Blake Richard's P.O.V.

I know this sounds weird, but I'm volunteering this year, even though I'm only fourteen. The truth is, I've always had this crazy crush on Kierra Garten. She used to go to the same school I do, that is, until she got reaped for the girl's Games about a month ago. I just hope that by doing this, I can finally get her attention. At first, I thought this was a stupid idea, but now, I feel like it's the right thing.

"Blake, come on! You're going to be late," Polly Senn calls from outside my house. Amira Senn was her older sister. Polly and I have been friends for awhile now. Actually, it was when I was hanging out with her that I first saw Kierra.

"Alright, I'm ready," I say as I open the front door.

Polly smiles and holds out her fist, "I brought something for you."

"Oh really? Let's take a look," I say in curiosity.

She opens her hand to reveal a bronze ring with the number 3 printed on it.

"Amira gave it to me before the Reapings. I think you should have it for the arena, as a token."

I blink, "But, Amira gave this to you. You should keep it."

She places it in my hand and closes my fingers over it, "I can't keep that around me anymore. It just keeps reminding me of...things."

I nod, "Alright, I'll keep it then. Thanks."

She smiles, "It might be useful also."

I raise my eyebrows, "For what?"

She shrugs, "To earn Kierra's trust in the final round."

"If I make it to the final round," I point out.

"Whatever. Just promise me that you'll keep it on during the Games."

I nod, "I should be going. Thanks again for the ring..."

We stare at each other for a moment. Then she speaks up, "I guess this is goodbye then."

I look at the ground, "Yeah. Goodbye."

She leans in and hugs me tightly and whispers, "Bye."

I clear my throat slightly before pulling away and walking down the street, to the town square.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Reapings of round two!" our escort yells enthusiastically into the mic, "Without further ado, let's get started off with picking the first person."

Do I really want to do this? Do I have the guts to go through the Games?

It's too late. Before I can think it over anymore, I raise my hand and volunteer for some little kid. I run up to the stage, hoping I hadn't just made a terrible mistake.

"I'm Blake Richard, fourteen."

"Fantastic! Please wait back there," our escort points to a seat at the back of the stage, "And now, our second tribute is... Jackson Toures!"

A short boy from the twelve-year-old section with glasses steps up to the stage, trying to keep a calm face.

"I'm twelve," he says shakily into the mic.

"Wonderful! This concludes the Reapings of District Three, everyone. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Jackson and I turn to face each other and shake hands before we are whisked into the Justice Building.

District Four's Reaping

Tai Hosman's P.O.V.

I wring my hands nervously in my section. This year I don't have to worry about being reaped, because I'm volunteering. I know that there are a lot of volunteers from random districts this year, but I have an actual reason, unlike the Careers.

I need to volunteer to be with Delinia. It was bad enough watching her in the last round and I wouldn't be able to handle it if she went into the final round alone. I could barely watch when the Games was at the end. I'm just grateful that she came out with only a broken hand. I just hope that she won't hate me for volunteering. She told Julius Flickerman that she would hate it if I went in the Games, but I have to.

I think back to the day she was reaped, when we were sitting on the dock together. That was the last time I really saw her. Not on a television screen, but in person.

I am snapped out of my thoughts when Mari Monisa declares that it is time to start the Reapings.

"Now, our first lucky boy is... Cha-"

"I volunteer," I announce, stepping from my section.

"Ooh, a volunteer! How nice," Mari beams, "What's your name?"

"Tai Hosman, sixteen," I say as plainly as possible.

"Thank you. And our last boy is... Brad Barlin!"

A kid stumbles out of the thirteen-year-old section and scrambles up to the stage.

"U-umm... I'm thirteen."

"Shake hands, you two," Mari orders.

We do, and then Mari turns back to the crowd and wishes them a "Happy Hunger Games" and stuff. Then we are escorted into the Justice Building.