Millie Oatbratton's POV

"It's just the Reaping...It's just The Reaping," I muttered, looking through the window.

It was still early morning, so it was dark out. I looked over at the small table with a cracked mirror on it. Lying there was my Reaping outfit, which only made the knots in my stomach worse. I glanced out the window, where the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. I was supposed to wake up around now, anyways, to do my chores. They were simple ones, dust my room and wipe down all the mirrors. Everyone had to dust their room, and one other job.

I quickly did that, a little disgusted by the 16 year old's mirror, which was covered in dry spit and hair. Once I got back to my room, I threw on my Reaping outfit. A white dress that ended an inch above my knees, hiking boots, and a thin black jacket. I threw my hair up, determined to not look like crap today. I suddenly realized I didn't catch the name of the girl that gave me the dress. Then again, she died yesterday.

I walked into the small dining room, where I was the last to sit down. We had a quick breakfast of tessare bread, and then walked to the Reaping. We quickly signed in, and I walked towards the 12 square, my head down.

Miles Reed's POV

I walked towards Calla's house, determined to check on the baby fox before we left for the Reaping. I gave the door a quiet knock, and her mom swung the door open.

"Miles!" She exclaimed. "Come in, come in!"

I followed her to Calla's room, where Calla was treating the fox.

"Calla, Miles is here!" Calla's mom told her. "I'll go get some rolls, you two stay here!"

"Miles! The fox is doing great!" Calla exclaimed with glee. "I think she'll be ready to release after the Reaping!"

"Aw, cool!" I replied, stroking her fur. I turned to Calla. "You're Reaping outfit looks nice."

"Oh!" Calla marveled. "You do too!"

"I do?" I asked before laughing.

Calla's outfit was a pastel pink dress that went down to her knees with a bow on the side. Me? Yeah, my Reaping outfit was a white tee and a pair of black pants with boots. I pushed some dark brown hair out of my face, and looked at the clock.

"I'm back!" Calla's mom announced, giving each of us a bakery roll. Then she gave me another. Then another. Then another. Then-

"Okay, mom, I think that's enough," Calla laughed. Her mom blushed.

"Alright then. You two be downstairs in half an hour, okay?"

"Got it!" I told her.

"Stop fussing over the fox Miles!" Calla complained. "You're acting like my mother does to you!"

We started laughing over that, and I let the fox go.

"Are you worried about The Reaping?" Calla asked, her face dark. "It's your first year, and-"

"Yeah, I signed up for tessare," I finished. "It'll be okay Calla, there's sure to be 18-year-olds who took out tessare every year."

Calla sighed, "I guess you're right."

Millie Oatbratton's POV

The bells tolled twice, signaling that it is just now 2 o'clcok. I lifted my head and looked straight ahead. Our escort, Susanna Sabrina, looked to the District with a smile on her face. Her golden hair fell in locks around her shoulders, and her bronze eyes shone with excitement.

"Happy Hunger Games, and May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!" Susana exclaimed. "Now, if we shall, ladies first!"

Her stilettos made high-pitched squeaks on the wooden floor of the stage, which made me wince. She reached her gloved hand into the bowl, dug around a minute, then lifted her hand. She gently unfolded it, smiles, and said into the mic-

"Millie Oatbratton!"

Miles Reed's POV

"Millie Oatbratton!"

I suddenly heard a ear-piercing scream from the roped off section right across from mine, 12 girls. A few Peacekeepers rushed in, trying to find the source of the noise. After a minute, they we dragging out a short girl with wispy white hair. She was kicking and screaming, and I felt a pang of guilt as I remembered the time I barely escaped the Peacekeepers after they caught me sneaking in a baby rabbit from the forest. They dropped the girl off at the stage, and she had calmed down, but she was still crying.

"Well, that was, interesting," Susanna mused. "I hope you'll be alright, Millie. Anyways, let's move on to the boys!"

As she squeaked across the stage, I couldn't help wincing at knowing that there were four slips in there reading Miles Reed. Susana carefully took out her gloved hand, and slowly opened the slip.

"Miles Reed!"

I freeze. Everyone looks around in suspense, wondering where I am.

"Is this thing on?" Susanna asked. "Miles Reed..."

Another minute passes.

"Miles Reed!"

By now Peacekeepers are taking out the sign in papers, making sure I didn't skip. Others are searching the crowd, whips gleaming in the sunlight.

"MILES-"

"I'm here!" I shout, walking out of the roped-off area.

I'm horrified, but it's the best I can do. At least let them know I'm here. I glance back, and see Carl Watts and Athena Nesker snickering. My hand glides up to the scar on my right cheek from the time they started throwing coal chunks at me a few years back. I finally make it up to the stage, where Millie and I shake hands. Honestly, I haven't seen her in school, and I'd like to know more about her.

Justice Building

Millie Oatbratton's POV

I sit still, waiting for the visitors that will never come. There's that 15 year old, Eliza. No, she hates me. That 17 year old Brittica? Nah, I'm just a shadow to her. That 13 year old Anthony? Not likely, he tries to stay away from me. Mrs Snotts most likely won't care, if she noticed at all. So, I have to say, I was filled with curiosity when I heard a Peacekeeper mutter "Three Minutes."

But, of course, it wasn't for me. It was for Miles, who was in the room right next to mine. I heard crying and wailing, all which seemed to be coming from the boy himself. I heard a few desperate cries as the Peacekeeper told them their time was up, and then all was silent.

Then I heard it again, a muffled "Three Minutes."

Miles doesn't know how lucky he is, getting any visitors at all. The same thing comes through the wall, muffled cries and wails. This time, a young girl's voice joins in, but you can still see how Miles is the star. There's a stifling silence as the Peacekeeper says the time is up. Susanna then comes to my door, telling me it's time to leave.

Miles Reed's POV

"Three minutes," I hear Peacekeeper Exitpil say and the door opens. My aunt and uncle walk in, sorry looks on their faces. Before I can even say anything, I break down into tears.

"Why does the universe ha-ha-hate me?" I cried, holding tight to Aunt Ella's hand.

I look up, and see tears forming in her eyes as well. My Uncle rests his hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down, but it's no use. I can't keep myself from crying as I spend my last minutes with my Aunt and Uncle.

"Time's Up," Peacekeeper Exitpli opens the door.

"NO!" I wail, squeezing my Aunt's hand. "DON'T!"

Peacekeeper Exitpil calls for back-up, and two others come to break us up. In the end, I'm sitting on the floor, crying into an empty room.

"Miles?" I hear a voice say. I look up.

"Calla, I didn't hear you come in," I mutter.

Calla sits down beside me, and starts crying with me. It goes on for a minute, then she says between sobs-

"Miles, your the smartest person I know. I just know, deep down, that you can outsmart all the tributes!"

"Thanks, Calla," I give her a hug, and we fall silent as Peacekeeper Exitpil stands at the door. Calla scrambles up, and I'm left alone until Susanna tells me it's time to leave.