Out of all the days of the year Reaping Day is by far the worst. This is my first year that the nightmare of getting reaped can be possible. It is possible that tonight will be my last night here. The thought of being sent to the Capitol tomorrow has kept me up for days. It can't happen to me! There is no way if chosen I could survive the Hunger Games. There are people from District 1 and 2 that train their whole life for them. And if I wouldn't be at disadvantage already, most of the other district's are well fed. I am very small. I'm not the strongest either. Getting picked has been my worst nightmare for years.
The sound of a hovercraft alerts me it is about time to get up. All the people from the Capitol must be arriving to announce who will die in the Games. Katniss has already left to go hunting. Every morning she goes with her friend Gale. They search for food and then divide it up equally. My family get's half of it and Gale's get's the other half. Gale and her have known each other since Katniss was twelve. Last night I made them some cheese to share from my goat, Lady. I honestly wonder if Katniss is as nervous for the Reaping as I am. I know I am a bit too nervous. I mean I only have my name in the drawing once. Katniss' is in twenty times. Katniss is always so brave and seems nearly fearless compared to me. She takes out the tesserae for my whole family every year. Although Katniss took all the risk for me, what if I get chosen ? My chances are little to none, but just what if? Would Katniss or one of my friends in my year volunteer in my place for me? Would my Mom give up just like she did when my dad died? All these questions keep me terrified as the roll through my head.
Finally after waiting for what seems like forever Katniss comes home. I want her to comfort me. I need her to comfort me! She brings back some fresh strawberries that she picked for breakfast. I take a bite and let the sweet juice dissolve in my mouth. It is one of the best treats she brings back from the woods. She picks them from a hidden spot my father showed her when she was younger. After I devour the strawberries my mother goes and gather my outfit for today. For the Reaping everyone is supposed to dress nice like it's a big celebration, although there is nothing to celebrate. Someone I love or I may get chosen and have to fight to death in an arena all for the entertainment of the Capitol. What is there to cheer for?
My mother comes back with one of the most beautiful outfits I've ever seen. I recognize it. It was from Katniss' first Reaping. I put it on and my mother braids my hair in two braids. Katniss strolls back in the room. She is wearing a gorgeous sky blue silk dress that used to be my mothers. My mother carefully braids her hair all up. She looks so amazing!
They Reaping starts at two but, me and Katniss walk to the town square at one. It's a fairly short walk. We walk through the Seam and through the town. I take in the smell of the bakery. It could be my last. As we near the square, I see a lady checking everybody in and I instantly freeze. I truthfully don't know if I have ever been so nervous. Katniss tries to comfort me by telling me everything is all right but it doesn't work. I realize I have no other chose so continue walking. After getting checked in I am instructed to join the twelve year old girls while Katniss goes with the sixteen year old girls. I look back and see Gale with the eighteen year old boys. Earlier, Katniss informed me that he has his name in forty times. I wouldn't know what Katniss would do without him. It is his last Reaping though. After he this he is safe to live without fear of getting reaped.
When the clock strikes two, Mayor Undersee walks to the podium. He talks to us about the history of the Hunger Games, Panem, and District Twelve's past victors, which the only one alive today his Haymitch Abernathy. The Mayor sits down and up hops an overly excited Capitol lady with pink hair and flamboyant make-up all over her face. I have seen her in previous Reaping's when I sat in the back with my mother,terrified for Katniss. She is Effie Trinket, District Twelve's escort of the Games. She begins joyfully in her Capitol accent," Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
I begin to get so nervous I can't think. She takes a dramatic pause and then says," Ladies first!" She reaches her hand into a large glass bowl. After digging around for what seems like hours. She unfolds a piece and begins to read it. I dread hearing who it will be. In a clear voice she announces, "Primrose Everdeen." Am I dreaming or did she just say my name? I slowly begin walking up. This is it. I will never see my home again. I will never see my pets again. And I will have only one last chance to speak with my family. While I fight my tears, I hear Katniss screaming for me. I would not want her to volunteer for me though. I couldn't imagine life without her. I make my way on to stage and notice multiple, strong Peacekeepers have to hold her back from me. Everything seems like a dream. No, a nightmare.
Effie then congratulates me and calls out, "Time to choose our boy tribute." She reaches in the bowl for the boys and searches through until she picks one. She unfolds it and reads," Peeta Mellark." A boy who looks Katniss' age comes up on stage. I recognize him from somewhere, but I can't remember. He looks just as nervous as I do. Effie congratulates him too and the then Mayor comes up. He reads the Treaty of Treason then makes me and Peeta shake hands. His hands seem strong. He appears not to be crying. I wish I looked as brave. All the other districts will see this later and automatically assume I am weak.
We are then lead through a maze of hallways to seprate rooms in the Justice Building. It is one of the most elegant places I have ever seen. It has a small coach made out of lovely fabric. Soon Katniss and my mother walk in the room. They both give me hugs. "Remember what I taught you that summer about hunting. Also you know so many edible plants that will help you get food," says Katniss. She gave me a small mockingjay pin to bring me luck. It is beautiful. "I love you Prim," says my mother. "Try to win." "I will," I reply. They both give me one last hug then the Peacekeepers come in and tell them that it's time to go. I begin to sob.
I manage to pull myself together in the time while a few other visitors come in including Gale, the baker, and my friend from school. After my last visit with the people I love and care get in a car to drive to the train station. I have never been in a car before. It is rough but faster than walking or any other transportation. We pass my home and the rest of District 12 I will never see again. At the train station we board the tribute train. In it there are tables filled with food, fancy furniture, and the most beautiful flowers. Effie shows me to my room. It has drawers filled with new, clean clothes. I find the private bathroom the most amazing. It has a giant shower in it. My house, or old house, only has one bathroom and hardly anyone in district twelve has showers.
I decide to take warm shower. It has an amazing feeling to it, almost like it's raining on you, except that it is warm and has pressure, like a massage. Once I dry off I search through my closet for something to where. I find a beautiful purple dress. When I come out of my room Effie, Haymitch, and Peeta are already sitting down waiting for dinner."Do you two know each other?" Effie ask. I shake my head. " You're Prim right? I'm Peeta. I am in your sister's year in school," he said with a small smile. "Yeah. I'm Prim," I answer. Someone brings out a large platter with what appears to be a roasted chicken on it. They also bring out a side of rice with vegetables in it. I take some of each. I have never tasted something so amazing. Katniss has never brought back a chicken because she says they are too expensive. I can now see why.
We all gather around a television to watch the recaps of the Reapings. Everyone else is so much bigger than me. Some of them are easily twice my size. I don't know if I really stand a chance against them. They are probably all much stronger than me. The careers all seem strong and fierce. Especially the boy from District 2. He seems really mean. I will definetly try to avoid all of them. One girl stands out to me from district eleven. She is probably my age. Her name is Rue. Even her though, could still probably beat me.
After the Reapings, Effie instructs us to go to bed because tomorrow is going to be a "big, big day."I search my drawers for something to sleep in. There is a silk nightgown I put on. The bed I lay on is huge! I wonder what my family is doing. Usually everyone on celebrates with a good meal after the reaping. Katniss went this morning and hunted a rabbit. They might be too upset to eat now though. If Katniss would have been Reaped I wouldn't be able to do anything for days. I have to make it back to them. I couldn't let what happened to my mother when my father died happen again.
I fall to bed very fast. Today has been so exhausting. I hope that it was all just a nightmare and that I will wake up lying in my bed back in district twelve.