To say Vera Whitestone hated the Academy was a massive understatement. The classes were repetitive, the teachers were boring, and the students were entitled, know-it-alls. There was little Vera would miss about the school once she had finally graduated.

All she had to do was get through this one last assignment. And then, she'd finally be free.

-

"Well, don't you look ravishing today," Vera heard as she walked into the Academy.

Coriolanus Snow. One of the few things Vera was actually going to miss. Vera flashed the boy a smile before linking arms.

"Thank you, Coryo. That shirt looks particularly dashing on you as well," Vera complimented him as they walked into the main room. As the two reached their chairs, Vera tried her best to hold back her scowls. Today was Reaping Day, the day when one boy and girl from each district got chosen to fight to the death in an Arena for the Capitol's entertainment.

And Vera may have been one of the few people in the room who didn't enjoy it.

But this year, Vera would not only have to watch the reapings, she'd become a part of it with her final assignment: Mentor a tribute from the Hunger Games.

'Your job is to turn these tributes into spectacles, not survivors,' Highbottom had said when he assigned the final task.

Just the thought alone made Vera grimace. But, it was something she needed to do to graduate and hopefully, in the process, she could save someone's life. She'd just hoped her tribute could be a winner.

"What's got you so lost in thought," Coryo whispered in her ear, interrupting her thoughts.

"Nothing. I just don't have a good feeling about this," Vera replied, nervously playing with her hands.

"You'll be fine. You heard what Highbottom said, it's winning. You just need to make a show of your tribute," Arachne Crane cut in, causing Vera to scoff.

"These tributes aren't objects for us to toy with, Arachne. They're human. Just like us," Vera spat back, rolling her eyes at Arachne's statement. Arachne let out a hum before speaking again.

"So you're a District sympathizer. No wonder you're so fond of Sejanus."

Vera's jaw clenched at the mention of her friend, clenching her fist to control her anger.

"That's quite enough, Arachne. We don't need to make a big show when we already have the reaping," Festus Creed spoke, standing next to Vera with a soft smile, eyes not leaving her face. Vera rolled her eyes at her friend, folding her arms.

"Don't worry your pretty head, Festus. We were just playing. Weren't we, Vera?" Arachne taunted.

"If that's what you'd like to call it," Vera responded back, a fake smile plastered on her face.

"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Look who just walked in," spoke Felix Ravinstill, great-nephew of the president. The growing group then turned their attention toward the door where Sejanus Plinth stood.

"That's my cue," Vera responded with a smile before walking over to greet Sejanus.

"Sejanus!" The blonde girl called out, pulling her dear friend into a hug.

"Vera, it's lovely to see you. Even if it is for these vile games," Sejanus replied, face contorting with disgust at the mention of the games.

"Don't even get me started. I just had a whole spat with Arachne about it," Vera laughed out, causing Sejanus to smile.

"Of course you did," he chuckled, "Come on, let's go find our seats."

-

"Let's get on with it, shall we," Dean Casca Highbottom stammered, slurring his words.

Vera, Sejanus, and Coryo all sat in an anxious silence, waiting for their names to be called. The first district pair passed with none of their names called. But then, Sejanus' name was called out.

"Sejanus Plinth, District 2 boy," Highbottom declared as the three drew their attention toward the screen. A boy about their age, Marcus, appeared on screen, causing Sejanus to freeze up.

"What's the matter? District 2 boy is the pick of the litter," Coryo mumbled to Sejanus. Sejanus' jaw clenched as he kept his gaze on the scene.

"You forget. I'm part of that litter," Sejanus spoke. Vera smiled sadly at the boy, grabbing his hand for reassurance before tuning back into Highbottom.

It wasn't until District 7 appeared that one of their names was called again, this time for Vera.

"District 7 boy goes to Vera Whitestone."

Immediately, Vera's eyes flashed toward the screen. A tanned boy with brown, curly hair and brown eyes quickly appeared on screen. He appeared to be about her age, wearing a gray hat and looking as if he had just been in the forest working.

On the bottom of the screen, his name appeared. Treech.

But what struck Vera the most was the look on his face. Treech was relatively quiet as he walked up to the stage, but his eyes were glossed with tears as he scanned the crowd, finally landing on the camera. Vera's heart stilled, feeling the boy's eyes on her from hundreds of miles away.

Suddenly, Vera felt that odd sense of responsibility for the boy again. She was his last hope. And his pleading eyes glancing toward the camera showed that.

"You've got a good pick, Vera. He seems like he will do well," Coryo whispered toward her, finally pulling her eyes away from the screen. By the time she finished staring, Highbottom had just about finished presenting the girl from Seven. How long was she staring?

"Yeah, I guess," Vera responded, mind still stuck on Treech's face as he got reaped.

The trio remained silent for the next few tributes, each one focused on their own tribute. Finally, once Highbottom had reached District 12, Coryo's name was called.

"District 12 girl... she belongs to Coriolanus Snow," Highbottom mumbled, but Vera noticed the way his lips curled with satisfaction.

Coryo's jaw clenched before drawing his attention toward the screen. Oddly, a vibrant girl in a rainbow dress appeared. Lucy Gray Baird, the mayor called out. Vera watched as she slipped a snake down the mayor's daughter's dress before making her way on stage, letting out a little chuckle as Mayfair, the mayor's daughter, freaked out.

Vera's smile wiped away when the Mayor returned to the stage, striking the girl. And then, she noticed the tears in her eyes.

"I bet he rigged it," Sejanus whispered bitterly, "Her name wasn't on that slip."

"How terrible. No matter what she did to him or his daughter, no one deserves to be sent to their death," Vera replied, eyes now turning toward Coryo, who had a hopeful look on his face.

Then, the singing began. It started in the crowd and then, Lucy Gray began to perform. And then Vera realized, somehow, even when Highbottom tried to sabotage him, Coryo still landed on top. And Vera knew he would do anything to stay there. So, when the reaping ended and everyone headed back toward their home, Vera headed toward Coryo.

"Coryo!" Vera called out, wrapping her arms around him disguised as a goodbye before whispering in his ear.

"I know what you're thinking. And I'm coming with you."

A/N:

Hi everyone!! If you're new to my stories, welcome!! If you're coming from my Cato fic, I really hope you enjoy this one too!! I'm going to try my best to keep both stories updated, so maybe a chapter each every week/every other week depending on how things are going at university. Side note, for the first bit, Coriolanus is going to be much different because it's all told from Vera's view. She doesn't change her opinion of him until later, so that's why if you think he seems too nice. ANYWAYS, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please look forward to more later!! Thank you again for reading !!

Much love, Hannah <3