Fleur POV

"Fleur! Wake up! We have to get ready."

My eyes open wide in a daze as I feel two hands shaking my shoulders. Blush, my annoying-yet-punctual older sister, is standing over me fully dressed in a simple gown, her sunflower blonde hair tied up into a high bun. Sunlight peaks through the curtains of the window as I pull my bed covers over me to ignore my sister and go back to sleep. I don't care what day it is, I just want a few more minutes of peaceful sleep. I groan in annoyance but the blanket is ripped from my hands.

"I said get up! Our parents are waiting...YOU don't want to be late."

I really wish I had my own room. I've shared a room with Blush for my entire life, both of us cramped into this small-ish space with no means of privacy. Being the older sister has given her some governance to boss my life around, well...in her own mind at least, she can't control me. If my little brother Bronze were still alive today, I'm not sure what we could have done to make more room in this house as is. Strange, this is the first time in a while I have thought about him. It's been years since he died of pneumonia; I'm not sure why he popped into my mind.

Blush stands over my bed, arms crossed and starring daggers at me to get up. I sigh and roll my eyes at her. I might as well get up, it's not like I have anything else I need to do today. I step toward the armoire and pick up the dress I had selected last night: a delicate white lace dress my mother had found in a high-end shop a while back. It costs a fortune but this is sort of a big day; if there was ever a day to look my best, it would be the day of the Reapings.

Several minutes pass and I finish getting ready. My parents and sister are waiting for me at the door, all dressed in simple outfits. Blush ignores my presence, instead opting to open the door and begin walking the road toward the town square. I step past my parents and begin my walk as well. My mother walks hand-in-hand with my farther, looking silent and poised as ever; though, I can see a flicker of worry across her face. She has already lost one child and the Hunger Games continues to threaten that as well. Blush is no longer eligible to compete in the Games but I am still am. I only have two more reapings to go before I can live my life and never look back. It means everything to me and I can't wait for the day for that to happen.

The sun moves overhead; it's a beautiful day with all things considered. Many families have joined us on the path, keeping silent with their heads down and standing close to their children. When we reach the designated area, I separate from my family and join the line with the other children checking in. I hate getting the needle to do the sign-in; it's a small pain but it's still something. The attendant checks my name off the list and I walk over to the other 17 year old girls waiting in the area.

Cameras are moving overhead and the square is filled with Peacekeepers. Families are waiting in the back, forced to watch and find out which children are reaped into the Games. I can't help but stare at the other children waiting in the square with me. Eliza Andrin and Chandeliere Decker stand to my sides, both with worried expressions on their faces. Eliza gives me a sympathetic look before staring back at the ground; she's really worried that it could be her today. It could be me too if my name were to be reaped today.

Someone moves to stand behind me and I hear her yawn loudly. It's Emeline Winslow...I hate Emeline! She's rich, entitled and believes that anyone who isn't wealthy in the districts is below her class. If I had her money and power, I would do things a lot differently. Someday, I tell you, someday it will happen. I have several plans in mind to help get me to where I want to be, but the current contender right now is just one: Grayson Lock. He's the eldest son of the Lock family, one of the richest families in District 1 and the main supplier of jewels for the Capitol. I have been flirting and toying around with the boy's mind for a while now, teasing him and making him think what I want. We're not officially dating, but I think I'm his leading choice – all he has to do it say and he's mine. He's the eldest son of a rich family; I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Emeline was also trying to sink her claws into him. I turn toward the families in the back and I see him standing there with his parents. He's smiling at me and gently nods his head – the boy is mine.

A hushed gasp falls over the crowd; it's as silent as could be. I look to the stage and watch as a single lone woman stands at the podium, dressed in a long gold dress. She taps on the microphone and smiles to the crowd. A camera zones to her face as her image appears on the large television screens.

It's time for the show to begin.

Stirling POV

I'm really not ready for this.

The Games come around only once a year and those short few minutes before finding out which tributes have been reaped is the most stressful moment in my life. My parents are a wreck, they hate this day. My older brother Grayson has grown past this phase with only myself and Farrah, my little sister, still in the eligibility age range. This is my last year to be included in the Reapings; if I survive this, then I won't have to worry until my children. I'll still have to worry about Farrah, but she's a big girl, she can handle herself.

A loud tapping on the microphone brings my mind back to the Reapings. The District Escort Karine Harron is standing at the podium, chatting about how great it is for the Hunger Games to come around for another year. This time it's the Quarter Quell – the special quarterly Games where a new rule is introduced for the tributes to compete in. I can't remember what the new rule was; I decided to sleep in instead of hearing what the President had to say. It must have been really important since all anyone can talk about is what might happen in the arena. Karine smiles her toothy grin and cheers as the video begins playing on the television screen. Naturally, I'm going to tune out...

All eyes are peered toward the television screen but I'm staring at the stage. The seats are lined with political figures but the chairs to the far stage are reserved for the previous Victors. We have a few Victors from District One still living, most have taken up the role of District Mentor in the past but they have all since retired. Only one Victor is the current Mentor and she's sitting closest to the glass jars with the names of children. Coco Laurent, the District Mentor, gives a look to one of the past elderly female Victors and they both giggle. As Mentor they most likely have seen this video plenty of times in the past, from different districts as well. I wonder what she did to win her Hunger Games; her win was about seven years ago but it's not coming to mind. I'll probably ask my brother Grayson, he has a great memory for Hunger Games knowledge.

The video ends and Karine begins clapping. Cameras are now focused back on her and the music has ceased. It's finally time for the drawing to being.

"Now, wasn't that a great inspiring video?! It is now time to find out which lucky boy and which lucky girl will be given the honour of competing at this year's Hunger Games. Let's begin with the girls..."

There's her toothy smile yet again; it creeps me out immensely. She walks to the first glass jar and moves her hand around to play with the papers. I look to the girls and I notice that many have their heads pointed to the ground – they're scared that their name may be called. Farrah is one of them, she's grabbing onto a friend's hand and they're both scared to look up. Karine pulls a name out of the jar and steps to the microphone, unfolding the paper.

"Fleur Dunham."

Fleur Dunham. My brother's insipid girlfriend. Out of anyone in District One, I can't believe that it's her who has to compete. Anyone can tell you that she has stars in her eyes, she'll do anything to move up, but that's not my problem anymore. Maybe the Hunger Games will finally get rid of her?

The crowd parts and I see her begin to walk up the path. Peacekeepers lead her to the stage and she carefully moves up the steps. She's scared; you can see the expression all over her face. I'm a tad surprised, I thought she would enjoy all the attention and the chance to compete in the Games.

Karine asks her a few questions before moving to the next jar with the boys' names. Whoever is selected will have to compete alongside Fleur in the arena. I pity that boy. Fleur isn't the most athletic or strongest of the District One girls. It will be a tough fight – I don't think we have a shot this year.

"Now, let's move on to the boys..."

Here it is. This is the moment. If my name isn't called, I'll be freed from this process forever. Karine opens the paper and moves closer to the microphone.

"The boy tribute will be...Stirling Lock."

Everyone turns to look at me. The boys standing to my side slowly look up and stare at me, others have moved away to give me enough room to walk. It's like I'm infected, someone contagious that they can't be near or else they'll be "reaped" as well. In front of me Carter Quartz is staring, eyes wide and stepping away. I've known Carter for years but now he can barely be near me. Everyone can barely be near me. I know what this means, I know what they're thinking.

I'm marked for death.