_ It is only a game_, I repeat in my head for the thousandth time. _It is only a game. _

_ _But still as I stepped up on the pedestal with hundreds of other competitors my heart began to race. _What if I don’t get picked? _I ask myself. _What if I _do _get picked? _

My heart beats faster as the 12 team captains scan us over, each detail of us being part of their long term memory.

Each team represents a different color; Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Purple, Pink, Brown, Gray, White & Black— the darker the color the more ruthless the team.

My family, the Havenfeilds, has _always _been selected as the Yellow team, second lightest. Never have we been selected to a dark team, and never have we _not _been selected.

I am the only one left in the age group who are allowed to play the game, 16-20, my older siblings got out last year. I, however, will be playing for the first time.

No one tells you what the game is, you are just sorted into teams and left to figure that out on your own. Though, with years of watching my siblings play the games, I know it varies year to year.

Thousands of seconds pass, before my head perks up to the calling of my name.

“Astrid Reyn Havenfield.”

I step onto the platform at the front of the players who weren’t chosen yet, and see the growing teams before me, each team must have at least a dozen players at this point.

_There isn’t much spots left. _

I gulp down the bile forming in the back of my throat, what if I get rejected by all the teams? In front of everyone?

The captain’s expressions very, from smiles and frowns, to curious looks and bored expressions, just waiting for the next player.

The announcer stares at me, waiting—waiting for what?

Oh! I nearly forgot, I am supposed to intrduce my self. Damn it, I already messed up. I try to calm my heavy breathing and wipe my sweaty palms unto my jeans. “Um—ah, I am Astrid.” I mumble, the whole crowd of unchosen players behind me snickers. “I am from Flowerdale, and I am sixteen.”

The world goes silent for several seconds before one of the team leaders, the one for the blue team, calls out, “what are good at, little girl? Got any talents?”

I shouldn’t have said anything, I should have just stayed silent. Maybe I said it because I was nervous, or I just couldn’t keep my stupid mouth shut. “I am good at lying.” I blurt, I can basically here my family’s disappointment. _Lying? _I am a Havenfield for gods sake, I am supposed to be honest and modest and perfect.

_Honest & Modest & Perfect. _

That is what my father always told me to be, and now I have messed everything up.

“I also can garden.” I add, trying to make myself sound a little better. “My family can make the best tinctures in the world. We own a farm and a apothecary, and—“ oh, shoot! Why am I talking so much? No one wants to here about that.

“I think I know enough.” The blue captain says, than scribbles something down on his notepad.

“Any takers?” The announcer asks.

The whole world goes silent again, of course, I expected this, I messed everything up with my useless bantering.

But than a man suddenly speaks, a low rumble against the silence, “we’ll take her.”

And before I even can sort out what I am getting myself into I run to his small group, and join up. _I was picked! _

_ _He smiles, it’s welcoming, like an invitation to a party I never expected to receive. He can’t be much older than me, probably only eighteen or so. His ice blue eyes stand out against his tan skin and dark hair.

“Welcome to the Black Team,” he says, warmly, “we are happy to have you.”

_I don’t know what to think. _I don’t say anything, I just nod. I stay silent as the rest of the teams finish sellecting their players. My stomach turns, my parents are definitely going to disown me after this. _What are they going to make me do? _

__

_ _And most importantly, _why did they choose _me_? _

__

_———————_

__

_ _“My name is Archer,” the captain says, once the selecting is over and we begin to head towards our designated cabin. The game last 2 weeks, _two weeks _I have to stay here.

“I’m Astrid,” I blurt out.

He smirks, “I feel like you already told me that.” Me cheeks flush with embarrassment. “I am glad I got you to be on our team, I am surprised the other teams didn’t snatch you up.”

My throat burns, but I somehow seem to get out what I need to say. “Why _did _you choose me?”

“Because your family owns the best apothecary in the world, like you said.” He smiles, but the rest of the team doesn’t seem to like me being the center of attention.

“_And?” _

_ _His smile fades, and a mischevious sparkle makes it’s way across his blue eyes. “Because, Astrid, this years game involves poisen.”