A/N Well…still not four reviews but I decided a week was as long as I was going to wait. I don't want to torture my readers Thanks for the two ppl who did review, you guys seriously rock!

Not Suzanne…

I wave at Jay as he leaves, going home to get ready for the Reaping which begins in thirty minutes. I head inside my house, leaving the rabbit in the old rusty refrigerator for tonight when I'll skin and prepare it. I climb the ladder into my room and step over to my dresser.

I carefully pull out my Reaping dress from its drawer and lay it over my arm. I add some underwear to the mix then carry everything back downstairs and outside to the separate bathhouse. It's inconvenient but my dad only had enough money to buy piping from the main water source to where the bathhouse is, he couldn't afford to run it all the way to the house.

I walk inside and latch the door behind me. It's smaller than my room, about half the size, with a bathtub opposite me, a bench to my right and a sink and mirror to my left. I put my clothes on the bench and strip down.

Now I plug the drain and turn on the water. I don't have to worry about which knob to turn, it's all cold. I've never had a hot bath in my life, although I've heard from Jay that they are amazing. When the tub is around two thirds of the way full, I turn off the water and step in.

Very cold.

I shiver as I sit down, almost covering myself with water. I reach over and grab the rag hanging from the side, dunking it in the water then lathering it up with the special scented soap I use only for Reaping day. I scrub my whole body thoroughly, making sure I get behind my ears and neck.

I then reach over and pick up the shampoo that Jay gave me. I've only used it twice, both for Reaping day; I just can't bring myself to use it only to go cut down trees. I open the lid and take a deep breath. It smells amazing, like the wild roses and lilacs that grow in the woods.

I squirt some on my hair and lather it up, massaging it into my head. I do this for a while, enjoying how good it feels to wash my hair with shampoo. I usually just wash it with nasty lye soap because shampoo costs much more than I can pay.

I turn on the water again and rinse the shampoo out of my hair, watching the colorful bubbles pop as the water hits them. I'm freezing and get out of the tub as soon as I can, pulling the plug as I get out. I watch the water drain from the tub as I wrap a threadbare towel around myself, my teeth chattering loudly.

I dry myself off as quickly as I can before pulling on my underwear and finally my dress. The dress is a faded olive green with a slightly ruffled V-neckline and straps across my shoulders. It's tight down to my waist, with tiny decorative green buttons down the front that end at the skirt. The skirt flares out a bit, dropping to right above my knees where it's hemmed with flowery green lace.

It used to belong to my mother and I've worn it every year since I could fit in it. It's soft from use and I've patched it more times than I can count, yet I can't bear to part with it. I think of it as a direct link to my mother, a small way I can know her.

I grab my towel and the clothes I was previously wearing and carry them back inside the house and into my room where I fold the clothes and put them back in their drawers. Then I start the long and tiring process of drying my hair which requires constant brushing and towel dabbing.

I'm running the brush through my hair for the last time when a whistle blows, signaling it's time to gather for the Reaping. I set down my brush and climb downstairs, pausing by the door to pull on my nice pair of shoes, white flats.

I head out the door and into a crowd of people heading down to the town square. It's like I'm standing in a flood of green and brown, everyone's wearing at least one of those colors. I'm not sure why, but they're District Seven's unofficial colors. I've noticed that other districts have color schemes they tend stick to as well.

The crowd moves down the hill towards the buildings in the distance that make up the town. The forest is to both sides of us, the trees casting shadows in the midday light. I catch a glimpse of Aunt Bet in front of me but I don't bother to go say hi. I'm still angry at her for upsetting Jay for no reason.

I pass a road leading off into the forest, the road that leads to the Victor's Village and waiting here is Jay. I smile and walk over to him. He sees me and holds out his hand which I grab in mine and we follow the crowd into the town.

"You smell good," Jay mumbles as he bends down to bury his nose in my hair.

I push his face away.

"Stop, you'll mess up my hair," I run a hand through it, trying to smooth it back down.

Jay chuckles and twirls me around in a circle.

"You look beautiful," he tells me sincerely.

I feel my cheeks heat up in a blush.

"Thanks, you don't look bad yourself," I say, gesturing to his outfit.

Jay is wearing black slacks, a light brown button down shirt, a black jacket, and a black tie that looks like it was tied by a monkey. He looks hot, but his tie is making me smile.

"What?" He asks, noticing my smile, "What's so funny?"

I snicker but pull him to a stop.

"Your tie looks awful," I tell him honestly, reaching over to retie it, "Who did it?"

Jay grins ruefully, "I did."

I roll my eyes and pull the now well tied tie into place.

"Next time," I say, "Have your mother help you."

"If it makes you feel better," Jay replies, taking my hand again.

"It does," I assure him as we continue to walk with the crowd.

We enter the town and the crowd gets bigger, people who live here joining us. Their clothes are a little better quality and they aren't as thin and scared as we from the Mount are. The buildings are all made from wood; we have so much of it, and most are painted white or brown. Some of the paint is peeling but most looks relatively new and fresh.

The town center, where the Reaping is held, looks completely foreign. Instead of homey wood, the buildings here, the official buildings, are made from stone. They are tall and imposing, glaring down at us as we pass through them and gather in front of the Justice Hall which is by far the largest.

The Justice Hall is a constant reminder that the Capitol is with us, even here in our home.

This is where I must part from Jay, he has to sit on the stage and I have to check in and go stand with the other seventeen year old girls. I turn to look at him and give him a reassuring smile.

"I'll see you when you get back," I tell him, "Bring a winner back with you this time."

Jay slides his arms around me and gives me a hug.

"I'll do my best," he whispers, "Don't go chopping your leg off accidently."

"I'll do my best," I respond.

I pull back and give him a quick, chaste kiss before turning and walking away. I knew he'd be back; there was no worry on my part for him. I glance back and see him still standing there, staring at me. I smile and wave before getting in line to check in.

At the front of the line is a desk where two Peacekeepers sit. In front of each one is a book where they record everyone who enters. In their hands are pricks to get the blood they need in order to enter everyone.

It's my turn and I hold out my finger, the Peacekeeper in front of me jabs it with the pick. I don't even wince; I'm so used to thorns and splinters that a little prick doesn't bother me. The Peacekeeper presses my bleeding finger against an empty square in the book, smearing blood on it. He then scans the blood and my name appears. He motions for me to continue and I walk away from the table and towards the section for seventeen year old girls.

The sections are arranged from youngest, twelve, in the front to oldest, eighteen, in the back. Boys are on the left and girls are on the right. I'm in the second to last section, staring at the huge gray Justice Hall with the make shift stage in front of it. There are four seats on the stage, a microphone, and two huge glass bowls, each with only one piece of paper in it.

I move to stand next to Alisha Stone, the daughter of the clothing store owner here in town. She and I went to school together until I was ten and had to work in the forest. She's what I would consider a really good friend and she's been dating one of Jay's good friends, Flynn Ade, who is over with the other eighteen year old boys.

Alisha's dark brown hair is curled into large gentle curls and her dark brown eyes are filled with worry. Her hands are twisting the fabric of her new emerald green skirt, creating creases among the white embroidered flowers. I nudge her shoulder with mine and smile when she turns to look at me.

"Calm down," I tell her, "You're going to be fine."

"Oh, Gwyn," Alisha says, her voice filled with worry, "I'm not worried about me, I wasn't on the list, I'm worried about Flynn!"

She throws a desperate look towards the eighteen year old boy section.

"Hey," I pat her arm, "It's going to be fine. Flynn will be safe."

"I don't think he will," she swallows hard; "He's eighteen, strong from his work on the forest, and an orphan. He's the perfect one to send!"

I know she's right; Flynn would be the perfect one to send. No parents or young siblings depending on him and a good chance of winning. I just hope, for her sake, someone else will be picked.

"Worrying about it isn't going to help," I tell her, "Relax, and enjoy the video we're about to see that came all the way from the Capitol."

Alisha smirks when she hears the sarcasm in my voice.

"Oh yes," she replies, her voice equally sarcastic, "I love watching it, it gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling. I know the Capitol truly wants the best for me by watching it, it's so evident!"

We start to snicker but stop quickly when the Panem anthem starts to play. Out of the Justice Hall come the Mayor of District Seven, our two winners Amazon Ryan and Jay, and our Capitol escort Gemini Ondine. Everyone except the Mayor sit down on the chairs, the Mayor stands in front of the microphone and starts to read the Treaty of Treason.

"As punishment for rebelling against the Capitol twenty-five years ago, each district must offer up one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen for the honor of competing in the Hunger Games. The twenty-four children will then be placed in an arena where they will fight to the death, the lone survivor being crowned Victor."

He sits down and the video starts. The video is basically the same thing, except it's acted out. It's over the top dramatic and extremely ridiculous. Alisha and I have to cover our mouths to keep from laughing. I notice several other people doing the same.

The video is just another way of telling us that it's our fault the Hunger Games exist. If we hadn't rebelled, we wouldn't have to send two kids to die on live TV. It's a joke, and it doesn't make any of us any happier.

It finally ends and Gemini steps up to the microphone. Gemini has been our escort for seven years now. Toady her skin is pale blue and her hair is deep purple. She has dark purple eye shadow and lipstick and her clothes are purple as well.

She smiles brightly at us and I resist the urge to laugh, she has lipstick on the front of her teeth.

"Happy Hunger Games!" She exclaims in her high pitched Capitol accent, "And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

"And yet they never are," I whisper to Alisha who rolls her eyes in agreement.

"This year is very special, the 25th Anniversary of the Hunger Games!" Gemini continues, "To celebrate such a special event, the Capitol added a twist. First off, these Games will be known as the First Quarter Quell and secondly, instead of picking tributes randomly, each district would vote on who would go!"

There's some grumbling from kids and adults but nothing loud enough to be heard by Gemini.

"Isn't it wonderful?" Gemini gushes, "You all voted and the two winners of those votes are here in these glass balls. Makes it easier to draw doesn't it?"

Gemini giggles at her joke but no one else even cracks a smile. I almost feel bad for her; she doesn't understand what's going on, not really. She was born and raised in the Capitol, never having to worry about anything. It's not her fault she's totally clueless.

"Ladies first," Gemini says, and walks over to the glass ball on the right.

A hush falls over the crowd and everyone appears to be holding their breath. It's so quiet I can hear Gemini's long purple fingernails hit the glass as she reaches her hand down to grab the piece of paper. Alisha reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze.

Gemini walks back to the microphone and opens the piece of paper. I swallow hard and glance at Jay who looks like he might be sick. Gemini waits a few seconds, glancing at the crowd of girls before announcing the name loudly.

"Gwynavyre Gray!"

A/N Well? What did you think? Review and let me know! Looking for four reviews this time…remember, the more reviews, the happier I am and the happier I am, the faster I write. Reviewing just gets you the next chapter faster!