A/N: Um... so that was my very first chapter! What did you think? Please review? I'd like to hear comments, suggestions, constructive criticism, praise, anything! :) -Thanks.

Chapter 2: A Painful Reality

I forced myself to entrer the train and sit down on one of the benches that lined it. I picked one far away form Cadence. He looked like he needed his space just as much as I did.

I sat there for five minutes, just going over everything. I get to bring a token with me... I don't know what that will be. I'm going to have to find a weapon I'm good at... that may be a problem.

Then suddenly I felt this jolt inside of me. I had no idea how to fight. I had no idea how to handle a weapon. I only know what I've seen on the screens from the previous hunger games... I was cluless. I was going to die.

I felt the tears in my eyes. I absolutely hated crying. I wasn't a complete girly girl. I may not be able to fight, but I'm going to try. I looked up and blinked as much as I could. I would not cry. Crying was weakness. I just kept thinking the words over and over in my head. I'm going to die. I'm going to die. I'm going to die. I'm going to-

"Hey, are you okay?" I looked up suddenly. Who was talking to me? Standind in front of me was Cadence. He was big and muscley, strong. He was slightly taller than me and had hair that had the same thick curls as mine. But his was an auburn color, with rose colored highlights.

"Why?" I asked. Stupid question. He was going to try to kill me anyways, why would be care?

"Because you're digging your nails into the wood so hard you'll probably leave marks. People that are okay don't normally do that..." he trailed off.

I hadn't noticed what I've been doing. I lifted my hands and looked at then wood. Sure enough, there were small little half circles left there.

I glared at him. "I'm fine. Don't pretend you care. The more we talk to harder it might be for you to kill me anyways."

He started to say something that sounded like "I'm sorry." so I got up and walked away.

As I was walking I ran into a small skinny man. He came up to my chin. I nearly knocked him over. I looked down at the tiny man, he had an expression that I couldn't read. It looked like he was extreamly pissed off and happy at the same time. Confused I apologized and started to walk away when he grabbed my hand.

"Wait! Allow me to introduce myself," he stuck out a small hand, "I'm Eli. Yours and Cadence's mentor." he smiled a kind smile.

I shook his hand and made a desperate attempt to retur his smile... it didn't quite work.

"And you must be the lovely Jasmine." he continued. "The reaping for all the districts will be playing soon so I suggest you go find a seat somewhere on the train." he said with a laugh. Why was he so happy?

"Um... okay." I mumbled. Then I turned and walked to the farthest compartment on the train and sat down just in time.

A small screen appeared and the capitol anthem started to play.

I listened to the announcer introduce the 58th hunger games and begin the playing the reapings form earlier.

They began with District 1. A young girl was selected, and a larger girl volunteered to take her place. The bigger girl barely could pass for female I thought. She had unusually large muscles and her hair was cut very short. Her name was Dara. Then the boy was picked. He was slightly overweight and gave the camera an unflattering smirk. His name was Jarrah.

Then District 2. A handsome blonde boy that was tall and lanky was chosen. His name was Tarragon. Then a girl that looked about my age that was his sister was chosen.

In District 3: a cocky red haired boy and a pretty dark haired girl that looked deadly. In District 4: a small, young girl with short brown hair and blue eyes and a boy with hair that looked almost white.

Districts 5 and 6 went by, but I stopped paying attention. I was thinking about the how, 4 years ago, my childhood friend was reaped. She was only 12. Her name was Ceta. She died in the very beginning, she never stood a chance. I sat there going over the memories I still had of her. We used to walk with her older brother to the mines. Her mother wouldn't let us near them unless he was there. We did it every day before school... until she was murdered.

I stopped thinking about her because I could feel the wetness in my eyes increasing. I promise not to cry until the end.

I watched the reapings again, they were on district 11. A short girl with a long mess of brown hair pulled away from the face was picked. They showed a close up of her. I could see the fear in her eyes, I hoped the capitol citizens would see it, and see what they were causing. But I knew they wouldnt. They would be thinking only of how they could dye her hair bright pink or dress her in serveral tutus. Anything but that she was scared, and didn't deserve this. Then the boy, Zane. He gorgeous: tall, with pale skin and black eyes. His hair was black too. When they called his name he just laughed and then walked slowly to the platform. He showed no emotion after that.

District 12 finally went. A skinny girl, with dark blonde hair wa spicked. Then a young boy, he looked maybe 13 was picked. He looked over at his sobbing mother and nodded. He was young, but he understood everything.

Now I did, too.

It didn't matter who won, you would always be plagued by the deaths of others. There isn'y really a winner. The dead ones could almost be considered lucky.