"You'll never understand until it happens to you,"

"Lucky!" The boy's voice echoed around the trees, "Will you come out already?"

This had been going on for the last fifteen minutes. Calder was searching for his sister when she ran into the woods after a pelican stole her fishing net off the dock. "We'll find the net later, come on."

"No," a pair of legs swung in front of him, inches from his face. The boy jumped back, hand over his heart, "I am getting this bird."

He sighed and grabbed her legs, "Hey!" Cilla kicked her legs but, in her struggle fell from the branch, her weight bringing them both falling back onto the dirt floor.

"Nice going, dumbass," He pushed her off of him. Calder stood up and brushed off his pants before holding his hand out for her to take. Letting out an annoyed huff, she grabbed his hand and was up on her feet.

"This was Gram's skirt. You're cleaning it later," Cilla pushed his shoulder with her as she went to grab her backpack that still hung from the branch.

"Yeah, yeah, let's go," He took her bag before she could grab it and walked ahead. Cilla attempted to take it back with a groan and ended up following after him.

"I don't see why we have to go. Technically, we aren't a part of district four."

"And they technically don't know that," Calder messed with his sister's hair as she swatted his hand away, "Besides, your name is in there four times. If you get picked, the games are rigged."

She laughed and spun around, her arms hitting him, "Or bad luck."

"Or bad luck," He joined in her laughter as they walked through the final part of the trees.

The two teenagers made their way down the docks and past the boats lining them. Calder stopped and hid Cilla's bag in a nearby bush, as items like these weren't allowed in the hall.

Cilla reminded her brother what would happen if the bag was stolen, and then he reminded her she was closer to the water, to which she kicked the back of his knee.

Being used to this, he caught himself before falling forward, glaring at his sister as she walked backward in front of him with a wide smile.

His leg shot out, but she stepped out of the way before being tripped. Again, he tried to trip his sister, but again, she was too fast.

This was one of many things he envied about her. Cilla could move quietly without being seen or heard unless wanted, this played into how she could use her peripheral vision to see what was coming at her.

Luckily for him, she was never good at actually checking her surroundings.

But she noticed his smile too late and wasn't able to turn fast enough to not collide with the person behind her.

"Ah shit, sorry- oh hey, Finnick," He was already smiling when she turned around, arm going over her shoulder, "Hello, Lucille. Having some walking trouble?"

Cilla rolled her eyes, "If I get to where I need to be, then no."

"Oh, is that how that works?" A brow raised at her answer, "Cal, when does the reaping start?"

Calder faked looking into the sky as if it were a clock, "About twenty minutes."

"Hey! You said fifteen like ten minutes ago!"

"Because you're always late," The boys said in unison. Cilla crossed her arms with a huff as she shrugged Finnick's arm off, walking towards the center hall. The two laughed together and followed after her.

The heat in the district was especially bad today. Being the start of July, that is typically normal, but today, it seemed like the sun was burning even the water.

Cilla hated the heat. She hated the feeling of sweat on her skin, making her sticky and gross. She much preferred the cold weather. While it never got cold enough to need a real winter coat or to see the white powder her grandma called snow, she always enjoyed how the lake would freeze just right to where she could fly across it without fear of falling in. How she could curl up in her favorite blanket and lay her head in her grandma's lap as she told her stories from her childhood.

Right now, she was glad she put on the skirt instead of the pants this morning. Her rainbow skirt made her feel seen; most people judging but still seeing her.

Off in her little world, Cilla failed to see the line forming in front of her. Her brother's hand yanked her back by the shoulder.

"Cilla, remember, no matter what happens, do not fight back," Calder warned her.

She tilted her head, "You tell me this every year, and every year, I stay calm."

Finnick looked over at his friend, "Did you not try to beat a guard with his baton when my name was pulled?"

Her hand shot up as her finger was by his face, "That was not fighting back. That was plain fighting. And I was a little upset, sue me," She crossed her arms over her chest and went to turn around.

"Love you, Lucky," Calder called after her.

"Love you too Cali," She taunted back. He just glared back as Finnick pulled him away.

The teens got in their respective lines, waiting. Adults lined the fenced-off area, most looking scared and others looking excited. Those are the people who deserve to be in the games.

Cilla wondered why the kids had to be the ones risking their lives every year when it was the generations before them that fucked things up? How come they had to die for other people to live? Where do they get the right to pick involuntary kids when some people want to fight to the-

"Kid, we don't have all day!" A peacemaker yelled.

Cilla snapped out of it and walked up to the table, holding her hand out to the guard.

"Name?"

"Lucille Steel," She hated her name.

The guard pricked her finger and, seconds later, motioned for her to continue walking. As she did, she brought her finger to her mouth and licked off the blood- cringing at the taste; why did she do that?

She joined the other girls of her age group at their side. Growing bored within moments of entering the area, Cilla began to make small braids through her hair, using smaller pieces to hold it together. A tap on her shoulder brought her back out of her daze. Turning around, she was faced with her best friend, Alicent Acary. The two girls embraced and realized they wouldn't be alone.

"I went to your home but your grams said you had left already- which I knew was a lie," Alicent joked and poked her shoulder. Cilla clicked her tongue in response and turned back toward the stage, Alicent laughing.

A loud ringing went through the air, causing people to cringe in pain as a tapping sound echoed around.

"So very sorry about that. Welcome district four attendants to the reaping ceremony of the sixty-eighth Hunger Games," Mayor Marksens stood on stage, her all too bright blue suit the first thing Cilla fixated on. It was not a good color. Thank god she isn't a stylist.

"Whoever is chosen today will be under the guidance of our past victors, Finnick Odair and Mags Flanagan."

A slight applause filled the air as the two waved to their fellow attendants. "Now it's my privilege to introduce our tributes' escort. Joining us from the Capitol, Miss Graclyn Price," The mayor moved out of the way and let the other woman step forward.

She had on a light blue flowy flower gown that went all the way down to her feet. The escort had a bright smile; she seemed friendly but too overjoyed to be doing this.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be EVER in your favor! I know you're all excited, so let's get right to the drawing! Girls first this year!"

The woman walked over to the glass bowl that sat in front of the girls' group. She closed her eyes as her hand dove into the bowl. Alicent reached over and locked her fingers with Cilla's. Cilla felt her heart begin to race as she shifted from foot to foot. Everyone watched as she grabbed the piece of paper and headed toward the mic.

"And the female tribute for this year is Lucille Steel!"

Silence filled the hall as eyes turned to her. Cilla felt her breathing stop as peacekeepers made their way toward her. Alicent's grip on her hand loosened, not on purpose but out of fear.

Worry filled her eyes as she looked around. All seemed to calm down once she met Calder's eyes. He was already staring at her with so much worry. And as promised, Cilla didn't fight back. The peacekeepers gathered around her as she made her way down the aisle and to the staircase next to the stage. As she made her way up, the woman who called her name held her hand out with a sad smile, muttering an apology as she reached the top. With one last squeeze, she let go of Cilla's hand.

"Now for the male tribute!" Graclyn walked over to the second bowl, her eyes closed again as she fished around for a piece of paper.

Once she had it, she walked back to the mic. Cilla watched as the announcer's face slightly fell for a split second before clearing her throat.

"And the male tribute from District Four is Calder Steel."

Gasps spread throughout the room as tears began to form in her eyes. She rapidly blinked and looked back at the crowd.

"Well, isn't this a first! Two siblings were chosen randomly, and it seems the odds were in their favor." They all laughed.

"Well, that concludes today's ceremony! You are all free to leave. You four can follow me!"