This takes place about 2 years after the prelude. I'm going to try to make the details of the story as accurate as I can, but if I make any mistakes, feel free to tell me and I'll try to change it. Also, thank you to emilyroorose for being the first person to review my story. I realized that District 5s industry is power after I started writing this story, so I'm sorry for that error.

It is the day of the reaping, and the sun is just rising. I slip out of bed, carefully, silently, and open the door to the hall. James is already waiting for me.

"Breakfast time." I whisper with a smile. James smiles back.

We sneak towards the kitchen, the cook will be done cooking by now, so it should be easy enough to grab an early breakfast. I'm fast, so when the cook turns to open the pantry, I dart out and grab two of the rolls off of the counter. As I am running back to where James is hidden, the cook starts to turn. James grabs my arm and pulls me out of the kitchen and down the hall.

Our footsteps are loud, they will surely follow us. I open the door to the cellar and James and I both rush down the stairs. I am out of breath, leaning on James for support. His arms are holding me tight to his chest, and I can hear his heart, beating fast.

"Close one, Fox Girl." Usually I get pissed when people comment on my slightly fox-like appearance, but I like the way he says it. I smile up at him.

"Breakfast?" I ask, handing him one of the rolls I managed to snatch.

"Thanks."

I go back up to my small bare room to change into my reaping clothes. My dress is a sparkling gold number, strapless. It flares slightly at the waist and the hem rustles around my knees. It is my mother's old reaping dress.

James is again waiting for me, and when I step out of my room he whistles. I shove him into the wall.

"Hey! What was that for?" He asks indignantly. I laugh.

He picks me up and carries me towards the door in his strong arms.

"Put me down!" I laugh. I kick him, but not hard. He sets me back on my feet outside, and puts his arm around me as we walk towards the square. When we arrive and have to go to our separate places, he hugs me tight.

"Luck," he whispers in my ear.

"Luck."

While the mayor is giving his mandatory speech, my thoughts wander to James. He is my best friend, but does he want to be more than friends? Do I?

I am pulled away from my thoughts by the high-pitched, capital affected voice of our districts escort Camelia.

"Ladies first!" She trills excitedly. I watch as she slowly reaches into the glass ball, filled with the names of every girl aged twelve through eighteen in district 5, deciding the fate of one girl to go to the games. Her claw-like, blue nailed fingers close around a single piece of paper, and she reads aloud-

"Brenna Trell!" I hate the look on James's face as I make my way to the make-shift stage. The pain and fear in his eyes as they meet mine. The tears running down to his chin. I myself am too numb to show emotion of any kind, which is probably for the best.

At least now it can't get any worse, I think as Camelia reaches into the boys reaping ball. Unless- no, I won't allow myself to finish the thought. My eyes dart to James. They won't- they can't-

"Seth Skye!" Camelia sing-songs. I breathe a sigh of relief as I shake Seth's hand. James is safe, his time for reapings up.

I stop thinking and give into the numbness as the peace keepers lead me to the justice building to wait. I have an hour, one single hour, to say goodbye to James, no doubt he will be the only one who visits me, before I leave for the Capitol. And I may not come back alive.

The next thing I know, James is holding me while I sob. He is crying too, silent tears running down his cheeks. When we both manage to calm down I dry my eyes on his sleeve.

"Brenna." He says, "Brenna, listen to me. You can win this. You may not be stronger than the rest of the tributes, but you are probably faster, and you are definitely smarter. You just have to play it right, get yourself some sponsors, and you at least have a fighting chance."

And to my surprise, I realize that he is right.

I step up on tiptoe and kiss his soft lips, figuring, what have I got to lose? He pulls back, away from me.

"I'm sorry." I say, "I've been waiting two years to do that, and I might not get another chance."

"Brenna, don't talk like that. You have to come home."

And he kisses me again, long and deep, my fingers braided in his hair, his hands on my back.

Before the peace keepers take him away, he whispers quietly, "I love you, you have to stay strong, and you have to come home. I'll be here, waiting."

And when he leaves, thats when it finally hits me.

Let the Games begin.

Did you like it? Hate it? Do you have any advice for the author? Review! You know you want to. Click the button. Do it. Now. Also, any of you who think you will be following this story to the end; do you want a happy ending or a sad one? Also, I'll gladly take any ideas for Brenna and Seths Opening Ceremony and/or interview out fits.