The Hunger Games: Smosh Edition

The Reaping

District 12

Shayne is lying on the couch. The light of the sun slowly starts to brighten the room as he wakes up. His eyes still need to get used to the light glaring through the window across the couch. He places his feet on the ground. Apart from his feet he is still fully clothed. The floor is cold and he can feel a little breeze coming from under the door. He places his head in his hands.

''The third time,'' he thinks by himself. ''The third time they are actually going to host this hunger games rubbish,'' he tells himself while his eyelids are starting to close again.
Startled he looks up as he hears something outside break. As he looks at the window he sees a cat scurrying away. ''Idiot,'' he thinks. He gets up and walks to the kitchen counter. He presses the button of his crappy coffee machine while he looks around for a cup. As usual, just as the water is starting to boil, the coffee machine turns off and leaves Shayne with a pot of tepid coffee. He grabs the coffee pot and pours it into a cup. As he is slowly sipping his coffee he grabs a little metal case from the top of the wardrobe. The case has become rusty and there's a dent in the upper left corner. He takes off the lid as he drinks the last bit of his coffee. Out of the case he pulls a neck chain with a key attached to it. He puts it aside and starts going through some notes. He takes out a folded piece of paper and starts unfolding it. It's a picture that he knows all too well. It's the Smosh family. Some of these people he hasn't seen in years, or at least not since the end of the rebellion. Not since the end of 13.

After the rebellion groups of friends got separated and put into different districts to prevent any further rebelling. This is the reason why he has been split up from the other Smosh members. Each year Shayne can't help but look at the games. Each year hoping his friends won't appear on the big screen. He feels like he's isolated but in isolation he has been doing what he can to help his district. He helps repairing houses and has lots of conversations with the people from his district. Lots of people in 12 actually seem to know him from Smosh or the Goldbergs. They always like hearing about his friendship with the other Smosh members. Such a strong bond between people reminds them that this life could be different. It inspires them and gives them hope.

Shayne puts the picture back in the case and places his cup on the counter. He puts on the necklace with the key as he looks through the window. It looks quite cold outside. He decides to put on a vest. He leaves his house. As he closes the door he sees some pink shards lying under his window. Looks like the cat broke the pink flamingo statue he got from Ian some years ago. ''Don't worry about it'' Shayne thinks. He's got more important stuff to do. He promised to meet up with Courtney before the Reaping. He walks through the streets. Usually these streets are crawling with miners leaving for the morning shift. But today the streets are completely empty. Everybody is preparing for the Reaping. After walking over a scruffy field and climbing over a few fences Shayne gets to a high chain-link fence. He quite easily climbs over it and continues his journey. He's got to get to the big willow with the small river, the place where they usually meet.

As Shayne climbs over a hill and the willow gets in his sight, he notices Courtney is already sitting on the big rock next to the massive tree. ''Courtney!'' he says enthusiastically as he walks up to her.
''Hey, Shayne!'' Courtney says while turning to him. She gets up and gives him a hug. ''We should meet more often,'' Courtney says with a smile. ''Last time I saw you, your beard game was so weak,'' she says as she feels the scruffy beard on Shayne's face.
''I really wanted to see you, before the reaping,'' Shayne tells. ''How are things in 11?'' he asks.
''Nothing special,'' she answers. ''They did open a small bakery though.''
''Oh, that's cool,'' Shayne answers surprised. ''I'd wish they'd have a bakery in 12. I haven't had some good pita bread in years.'' Courtney gives no reaction. Shayne looks at her. She is staring off into the forest. ''Are you alright?'' Shayne asks while figuring out where this sudden mood swing has come from.
Courtney looks at Shayne. She hesitates for a moment, but then says, ''Shayne, I'm scared.''
Shayne looks at her, already knowing what she is afraid of. ''There are so many people in the name bowl this year, you're not going to get picked,'' Shayne tells calmly.
''I'm not afraid of getting picked,'' Courtney says with a crack in her voice. ''I'm afraid of you getting picked.''
Shayne looks at Courtney while taking in what he just heard.
''We've already lost all of our friends, I can't lose you too,'' Courtney says with a shrill voice.
''We haven't lost them,'' Shayne assures her. ''They're just not around.''
''Well, it doesn't look like we'll ever meet them again,'' Courtney states sadly.
''They will come back to us, and so will I. I will always come back.''
Courtney doesn't respond. She is staring off at the soft yellow light glowing through the tall trees.
Shayne takes off his necklace and stares at the metal key. ''I want you to have this,'' he says determined.
Courtney looks at the necklace in Shayne's hand. ''Shayne, I can't, it's yours,'' She tells.
''And it will continue to be mine, and I'm going to want it back,'' Shayne says with a smile. ''I will have to pick it up or you will have to bring it to me, but whatever happens, we will have to meet again.'' Shayne puts the necklace around Courtney's neck.
Courtney holds the key in her hand. ''Thank you,'' she says while turning to Shayne.
Shayne smiles. There's a moment of silence before he says, ''I have to go.''
''Yes,'' Courtney says while crawling to her feet. Shayne walks up to Courtney and wraps his arms around her. She can feel the stress leave her body as he embraces her. ''See you later,'' she says carefully.
Shayne gives her a quick nod before turning around and making his way back to 12