Fic: The Hunger Games 1/?
Title: The Hunger Games
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Puck/Rachel, Puck/Quinn, Finn/Rachel, Finn/Quinn
Rating: T
Disclaimer: All characters and plot belong to their respected parties
Author's Note: If you have not read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and wish to not be spoiled, I highly suggest you do not read this fic.
Summery: In the ruins of what once held North America, lies Panem, a nation comprising of a shining Capitol and twelve outlying districts that lie in poverty. To keep the districts in line, the Capitol holds the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death that pits twenty-four children against each other. Noah Puckerman, a contender in this year's games after taking his brothers place, begins to see the crueler side to things as his life, humanity, survival and love is all up for grabs as his female counterpart, Rachel Berry, has him questioning everything he ever knew about himself and the life he has lived
There are not a lot of things in my life I look forward to but there are even more things I don't look forward to. Today is the one day I dread the most though. Today is the Reaping Day. With a sigh escaping from between my lips, I stir from my sleep and sit up. What's more is that I can hardly call what I did last night sleep. It was more or less tons of tossing and turning in fear of this day.
Scratching the back of my head, I register for the first time Nathanial, my younger brother is not in the bed with me. I turn and look towards the bedroom and see him curled up into my father, holding on for dear life. It's Nate's first Reaping Day and even though I know the chance of him getting pulled in one in a thousand, fear sinks into my stomach for a minute. He's too young for the games in my opinion. They all are. The children barely breaking into their teenage years are expected to go into the arena and compete against savage beasts? It's cruel and unjust and I'm not even a stickler for justice.
I eventually force myself from bed and dress quickly into a pair of pants and long sleeved shirt and boots to go and hunt. Although my father is a very capable medicine man, District 12 isn't exactly flourishing with coin and goods to trade. We eat but it's barely enough. Thankfully, I'm such a skilled hunter that most days my bounty is large enough for us to eat and to trade down at the Hob, our version of the black market. As I pull my last boot on, I glance up towards the bedroom again and hope that I can kill more than a handful or rabbits today. Rabbit is Nate's favorite and anything to make his first Reaping Day easier, I'm going to do.
Reaping Day, the day where the two tributes from the twelve districts are picked for The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are brutal bloodbath that is a punishment for a rebellion that took place years and years ago. Starting the day you turn twelve, your name gets thrown into the giant cage and each year from then until you turn eighteen, one more is added. There is this thing you can do, a tesserae. It basically means you can add your name to the lottery additional times and in return you get a year's supply of grain and oil. This year, I will have 24 name cards in there.
When I'm finally ready, I stand and gather the tools I use to hunt when I notice my father is up and dressed as well. It's just the three of us, father, Nate and myself. Our mother passed away years back in a mine explosion. Grandfather was one of the foremen of the mine shaft so Mother did the paperwork and things like that. My father had the chance to live a good life away from here but he picked my mother. We're as close two emotionally closed off men can be but Reaping Day makes things different.
"I want to get a fresh loaf, for today." He grunts out as I watch him sling on his jacket. I nod my head and sling my own bag over my shoulder. I keep my eyes trained on him as he sizes me up. We both know if it was not for me, this family wouldn't eat but Nate is his favorite. Nate is the spitting image of my mother. He's smaller, delicate with piercing blue eyes. I'm just like the man standing in front of me. Stone jawed, broad shouldered, dark eyes and hair.
"Hunt well today Noah." My father adds as he brushes passed me, patting my shoulder as he does. The hunt well is more of a I hope it's not you so good luck gesture. I grunt in response and quickly move to the back door, breaking into a sprint as soon as I am clear of the house. I run from the Seam, an outlying suburb of of the town but there is not way to escape it. This is where the miners and the lesser of the District Twelve live, where the poorest of the poor live. I was born here, like my mother and her family. My father lived in the town as the son of the medicine man. He could of had a good future, well as good as can be expected in Twelve. He's seen his fair share of Hunger Games too but his name was never picked. He had a brother though, who died in the games when my father was only ten. We've never talked about how it felt when he heard his brother's name get picked.
This is why I hate Reaping Day. It breaks apart family and our district, we aren't famed for being brutal fighters. We aren't a Capitol favorite. We have no shot in hell at winning the games. To me, Reaping Day is the day a death sentence is handed down about two innocents.
I'm so focused in my run that I don't hear or see Finn until it's too late. My body connects with the ground hard and I can feel the weight of my friend crushing me from above.
"You're scaring away the prey." Finn tells me harshly as he finally gets up. I resent him for slamming me down. He's huge and now my left side is throbbing in pain. A hand is extended down to me and I take it so he can hoist me up to my feet.
Finn and I are both seventeen but he's the size of a twenty-seven year old. Tall, built of pure muscle. He's intimidating to those who don't know him but the second he smiles, you learn how much of a soft guy he is. We've been best friends for years now which is what makes us such sufficient hunters.
"Happy Hunger Games Puck." Finn gruffs out as he dusts himself off.
"Is there such a thing?" I question with a raised eyebrow. Then the giant next to me laughs and smile and I can't help but return it. Finn is more than my friend, he's my brother. He's the one that suggested I start going by Puck. Noah was not the name of a ferocious hunter according to him. Once Finn has his mind set on something, it's impossible to sway him any other way.
"Shall we hunt?" It's not a question, more of a casual statement. Hunting will take us all morning and lead us straight up to two o'clock, the Reaping Hour. His grunt is enough for me and we set about our task. Finn makes some of the most incredible snares, part of why our bounty is always so large. My skill is in the bow and arrow and when it comes down to taking down game that is far away or large, it is my job.
It's the hunting that brought us together. His father was killed in the explosion that killed my mother and the responsibility of feeding five mouths fell to him. It used to be six but two years ago his younger brother Kurt was pulled to be a tribute on Reaping Day. He didn't make it passed the first day. Kurt's death is part of why Finn is so protective of his family now. He couldn't save Kurt so now he does everything to save the rest of them. I understand that.
We set our snares but I fear even the animals know what today is and have scattered. I urge Finn over to the small lake to fish instead. As vast as these woods are, and as skilled and at home as we are, we don't dare to wander to far. Technically what Finn and I are doing is illegal, punishable by whipping or death. The woods are sealed off by a fence but this is where all the fresh meat is and if our district loves anything, it's fresh meat. Although our Peacekeepers turn a blind eye to our hunting, whipping is not something I want to experience again.
It's the whipping that kept Finn and I this close for so long. We were both fifteen and in the town center when we saw Cray, our drunken head peacekeeper. Normally these guys are supposed to be on their best behavior but this is District 12 and it's not like we're the apple of the Captiol's eye. Not only was Cray drunk, he was getting a little grabby with the baker's daughter. That was Cray for you though, he used his power to lure women into his house but the baker's daughter was barely my age. Finn and I took one look at each other and agreed. We rushed in, tackled Cray and our fate was sealed. Cray knew he was wrong when he sobered up but of course a report was filled and there was nothing we could do except accept the punishment.
I don't regret what we did, saving the girl but the lashes will forever stay with me. Our hands where tied to a pole as well as our feet and we were stripped of our shirts. Thankfully, Finn and I were lashed together but it didn't make a difference on the pain. Mayor Fabray had placed a wooden block in my mouth and said that biting down helped. By lash eight, I dropped the block and passed out. The scars remain on my back, as our law says you can't use remedies to heal them. Every time I catch a glimpse of the baker's daughter she always looks away. I think she thinks she's to blame for my lashes and for Finn's but she's not.
"How's Nate?" Finn suddenly asks me as we wade into the water to begin to fish.
I shrug lightly and sit opposite him, opening our game bag and pulling out some hooks I had brought for us. "He was asleep when I left. I think he's nervous. Your brothers?"
"Rory knows it's his last year of safety. Vick's just worried about me. Rory is the only one who really remembers when Kurt was pulled. He's just scared."
I nod my head and say nothing and we take that as our sign to move on from this conversation. I want to say more, to comfort Finn and the awful memories but I don't have the words. The silence is how we speak so I just nod my head and set my eyes onto the water.
Finn and I fished for a few hours and catch a decent bounty but we've been out here so long we need to get back to the town square for Reaping Day. I wanted to hunt, to feel the hum of my bow in my arms as I stalked my prey but it's out of the question now. I know we didn't intend to spend so much time out in the woods today. The woods are a part of us though in a way, it's not just blood that flows through our veins but also nature.
After wrapping up our bounty, Finn and I quickly washed our hands off in the river and tucked our shirts into our pants. We are all supposed to put on our best outfits but since Finn and I don't have time, I figure that it won't matter. Maybe some do like looking good before their journey to meet death but I for one don't care much. If I'm singled out to die, I at least want to go out looking like myself and not some little town boy. With no large bounty to haul back, we simply wrap the fish and make plans to drop it off at the Hob after the ceremony. If we make it through this, we'll come back to check the snares. I feel slightly bad for not going home in time to see Nate and feed him but he understands. Hunting is how we eat.
"I hope it's not you." Finn tells me in a soft voice as we walk closer to town.
"And I hope it's not you."
"It's so unfair man. The rebellion was crushed, nothing has happened since. If it me though, I'm going to do what I can to get back at the Capitol." He tells me, the sharp bitter tone coming out as his eyes focus on the ground. He wants to say more but he won't. That's also something I know about Finn. He, unlike me, can hold his tongue.
It's suicide to even talk like this but I agree. If it's me, I'll find a way to stick my middle finger up to them. We finish the trek back in silence, squeezing through the gap in the fence and drop our things off at my house since it is closest and hurry off to the square.
As expected, it's completely packed, families huddled together hoping for the best. I see my father, standing off to the side with a few coal miners. We share a nod and I set off to find Nate. If he's not with my father, he'll be with my girlfriend Quinn. My father approves of the relationship, since she is the mayor's daughter. One of the few freedoms we have in District Twelve is the freedom to choose who we marry so I'm not forbidden to date her. I know Mayor Fabray would prefer for Quinn to be with someone not from the Seam but he knows I can find her. He's one of the frequent buyers of my illegal game.
"Puck!" I hear my name and turn sharply to be greeted by Quinn and Nate. I smile and greet her with a kiss before putting my hand down around Nate's shoulder. Reaping Day is both harder and easier when you share it with people you love. Finn takes his place next to Quinn and she grips my arm. The town clock chimes and we know it is time. Mayor Fabray steps onto the platform and starts to speak about Panem and our past and the Dark Days. I've heard it enough I drown it out. All I care about is whether or not I'm going to be a sacrificial lamb or not.
Mayor Fabray keeps talking and finally gets to the list of District Twelve victors. Of the two we had, one is alive. Sue Sylvester. She's a scary woman who forces most of us to call her Coach. How the hell she made it through the games isn't a surprise. She's ruthless and vicious. You'd figure with her for a mentor we'd have a better shot to get victors but no luck. As Coach takes the stage, she wipes the microphone from Mayor Fabray and starts to call us all sloppy side show freak babies and the crowd is chuckling. This is what the rest of Panem shall see later. Our past victor trash talking her district.
Emma Pillsbury is running along the stage now and taking the microphone back from Coach and trying to redeem our district. Poor Emma. She tries so hard to be happy and optimistic about this barbaric event but District 12 doesn't have much to pride themselves on. "Well, uh, thank you Coach Sylvester for that lovely pep talk and happy hunger games everyone!"
I can hear Nate laughing and I smile down at him. At least there is some entertainment at his first Reaping Day.
"Well ladies first." Emma calls out, trying to feign happiness. I watch intently as she crosses the stage, reaching into the glass cage of names, grabs one, reads it and then crosses back to the podium. No one in the square is breathing. Quinn tightens her grip on me and I know why. I don't want it to be her either. I see Finn glancing down at her and I know his thoughts without asking. The chances of Quinn getting picked are so slim. She's never had to apply for a terresea and he resents that. Still, I don't want her to be pick because I don't want to lose her.
"Rachel Berry!"
I groan. Finn shouts. Quinn gasps. I have to let go of Nate to grab Finn and pull him back from charging the stage. I had long suspected that he had been in love with the baker's daughter but if he tried anything today, the Peacemakers would not be forgiving. I watch, silently struggling to hold onto Finn as the girl makes her way to the stage. She's much to small for her age but her physical features make her so appealing. She has long thick brown hair and a pair of chocolate orbs that even I remember so vividly.
"It better be me. It better be me." Finn keeps saying, still struggling to get free of my grip. His chances are pretty great. His name is in there are least 34 times. Except if he is picked, I know he won't come back. He'll pick all other twenty-two tributes off and then force Rachel to kill him so she can go home the champion. But that's not option. He has his mother and Rory and Vick and Posey. Granted, if he went I would assume full responsibility for his family's safety but it's not something I want to imagine. They need him much more than Rachel does in my opinion.
I can see Emma trying to get on with the show and Finn's close to breaking free from my grip. I'm watching intently and I know I should be more afraid for myself but I'm sure it will be Finn. Normally we'd be telling each other not to worry but I know how bad he wants it.
I hear the name and instantly my grip on Finn slackens and I let him go. Finn's not walking to the stage, nor am I because both of us have turned our attention and heads. I was not prepared to her Emma say Nathanial Puckerman.
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Puck/Rachel, Puck/Quinn, Finn/Rachel, Finn/Quinn
Rating: T
Disclaimer: All characters and plot belong to their respected parties
Author's Note: If you have not read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and wish to not be spoiled, I highly suggest you do not read this fic.
Summery: In the ruins of what once held North America, lies Panem, a nation comprising of a shining Capitol and twelve outlying districts that lie in poverty. To keep the districts in line, the Capitol holds the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death that pits twenty-four children against each other. Noah Puckerman, a contender in this year's games after taking his brothers place, begins to see the crueler side to things as his life, humanity, survival and love is all up for grabs as his female counterpart, Rachel Berry, has him questioning everything he ever knew about himself and the life he has lived
There are not a lot of things in my life I look forward to but there are even more things I don't look forward to. Today is the one day I dread the most though. Today is the Reaping Day. With a sigh escaping from between my lips, I stir from my sleep and sit up. What's more is that I can hardly call what I did last night sleep. It was more or less tons of tossing and turning in fear of this day.
Scratching the back of my head, I register for the first time Nathanial, my younger brother is not in the bed with me. I turn and look towards the bedroom and see him curled up into my father, holding on for dear life. It's Nate's first Reaping Day and even though I know the chance of him getting pulled in one in a thousand, fear sinks into my stomach for a minute. He's too young for the games in my opinion. They all are. The children barely breaking into their teenage years are expected to go into the arena and compete against savage beasts? It's cruel and unjust and I'm not even a stickler for justice.
I eventually force myself from bed and dress quickly into a pair of pants and long sleeved shirt and boots to go and hunt. Although my father is a very capable medicine man, District 12 isn't exactly flourishing with coin and goods to trade. We eat but it's barely enough. Thankfully, I'm such a skilled hunter that most days my bounty is large enough for us to eat and to trade down at the Hob, our version of the black market. As I pull my last boot on, I glance up towards the bedroom again and hope that I can kill more than a handful or rabbits today. Rabbit is Nate's favorite and anything to make his first Reaping Day easier, I'm going to do.
Reaping Day, the day where the two tributes from the twelve districts are picked for The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are brutal bloodbath that is a punishment for a rebellion that took place years and years ago. Starting the day you turn twelve, your name gets thrown into the giant cage and each year from then until you turn eighteen, one more is added. There is this thing you can do, a tesserae. It basically means you can add your name to the lottery additional times and in return you get a year's supply of grain and oil. This year, I will have 24 name cards in there.
When I'm finally ready, I stand and gather the tools I use to hunt when I notice my father is up and dressed as well. It's just the three of us, father, Nate and myself. Our mother passed away years back in a mine explosion. Grandfather was one of the foremen of the mine shaft so Mother did the paperwork and things like that. My father had the chance to live a good life away from here but he picked my mother. We're as close two emotionally closed off men can be but Reaping Day makes things different.
"I want to get a fresh loaf, for today." He grunts out as I watch him sling on his jacket. I nod my head and sling my own bag over my shoulder. I keep my eyes trained on him as he sizes me up. We both know if it was not for me, this family wouldn't eat but Nate is his favorite. Nate is the spitting image of my mother. He's smaller, delicate with piercing blue eyes. I'm just like the man standing in front of me. Stone jawed, broad shouldered, dark eyes and hair.
"Hunt well today Noah." My father adds as he brushes passed me, patting my shoulder as he does. The hunt well is more of a I hope it's not you so good luck gesture. I grunt in response and quickly move to the back door, breaking into a sprint as soon as I am clear of the house. I run from the Seam, an outlying suburb of of the town but there is not way to escape it. This is where the miners and the lesser of the District Twelve live, where the poorest of the poor live. I was born here, like my mother and her family. My father lived in the town as the son of the medicine man. He could of had a good future, well as good as can be expected in Twelve. He's seen his fair share of Hunger Games too but his name was never picked. He had a brother though, who died in the games when my father was only ten. We've never talked about how it felt when he heard his brother's name get picked.
This is why I hate Reaping Day. It breaks apart family and our district, we aren't famed for being brutal fighters. We aren't a Capitol favorite. We have no shot in hell at winning the games. To me, Reaping Day is the day a death sentence is handed down about two innocents.
I'm so focused in my run that I don't hear or see Finn until it's too late. My body connects with the ground hard and I can feel the weight of my friend crushing me from above.
"You're scaring away the prey." Finn tells me harshly as he finally gets up. I resent him for slamming me down. He's huge and now my left side is throbbing in pain. A hand is extended down to me and I take it so he can hoist me up to my feet.
Finn and I are both seventeen but he's the size of a twenty-seven year old. Tall, built of pure muscle. He's intimidating to those who don't know him but the second he smiles, you learn how much of a soft guy he is. We've been best friends for years now which is what makes us such sufficient hunters.
"Happy Hunger Games Puck." Finn gruffs out as he dusts himself off.
"Is there such a thing?" I question with a raised eyebrow. Then the giant next to me laughs and smile and I can't help but return it. Finn is more than my friend, he's my brother. He's the one that suggested I start going by Puck. Noah was not the name of a ferocious hunter according to him. Once Finn has his mind set on something, it's impossible to sway him any other way.
"Shall we hunt?" It's not a question, more of a casual statement. Hunting will take us all morning and lead us straight up to two o'clock, the Reaping Hour. His grunt is enough for me and we set about our task. Finn makes some of the most incredible snares, part of why our bounty is always so large. My skill is in the bow and arrow and when it comes down to taking down game that is far away or large, it is my job.
It's the hunting that brought us together. His father was killed in the explosion that killed my mother and the responsibility of feeding five mouths fell to him. It used to be six but two years ago his younger brother Kurt was pulled to be a tribute on Reaping Day. He didn't make it passed the first day. Kurt's death is part of why Finn is so protective of his family now. He couldn't save Kurt so now he does everything to save the rest of them. I understand that.
We set our snares but I fear even the animals know what today is and have scattered. I urge Finn over to the small lake to fish instead. As vast as these woods are, and as skilled and at home as we are, we don't dare to wander to far. Technically what Finn and I are doing is illegal, punishable by whipping or death. The woods are sealed off by a fence but this is where all the fresh meat is and if our district loves anything, it's fresh meat. Although our Peacekeepers turn a blind eye to our hunting, whipping is not something I want to experience again.
It's the whipping that kept Finn and I this close for so long. We were both fifteen and in the town center when we saw Cray, our drunken head peacekeeper. Normally these guys are supposed to be on their best behavior but this is District 12 and it's not like we're the apple of the Captiol's eye. Not only was Cray drunk, he was getting a little grabby with the baker's daughter. That was Cray for you though, he used his power to lure women into his house but the baker's daughter was barely my age. Finn and I took one look at each other and agreed. We rushed in, tackled Cray and our fate was sealed. Cray knew he was wrong when he sobered up but of course a report was filled and there was nothing we could do except accept the punishment.
I don't regret what we did, saving the girl but the lashes will forever stay with me. Our hands where tied to a pole as well as our feet and we were stripped of our shirts. Thankfully, Finn and I were lashed together but it didn't make a difference on the pain. Mayor Fabray had placed a wooden block in my mouth and said that biting down helped. By lash eight, I dropped the block and passed out. The scars remain on my back, as our law says you can't use remedies to heal them. Every time I catch a glimpse of the baker's daughter she always looks away. I think she thinks she's to blame for my lashes and for Finn's but she's not.
"How's Nate?" Finn suddenly asks me as we wade into the water to begin to fish.
I shrug lightly and sit opposite him, opening our game bag and pulling out some hooks I had brought for us. "He was asleep when I left. I think he's nervous. Your brothers?"
"Rory knows it's his last year of safety. Vick's just worried about me. Rory is the only one who really remembers when Kurt was pulled. He's just scared."
I nod my head and say nothing and we take that as our sign to move on from this conversation. I want to say more, to comfort Finn and the awful memories but I don't have the words. The silence is how we speak so I just nod my head and set my eyes onto the water.
Finn and I fished for a few hours and catch a decent bounty but we've been out here so long we need to get back to the town square for Reaping Day. I wanted to hunt, to feel the hum of my bow in my arms as I stalked my prey but it's out of the question now. I know we didn't intend to spend so much time out in the woods today. The woods are a part of us though in a way, it's not just blood that flows through our veins but also nature.
After wrapping up our bounty, Finn and I quickly washed our hands off in the river and tucked our shirts into our pants. We are all supposed to put on our best outfits but since Finn and I don't have time, I figure that it won't matter. Maybe some do like looking good before their journey to meet death but I for one don't care much. If I'm singled out to die, I at least want to go out looking like myself and not some little town boy. With no large bounty to haul back, we simply wrap the fish and make plans to drop it off at the Hob after the ceremony. If we make it through this, we'll come back to check the snares. I feel slightly bad for not going home in time to see Nate and feed him but he understands. Hunting is how we eat.
"I hope it's not you." Finn tells me in a soft voice as we walk closer to town.
"And I hope it's not you."
"It's so unfair man. The rebellion was crushed, nothing has happened since. If it me though, I'm going to do what I can to get back at the Capitol." He tells me, the sharp bitter tone coming out as his eyes focus on the ground. He wants to say more but he won't. That's also something I know about Finn. He, unlike me, can hold his tongue.
It's suicide to even talk like this but I agree. If it's me, I'll find a way to stick my middle finger up to them. We finish the trek back in silence, squeezing through the gap in the fence and drop our things off at my house since it is closest and hurry off to the square.
As expected, it's completely packed, families huddled together hoping for the best. I see my father, standing off to the side with a few coal miners. We share a nod and I set off to find Nate. If he's not with my father, he'll be with my girlfriend Quinn. My father approves of the relationship, since she is the mayor's daughter. One of the few freedoms we have in District Twelve is the freedom to choose who we marry so I'm not forbidden to date her. I know Mayor Fabray would prefer for Quinn to be with someone not from the Seam but he knows I can find her. He's one of the frequent buyers of my illegal game.
"Puck!" I hear my name and turn sharply to be greeted by Quinn and Nate. I smile and greet her with a kiss before putting my hand down around Nate's shoulder. Reaping Day is both harder and easier when you share it with people you love. Finn takes his place next to Quinn and she grips my arm. The town clock chimes and we know it is time. Mayor Fabray steps onto the platform and starts to speak about Panem and our past and the Dark Days. I've heard it enough I drown it out. All I care about is whether or not I'm going to be a sacrificial lamb or not.
Mayor Fabray keeps talking and finally gets to the list of District Twelve victors. Of the two we had, one is alive. Sue Sylvester. She's a scary woman who forces most of us to call her Coach. How the hell she made it through the games isn't a surprise. She's ruthless and vicious. You'd figure with her for a mentor we'd have a better shot to get victors but no luck. As Coach takes the stage, she wipes the microphone from Mayor Fabray and starts to call us all sloppy side show freak babies and the crowd is chuckling. This is what the rest of Panem shall see later. Our past victor trash talking her district.
Emma Pillsbury is running along the stage now and taking the microphone back from Coach and trying to redeem our district. Poor Emma. She tries so hard to be happy and optimistic about this barbaric event but District 12 doesn't have much to pride themselves on. "Well, uh, thank you Coach Sylvester for that lovely pep talk and happy hunger games everyone!"
I can hear Nate laughing and I smile down at him. At least there is some entertainment at his first Reaping Day.
"Well ladies first." Emma calls out, trying to feign happiness. I watch intently as she crosses the stage, reaching into the glass cage of names, grabs one, reads it and then crosses back to the podium. No one in the square is breathing. Quinn tightens her grip on me and I know why. I don't want it to be her either. I see Finn glancing down at her and I know his thoughts without asking. The chances of Quinn getting picked are so slim. She's never had to apply for a terresea and he resents that. Still, I don't want her to be pick because I don't want to lose her.
"Rachel Berry!"
I groan. Finn shouts. Quinn gasps. I have to let go of Nate to grab Finn and pull him back from charging the stage. I had long suspected that he had been in love with the baker's daughter but if he tried anything today, the Peacemakers would not be forgiving. I watch, silently struggling to hold onto Finn as the girl makes her way to the stage. She's much to small for her age but her physical features make her so appealing. She has long thick brown hair and a pair of chocolate orbs that even I remember so vividly.
"It better be me. It better be me." Finn keeps saying, still struggling to get free of my grip. His chances are pretty great. His name is in there are least 34 times. Except if he is picked, I know he won't come back. He'll pick all other twenty-two tributes off and then force Rachel to kill him so she can go home the champion. But that's not option. He has his mother and Rory and Vick and Posey. Granted, if he went I would assume full responsibility for his family's safety but it's not something I want to imagine. They need him much more than Rachel does in my opinion.
I can see Emma trying to get on with the show and Finn's close to breaking free from my grip. I'm watching intently and I know I should be more afraid for myself but I'm sure it will be Finn. Normally we'd be telling each other not to worry but I know how bad he wants it.
I hear the name and instantly my grip on Finn slackens and I let him go. Finn's not walking to the stage, nor am I because both of us have turned our attention and heads. I was not prepared to her Emma say Nathanial Puckerman.