Gah. So long since I updated. Without further ado, District 2 reapings!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Hunger Games. Zroya Payne is property of… whoever made her. Romeo Ricci was made by my little sister.

OTHER NOTE: This chapter is especially T-rated because, well, Romeo has some bad habits.

. . .

Zroya Payne, 18

I was up long before dawn. Long before the reapings. I wasn't up because I was nervous, no, that was my sister, Iris's, department.

I was up because I wanted to be. I was out in our backyard, plunging my father's sword into a dummy.

The back door opened and soft light spilled into the backyard. Breaking the light was the silhouette of Iris. I turned around, and her large grey eyes were staring at me. Innocent. Untainted by the screams that could have, at any moment, began to haunt her dreams. Untouched by the possibility of her name being clutched between Ginger Nouveau's freakish fingers.

I longed for that kind of innocence.

"Zroya. Can we talk?" She squeaked, rubbing her arms in the cold chill of the morning.

I plunged the sword through the face of the dummy and turned around. "Huh? Yeah. Uh, yeah. Come on."

She stepped out onto the cool grass and I saw her feet twist inward, away from the cold. "I'm scared."

Her red hair was still rumpled from sleep, or lack thereof. I walked over to her and put an arm around her shoulder.

"It's your first reaping. It's always scary the first time, but you'll get over it. I promise." I told her calmly. "Once the girl's name is called, you're free until next year."

"But what if it's my name that comes out of the bowl?"

"It won't."

But even I couldn't tell if I was lying or not.

Romeo Ricci, 18

"Cinderella, dressed in yella', went downstairs to kiss her fella. But by mistake, she kissed a snake. How many doctors will it take?" Bella chanted as she jumped rope outside my window.

She had been my rude awakening, my little sister Bella. She's the youngest in my family- being only 8 years old. My other siblings, I guessed, were still fast asleep. I also guessed that Bella had woken up Jubee, my date last night, because the red head was not lying next to me.

Feeling more tired than when I had gone to bed, I detangled myself from my sheets and got dressed. Khakis, a deep crimson polo shirt and my kicks. There are many things in this world I say I can't live without- girls, drinks and sex, to name a few. But taking my kicks away is like stabbing me in the heart, or chopping off my penis.

I walked down the hall, past my sisters' rooms- Ginny, Halle, Irena, and Jasmyn. Ginny was the second youngest, at 12 years old. Halle was next, at 14. Irena was 15 and Jasmyn was 20. Jasmyn was also engaged and planned on moving out as soon as Bella was old enough to be reaped.

I heard Jasmyn rousing the others from sleep, telling them that even Bella was awake before them. Chuckling, I went into the living room where Jubee was relaxing on the couch, already dressed for reapings. She came over to me when I entered.

"Hello handsome." She smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I smiled and kissed her. A flash of memories from last night came forward. Flesh on flesh. My name in Jubee's mouth. And the feelings, especially the feelings.

Somebody cleared their throat behind us, and I turned to see Irena, looking at me crossly. "That's my best friend's ass that your hands are on, Romeo."

Blushing, Jubee backed off. I crossed my arms. "What Jubee and I do is our business, Irena. She is my girlfriend."

"It wasn't just your business last night. 'Faster Romeo, faster!' 'Oh, Romeo, you feel so good!'" Irena taunted, cupping her cheek in her right hand and speaking in a high-pitched voice.

"Why you little- I'm gonna get you!" I shouted, tackling her. I easily pinned her to the ground despite her struggling. "You shut up about that!"

"Romeo, you're hurting me!" She cried, tried to squirm away.

I let go quickly. "Oh my god, are you okay?"

Irena scrambled out from under me. "Gullible as ever, big brother."

I punched her arm. "Shut up."

. . .

Zroya Payne

I lead a shaking Iris into the square, weaving in and out of the masses, packed together in the square like a tin of anchovies. Iris spotted her friend Ginny Ricci and all of her anxiety and hair-twisting went away.

"Love you, Zroya." Iris shouted as she ran over to join Ginny.

"Love you too." I whispered as I went over to my section.

We had arrived right before the beginning of the ceremonies. I half listened to Mayor Salvatore drone on about the History of Panem and half focused on a fly that buzzed incessantly around my head. Slowly, I reached towards it and grabbed at it, trying to squish it between my hands. It got away.

Ginger Nouveau walked silently up to the podium. I hated the girl, but she had a grace other escorts lacked. Ginger's black hair was in a high ponytail. She had on a black dress with a meshed tutu and rainbow socks. It looked like something Iris would wear if she was given the opportunity.

"What's up D-2?" She said, raising a fist in the air. "Happy Hunger Games dudes!"

Happy Hunger Games my ass.

"Let's start off the reapings with the girls. Same old, same old." She said apathetically, her long fingers reaching into the bowl and pulling a slip from the bottom.

. . .

Romeo Ricci

"Our girl tribute is," Ginger paused for effect. "Ginny Ricci."

My heart turned to lead and dropped into my stomach. "No!"

A voice besides mine was calling out for Ginny as she wobbled onto the stage, the sleeves of her green dress slipping down her shoulders. "Ginny!"

"Do we have any volunteers?" Ginger asked.

There was a pause, a terrible pause that sickened my heart. But then, from the eighteens, a girl raised her hand. "I volunteer."

A tall girl with long black hair walked up to the stage. She rubbed Ginny's head and pushed her towards the stairs. I let out a sigh of relief. My little sister was safe for a year.

"What's your name?" Ginger asked, crossing her arms.

"Zroya Payne."

"And now for our boy tribute." She didn't bother to pause for effect as she pulled out the slip. "Surprise, surprise. Isn't this family lucky today."

My heart hardened once again and I found it hard to breathe. She had to be talking about Zroya. Maybe the girl had a brother. It couldn't be my name on that slip of paper.

"Romeo Ricci!"

Fucking hell.

. . .

Well, wasn't that fun? Don't forget to vote on the arena poll! And leave a review- you get SP for it!