Delinia Spokes's P.O.V.

I sat on the damp dock near the shipyard with my toes dipped in the water. The fresh scent of saltwater filled my senses. The sun had already risen above the water, and it was almost midday...reaping time.

I just wanted to stay here forever. Staring at the beautiful blue waters and the white sails of the sailboats that dotted the horizon.

I sighed. Someone also sighed behind me. I whipped around and smiled.

"Tai, what are you doing here?" I ask my best friend, as he takes a seat beside me on the dock. He took his shoes off and slipped his feet into the water, next to mine.

"Well, I don't know. What are you doing here?" he mimics.

"Today is Reaping day..." I say quietly.

He sighs, "Yeah I know. Well, it is for you anyways."

"Hey, the guys are gonna get reaped too, you know. You will just have to be patient." I joke, "you know, because you're so excited."

"Oh yeah, so excited..." he rolls his eyes.

"Tai," I say quietly.

He looks at me.

"What are you going to do if I get picked?"

"You won't. I know you won't." he replies immediately.

"Yeah but what if I do?" I ask again.

He takes a deep breath, "I would volunteer to go in with you since I can't volunteer for you."

"Tai-"

"You should go. It's um...the Reapings are going to start soon." he says, obviously trying to change the subject.

"Right. Well, I'll see you afterwards, ok?" I say in a positive voice.

"Ok," he stands up , "see you later."

I watch him pick up his shoes and walk down the dock. After another few minutes of staring at the waters, I stand up and walk to the town square.

On my way there, I saw Tai.

"Tai! What are you doing here?" I ask him.

"I didn't think I had to ask you if I wanted to watch," he replied.

"Move along!" a peacekeeper yelled from behind me.

"Bye, Tai."

~~~~

Mari Monisa, our escort, walked out onto the stage before us.

"Well, hello, District Four. Welcome to the Reapings! Without further ado, our first tribute is..." she stepped over to the large, glass bowl and picked a name, "Sapphire Lyn!"

A girl with shoulder length blonde hair moved towards the stage.

"I'm Sapphire Lyn, and I'm fifteen," she said into the mic, sounding a bit bored.

"Ok," Mari reached into the bowl one last time and pulled out another name, "Our last female tribute is...Delinia Spokes!"

My eyes went wide. It couldn't be. How did this happen? What could Tai be thinking right now?

My legs must have had a mind of their own, because a moment later, I was on the stage with the whole district staring at me.

"I-I'm sixteen," I manage to stutter into the mic.

"Fantastic! Now shake hands," Mari said, as she turned to face us.

When we shook our hands, she turned back around to face the crowd shouting, "District Four, your tributes, Sapphire Lyn and Delinia Spokes! Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"