Hey guys! Here's the next chapter of Penny's story. This one got rewritten A LOT. I'm sorry it's kind of short, but I hope you like it! Yes, the second rebellion was supposed to be Katniss and Peeta's. I am still accepting tributes! Females can be from 1, 5, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Males can be from 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, or 12. Message me if you want a spot.

*PENNY'S POV*

Reaping day freaks everyone out, but it freaks me out for a different reason. It makes everything too quiet, too still. I always think that the Capitol is going to drop a bomb on us (literally). I stand with the other 17 year old girls, and search the 12 year old girl crowd for Doris. She spots me first, and gives a small wave. I return it and smile. Doris has next to nothing of a chance to be picked. She lives with her grandmother, so her name is in there 3 times. Next to nothing.

As the clock rang out that it was 12 o'clock, the mayor gets up and reads the whole freakin' history of Panem.

The Treaty of Treason.

The rebellion that failed.

The SECOND rebellion that failed.

Everything.

It gets kind of annoying after you hear the same thing for five years, although the second rebellion only happened about 2 or 3 years ago.

Suave White, 6's escort for the year, skips up to the mike. He must be new this year, because I don't remember ever seeing him. I giggle as he fixes his mop of platinum blonde hair, and speaks in a girlish voice. "Heeeeeeellooooooo, District 6! How are YOU today?" We all know he's trying to brighten the mood, but it isn't going so well. He cracks a nervous grin (I can definitely tell that he's a new now), and messes with his rainbow tux. "Well then! Let's get on with this reaping! Ladies first!" He steps over to the first glass ball, and begins digging around in the names.

It's going to be me, isn't it?

My name is in there 6 times this year, plus the fact of tesserae for me and mom…

Would that be 40 times..? Ah, I don't know… I suck at math. I'm street-smart.

Is it 36..? Ugh, I can't figure the stupid problem out without paper!

"Doris Mint!" Suave's voice cuts through my thoughts.

…Did he just say Doris Mint? 12 year old Doris Mint?

Doris Mint, who was just at my house this morning?

Doris Mint, who blushed when I commented on her outfit?

Doris Mint, who my mother thinks is too damn cute?

I look in the crowd for her, and spot her as she is walking up to the stage, pale as a ghost. She trips and falls right in front of the stairs, and Suave freaks, asking if she's okay.

This is when I start screaming for her.

"DORIS! DORIS!" I'm breathing heavily and running towards her and the stage. Suave's eyes are bugged out of his pale face. I see his nose twitch. "I VOLUNTEER!" I screech, tears pouring down my face. I can't, I just CAN'T let this calf go to the slaughterhouse.

Doris is now grabbing my arm, telling me to forget it, but my mother is already collecting her and carrying her away. I look just in time to see my Mother give me a look. Don't ask questions.

Suave coughs, and looks into the square as I climb onto the stage next to him. "Well… That was… Exciting… Now, what's your name?" I stare at the floor of the stage, clenching my fists. I despise these Games. "…Penny Hoover..." Suave smiles. "Well that was a wonderful thing you did for Doris, Penny. Now, for the boys!" Back on track now, he reaches into the second glass ball and pulls out a name. " Darren Sanderson!" I look up instantly, searching for the poor boy I'm stuck with. He emerges out of the 16 year old boys, and climbs the stage. He looks shorter than me by about two inches, and has a feminine face. He stands on the other side of Suave, and glances at me. For a second, I'm shocked.

His eyes are hands down the most goddamn beautiful pair of eyes I've seen in a long time, and I should know. I remember everything. I can barely see them through his hair, but they are absolutely gorgeous. They're just in the middle of green and brown; the perfect shade of hazel.

He turns back to the square, just as Suave shouts into the mike. "District 6, your tributes for the 77th Hunger Games!" No one claps, but I don't even notice.

I'm staring at a blackbird flying away in the distance. Away from 6. Away from Panem. Away from the Hunger Games.

I wish I was that blackbird.

But I don't get to wish any longer. The Peacekeepers are on the stage now, dragging me away. Away from 6. Away from Doris and my Mother. Away from my life. I want to scream and run, but if I try that, there'll be consequences. So I guess I am like that blackbird. We're both going away from 6, but one of us won't be coming back. Ever.