Chapter 3

Wednesday morning, Prim awakes in her mother's bed and looks at Katniss' bed. She sees Alex asleep in Katniss' arms and smiles.

She heard Alex calling to Katniss during the night and woke her sister up. Prim gets up off the bed and sees Buttercup curled in a ball at her feet.

"Morning Buttercup." Prim kisses her cat's head before getting changed. Today is a school day.

~K&A~

Katniss' and Prim' mother opens her eyes in time to see Prim head out to school. She rolls onto her side to see a young girl around Prim's age asleep in her 16 year old daughter's arms.

"You ok Alex?" she hears Katniss whisper.

"Ya." 'Alex' whispers.

"Where does it hurt?"

"My back."

"Roll over." Alex rolls over so her back is facing Katniss. Katniss lifts up Alex's shirt to see Alex's back all bruised and dry blood, "you are going to go have a bath. I will use herbs that will help." Katniss moves parts of Alex's hair away from her face and kisses her cheek.

"Ok." Katniss and Alex look over at the other bed to see Katniss' mom looking at them.

"Who is this Katniss?" She asks.

"This is Alex mom."

"I haven't seen her before. She can't be from here."

"She's new." She shakes her head.

"We don't get new people her Katniss. Which district is she from?"

"It's none of your business mom." Katniss gets up and helps Alex up. The two girls' heads into the bathroom and Katniss immediately begins to help Alex.

~A&K~

Friday arrives, and Alex is wearing a dress and standing with the other 12 year olds, while Justin stands with the 17 year olds and Max and Jerry watches in shock with the parents and younger kids that at younger than 12.

"Happy 74th Hunger Games. May the odds ever be in your favour." President Coin smiles. President Coin is the president of District 13, and ONLY 13. President Snow, well, he's the president of District 12 and 13, BOTH. Coin has eyes that are the colour of slush you wish would melt away. She has grey hair that falls in an unbroken sheet to her shoulders. Just by the way she spoke; Alex knows she would have no problem breaking rules, and that she is hunger for power. Snow is also the president of the other districts... the power that Coin wants.

"Now," Coin continues, "let's see who is going to represent District 13 in The Hunger Games." Coin looks at all the girls and guys between the ages of 12 and 18, "Guys first."

Coin walks to the bowl, which holds the names of guys.

Alex watches nervously as Coin pulls out a sheet of paper with the name of the person on it.

"The boy who is representing District 13 is..." Coin opens it, "Justin Russo!"

Alex's head snaps over to where she saw Justin, in shock. Justin walks passed Alex's group with four guards surrounding him. Justin walks up the stairs and stands on the right side of Coin, dressed in dress pants and a grey shirt.

"Now, time for the girls." Coin walks over to the bowl, which holds the names of girls.

Coin pulls one out and walks back over to the mic.

"The girl who is representing District 13 is..." Coin opens it, "Alexandra Russo!"

Alex's mouth drops open as fear fills her brown eyes. Alex begins to hyperventilate.

"Come on up here Alexandra."

Alex walks out of her group and watches as the same four guards surround her. They lead her to the stairs that the girls climb. She walks up the stairs and sees fear in Justin's eyes... for her.

"Here are our tributes!"

Alex watches as everyone raises 3 fingers with their left hand, in respect.

"And that concludes the ceremony." Coin pulls them through the door behind them and takes them somewhere Alex does not know.

~K&A~

Katniss sits on the train, taking them to the Capitol city.

All of a sudden, the door opens and Katniss turns behind her to see a lady. In her shock, Alex Russo, and her brother Justin.

Alex looks over and her eyes widen.

"Katniss!" Alex covers her mouth in fear.

"Alex!" Katniss gets to her feet and rushes over to her. She pulls Alex into a hug and Alex hugs her back tightly.

"You two know each other?" The lady asks.

"Who are you?" Katniss asks.

"Alma Coin. I'm the president of District 13. How do you know Alex?" Coin asks.

"Are you ok Alex?" Katniss asks ignoring Coin.

"Ya." Alex whispers looking up at her, "you got picked?"

"No. Prim did. I took her place."

"How's Prim?"

"She's ok." Katniss notices that Alex is in her dress with the Mockingjay pin on as well. Alex looks at Katniss' blue dress and sees the same pin as her's.

"Good. She gave you her Mockingjay pin?" Katniss nods and kisses Alex's forehead.

"I'll protect you." Katniss whispers too low for Justin and Coin to hear.

"Thank you." Alex whispers wrapping her arms around Katniss' neck and stands on her tippy toes. Katniss lifts her up and Alex wraps her legs around her waist.

"I love you Alex." Katniss kisses Alex's cheek.

"I love you too Katniss." Alex kisses Katniss' cheek in return.

"Will you two tell me how you know each other?" Coin freaks.

"Pretend the training center is a game." Katniss tells Alex. She puts Alex on the ground and kneels down so she is her height, "just like when you are getting taught by me and Gale." Katniss whispers holding Alex's hands in her's.

"Ok." Alex smiles.

"Good. You will see me in there; we will not be able to talk. In the arena, we will." Alex nods.

"TELL ME HOW YOU KNOW EACH OTHER!" Coin screams at them making Alex jump and dive into Katniss' arms.

"We're best friends Coin. Know if you excuse me, I have to calm Alex down." Katniss shoots Coin a glare and carries Alex out of the compartment.

~A&K~

2 days later, Alex is in the training center climbing the rope. Justin is already at the top sitting there waiting for her.

Alex climbs up quickly before walking over to Justin with her arms out of the side of her to keep her balance.

"GIVE ME MY KNIFE!" Alex hears a shout. Alex goes on her knees and looks down to see a guy punch another guy in the face.

Alex lies on her stomach and Justin joins her.

"I'm sorry." Justin whispers to Alex. The two of them watch the show below them.

"I'm sorry too." Justin grabs Alex's left hand and kisses her cheek.

"I'm glad you and Katniss are so close. I know for a fact she will protect you will her life." Alex feels tears fill her eyes.

"You've been in boy scouts Justin. You went camping. I know you know how to survive. Just think of this as a camping trip." Justin chuckles and stands up. Alex stands up and the two of them jumps down after the fight was broken.

Alex looks up to see a girl around her age holding a knife in her hands. Alex chuckles and gives the girl a thumb up before going to train with Justin... daggers.

Please review.