The Reaping Part 1 - Clove

I wake up with a smile. But as soon as my happiness comes, it disappears. It's almost as if it is scared to stay for more than a few minutes. As I come to the realization that today is the reaping, I am filled with sorrow for the two tributes. As I come to my second realization of the day, that Cato is going this year, I feel a longing for him to stay.

I get out of bed and start getting ready. As much as I want to wear my usual sports bra, and shorts, I walk into my closet. I frantically search for something, and am wondering why I'm having a hard time deciding. I re-evaluate my options, and I quickly decide on a dress that is my favorite color. It is a green dress, that matches my eyes, and is short, and flowy. It is perfect to just barely hide my leg belt that holds 4 knives.

After getting ready, I am starving. I didn't eat anything for dinner last night since I lost my appetite, and I got home late. I go into the kitchen, and on my way to the fridge I see the time. It is 9:45, and the reaping starts at 10. If I am not there on-time, there will be some serious repercussions. Since it take about 15 minutes to get there, I have to leave now. I run out the door, and make a mental note to eat food when I get back.

I rush off to the square and get there with less than half a minute to spare. I give the population administers my blood, and make my way to the female 17 year olds section. I look over at Cato, and meet his gaze. I think he can tell that I'm worried about him, so he nods and mouths the words, 'everything is going to be ok, Clover'. As soon as I make out the words in my mind, our escort, Hestia, makes her way to the stage.

"Hello district 2! Aren't you so excited for the 74th Annual Hunger Games! I know I am!" Actually, Hestia, I'm not. "As always! Male tributes first!" She shoves her hand into the jar, and swirls it around. She picks up a name, and calls out, "Brutte Dax!" But before Brutte can even make the realization that his name has been called, Cato shouts out.

"I volunteer as tribute." He runs to the stage, and excitedly shakes hand with Hestia. He suddenly calms down, and shoots one of his death stares at the cameras. He is definitely ready for the games.

"Congratulations Cato!", she pauses, "And now, for the ladies." She painstakingly makes the last few steps to the second glass bowl. "Amelia Hadley!" I gasp out in shock. She just called Cato's younger sister. Before thinking it through, I scream out "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute." I look to Amelia, and she looks scared, and sad. She is just twelve, and shouldn't be going to the games. I look over at her and nod. She knows that Cato and I are best friends. She looks sad, and it kills me. She shouldn't have been chosen. She is only 12 and has only been entered once.

The Reaping Part 2 - Cato

I can't believe that Clove would do that for me. She makes her way to the stage, and I realize that only one of us can survive. It's either kill her, or die. And for the first time in my life, I don't want to win the games.

She looks very confident as she walks up to the stage, but I can see right through her. If you look close enough, you can see the fear and anxiety behind her eyes. She looked so pretty today, this shouldn't have happened to her, or to me, or to Amelia. The dress she is wearing matches her eyes. Her eyes, they sparkle, and when she stares at you, it's almost like she can see into your soul. I feel bad for her, but also for Amelia. Amelia and Clove are close, so I hope she doesn't realize that one of us will have to die.

After that, it's normal. We shake hands and go into the justice building for our goodbyes. I was going to tell Clove that I liked he during our goodbye. Now, I just hope that she doesn't kill me.

She was going to come say goodbye today, but now she is saying her own goodbyes. The only other person left is my sister. She runs in crying. We talk for a couple minutes, and then she asks a question I'm hoping to avoid. Gee, she really is smart. "Are you going to kill Clove?" She asks with a bit of uncertainty in her voice.

"Of course not. We are going to be allies, and a part of the career pack. You don't kill your allies, right?" I smile at her.

"You do if your the last ones left." She mutters anxiously.

"I'm not going to kill her, Amelia." I say while giving her a hug.

"What happens if you don't come home, Cato? Dad is never around. He didn't even come to say goodbye to you!" And once again, she starts to cry.

"Everything is going to be ok, I promise. You'll figure it out! You are smart, and beautiful. Everyone will be willing to help you!" I give her one last hug, and she makes her way out.

I never thought about that. Will Amelia be completely alone? It's not gonna happen, Clove or I will survive this, and I'm sure if it's Clove, then she will absolutely help Amelia.

The Reaping Part 3 - Clove

Mason is about to leave, when Amelia rushes in. "Mason! Wait!" He turns around, and finds a little girl in my arms. "Her dad is a peacekeeper, and her mother is deceased. If Cato and I die, can you promise to take care of her?"

"Of course." He bends down, and looks at Amelia. Amelia looks up and runs to him. "What is your name, sweetheart?" I smile at the word. Mason used to always call me that when was about her age.

"Amelia Hadley" I reply. he looks at me with a new awareness of who this girl is. We stay like that for a couple minutes. I am sitting on the couch, and Mason is standing by the door, consoling Amelia. The peacekeepers come in, and my heart begins to race. I jump up, and run to hug Mason. "I love you. Please take care of her and yourself." I whisper. He nods, hugs me, and with that, he leaves.

I make my way out of the justice building, and see Cato walking toward the train. I can't look into his eyes, so I look down instead. I glance at him once, and he meets my gaze. I quickly look away, his deep blue eyes more than I can handle at the moment.

We finally make it to the train. Hestia is talking, but I'm not listening to what she's saying. After what seems like a ten minute speech, I turn and head to my room. I am in there for about ten minutes, when I hear muffled screaming. Then I hear a door slam. It must be Cato. I knew he would be pist, but isn't it better that he can kill his friend instead of his sister?

After a couple more minutes, I change into a sports bra and sweatpants, and head out of my room. As I pass the food table, I remember how hungry I was this morning, but now I have lost my appetite. I sit down on the couch, and wait, Wait for what? I think. I honestly don't know.

"What have I done?" I mumble to myself. Weakness, that's what I showed today. Too week to see Cato go off to the games, too week to face him now. After what I showed today, I'll be lucky if Cato even talks to me.

AN: I just want you guys to know that I've been working really hard on future chapters, and have even thought about starting a sequel to this story already. :) It is really hard for me to update on a schedule becaus ewhen I write, I write when I hae ideas and compassion, and I can't just force that to come on certain days. I really am trying to update fast, and hope you guys are willing to stick around to read this story. Please review. I have gotten quite a few veiws (to my surprise) and haven't gotten a single review yet. It inspires me to write faster, and it gives me more ideas. It's also really helpful because then I know if there are things I need to change, or even just weather you like the story so far or not. Which I hope you do. So please keep adding the fire to my flames :) , and may the odd be ever in your favor.

PS: (I forgot this part.) Also, I got a request to write something I didn't feel comfortable writing the other day, and when I nicely said no, the person attacked me and my stories. I tried to be very nice to the person, and even recomended other people they could ask for. He then basically just told me I ruined his life, and that I was a horrible person and I should go to hell. (I'm no trying t offend anyone with that word, but you should know that there are bad words in this story.) Back to the subject. So if you want someone to write something for you, please don't be rude to them, and treat them with respect, because we already write to please ourselves, AND the audience. Don't you think that If i was just in it to please me I wouldn't go through the trouble of posting? For all the hatefull things that person wrote to me, I wonder why I keep writing at all. Oh, right, now I remember, I write because it is something that I love to do, and just so you know, reviewing and commenting hurtful things won't change the way I feel about myself, my ideas or my writing. So just please don't hate on me, it won't benefit you, and it just makes me really angry, ^^^. :)