Hunger Games: Welcome to the 75th Hunger Games!

Chapter Two

The peacekeepers lead me into a small room and I sit on the velvet couch. I run my hands over it, savoring the touch. I've never felt anything like this. The only extravagant fabric I've touched is the pink silk dress I'm wearing now. And this can't even compete with the quality of the velvet.

I clasp my hands over my lap and wait impatiently for my mother to come in. I wait for what seems like hours before the beautifully carved door opens. I straighten up, thinking it is my mother. Instead, a boy a little older than me walks in. I immediately know who he is. He's been on live television. Of course I would know him. Peeta glances at my disappointed face and smiles.

"Didn't think is was going to me, huh?" He asks.

"No, not really," I reply.

"Well, Katniss and I have decided that we'll visit each of the tributes. Katniss is visiting Jared right now," Peeta smiles.

"Why?" I ask confused,"We're going to die anyway. The careers will probably be after District 12 first."

"Not always," I look up to Peeta's face.

"Well, I-" I get interrupted.

"Well, me, Katniss, and Haymitch are going to be you and Jared's mentors, so relax," Peeta says. I curl my fist into a ball and clutch my dress tightly.

"Five minutes are up!" A peacekeeper opens the door and beckons Peeta out.

"Its okay, Lavender. I'll see you in a little bit," Peeta says over his shoulder as he walks out.

I sigh and bury my head in my hands. I don't want to do this. I don't want to die of loss of blood, or dehydration, or hunger, or anything. But I have to do this to Alexis. She wouldn't survive one day in the Arena. She doesn't know anything about survival skills.

Alexis is the mayor's daughter. So, she always has the best quality food in District 12 and she never goes hungry or thirsty. Just as I'm thinking of her, Alexis walks in. I look up and I stand up. Alexis stares at me and then runs into my arms.

"I'm so sorry, Lavender! You shouldn't have volunteered and leave your mom like that," She cries. I grab her shoulders and make her look in my face.

"It's okay, Alexis. It's fine. Just make sure my mom has enough food, okay?" My eyes fill up in tears but I continue. "Just in case I don't make it back, please take care of my mom," Alexis nods, tears spilling down her cheeks. I look at her sadly and know that this five minutes we have is the last time we get to see each other.

"Hey," I hold my fist to my lips and then to hers. It was a secret handshake that we made up when we were little. It means I am you and you are me. The peacekeeper comes in and tells us the five minutes are up. I hug Alexis again.

"Please take care of my mom. Please make sure she has enough food and she doesn't go into depression," I cry.

"I will, Lavender. Try to win, for me and your mom....and for you," Alexis wipes her tears and goes out of the door.

I sit on the couch and cry until a peacekeeper comes in and takes me to the train. Me and Jared meet up in the train and I immediately turn to my room. I don't want him to know what a crybaby I am. Then, I'll be his first target. I sit on my bed and feel the fabric of the blankets on it. The cover blanket has a beautiful pattern.

I looked at it a little more and then remember that Alexis wore a coat out of this pattern to school last year. She said it was from a... liepoard? No, leopard. I spread out and lay on the leopard skin. I bolt up suddenly. Wait, that means this leopard skin was alive once, or at least covered a living thing. I jump from the bed and fling the leopard skin off.