35th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 1 - Reaping Day

I'm not as scared as I was the first year I was entered into the bowl. The horror of each reaping has subsided to me. I'm not as terrified as I used to be. For three years, I haven't been picked; I hope I didn't just jinx it.
My older brother walks into my room as he does every year before the reaping. This time he actually says something and is not clueless as what to say.
"Just know that no matter what happens, I love you so much." He walks over and embraces me with a warm hug. This calms me more than anything.
"I love you," I whisper in his ear as a tear drops from my eye. Maybe I am more scared than my first year because everyone knows that the older you get the more likely you'll get reaped.

...

The same video we watch every year appears on a huge screen, the sound coming from speakers all around district 10's city square. I decide to block out the video and look around, trying to find anyone I know near me. Through the crown I stare at each face, until a familiar one catches my eye. I keep my gaze fixated on his face but I quickly turn away when his eyes stare back at me.
I take a glance at his face again, his eyes still staring at me. I can't help but smile and mouth "hey." He smiles back, his mouth curved perfectly stretching from ear-to-ear. He mouths "hey" back and we just gaze into each other's eyes, reading each other's thoughts.
I look away and focus on Lena, district eight's escort, when she starts her little speech. My insides turn when she says, "Welcome, welcome. Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor! As usual, ladies first!"
My parents, my older brother, my older cousin, and my aunt and uncle never got chosen. So what are the chances that I will?
Lena has a different outfit every year, and this year she has a beige outfit on. It's not her usual style but I guess she is running out of colors. Surprisingly, the color looks good against her peachy skin.
Her outfit took me so off guard that when I come back into focus, Lena is already opening up the slip from the girl's bowl.
"Lillian Haywood!" She yells. My eyes open wide. No! This can't be happening. Did I hear her wrong? I almost want to shout out to her to repeat, that this is all just a mistake, but everyone looks at me, letting me know that Lena did say my name. I start to shake and tremble. I search the crowd and find his face, noticing fear engraved into his body. Is he really scared for me?
Everyone at some point is going to see this moment. All the districts, and especially the capital. I need to look tough. I can't let anyone see how terrified I am. I need to show the other tributes that I'm not a scaredy-cat (even though I am) and that they should watch out because I'm coming.
I narrow my eyes, I straighten my back, and I walk through the crowd to the peacekeepers who escort me to the stage. When I get on the stage I smirk. I need to show people I'm ready for this year's games. I'm ready to give everything I've got.
When Lena walks over to the boy's bowl, I look over to the adult's section. I find my family, tears streaming down their faces. That's when my smirk disappears and my eyes fill with tears. I make sure not to let the tears slide down my face, but anyone who really watches will notice the despair in me.
"Jace Magular!" It's him. The familiar face I saw in the crowd. He's chosen. We are both going into the Hunger Games. We're both going in, but only one of us can come out.
I spot him in the crowd. His shocked face looks up and his eyes are so wide I'm afraid they're going to pop out. In the silence I can hear him clear his throat. He takes a deep breath and stares off into the distance. He smiles as if he likes whatever he just thought in his mind. He narrows his eyes like I did, smiling as he walks up to the stage.
Lena starts clapping, smiling super wide. No one claps with her and she realizes it while her smile disappears. "Well here you have it! Lillian Haywood and Jace Magualr! District 10's tributes for the 35th Annual Hunger Games!"

...

Jace and I get separated into different rooms with only a couple minutes to say goodbye to our families. I wait on a red leathered couch in the room until my brother bursts through the door. I stand up immediately and he hugs me. His grip is so strong I'm afraid he will crush my little body. He lets go and pulls away to look at my face. His face is stained with tears while fresh ones are still pouring out of his eyes.
"You can win. I know you can." He assures me. I nod while tears slip out of my eyes.
My parents take their turns hugging me tightly. They admire my face so distinctively as if its the last time they'll see it.
When the time limit is reached, peacekeepers come in and take away my family. I hear my brother scream my name before the door closes, and then I'm left alone in silence.