Chapter 2

*The Evening Before The Reaping*

"Here is a toast to what might be the last drink before one of us is shipped off to the Capitol." Adara said raising her beer bottle as both Cleo and Faye did the same.

"May The Odds Ever Be In Our Favor." Cleo said as her and the other girls took a sip.

This was a tradition the trio had before the day of the Reaping, it was to spend the whole day together at the beach and drink to their hearts content. Adara Black, age seventeen, blonde hair and light green eyes is your average normal girl who is very outgoing and caring person you would ever meet. Cleo Summers, also seventeen, chestnut brown hair and blue green eyes who is very bright and very funny. Finally, Faye Lewis, age eighteen, dark brunette hair and dark brown eyes who is always to herself and quiet.

Faye was different from theses girls because she wasn't from District Four… she was from District Two. District Two is in charge of masonry and also a production of weapons the Capitol uses. The tributes for District Two are trained for the games before they are eligible to enter and those who represent are often volunteers. Faye was definitely trained since she was five years old until the age of ten. Then she had to move to Four.

Moving to District Four was something she didn't want but it was for her and her family's sake because eight years ago was the 66th annual Hunger Games when her older brother, Bran Lewis's name was called to represent District Two. He was eighteen and had been training since he was also five, but that training wasn't enough to save him in the arena. Bran was so close at the end but yet so far from winning, it broke their parent's hearts knowing that their son would never come back to them. Faye couldn't go back to the Training Center anymore knowing that her brother wouldn't be there with her. Everything was too much for the family, so Faye's father asked to transfer his job to District Four. Few days later, Faye left everything behind but was still in contact with her best friend Clove Faulkner but she never said goodbye to her other best friend Cato Reyes.

"I say if Faye survives her last year in the Reaping then odds are definitely in her favor." Adara said throw more wood into the fire.

"Oh that's right, you guys still have one more year to get though." Faye replied taking another sip.

"Yeah and next year is the Quarter Quell." Cleo sighed as Adara groaned in frustration.

"There is no end to this!" Adara cried out to the ocean.

"Well, seventy-four years and you would have thought the Capitol would run out of ideas to kill us." Faye said playing with her hair.

"I think it has gotten more intense over the past years." Cleo whispered staring into the fire.

"Dying at such a young age seems more intense." Faye said

"At least you would have a beautiful corpse though not wrinkly or old." Adara replied

"What's beautiful about being covered in blood and disfigured?" Faye asked giving her friend a confused look, which was the same look as Cleo's.

"I don't know, if I was in the arena that would probably be on my mind aside from trying to kill everyone." Adara answered sheepily as the other girls shook their heads.

"If I didn't think it was true, I probably say you're mad." Cleo said sighing as Adara shrugged.

"Hey guys, hate to be a buzz kill but I promise my mom I wouldn't come home late." Faye said drinking the rest of her beer and started grabbing her belongings.

"But we thought you were going to sleepover tonight." Adara said

"Sorry, tomorrow is Beck's first time in the Reaping so I have to make sure he is ok before he goes to bed and be there for him in the morning before leaving." Faye answered

"Ok, we'll meet you at the reaping." Cleo replied as Faye waved goodbye to them.

Walking from the beach back home was something Faye like especially when it gives her time alone to just think. Her mind was racing about tomorrow and it was nightmare of hers to be chosen. Like most people, she was scared and nervous. She only wants to know if Clove and Cato will be volunteering, knowing this is also their last year to compete. Knowing those two, they probably do anything to be in the Games.

Once Faye made it home, her parents were waiting for her in the living room.

"Faye, honey we have some news we want to tell you." her father said as Faye sat down next to her mother.

"About?" she asked cautiously

"This may come as a shock…." her mother began calmly looking her daughter in the eyes.

"I'm pregnant." her mother said slowly as Faye's eyes widen with a smile.

"That's amazing! I'm happy for you two." Faye said hugging her parents.

"Well that was the reaction we were hoping for." her father said chuckling

"Did you tell Beck and Flora?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Well, no but we plan on telling them tomorrow morning before the reaping." her mother replied.

"I'm happy that you told me first." Faye said cheekily

"There is one more thing… tomorrow… uh - "

"I know." she answered before the talk of her deceased brother started.

"Beck will need you so you better go see him." her father said as Faye nodded and started to get up.

"And Faye, use mouthwash we can smell the beer in your breath." he said as her face when red of embarrassment as she ran up the stairs.

Before she went to see Beck, she decided to take a shower and brush her teeth. It was refreshing to wash the sand out of her hair. Honestly, she really like water, fresh or salt because it washes all the stress and problems away. By the time she done, the smell of cherry blossoms came off her skin.

"Hey, Beck." she said walking into her brother's room who was staring at the ceiling.

"Did mom and dad put you up to this?" he asked as Faye lay next to him.

"Yes and no." she answered as he looked at her with a confused look.

"Which one is it then? he asked

"Yes they did but they implied it." she replied as he sighed.

"Nervous?" she asked nudging his arm.

"Yea, you?"

"More than ever."

"Really? Is it because of 'them'?"

"Yea and that it's my last year."

"You should be happy that its your last year because then you won't have to go though the reaping ever again."

"Doesn't mean my name won't get pick."

"I hope I don't but what if I do? I can't fight and I don't think I can take someone's life either." he cried

"Don't worry, if you do get pick I will volunteer to go in with you and make sure to protect you." she

"I don't want you to do that especially if that means mom and dad might loss two more of their children."

He was right; their parents didn't need that and especially with new baby on the way, mom doesn't need that stress or pain.

"Ok, that's true but it's your first year so there is nothing to worry about." Faye said

" 'Doesn't mean my name won't get pick.' " Beck quoted as Faye elbow him in the side as he laughed.

As the night went, Beck eventually fell asleep and Faye kissed his forehead before heading to her own bed. Once her head hit the pillow she fell into deep sleep… she dreamed about tomorrow. Standing with Adara and Cleo as she looked for Beck on the other side. As Serenity Fitzgerald came up to the microphone…

"Welcome the annual 74th Hunger Games! The time has come to pick one young man and woman to compete in this year's Hunger Games. Shall we begin? Ladies first." Serenity made her way to the reaping bowl filled with the girl's names as Faye finally found her brother who gives her the thumbs up. Once Faye turned back to Serenity she had a slip of paper, which made her stomach turn. As she begins to unfold the paper, Faye had a feeling whose name is on the paper as her eyes widen. When Serenity looked to the crowd, she said

"Faye Lewis."

Faye woke up from the dream as she began to start breathing rapidly. She was sweating and she tried to slow down her heart rate. It was the same nightmare again, but it felt so real every time the actually day came. She looked at her clock, 9:30 and the reaping is in a hour and half hour so she jumped in the shower quickly. Changed into her nice clothes; white dress shirt and black pencil skirt, threw her hair into a ponytail and put on her golden heart locket she got a long time ago, then made her way to the kitchen where her family was beginning to eat breakfast.

"Morning." she mumbled softly as she sat down next to Flora who was eating cereal.

"Good morning, you look beautiful." her father said

"Thanks." she replied while spooning eggs and bacon onto her plate.

"This came letter came in for you." he said passing her the letter as she took it from him.

Faye recognized the handwriting admittedly, Clove... so she opened the letter...

Faye,

I'm sorry I haven't written in awhile. I have been training for the games and you know I really want to represent District Two. Anyway the day before the reaping, someone is going to come in and pick two tributes to volunteer, it's like a test. I'm nervous and excited but I can't wait to show them my skills. Yes, Cato is also working really hard as I am too. The both of us really want this plus we can work together fine so District Two has it in the bag if they pick us. Aside from that, I hope everything is good in District Four for you. I know its going to be hard when the day comes but remember its your last year so lets cross our fingers and hope for the best. Can't wait to hear from you.

~Clove

P.S. May The Odds Ever Be In Our Favor

Faye put the letter away and sighed... Clove didn't understand that only one can won but she was hoping for the best.

"Since we are all here together, Beck… Flora we have some news." their mother said with the same tone that she use when she told Faye the news.

When Beck and Flora looked up, their mother said it as their eyes widen.

"Another baby." Flora giggled smiling as their mother nodded.

"What?! I'm shocked and angry that you didn't tell me sooner but I can't… because I'm really… really happy for you guys." Beck complained as everyone rolled their eyes.

"Well, its good that everyone has the same feeling. So Beck, once you're done go put your nice clothes on." his mother said happily as Beck nodded and went to go change.

"Well, that went really well darling." their father whispered to his wife.

"Yes it did. Oh and Faye can you help Flora get dress too while I clean up here." her mother said as Faye swallowed her last bite and nodded.

Her and Flora went to Flora's bedroom, which was small and pink everywhere.

"Here put this white dress on." Faye said handing Flora the dress.

"Faye, what's going to happen today?" she asked pulling the dress over her head as Faye sat on the bed.

"Beck and I are going to be in the Reaping to see if we will be in the Hunger Games this year." Faye replied choosing her words wisely.

"If you go?" she asked

"Then I go."

"Will you come back?"

"I don't know, Flora." Faye sighed as Flora crawled into her lap.

"But we hope I don't have to like before. But if I do… I want you to have this." Faye said as she reached into her shirt and took the locket off. She then puts it on Flora.

"There is nothing in it but you can put a picture in whenever you want. Just remember as long as you wear this locket and no matter how far I am, I will always be with you and love you. Always." Faye said as she hugged Flora who nodded her head.

They stayed like that for a few more moments until their mother came in.

"Beck is waiting for you, Faye." she said and Faye got up and placed Flora on her feet who then ran out of the room.

"Faye, I love you." her mother said as she wrapped her arms around Faye and she did the same.

"I love you, too." Faye replied letting go and then making her way downstairs to see Beck and her father.

"We will see you two there." their father said as he hugged each of his children.

"I love you both very much." he said as they replied back.

Finally, both Faye and Beck made their way down to the Town Square together. Walking side by side as both stared straight ahead. The silence surrounded them until they were near the square and that's when Beck stopped.

"Beck, everything ok?" Faye asked kneeling to his level and putting her hands on his shoulder.

"This is it, Faye." he whispered to her as she nodded and helped guide him to the check in.

The Peacekeeper pricked their fingers for blood, which was standard procedure. Then both brother and sister walked into the crowd…

"I have to go with the girls. I'll see afterwards." Faye said to her brother who nodded.

"Whatever happens today, we stay strong for the other, deal?" he said holding out his hand.

"Deal." she said shaking his hand as she pulled him into a hug. They both said I love you to each other before departing.

Faye looked for her friends in crowd, eventually found them and went to stand next to Adara.

"Hey, guys." she said to them

"Hey." Adara and Cleo said at the same time.

There wasn't much to say but they held each other hands as the reaping started to begin.

"Welcome, welcome the annual 74th Hunger Games! May The Odds Ever Be In Your Favor!" Serenity Fitzgerald said into the microphone.

"The time has come to pick one young man and woman to compete in this year's Hunger Games. Shall we begin? Ladies first…" she said and then started making her way to the reaping bowl.

Standing in front of it, she lifts one hand, and puts it in to the bowl. Finally, she pulls one slip of paper out and brings it to the microphone. The girls squeeze each other's hands very tightly and their bodies tensed up. This time Faye wasn't sure what to think as her eyes fell onto her brother who gives her the thumbs up just like in her dream. As Faye turned her attention back to Serenity who was unfolding the paper… her stomach turned.

"And our woman tribute is…" Serenity begins as Faye closed her eyes and hoped for the best.

"Faye Lewis."