A/N RaGoauldAndJanePole, MissDizzyD, and Amberly Eldin: Aw, you guys are awesome! Seriously, y'all made my week with your reviews! I'm so glad you like my story! Hopefully that won't change :P Here's the second chapter!

Still not Suzanne Collins…sorry…

Jay pulls back and stares down at me, his eyes full of pain. I touch his check, desperate to erase some of it.

"What?" I ask.

"Don't make promises you can't keep," he says, touching my hand.

I sigh and pull my hand away, simmering with anger towards the Capitol. I hate Reaping days and the way they manage to turn Jay into a stony faced man with pain filled eyes.

"Come on," I tell him, "We still have two traps to find."

I walk deeper into the forest, heading towards the spot where the traps were set up. I hear Jay's steps behind me and wish I could take away the frown I know he's wearing. Offer him some kind of hope he'll accept.

"What do you think about this year's Games?" I ask, trying to pull him from his gloomy thoughts.

"Typical Capitol," Jay replies darkly, "'In order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the wonderful Hunger Games, each district will have to vote on who will be this year's tributes.' They're just trying to cause more pain."

"As if sending your kids to die isn't painful enough," I mutter.

President Flayger announced two weeks ago that since it was the 25th Annual Hunger Games, they were going to do something special. Instead of all the kids' names going in a huge bowl and one being picked out, everyone in the district would have to vote on who the lucky boy and girl are going to be.

To make it easier and possible to have two winners, our Mayor picked twenty-five girls and twenty-five boys. Peacekeepers took those lists to every home and everyone under the age of twelve had to pick on boy and one girl. The ones with the most votes would be this year's tributes.

I remember when the peacekeepers came to my house with their lists. I stared down at the girl's list and shuddered when I got to my name. Me. One of twenty-five that could possibly be chosen. I don't even remember who I voted for; I was too horrified at seeing my name.

That's why Jay is so depressed, he saw my name too, and he would rather die than have me go through the same thing he did.

We reach the traps and I stop, kneeling down in front of the stick and leather contraption to untangle a small white rabbit. The other trap is empty but I'm glad to have caught something.

I hold up the rabbit and show Jay, smiling; hopping this might spark one of his smiles that I adore.

"Looks like you'll be missing a good dinner," I tease.

A smile tugs at the edge of his lips.

"Are you kidding? I'm going to be feasting on the Capitol's food."

I frown at him playfully, "Are you saying my cooking isn't good?"

"Not when it's compared to the Capitol's," Jay says, grinning slyly at me.

"Well then Mister," I huff, "You can just forget about me coming to say good-bye to you."

Jay takes a few steps until he's right in front of me. His arms slip around my waist and tug me closer to his well-toned chest. Dipping his head, he plants a kiss on the tip of my nose.

"Please?" He asks, making puppy eyes.

I giggle and reach up to tweak his nose.

"I guess…since you asked nicely."

Jay lowers his head the rest of the way and kisses me sweetly on my lips. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him close, enjoying the few moments of privacy we have out here.

When we pull apart Jay smiles down at me, "I have something for you."

I widen my eyes and look curiously at him.

"Really? What?"

I drop my arms and move back, giving him space to retrieve the object. Jay fiddles for something in his pants' pocket then pulls out a small wooden box. I stare at him and try to figure out what could be inside.

"Gwyn," he starts, and then stops.

"Yes?" I ask, curious to see what was inside.

Jay kneels down on one knee and looks up, meeting my eyes. At first I'm confused, unable to imagine why he's down there. Then my eyes widen and I gasp. Jay is proposing.

People in my district get married young; I have no problem with my age. I'm surprised he would ask me today, the day I might get chosen to participate in the Hunger Games. With all the worry I know he holds close to his heart, I didn't think he would ask until I was eighteen.

"Jay…?" I ask, my voice no more than a whisper.

"Gwynavyre Gray," Jay says, his eyes tender and filled with a desperation I've never seen before, "You've been there for me when I needed you the most. You were my friend when I sorely needed one and now, you're the best thing in my life. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone before and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

I stare at him, thoroughly shocked. He was serious about asking me today, even with the danger looming over my head.

"What about the Reaping?" I ask, voicing my concerns and what I thought were his. "I have two more years left. What if we get married and I get picked?"

Jay stands up and puts his hands on both of my shoulders, the wooden box digging into my shoulder blade.

"Because I feel that if we get engaged, it'll stop you from being picked. That you have a life here, and can't be taken. Not that I'm doing this because of that, I would want to marry you no matter what, but this way, I'll feel better about today."

He holds out the box again and I slowly open the lid. Inside is a ring made from wood, pine wood from the smell, and carved with incredible detail into the wood are vines, leaves, and flowers. I cover my mouth with my hand, amazed at the beauty of this simple homemade ring and the love it represents.

"Yes!" I find myself saying, throwing myself into his arms, "Of course I'll marry you!"

Jay wraps his arms around me, holding me tight against his chest like he's trying to protect me from the Reaping. I'm unable breathe fully but I could care less, I softly stroke his check, trying to calm him down and assure him I won't be leaving.

Jay lets me go and I stumble, dizzy from lack of air. He takes my hand and slides the ring on my left ring finger, producing a watery grin. When he's done I grab his face and bring it down to my level.

"I love you," I tell him before giving him a kiss he won't soon forget. One that I use to try and tell him I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay here, with him, forever.

A/N So…what do you think? Was it too cheesy? Too short? Completely annoying? Review and let me know! I'll post the third chapter (which is written and waiting) once I have four reviews for this one! People who've reviewed the first chapter may review this one but I'd like reviews from four separate people. Harsh, I know, but reviews make me happy and the happier I am the faster I write and the faster I write the quicker I post and the quicker I post the happier the readers. It really is for your own good :P

~ Sunshine