Define Affection

"This year, for the spectacular Quarter Quell, the theme will be..." President Slate's voice boomed through the video shown this year. The camera zoomed in to his hand, pulling out a crisp sheet of paper from a golden bowl.

"To show that even the strongest youth among us cannot withstand the capitol, only relatives of past Victors can be reaped." he read with a smirk. I so much wanted to wipe if off of his face with a nice punch in the nose, but I figured him and my father were probably good friends anyways and that he would probably be rooting for me anyways.

Then the screen went blank and we turned our attention back to our capitol escort, Daphine. She had this awful aquamarie dress that matched my eyes. It was way too sparkly and way too tight on her. She had a curly wig to match and choclate brown eyes. Daphine clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Wasn't that wonderful!" She said brightly, and because this was District 1 people we're actually excited. Great. She waited for thr applause to die down, though I could tell some of the children were dissapointed that they wern't eligible to voluenteer this yesr. I figured there would be so many 18 year olds who are heartbroken.

"Ok well lets drawn our lucky girl to represent District 1 in this fablous year of games!" She said walking up to the bowl dramaticly. District 1 was the first to kick off the games, so obviously we would have to be excited for the camreas. We have to hype up the capitol.

I held my breath as her manicured nails rustled around in the bowl. I knew there was only one name in there, written a bunch of times to give the illusion that another unlucky girl could be thrown into this world of the games, one that I was born into without even being reaped.

"Laci Kingsly!" She exclaimed, "Yet another Kingsly what a pleasure!" She said way to excited. Then everyone clapped and I sighed, something I was doing a lot of these days. I slowly walked up the stage. I tried to put on a convincing face because the games had already started.

I smiled at the District on stage, praying that Brendon wouldn't get reaped. I loved him, I madly truly loved him and I didn't think I could survive knowing he died for me. I wouldn't get reaped, I mean he couldn't get reaped.

"Charlson Drew" Daphine exclaimed and I exhaled in relief. But I should've know, the calm before the storm.

"No! No I voluenteer!" I bit my lip, hoping he would shut up but Charlson was already off the stage going back to his mother. Velvet Drew had won years ago and Charlson was her only, might I add bratty, child. Velvet was quite popular in the capitol, which was probably why Charlson was reaped. But there was no way Brendon would be aloud to take his place. There was no way you had to be related to a Victor.

"My grandmother, Platinum Crys won the games, which makes me her family!" He called out desperately running up to the stage and hugging me, burying his face in my hair for a second then looking up.

"You have to let me do this, I l-love her I do! I have to do this please" he desperately begged, which just made me more upset. He ran his fingers through my ringlets in an attempt to be comforting, but in reality it made me so sad. He was begging to die for me.

Then the world paused for a second, the Peacekeepers looked to Daphine and Daphine looked around startled. "Excuse me for a second!" She said bouncing off the stage and going over to get out a phone and which I figured, meant she was making an emergency call to make sure non-immediate family member was aloud.

Brendon stood next to me and squeesed my hand, which made a tear run down my face. How could he be so stupid? He should know only one of us could win, there's no way around it. I bit my lip, I was about to break down. He noticed and pulled me close, kissing me on stage to stop me from crying, because my head was spinning and I wasn't going to be able to do it.

The kiss, tasted sweet. His lips softly placed against my lips and his hands around my waist as if they were made to surround me in protection. It was almost magical, because I forgot that I was going to be dead, or a ruthless murder, in just a few short weeks. I forgot that my boyfriend just signed his death sentence. I almost felt that we were re-living our first kiss under the rose tree by the school. When he told me I was more then just a delicate flower, but a strong rose. I almost relived the first "I love you" exchange when I was crying because I thought Leather was going to die and Brendon told me he wasn't. Everything was almost ok.

The District "aww"ed until Daphine came back and Brendon pulled away, using his delicate touch to wipe the sole remaining tear from my rose cheek. I sighed, giving him a small smile because even though I was mad at him I wasn't, because he was trying to save me. I know I would do the same thing for him.

"Well, sorry for the intermission. I give you," she said clearing her troat, "Our Tributes from District 1: Laci Kingsly and Brendon Acton!" She said excitedly clapping her small hands while the district emerged in applause. I think they were very pleased with the outcome today, they had two beautiful strong 16 year olds who probably had a strong chance of winning.

He took my hand and raised it in the air, already playing to the cameras. Me? Well I just put on the sexiest face I could and faced everyone confidently.

Well, its the beginning of the end.