Thank you so much for the reviews! The reaping will take place later in this chapter! Before the reaping, you'll see what the morning is like for Stevie and Zander. I don't want to rush anything. Once again, I do not own How to Rock or the Hunger Games.

Stevie's morning

Stevie could not sleep that night. She was too worried about the reaping tomorrow; but it wasn't just her. Everyone in the entire district tossed and turned all night. All of the teenagers wondered about their fate. Parents hoped their children wouldn't be chosen. By the time morning arrived, residents groggily woke up to get ready for one of the most feared events of the year.

Stevie was woken up by the sun shining through her window. She lay on her dirty mattress, thinking about the dream that she had in her only hour of sleep. Stevie had dreamt of the boy who threw her 2 loaves of bread when they were 12. He looked like the boy who always stood outside the bakery, but she still couldn't recognize him.

Stevie was so tired, she didn't want to get up, but reality hit her; today was the reaping. This was the day that would determine her fate; the day Eddie was taken away from her. She didn't want to go, but at 16 years old, she had no choice. Stevie slowly got up, got dressed, rubbed her tired eyes, and went to her small kitchen. There, she saw Judah sitting on the floor, eating cabbage soup. He put the bowl down to give her a hug.

"Good morning Stevie," he said hugging her close. "Did you sleep well?"

"Nope," Stevie said yawning. "All I could think about was the reaping." "It makes me miss Eddie even more." She could now feel the tears running down her face, but Judah wiped them away.

"I miss him too, Judah sighed, wiping away his own tears. "But, we all have to be strong, for Eddie."

"Judah, what happens if I get chosen during the reaping?" "I don't know if I could survive the Hunger Games." "I've had my name entered many times in exchange for tesserae."

"Even if it does happen, just remember that Eddie will be watching you from above, cheering you on." "James, Paul and I will support you, every step of the way." "Stevie, promise me you'll stay strong no matter what happens?"

"I promise," she said between sniffles. Stevie calmed down and then heard her stomach rumble.

"You seem hungry Stevie." "Come eat something." They sat down on the floor and he handed her a bowl of cabbage soup. Stevie didn't like it very much, but in the seam, you have to settle for whatever you can get.

"Where did James and Paul go?" she asked worried, looking around the room.

"They took some soup to the black market in exchange for bread," Judah said. "Don't worry, they should be back soon. The 2 siblings ate and talked until James and Paul returned. They came in holding a loaf of bread. Stevie quickly got up to hug her brothers.

"Hi Stevie," James said, not letting go of his sister. "How have you been?"

"I was in a crappy mood, until Judah cheered me up," she said smiling at him.

"That's good," James replied a smile. "Look at what Paul and I got from the black market." Stevie looked and saw a small loaf of bread in Paul's hands.

"Doesn't it look good Stevie?" Paul said, holding the bread up to her.

"It looks really good," she said with a grin. "Why don't we save it for later?" "We'll need it for later." Everyone else agreed, and after Judah put it away, they all sat down on the floor to talk.

"Stevie, what are you going to do before the reaping today?" James asked.

"Anything that involves spending time with you guys," she said smiling at all of them. "I don't know what will happen to me this afternoon."

"Everything will be okay big sister," Paul said, walking over to sit on her lap. Stevie hoped so. "We all believe in you." She nodded and kissed him on the forehead. She loved her brothers with all her heart. If only Eddie was here, then it would be complete. They missed their mom too, and wished she could be there.

"Let's go visit Eddie's grave," James said. Everyone else nodded, and they stood up to make the journey to the cemetery.

The 4 siblings made their way to the cemetery for fallen tributes from district 12, which was in the merchant district. Unfortunately for them, their mom didn't have a grave. The capital took her body away, to study the unknown virus that took her life. They visited Eddie's grave every week. The walk there was pretty much silent. Stevie watched Paul the whole time. When their mom was pregnant with him, she became so worried about their dad. As a result, Paul was born prematurely and almost died. He suffered from developmental issues and was smaller than the average 11 year old boy. Stevie felt so bad for him.

They reached the cemetery and walked over to Eddie's grave. Standing in front of it, they held hands and bowed their heads in respect. Stevie remembered Judah's words to stay strong. She tried hard not to cry, but couldn't help it. James held her in his arms as she cried. They stayed for a while, remembering their beloved brother. Later, they slowly walked back home.

The realization began to come to Stevie even more. There was no turning back. Her fate would be decided this afternoon. She just couldn't imagine herself, fighting for her life in the Hunger Games.

Zander's morning-

Zander had tossed and turned most of the night, but managed to get 2 hours of sleep. During that time, he dreamt of Stevie; the beautiful girl who passed by the bakery every day. He first noticed her in kindergarten, when he heard her sing. Zander couldn't get over how gorgeous she was, but she probably didn't know he even existed. She looked so much like the starving girl he helped when they were 12, but Zander couldn't figure it out. Maybe he would finally see her at the reaping this afternoon.

Zander's morning was immediately ruined when Devin came in his room and dumped a bucket of cold water on him. He sat up in fury and rage.

"Devin!" why did you dump water on me?"

"Because all losers like you deserve it," Devin said rolling on the floor in laughter. "In case you forgot, the reaping is today but it doesn't matter, because you wouldn't survive at all!"

"I'll show you," Zander replied angrily. "If I do get chosen, I'm going to win and then you'll have to respect me."

"Yeah, sure," Devin said sarcastically, still chuckling. "I'll believe it when I see it." "Until then, you'll always be a pathetic loser in my eyes." Devin left the room still laughing. Zander then heard his father's laughter coming from downstairs.

Zander sighed and lay back down on his bed. He never needed tesserae. Compared to other boys in the district, his name wouldn't be entered that much. Maybe there was a chance of his name being chosen.

He got up quickly, needing something to do to pass the time. He got dressed went downstairs, and saw his father who glared at him.

"What are you looking at?" his father hissed.

"Nothing I was just- Zander was interrupted by his father's cold fist. He knocked Zander to the ground, hitting and kicking him. Zander fought back and using his strength, he kicked his father in the stomach, and kept hitting him until he was knocked out.

Zander realized he had to leave right now. His father wouldn't be knocked out for long. He ran upstairs, grabbed his ukulele and ran back down. He sprinted out the door and calmed down once he was outside. He saw Devin flirting with some girls, and then decided to avoid his brother. He walked to the black market and sat outside. He played his ukulele attracting dirty looks from people.

After Zander stopped playing for a little while, he noticed Stevie walking in the distance with her brothers. He couldn't get over her beauty. Zander continued playing until he heard the clock, signaling that the reaping would begin soon. He had to put his ukulele away, but couldn't go back home to face his furious father. He got up and dashed to Greasy Sae's stall.

"Do you need something dear?" she asked with concern.

"Yes, can you please keep my ukulele safe?" He handed it to her, and she gave him a reassuring smile.

"Of course," she said putting it behind the counter. "Now, you better get to that reaping."

"Right," Zander said backing away. "Thank you Greasy Sae" He ran off.

He made his way to the square, where the reaping would take place. The realization began to come to him. There was no turning back. Today was the day where his fate would be decided.

The reaping-

At 1:00pm Boys and girls lined up in rows in the square. It looked like a prison camp. No one smiled or showed any emotion. It seemed cold and uninviting. Everyone feared that would be chosen. Stevie and Zander both arrived at separate times signed in, and were placed in line. Despite the colorful banners hanging everywhere, the moods were cold and grim. There was a large stage with cameras on each side. Stevie and Zander stood nervously, wondering what would happen.

The clock struck at 2:00pm, signaling the reaping to begin. The mayor came up to the podium and began a speech. It was about the history of Panem and the Hunger Games. It was so boring; Stevie and Zander almost fell asleep. After the speech was the anthem of Panem.

After all the introductory events were finished, Effie Trinket trotted up to the podium. She was a strange upbeat woman from the capital, who chose the tributes. She wore strange clothes and spoke with a voice that annoyed Stevie. Effie began to speak her same words every years during the reaping;

"Welcome, welcome!"

"The time has come to select one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing district 12 in the 60th annual Hunger Games!"

"As usual, ladies first!"

Effie reached in the glass ball that was placed to her left. Her hands shuffled through the names and finally came to a stop. She pulled out a name and looked at him. Every girl held their breath, hoping it wasn't them.

"Stevie Baskara!"

All eyes fell on Stevie. She nervously walked to the stage. All she could think about was Eddie. She tried hard not to cry, as the thoughts of him flashed through her mind. She stood on the stage, wondering who the boy tribute would be.

"You seem like a brave girl!" Effie said in her annoying voice. "Let's give a round of applause for Stevie Baskara!"

No one clapped. The crowd was silent. Zander wanted to clap, but realized that would be a bad idea.

"Alright then," Effie said turning to the glass bowl on her right. "It is time to pick the boy tribute!" Every boy tensed up even more. Effie reached in the bowl and pulled out a name.

"Zander Robbins!"

Everyone looked at Zander. This was the chance to show his family he wasn't a loser. He nervously made his way to the stage and stood next to Stevie.

"Ladies and gentlemen; our tributes," Effie said pointing to them. Instead of clapping, everyone gave the district hand sign. Stevie and Zander signed back.

"Now you two shake hands," Effie said.

Stevie and Zander turned to face each other, and then she suddenly recognized him from when they were 12.

Flashback

Stevie and her brothers were starving to death. Their mother had died a few months before, and they didn't have any more food. It was Stevie and Eddie's turn to look for something to eat. They agreed to split up and find food. Stevie spent hours searching through garbage cans in the merchant district, with no luck. Many people there saw her as a pest and sent her away.

The last place she tried was the bakery, but the mean baker told her to go away. She was about to give up, and leaned against a tree, weak and exhausted. The rain began to fall. Just then, the baker's son came outside to throw burnt bread to the pigs. He spotted Stevie and walked a bit closer to her. He threw 2 loaves of bread to her and walked away.

Stevie stared in shock at the bread in front of her. She crawled over and picked it up. Other than a few burnt edges, the bread looked good. Why would he be so kind to her? Most people treated her like dirt. She never got to thank him. All she remembered was his kind brown eyes, curly hair and the initials on his apron which read ZR. She ate a slice of it for strength, put in in her jacket and went to find Eddie. From that moment on, she thought about him often, but never thought he would be standing right in front of her.

End of Flashback

"You're the boy who saved my life!" Stevie whispered.

"And you're the girl whose life I saved!" Zander whispered back.

"Why did you do that Zander?" "I live in the seam." "To most people, I'm nothing but a pest."

"Because Stevie, I couldn't stand seeing you in that much pain." "You didn't deserve to suffer like that."

"Well, I never got to thank you for saving me," Stevie said with a smile.

"It's no problem," Zander said. "From now on, anytime you need help I'm here for you." Stevie smiled and nodded.

"Okay you two that's enough shaking hands," Effie said. Stevie and Zander turned back to face the crowd.

"Happy Hunger Games!" and may the odds be ever in your favor!" Effie said, concluding the reaping.

The reaping was over. The crowd relaxed a little. Parents began reopening their shutters, glad their child wasn't chosen. Stevie and Zander were immediately taken into custody to make the journey to the capital.

Now, there was no turning back.

Next up is the capital! Did you like this chapter? Please review!