or pretty enough, or charming enough, or athletic enough. I'm just not good enough. That's all there is to it.

Pretty soon, too soon, my family is ordered out by a Peacekeeper, and I'm taken to the train that will lead me off to the Capitol. I let out a long sigh, trying to quench my tears.

At least Jon will be at my side when I die.

And with that, the District 10 Reapings are over! Let me know what you think of these two.

Questions!

1. What is the name of Jon's cat?

2. What does Maylee eat for breakfast on the morning of the Reaping?

See you in District 11 with Cole and Angelica!