This chapter is dedicated to the amazing Charm1997 and to the lovely Raye Vann. Thanks for submitting characters you two! (Seriously both of you are super sweet!) Also thanks again to all of you reading this. It really does set a smile on my face!

"No story lives unless someone wants to listen."-J.K. Rowling (true words of advice for all of us on here!)

The Reaping of District 4 (Enter Claire Kall POV)

"You know you're never going to make it in less than 30 seconds doing the doggie paddle right?" I laughed.

"Course I will, just watch me." With this my brother, Dillan, flipped off the rocks and plunged into the sea. As he began to paddle I started to time him. His destination was an outcropping of rock named Ocean's Heart by long ago citizens of District 4.

I was right. He wasn't fast enough to make it in less than 30 seconds when doing the doggie paddle. I could see him laughing. My best friend, Matt, stood beside me cracking up as well. I was raised by just my father and only had a brother, so I was much more at home with guys then girls. My mother had died giving birth to me. I always felt guilty about that. I came back to the present as my brother swam back to the shore.

"How long did I take?" Dillan asked.

"45 seconds going, a minute and 10 coming back."

"Oh well, come on guys we'd better get back. We can't miss the reaping."

"Hey, Claire, are you still gonna volunteer this year?" This came from Matt.

"Yep. I just need a change. What a better way to spice up life then going to compete in the Hunger Games?"

"Spice up life? What are we boring you, sister dearest?"

I laughed. My brother and Matt always had some smart comment for everything. "Yes. Between the two of you I'm completely bored to tears." I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. This only makes then laugh harder. I crack a small smile, but my mind's not in the conversation anymore. It's drifted off to the games. I knew I didn't like to kill but if I was attacked I would. I was going to do anything it took to win to get back to my brother and my father.

We made our way from the beach to town. Matt waved and headed off to his house where we could see his younger siblings playing in the yard. Dillan and I headed further down the lane. As we entered our house we saw our father waiting for us. His skin was tanned and weathered from his many years on the sea. He smiled as he saw us.

"Have you guys been messing around at the Ocean's Heart again?"

"Always jump to the worst conclusion, don't you?" my brother replied. Our father smiled. He had the same humor and easygoing personality as we did.

We walked upstairs to get ready. I hated getting dressed up for reapings. A lifetime of only hanging around boys did nothing to improve my fashion sense. I grabbed the nearest, suitable clothing I could find, which meant a sea-blue cotton dress that Matt's mother had made me for my last birthday. When I was ready I headed back downstairs. Dad and Dillan were ready of course. They were guys they could just throw any old thing on and look decent.

As we walked side by side into the square we ran into Matt again. He took an opportunity to tease me about having to wear a dress.

"Look at you, Claire. You look just darling!" I made a face at him, and then at my family, who had began to roar with laughter. I rolled my eyes at the lot of them and went off to the 15 year old section.

On the stage ready to go were the mayor and the districts escort, Toffee Trinket. She was a purple fanatic. Everything she wore was the same lavender shade of purple as her eyes and hair. They mayor began his mind numbing speech. My brain once again took this as a cue to wander off and not return until Toffee pulled a female name from the reaping ball.

"Sophia-"

"I volunteer." As I spoke I began to walk up on stage. Once I was there I introduced myself to Toffee before she could even ask

"My name is Claire Kall."

_Flashback 3 Hours_

(Enter Ferris "Karp" Rewing POV)

Capelin was really beginning to work my nerves. All these comments on my height were completely overused and not all that funny. You would think I was a microscopic as an ant or something from all the time he spends on the damn subject. Ferden, my only real friend in the group, gives me a sympathetic glace but has a small smile on his face. I don't mind it from him though, because he spends his time dragging me around laughing at me, him, and numerous other things all the time when were not with Mr. Big Brutish and Mighty over there. Remora, who absolutely adores spreading lies-oops, my bad rumors about people, giggles nastily behind her hand. I try not to let it get to me to much even though I loathe being looked down on, height commentary, and humiliation. It's better than sitting in my aunt and uncles house with an aunt who hates me. Better than being back in District 11 with my mother; even though I do miss her, I have a better life here.

Finally Capelin irritates me enough to get a rise out of me. "Shut up! Honestly I'm seriously considering killing you to shut you up! Go pick on some little defenseless kid like you always do, you idiot."

He grins, "Good idea, squirt. Let's go test it out." I see his eyes hone in on a boy who can be more than 10. He motions for us to follow him and we do. We pick on the kid till he runs off leaving the 4 of us laughing in his wake. Soon after, we disperse to ready ourselves for the reaping. I walk home alone because District 4 is big and none of us lives remotely close.

I proceed through the door and see no one, but hear the movement back in the bedrooms. I go back and poke my head into my aunt and uncles room. He greets me and asks about my day while my aunt-curse her to Hades- just sniffs at me in disproval. My uncle was like a real father to me. At the time he'd asked my mother to let me live with them they had no children and he'd wanted a son. After however he and my aunt produced 2 girls who really were pretty cute and alright as far as little kids go. Since the oldest, Ayu was born my aunt has been lobbying for me to move back with my mother. Every time my uncle refuses.

As I'd thought of all this I completed my preparations for the reaping. I walked back out into the main room to wait as everyone else was ready. Together we head for the square. I go to my allotted space and await the start of the mayor's never changing speech. Soon it came time for names to be drawn. The female name comes first.

"Sophia-"

"I volunteer."

This came from a girl whose name I knew to be Claire Kall. I'd had a crush in her earlier this year. Still do sort of. It didn't mean too much though because I get crushes so often you'd think I'd had some crush hit list or something. She was pretty though, shocking green eyes, long brownish blonde hair. Forget pretty, gorgeous, really if I was honest. I'm lost in a girl-induced daze so I don't hear Toffee Trinket say the reaped male tributes name. She repeats herself and that's when I hear the name, "Ferris Rewing."

My blood runs icy hot in my veins. This has to be, must be a mistake. I'm not ready to die. I don't want to die. Suddenly I am furious. I. Do. Not. Want. To. Die. So I'm not going to. Whatever it takes I'm going to make it out alive.

I'm on stage now so I have my game face on. My brain keeps rushing a mile a minute. I may not be as brave as I'd like to but my determination to come back to District 4 is overwhelming me. The next thing I am conscious of is the mayor asking me to shake hands with Claire Kall. So I do.

The mayor clears his throat and says, "Ladies and Gents I give you Miss Claire Kall and Mister Ferris Rewing, our tributes!"

Lord, sorry for the lat update I had the misfortune of writers block! Please tell me what you think by clicking that button down below!