As we get closer to the games, you can choose tributes to sponsor. More info on my profile. Also a shout out to Galaxy 842-several spots still open for her games! I hope you check it out!

1 week and 5 days before the reaping-District 12

Millie Oatbratton's POV

I lay awake in my bed, unsure what to think. Even though it's been a year, it felt like only moments ago when the Peacemakers came. They had found my mom hiding me from all of Panem, and now? I have no idea what happened to her. All I know for sure is that I'm in the orphanage, with a few other kids.

I really don't feel like getting up. If I get up, I'll be one day closer to Reaping Day. Yes, it does ring through my head that today is my birthday, but I don't want to turn twelve. That would mean that I would be able to be a tribute in the games. No, maybe if I just slide down a bit more...

"OATBRATTON!" I hear a high pitched scream from outside the door.

I know who it is, I can't hide any longer. I let out a groan to let her know I'm awake, then drag myself out of bed. I'm surprised she remembered me at all, since I'm basically an invisible ghost girl to everyone. Once she walked away, I wandered to the basket and through on a black shirt and pair of camouflage pants with my normal hiking boots. I ran my fingers through my wispy, white hair and wandered into the main room.

Mrs. Snots, the caretaker, was there with 1, 2, 3, 4 other girls.

"Mrs. Snots?" I asked, politely. "Where is the fifth...?"

"Fifth what?" she asked in a demanding tone.

"You know," I began. "The girl with dark skin and black braids the the cold stare of a rebel?"

"Oh, died last night. Starvation probably" Mrs. Snots replied.

"Oh, that's nice," I said. It seemed like the orphanage was dropping like flies lately.

"Anyways," Mrs. Snots continued. "Millie, why do you look like a piece of crap?"

All the air was taken out of my lungs. Mrs. Snots, though not the most caring person on the block, never used the work crap to define a person.

"Uh," I responded. "Why would it matter? This is what I wear everyday."

"Oh, you wouldn't understand," one girl scoffed. I'm pretty sure she's 16. "You never had to sign up for anything yet, pathetic 12."

"Millie," Mrs. Snots soothed. "Don't you want to look nice while signing up for Tessare?"

Tessare. The word rung through my ears like a cannon shot from the previous games. I knew how unlucky and unfortunate I am. If I bought even one tessare, that was giving the ticket master my one-way ticket to the games.

I didn't know what to do. I just stood there, unable to move. Tears started rolling down my cheeks without me having the memory of starting them.

"Oh, dear," I heard Mrs. Snots say. "What's wrong?"

I ended up spilling everything, ending with the misfortune Tessare would bring me. I was surprised, since I wasn't much of a talker. Mrs. Snots thought for a minute.

"Well," she began. "You'd get less than your usual rations but I guess if you really don't want to."

"Yes," I told her under my breath, consumed by the joy that brought.

I was safe.

For now.