So I wake up the next day, and my mom's fussing over my white shirt and tie. Straightening it, combing my hair for the millionth time. She's really spastic because of yesterday's events. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying. I could hear her in her room last night. Screaming, crying, banging her head against the wall. It was really sad to listen to it all as her son. But she seems to have...slightly recovered. And as long as I don't get reaped today she'll get over it, right? Yeah that's the problem...

Lucky little Jesse watches me get dressed, smirking. "Aren't you dashing?" Jesse mumbles laughing to himself. I shake my head, hiding my smile. I had no idea how bad the day would get. Since Jesse's only 11, he has one more year until his name enters the Reaping. Oh, yeah, by the way, my name is in the Reaping 12 times this year. Our family had had a rough year, but I was willing to add my name a few extra times to earn us a little more food to get by. I didn't realize at that time how much of a mistake that was.

A bit before it was time for me to go, my mother started muttering, "He'll be fine," over and over to herself. I couldn't really tell if she was referring to me or Dad. I assumed Dad. They had been married for 17 years, enough for his arrest to really get to Mom. I could tell Jesse still wasn't past it either. Suddenly, the idea came to me, while I was staring at my shattered family.

What if - what if I volunteered today? And I won the 32nd Games. Then came home and brought pride and WEALTH to my family? It would be amazing. And I could prevent my family from looking like this ever again! But obviously I was just daydreaming. I would never risk voluntarily going into the Hunger Games. I would never make it out, and I couldn't leave my mom and Jesse here to try and recover on their own! No, no it was a stupid thought.

Just then the bell rang throughout District 6. It was Reaping time.

My mother led me down the paved road towards the Town Square. That was one good thing about 6. We had the dang nicest roads of all the Districts! Because we are in charge of transportation, obviously. My mom whispered to me as we joined the throng of people on their way to the Reaping.

"We'll make it Skye. We'll make it." I was pretty sure she was telling me that half to reassure me, and half to reassure herself. Then we were there. District 6's 32nd Reaping. I kissed my mother, unknowingly for the last time, as I left her to go sign in.

"Your hand," a Peacekeeper commanded. She was looking at me funny. Clearly, she knew about my father. I gave her my left hand and she poked a needle into it to take some blood. Then she pressed my finger onto the record page. I was now a part of the horrible event that changed my life forever.

I headed over to the 16 year old section. I greeted Sydney and Gerald. They were my best friends. We went to school together, even hung out sometimes. "What's up Skye my man?" Gerald slapped my back hard enough to knock the wind out of me. "Nothing much, just getting ready to witness the deaths of 23 more children, how about you Gerald?" Sydney and Gerald almost died of laughter at that. "Oh man...well, how many times this year?" I knew what Gerald was referring to. "12," I muttered. His eyes almost popped out of his skull. "Man...I'm only in that blasted bowl 5 times," Gerald suddenly felt grateful I could tell. "Well, I really hope you don't get picked Skye," Sydney replied. "Thanks. How many times are you in there?" I rose an eyebrow. She shrugged. "Only twice. Nothing compared to you." I shrugged back. "Well, that's because you're a rich little brat Sydney!" Gerald sneered jokingly. We all laughed together. "First name they call is going to be Skye's! Haha!" Gerald had only been kidding, but it stung. Obviously it showed on my face, because he quickly apologized, and Sydney punched him in the arm. "Ow," Gerald whimpered.

Then the Reaping began.

District 6's Capitol representitive was Conley Meek. He gave us the usual speech about how the Games came to be, and how it would be an exciting 32nd. Then he played the Capitol-issued video about the Rebellion. And the destruction of District 13. Finally Conley spoke into the microphone, "Alright everyone, now we will start with the ladies of course."

Conley Meek shuffled over to the fairly large glass bowl filled with paper slips. Then he shoved his hand into the sea of white and brought it back up with a single piece in his hand. After smoothing it out, Conley went back over to the mic. He cleared his throat, and announced,

"Melissa Jennings!"

Never heard that name in my life. Then a girl from the 14 year old group slowly, shakily went on the stage and stood next to Conley Meek. I think I had seen her a few times around the District. Sydney looked only slightly relieved. "She's a young one," Sydney whispered in my ear. I nodded. But when Conley said he would pick the boy next I started trembling. It was the moment I had been anticipating.

He hurried over to the bowl labeled "Male." Then Conley reached deep into the bowl, and wiggled his hand around a bit. Just pick one! I screamed in my head. Finally, he held a single slip of paper. I got chills as he walked to the mic. Please don't be me, please don't be me, please-

"Skye Locksmith!"

Yep, it was me.