"We did well you know..." I say from our position on the balcony.

"I know." Max replies.

"Max?"

"Yeah."

"You are gonna win." Max turns to me looking scared.

"Rosie you can't say something like that I will not let you die! Do you hear me?" Max is now shaking my shoulders as if to wake me up from a deep sleep.

"Max!" I throw his hands off of mine, "Stop! I can't live with out you so you are going to win and I am going to die, it's what you do for someone you love, okay?" I may only be twelve but the words that just came from my mouth are years past my age.

"Don't say that!"

"I'm just being honest... Max you are stronger and bigger and better at aiming and I.... I have nothing to love anymore Max..."

"What about your brother?"

"He won't remember me.... My parents are already insane they can't go crazier. I have the tiniest piece of hope and it comes from you... I can't lose you!"

He embraces me tight before I go into a full on crying fit.

I keep my head on his shoulder afraid he will be swiped away from me too fast.

"Listen." He whispers, "You are amazing and I know this because I know everything about you. Your favorite color is blue because it reminds you of the night sky... Your favorite food is stew the one from Greasy Saes.... Your favorite song is a song your mother sang about a hanging tree because she sang it during the rebellion. Your favorite jacket is your grandpa's leather hunting one... You don't go anywhere without a thread of you baby blanket tied around you middle finger," I look down at my right hand, the blue thread still tied on from before my twelfth birthday, "How you hide your face with your bangs when you are embarassed. How your voice goes deeper when you lie... How your face goes red when your caught... and every other little perfect thing about you." Max finishes and I begin.

"How your favorite color is green because it reminds you of the forest where you and I used to play... You love the fresh bread from my father's bakery... You never stop thinking about others and you never think of yourself... You always keep that medallion on," I point to the gold medallion around his neck, "because Sam, your little brother, gave it to you when he died three years ago from a spider bite... and how you aim for every catches heart because you believe the soul is set free quicker. Max... I know all your faults, your little rituals, your habbits... I never want to lose you... so you are winning." I answer with my head still on his shoulder.

"Listen don't say that okay... don't." he pulls away and looks me right in the eye. I decide to stop because I know he won't stop resisting.

"Okay." I direct my attention towards the city lights, as he walks closer to the rim and farther from me, "I wouldn't do that if I were you... ther is some sort of electric field that blocks you from here to the ground... My father was hurt severely due to it."

"Thanks." Something in Max's words sends a sort of chill down my spine.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

"Max... The chill.... I mean I can tell something is wrong."

"Nothing is wrong."

I spin Max around with all my force...

"Max look at me!" I try to push Max's chin towards me but he looks right back up, "Max! Max please look at me..."he looks into my eyes and I know he is lying, "Here is the deal... I love you more than I have ever loved someone and I know that because of the feeling I get when I am around you... Growing up I thought it was just jealousy 'cause people don't look at you and name you by who your parents are... or because your brother is dea-... You know what I mean... But the point is Max... I love you okay! I L-O-V-E you!" I spell it out for him and say the last words slowly, "Don't block me out now."

Max embraces me tightly and i wrap my arms tightly around his neck.

"I know... I just don't want to die... but I know I will die without you."

***************************************************************************************************************

Max places his head above mine keeping me locked in his arms. The feeling of his soft T-shirt fabric on my bare arms calms me as the tears come rolling down my face.

The nightmare was more vivid this time... more real.

Max came to the rescue and heard my screams from the hallway where his feet were glued to ever since the goodnight we had earlier.

"It was just a dream... It was just a dream." He whispers this over and over as my tanktop becomes wet with salt water tears, "I'm here for you okay... I love you and that's all that matters."

Those last words are what stop my tears and get me to fall asleep.

***************************************************************************************************************

The morning sun shines through my wall window Max's arms still wrapped around mine.

He soon wakes and heads off to his room before we notice there is a note on our bathroom doors reading;

Tribute,

We are proud to welcome you to the 1st annual Hunger Games in over a decade. Your outfits have been prepped and are ready for you in your restrooms. Please wash up, dress, and meet your mentors and stylists outside your suites doors.

Thank you and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Leader and head game maker of the new capitol,

Sakis Anastasios

"Nice to meet you too... Congratulations you now hold my life in your hands." I say aloud to myself.

I bathe and french braid my hair into two braids... than quickly dress in the outfit prepped in my wardrobe.

I pull on the plain black V-neck T-shirt and tight kackies, lace up the dark brown leather combat boots and take one last look in the mirror... Than I notice the item sitting in the corner of my room on a small table I never noticed with a note attached.

Rosie,

Let them know you are okay... I know you will win.

Your friend,

Zeus

I lift up the black contraption and am careful not to get stuck in it's curled wire. My last chance to hear my parents voice.

I dial the number I know by heart.

"Hello?" A familiar voice picks up the phone.

"Mom?" I ask.

"Rosie? Are you okay.... You need to get to your stylist they have to get you to the arena."

"I know I wanted to tell you something before I went... I love you Mommy... I don't care how you got where you are... I don't care if I die out there... I need my family to know I love them." And with that I hang up and grab the dark gray coat hung over my chair to meet Max outside my door.

Dressed as twins Max and I make our way to our stylists where we get one last hug and Zeus fastens my pin on my coat... I look over to Max and his medallion is securely fastened around his neck.

Our groups split, Max and I blow a kiss, and our stylists send us up the clear tubes my parents once rode in...

With that... there's no turning back.

End of part I

authors note:

What you have to do:

Look Up!!!!!!!! Yes Look Up!!!!!!!!! In the upper right hand corner if you are reading this should be an image of a distorted mockingjay and there is your arena sneak peek!