*DISTRICT 10*

*SKYLAR JOYCE EDMONDSON*
*TWELVE*

For some reason, Skylar can't bring herself to regret what she'd done. She'd made an enemy out of the Capitol, questioning their methods. But maybe there are friends of Betsy Bop, friends who will now become sponsors because of District 10's tiny show of support. And maybe she can be allies with the boy. She's never seen him before, but she supposes that he's older, and a boy, and he could definitely be of use. But she doesn't want to ask. She'll just have to hope he will.

Hannah bounces in even before Skylar's own family. Her Reaping clothes consist of a wrinkled black skirt with lace embroidery and a sunset-orange top, tucked in loosely. Old, flat sneakers are on her feet. "Hey, Skye."

"Hi." Skylar doesn't know whether to grin or to cry.

Hannah drops onto the fluffy couch next to Skylar, and sinks so deep into the cushions that her face is barely visible, and now Skylar can't help but laugh. "Oh my god, Hannah. You're insane," she manages to say.

"I know." Struggling, Hannah pushes herself to a seated position and her face pops up. "But isn't it great?"

"Fabulous," Skylar assures her dryly.

"I'm sorry I didn't volunteer."

"It's okay," Skylar says quickly. Nobody volunteers in District 10. Ever. "You didn't have to."

"I'll miss you." Hannah looks so sad.

This is what the Capitol does to its own people, Skylar reflects, shaking her head, tears pooling in her eyes.

"Hey," Hannah says softly, hugging her best friend. "Don't. It's okay. Think about us, alright?"

"Alright," Skylar promises, and then Hannah goes so that Skylar's family can visit.

::

"Hi, sweetie." Giselle Edmondson is famous around their village for always trying her hardest to do the best thing for everyone involved, and this is no different. Skylar knows her mom is doing everything she can to make her daughter feel comforted, happy, and at ease during the last three minutes that she'll ever get with her family.

"Hi, Mom." A grin covers Skylar's features as she throws her arms around her mother's plump waist.

"How are you?" A kind smile spreads across Mrs. Edmonson's face.

"Could be better, I suppose," Skylar quips, moving on from her mother to embrace her dad. Although not as affectionate, he does care about his children, and he shows it in the tremble of his lips and the single tear that falls from his left eye.

"Skye," he murmurs, and she stretches on tip-toe so that she can lean her brunette head on his shoulder.

"I'll miss you so so much, Daddy. Thank you."

"I love you," he replies, squeezing tighter.

Finally, Skylar pushes away, turning to hug her brother. "Goodbye, Johnny."

"No. You'll come home." Johnny takes his younger sister's hands and looks into her eyes. "You can do it, Skye. Be smart, be brave, and be you. Get some sponsors. Some people will be thankful to you for protecting the escort. Someone will have been her friend, and want to support you."

She smiles sadly. "That's what I was thinking, I guess."

"Well, you were right," states Mr. Edmondson firmly. "You can do it, Skylar. We have utter faith in you."

"We love you, Skylar." With one last, long, lingering hug, Giselle leads the remainder of her family out the door.

*JOSHUA NATHANIEL GARCIA*
*FIFTEEN*

"Hi, Josh."

"Not now, Samuel," Josh snaps. Sometimes, he wonders if he's being too harsh with his stepfather. But at the same time, Samuel was the scumbag Joshua's mother cheated on his dad with. And Joshua doesn't know if he can forgive Samuel for breaking his parents up. He's aware that Samuel, who has been raising Joshua single-handedly since both of Josh's parents died, wants a better relationship with his stepson. But Josh just doesn't know if he can do that.

Samuel groans and sighs. "This is our last chance, Joshua. I've been trying for seven years to support you. You don't want me. I can see that. But it breaks my heart."

Josh can hear the real pain in Samuel's words. He knows that Samuel could have easily chucked Josh out on the street when Mrs. Garcia died, and he didn't. But it was a hard for Josh to be anything more than civil with Samuel anyway.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs, looking up into his stepfather's blue eyes. "I didn't mean to make you feel unwanted."

Samuel swallows. "I'm not sure what to think, Joshua. But I have something to give to you." He produces a small black box that looks expensive even by itself.

Josh reaches out and Samuel drops it into his hand. Carefully and cautiously, Josh flips the lid of the box open. Nestled inside is a white ring with a single clear cubic zirconia.

"This is the ring I gave to your mother when I asked her to formally marry me," Samuel says quietly. "I know that makes you upset, Joshua, but she specifically said to give it to you. Give it to the girl you want to marry."

"Samuel, I'm gay." Before, Josh didn't make an effort to flaunt his sexuality, but now that he's going into the Hunger Games, who cares?

"Then give it to the boy," Samuel smiles. "Good luck, and I'll always miss you, Joshua Garcia."

*DISTRICT 10 TRAIN*

"Come with me," a Peacekeeper orders. "I will be bringing you two to the Capitol, where they will assign District 10 a fresh escort." He coughs. "Come, Miss Edmondson, Mister Garcia."

Skylar rolls her eyes.

Joshua has known Skylar for years. They happen to live in the same town, and they are in the same class in the three-room school they both attend. "Hi," he greets her with a slight giggle at her antics.

"Hey," she responds, moving closer to him.

"Are you excited to see the Capitol?"

"Maybe." She shrugs. "To be honest, that's not what's really on my mind."

"I'm sorry." Josh picks a seat, and Skylar perches across from him.

"It's cool." Skylar looks down and fiddles with her skirt, and in such a short time, they're at the Capitol.

review, pretty please!

(i don't like nagging, but it's hard to write when there's no feedback/support.)

thank you, ladies and gentlemen!

joy