A lot can change in a year, Kevin mused to himself. He knew that he'd gone through a growth spurt, not to mention the fact that after last year's reaping, most of the people in the shipbuilding quarter avoided him completely. Well, it's not like it was his fault that that kid had decided to take his place as a tribute – that had definitely been his own decision. But now, here he was, back in the crowd, waiting for the drawing of the names once again.
He feels about referring to him as "that kid", but it's much easier to depersonalise a complete stranger who simultaneously saved and ruined his life with just one action. Why would anyone volunteer for him who didn't even talk to him? He didn't even vaguely recognise the guy, though that was probably due to the segregation of the quarters in District 4. The Prices were primarily in the fishing quarter, whereas he'd come from the shipbuilding quarter which was far more industrial and had far fewer residents (which made it all the worse when he was required to pick up materials for repairing the fishing boats). Of course he knew his name – who didn't, after last year's Games? But not using it made it much easier to resent someone.
He's only half paying attention when the names were being randomised – this was his fifth year of eligibility, and nothing ever changed (apart from hearing his name last year – that was new). He sees the girl tribute being picked – Cassidy Jerram. She didn't look familiar to him at all – so he dismissed her as being inconsequential. He hated having to watch the Hunger Games each year – although it was mandatory viewing, it was pretty easy to tune out completely while it was being shown.
Then it was the turn for the boy tributes, and hearing his name called out again felt like a sledgehammer to the face. Dazed didn't begin to cover how Kevin felt at that moment in time. Clearly fate, or some other higher power, had it in for him, and it wasn't going to stop until he went into that arena. Still half hoping that someone would volunteer on his behalf (well, it happened last year, didn't it?), he made his way over to the stage.