I was so close to Corvin that our shoulders touched.

I tried to stare straight forward but the truth was, I was scared. The District 11 tributes were in their chariot in front of us, facing forward. I felt Corvin wrap his hand in mine and I didn't pull away. I couldn't cry. Not now. Not here.

Our chariot started to pull forward, and I almost fell off. It wasn't as if it was going fast, the problem was that I was terrified. I tried to smile and wave while the crowd roared at us. People threw roses, other flowers, hats. Everything. Finally we pulled up to the stage that President Rose stood on. His pearly white hair was pulled back into a ponytail and I remembered something my mother had told me about a previous president, President Snow, who had looked just like President Rose. But President Snow passed away over a century ago.

"Welcome, welcome," the president's deep voice boomed in the stadium. "I know we are all excited for the Hunger Games. This is the first day. In two short weeks, our wonderful tributes will be released into the arena and the Games will begin." The word 'begin' brought on a thundering bellow from the crowd. They obviously could not wait for us to be shoved into our deaths.

"Yes, yes!" The president cried. "This is our first look at the tributes for the 264th Hunger Games!" He put emphasis on the last three words, and I felt Corvin squeeze my hand. This time I pulled away. Our chariot rumbled back to the Capitol Building, where Regan and my Prep team met us. I also saw Corvin's stylist, a slender woman with her sky blue hair pulled back tightly into a ponytail, with a few loose strands dyed green and curled into ringlets. Capitol fashion.

Corvin jumped off the chariot and let his stylist lead him back inside the building. Both prep teams followed obediently, leaving Regan and I alone.

"Did you like it?" Regan asked, fiddling with my outfit to turn it off.

When he finally had it back to its normal black self, I answered, "I guess. The crowd really seemed to like us." In truth, the only time I'd payed attention to the crowd was when they were nearly bursting my eardrums. The rest of the time I'd been focusing on Corvin.

"I thought you looked stunning," he said, giving a comforting smile.

I blushed. "You really think so? I'm not sure that I'm ready for the Games."

"I know you are. You took my breath away. Your physical abilities are only a small fraction of what matters in the Games. What is really important is being the crowd favorite. Getting sponsors."

I stared back out at the crowd, which was now slowly filing out of the stadium. How could they love this so much? The games were a mystery to me.

"Well," sighed Regan, "You should probably get back in the building now." He led me through a hallway with many doors in it until finally, we met up with Symma and Eila. Symma was once again wearing another ridiculous outfit, while Eila was at least being rational with another simple white suit and heels. As they led me to my room they chatted about how wonderful I looked and how Corvin and I would make it so far, and the odds were most definitely in my favor. Finally we reached the destination and Symma and Regan left.

"I really do think you looked amazing," said Eila softly, sitting down on the bed with me. "Tomorrow is training, so I'll tell you this: just try new things. Save your current abilities for the Game Makers. But for now, I want you to focus on weapons and plants. The arenas are always hiding things, so you'll need to know about all the edible and inedible things because food is a priority. For now you should rest up." She got up off the bed and walked to the door. Before she left, she said, "Good night, Evelyn." I listened to her heels click on the tile floor of the hallway as she left.

Only a moment later the door slid open. "Hey," said Corvin as he closed it again.

"Hi," I said ungratefully as he laid down next to me. "You know I expected you."

"You probably did. That chariot ride was awful," he turned to me. "But then again, what can you expect? We've been doing this for over two hundred and sixty years..." I closed my eyes, thinking about what would happen tomorrow.

"You must be terrified of training," he predicted. "I saw your face on the ride. You were trying to hide it, but I knew you were scared," I felt him running his fingers through my hair, slowly undoing the braid that my prep team had so carefully wound together.

Keeping my eyes closed, I said, "When do you plan on leaving? Because I know Symma won't like it when she finds you out of bed."

I waited for what seemed like an eternity when finally he said, "Now, probably." Kissing my cheek, he got up and left. I refused to open my eyes until I heard the door click shut. Eventually, I fell into a nightmare infested sleep.

I was running. And the President was chasing me. Corvin was by my side. We were running through an endless field. I turned to look at the president, who was slowly gaining. In one swift movement, he pulled out a gun. I turned back around, willing my legs to move faster. Adrenaline pumped through me as I waited for the worst.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my back. I felt the bullet hit me and a jolt of electricity shook my body. Collapsing to the ground, Corvin continued to run- until he noticed I was no longer by his side. Turning around and sprinting back towards me, all I could think about was how I was going to die. The president was charging me; it was a race. Who would get to me first? Immediately, Corvin sank down to my side and shielded me from the president, saving my life. But when I felt the weight of his limp body drop on top of me, I knew he was dead.

"Corvin," I croaked. I could barely move, but I would do anything I could to save him. The president peeled him off of me, flinging his body away as he reached out to get me...

I sat up, a line of sweat on my forehead. Wiping it away, I closed my eyes, then opened them again. Every time I closed them, I saw the president. I checked my alarm clock. Three o'five. Way too early to wake up. I had to get more sleep.

I tried so hard to go to sleep, but I was too shaken. After a long hour of thinking and sitting, unable to move, I heard the doorknob click. A thin line of yellow light illuminated the floor of my room. For a fleeting moment, I thought it might be President Rose, coming to get me. Then, with a flood of relief, I realized it was just another visit from Corvin. I happily let him lay down next to me.

That was when I realized how easy-going Corvin was. He didn't ask about the sudden change in mood, or push about anything. I just let him lay next to me. Eventually he even let me lay my head down on his chest. The steady beat of his heart gave me more peace of mind than I had thought possible. Just knowing he was alive made me happy. For once, it felt good not to push him away.

But before I drifted back to sleep, I made myself a promise: I would never let him get this close to me again. I couldn't afford the price. Loosing him suddenly seemed much worse than I had ever interpreted it.