May gasps and turns to me. "Kay, I'm so sorry, I-"

"NOOOOO!" I scream. Shayla has almost reached the stage. Although she is trying to look tough and defiant, I can see the fear in her eyes.

We need her. My family needs her.

I don't think, I just act. "I VOLUNTEER!" I scream as loud as I can. "I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!"

The crowd gasps. I'm pretty sure this is the second time they've had a volunteer, the first being Summer, of course.

Kilee on the other hand, looks thrilled. "A volunteer!" She squeaks as Shayla is dragged off the stage and I walk on.

"Kay, Noooo!" Shayla is screaming but I know I have done the right thing.

"Why'd you volunteer?" Kilee asks, her eyes full of wonder.

Every person in the Hunger Games needs a personality. Should I be nice? Cocky? Rude?

"Well that was my sister," I smile. "And I'd like to think I've got a bigger chance of winning than her."

Kilee looks impressed. "What's your name volunteer?"

"My name is Kayleen Princeton, and I will win the Hunger Games," I say, sounding confident.

She smiles. "Well this has been exciting. Let's give it up for Kayleen everybody!"

Nobody claps. I heard May and Shayla sobbing but I look at my parents and all I see is relief. That Shayla didn't have to compete…..

"Well! Tough crowd. Moving on to the boy…" Kilee muses. "Ah! Jenik Flowst, come up here darling!"

A tough boy who looks to be sixteen comes up. He looks mad and annoyed but not scared. I should consider him a potential threat.

"Alright, your two tributes from District 12, Kayleen and Jenik!"

People clap this time, but not very wholeheartedly.

"Come now," Kilee says to us and Peacekeepers lead us to the Justice Building.

They lead me to a room, big enough for six people.

"Your family, they'll be here in a minute," he says gruffly.

I nod. "Thank you." He shrugs and walks away just as my sister bursts in, sobbing.

"Shayla," I say softly as she hugs me.

"Kay, you….you…you idiot! What were you thinking? Why did you volunteer?" She demands of me, tears falling down her cheeks.

"We need you," I say softly. "If anyone's going to die in The Games, it's going to be me."

She lets out a sob at that. "No Kay, You can win the Games. You're good with a knife."

I shake my head. "Only at close range. I probably don't stand a chance against trained Careers."

She shakes me a little. "Don't say that! Kay I know you, and I love you more than anything, even our parents. After what happened to Cammy, I know I can't lose you. You are going to go out there and win, okay? Do it for me."

At the mention of Cammy I choke up. But I can't cry, I'll look weak.

"Okay I'll try Shay," calling her by her nickname. I hardly ever use it.

A Peacekeeper sticks his head in. "3 minutes are almost up, say goodbye."

Shayla hugs me again. "You can win," she tells me. "I know you can."

I nod. Then Shayla is pulled out by a Peacekeeper.

I sit alone for a few seconds before May bursts in, her makeup running, smearing her whole face. She looks like a mess.

"Oh Kay! Why did you do that? You can't die, we're best friends, I love you! Not in a weird way of course, that would be wrong…. Anyway you can't leave!"

I frown, trying hard not to cry. "I'm so sorry May."

She only cries harder. "I don't get why you would sacrifice yourself. I know you love Shayla but I value my own life. Why don't you value yours?"

I sigh. "Without Shayla we would all starve to death anyway. I'm not great at hunting."

She wipes tears out of her eyes. "Okay but….. take this." And she hands me something.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Shayla told me to give it to you. It's a locket."

I opened the middle. Inside were three pictures, one of me and Shayla, one with me and May, and one with just my parents. No me.

I close it and fasten it around my neck. "Thanks May."

She nods. "Just know, while you're in The Games…. We're rooting for you."

I smile, my eyes brimming with tears. "Thanks so much May."

She gives me a little smile and then she has to leave.

Then I'm alone. I wait for a minute. Two minutes. Where are my parents?

Finally, after 15 minutes someone knocks on the door.

"Finally," I sigh out loud and open the door.

I was expecting my parents. But the person who is standing there is no other than Summer Underwood herself.

The winner of the 24th Hunger Games stands in front of me.

"Wow, umm,…" I stammer.

She smiles. "Expecting someone else?"

"Yes," I sigh. "My parents."

She looks surprised. "They didn't come?"

I shake my head no.

"That's odd… sorry but we have to leave." Summer grabs me by the arm and pulls me away from that room.

I may never see my parents again.

Hey guys!

So this is Kate. Wassup?

I hope you like my story. If you definitely predicted that Kay was going to volunteer, you're a genius. Have a cookie. It's homemade. Chocolate chip.

Anyway so Jenik? Best name ever, we call him Nik.

If you have any predictions about people, acting towards one another or whatever, please leave a comment. And maybe what you think will come true.

Okay so what do you think her parents think of:

Shayla?

Kayleen?

And can anyone guess who Cammy is?

Thanks for reading!

kATE