As I look out of the train window into the darkness of the night, I let memories of today's reaping play over and over again. Rachel Berry, the escort of District 12, reading my name from the tiny piece of paper. Finn wanted to volunteer for me, but luckily my father held him back. This is good, I thought, I couldn't bear seeing him die on television. I couldn't bear it at all.

Quinn Fabray, the baker's daughter, is the girl tribute. Chosen by fate. I was able to see tears sparkling in her eyes as she descended the stairs and stood next to me on the stage. No one volunteered for her. She's only 14, still a child, and she comes from a rather wealthy family, compared to others in 12. She never had to resign a meal, she never had to worry about her family dying of starvation. I've always liked her though. I can't believe she's going to die in this arena.

I sigh and remember saying goodbye to my family. It was Finn's first reaping so he didn't fully understand what was about to happen to me. Our father never let us watch the Games after our mother had died. Finn was scared. I tried to calm him but he wouldn't stop crying and begging me not to leave. My father said, "Be strong, Kurt." He knew I had always been strong. He knew I wouldn't give up without fighting. He was able to give me a quick hug before the Peacekeepers guided them out. Quinn and I were led to the train that would bring us to the Capitol then, and soon enough we were on our way there.

"Hey, there you are!" I look up to see Quinn smiling at me. I wonder why she's in such a good mood. We are going to be dead in a few weeks anyway.

"Well, you've found me," I answer quietly. I've always gotten along with her even though I'm four years older. Some time ago she snuck me a loaf of bread from her father's bakery. My family could feed on it for a week. She's never expected anything in return.

"You look sad!" Quinn exclaims, and I roll my eyes at her.

"I'm not sad. I just don't understand why you're smiling like that when there's nothing to smile about."

Her face falls and I immediately regret saying it. The last thing I wanted was to upset the girl.

Quinn leans back into her soft leather seat and nods. "You're right," she says and sounds worse than I feel. Without hesitation, I put my arm around her and she leans in to the touch. Her fingers are stroking my arm as she mumbles, "Your skin is really soft, do you know that?"

I chuckle. Quinn knows what I am. She knows that I'm not like the other boys in school. I don't love girls the way they do.

A few minutes later, Quinn seems to be happy again. She's tugging on my arm and urges me to come with her. "I'm starving, let's go!" she says. Eventually, I give in and let her lead me to the dining room.

Rachel is already sitting at the table, grinning like a lunatic as usual. A man with wavy brown hair and blue, tired eyes is sat next to her. Jesse St. James. He smiles sadly at us as Rachel gestures to sit down.

Throughout the meal I'm quiet and let the others have a conversation. I'm too busy shovelling food in my mouth. I've never seen so much food at once; our family could feed on this much for a month.

After we've finished our meal, I look across the table at Rachel. She's in her early twenties but already has lots of wrinkles around her eyes. Maybe it's because she's smiling so much. She's immersed in a conversation with Quinn and doesn't seem to notice me staring at her. Does she notice anything, really? Does she notice that the Capitol is sending 24 kids into an arena to kill each other while Panem is watching? Does she notice that she's part of it?

"How about we watch today's reapings, hm?" Rachel asks, way too enthusiastic. I think it's a good idea to see who we're competing against, so we gather around the television.

Quinn and I sit next to each other, and she rests her head on my shoulder for comfort. I give her a watery smile.

Quinn is so small and not very strong, she could be dead after a few days. Or hours. Probably killed by some Career.*

When the reapings start, Rachel tells us to be quiet even though nobody has said a word. I only watch it half-hearted; I'm too worried about Quinn.

I don't want her to die. We could be allies, but wouldn't the other tributes expect it? Isn't it common for tributes from the same district to be allies? Still, I could protect her. After all, I'm strong, stronger than most of the people in school. And I know how to hunt, so I could keep both of us alive...

Rachel's voice interrupts my thoughts. "Look, you guys are on next!"

We're about to see the reaping in District 11. The first tribute is short blonde girl. My stomach twists when I see that she's mentally disabled. Quinn starts sobbing and I pull her into a hug. She's always been so warm, so caring, so fragile. I need to protect her in the arena, or she won't last a day.

I draw my attention to the screen again. The boy tribute is about to be chosen. The escort, a tiny ginger woman, unfolds a piece of paper and says, "Blaine Anderson!"

My first thought is how ridiculously stupid that name is.

The camera searches for the boy. Eventually, a small person with a mop of messy, dark curls enters the stage. The boy can't be older than 15, judging by his height. He straightens his blazer and turns around to face the audience. The camera shows a close-up to his face.

My breath catches.

Eyes the colour of liquid gold.

Blaine Anderson.