That night, I sit on the soft couch and flip the TV on. Max sits next to me, his head on my shoulder, my arm wrapped around him. Trina sits next to Max in a straight posture, gleaming as usual. Shade and Spade flash unusual, nervous smiles at us from the other end of the couch. Finally, Athens and Georgia are on the other side of me on chairs. Finally, Caesar Flickerman, young as can be, rises onto the screen. He looks fiery; his face coated in crimson red and his blood red hair. He wears a blazing orange suit topped off with a yellow tie. The first thing that flashes is Thorn's face. A large 10 circles the grumpy boy. Then, it's Ash. She got a 7. Max is next. He received a big old 10. Then my score flashes.

3?

WHAT?!?

Everyone has horrified looks on their faces.

Georgia angrily says, "What. Did. You. Do?"

I stay quiet. After all, this might be a good thing. They might leave me alone, think of me as a weakling. Save me for the end.

Names were tossed with numbers on the screen. Sparrow's annoying face flashed with a "10" next to it. Max didn't seem so thrilled about his score. He went to his room immediately. I noticed and excused myself. I don't knock; I just open the door. Max is sitting at his desk and is scribbling something with a pen. I tiptoe over to him and peek over his shoulder. I guess he notices me because the next thing you know, I am held by the hem of my shirt to the wall. He snarls something and drops me. He then pushes me out with brute force and slams the door.

Trina comes over all prissy and tries to open the door. She then pulls out a bobby pin out of her cotton candy hair and sticks it into the keyhole. She twists and pulls it a bit until the door swings open. She sticks the pin back in her hair and whispers "Talk to him," while walking back to her room. I immediately enter again.

"What is it Chia?" he sighs.

"Are you okay?" I ask. "You got a good score, there's no reason to be upset."

"No Chia, it's not my score. The feeling just sunk in."

"What feeling?"

"The fact that only one person can come out. I know I sound dumb, but I know that none of us will have a happy ending. Even if one of us wins, will we be happy without the other? I mean, I wouldn't." He whispers.

"Ok Max, I want you to relax and take a deep breath." I say. I tuck him in and kiss him goodnight. When I go to shut off the lights, I spot the notebook he was scribbling in earlier. I quickly darken the room and swipe the notebook. Max is already fast asleep.

I go over to the kitchen counter and take a seat. Georgia sits on one side of me and Athens sits on the other, eating salad. Georgia still seems aggravated. "I cannot believe someone from District 2 got such a horrible score!" she mutters.

"It can work as a strategy. Ya know, save me till the end, ignore me. Maybe it'll work." I finish. I'm not too upset with my score. To be honest, I don't care. I'm going to die anyways.

They stare at the notebook as I open it. The delicate pages feel as though they will rip any minute. I flip over a few pages only to find a sketch of Mom. Only he would know. I can't do it. I slam the notebook shut and wipe a tear away, leaving the book on his desk. I weep myself to sleep that night.

How? How Mom, how?