The 74th Hunger Games.

The Reaping.

Lola's POV.

Effie Trinket is dressed in her usual Capitol fashion, but a little more toned down this year. She wears a red dress with blue hearts all over it like funky polka dots, a blue wig that drifts over her left shoulder and red platform heels. Her face is adorned with blue lipstick and red eyeshadow. I stand beside Isabelle Woodlight, my best friend, as Effie Starts.

"As always, ladies first!" she exclaims. She makes a huge show of pulling a name and walks back to the microphone. All the girls from ages 12-18 all hold their breath as she unfolds the name. Fear spikes through me. Effie clears her throat.

"Lola Revi'ar."

The name carries like a gunshot through the silent city. Effie may as well of just shot me. The sound of it might have been quieter than my name.

I squeeze my eyes shut and swallow hard. Isabelle gasps and throws her hands over her mouth, tears forming in her eyes. I can see her debating wether or not to volunteer.

"Don't," I whisper, "one of us has to go, so I'll just go. It's okay, really." It really isn't, but I raise my chin and walk out.

True to her per-schedule attitude, Effie stands by the girls stairs and makes remarks like "where are you sweetie" and "come on up now, don't be afraid!" even though I've only taken 5 seconds to compose myself.

"Ah! There you are! Here we go!"

I mount the stairs and look at a random point to keep from seeing my mom's, dad's, or younger brother's or sister's eyes. I know I will see them anyway. Effie smiles.

"And now, for the boys."

She walls over and makes an even bigger show of drawing a name. She unfolds the slip of paper and reads:

"Chase O'Neill."

A boy - no, man, he's obviously 18 coming from the back - steps out with wide eyes and clenched fists. He climbs the stage and Effie gets us to shake hands and then we're being hurdded into the Justice Center.

                                ***

My family is the first to come see me. My little sister, Guinevere, stars crying immediately. I hug her. My twin brothers, Scott and Dominic, hold it together for my sake.

"Hey L," Dad says. L is is nickname for me. I have no idea why he ever thought that Lola was too long, but Dad started using it and it stuck. It doesn't bother me though.
"Be brave. Listen to your mentor. Be smart."

I nod. I'm smart as a whip and know I can rely on that to get me home. Dad then hugs me and steps back, giving me a final nod, which I return. Mom moves for me next. While Dad didn't give me false hope, Mom gives enough for both of them.

"You can do it. Team up. Do whatever it takes. You'll win, I know it!" At this point, she's reassuring only herself, and possibly little Guinevere.

"Yeah Mom. Okay," I say. She hugs me in a death grip before retreating to Dad's side, where she continues to sob into his shoulder.

Finally, Scott and Dominic get to hug me. We don't say anything, just stand together in a mess of arms and bodies, the triplets together. After thirty seconds of silence besides Mom's and Guinevere's blubbering, the Peacekeepers barge in, declaring our two minutes to be up. They let me go and we both meet eyes, me Dom and Scotty, and this simple gesture says more than words.

While the others start leaving, Guinevere runs up to me, her little arms outstretched, crying that I don't go. Dad has to pick her up and carry her out, and I am grateful because I don't have the strength to push her away. I am glad it's not a Peacekeeper manhandling her out. She cries my name as dad takes her away. I follow close behind, murmuring to Guin but not close enough to let her clutch me. They are out the door and it slams on my nose.