All too soon, I'm standing at the reaping, scribbling down two names. I survey the careers, and pick a weak-looking young boy, and write down his name. The less competition the better.
Of course, I know that the female tribute will be me. But I have to vote, so in the end I decide on Ciara, a small but cruel seventeen-year-old career. I carefully fold my slips of paper, and walk up to the stage to place them in the reaping bowl, with every one else's.
Tatiana Litloss struts up onto the stage, her fake blonde hair and orange tan the same as always. She is wearing a tight, revealing pink dress, and ridiculously high spike heels.
"The votes have been counted and verified." she announces, in her high, crisp voice. "District four's tributes are as follows: Magnolia Evans and Kaelyn Sharp."
Kaelyn. Kaelyn, is going into the Hunger Games with me. I feel my jaw drop, as I numbly make my way up to the stage. Because out of all the careers, they picked the strongest, tallest, most vicious. The one who hates me, and would do anything to see me dead. If I have a sword, I can beat him with ease. But what if I can't get to one?
I mount the stage, and we shake hands, both of us trying to crush the other's fingers.
I stare out of the train window at the blurry streaks of colour that are the districts. Soon, we will arrive in the Capitol. Soon, I will have to face the crowds. I feel faintly nauseous, my head spinning. I haven't spoken a word to Kaelyn throughout the entire train journey. But now, I need something to take my fear off my mind.
"Feeling brave, Kaelyn?" I ask, cheerfully, noticing as I do that he has turned faintly green. Interesting. I didn't think that happened in real life.
"Braver than you." He snarls. I snort. What a pathetic comeback. He's losing his edge.
"So what's your strategy? I mean, you obviously can't go for intelligent or handsome, so I assume you're going for brute strength." I tut, "Risky. I'm just a girl, and we've all seen how easy it is for me to beat you in a fight." I wink at him, as the colour rises in his cheeks.
"I'm going for the 'beat-you-to-a-pulp' strategy," he growls. I pretend to consider this.
"So... basically the same strategy as the other night?" I ask, innocently.
I realise that taunting Kaelyn will be one of my few pleasures in the next few weeks...