Somewhere in Peeta's mind, he was thinking about his mother's cinnamon bread. He didn't know why, but that was the one thing that was on his mind. Maybe he was purposely forcing himself to think about anything other than the Reaping, but that was the strangest thing he'd ever thought about. He stood in what could only be described as a pen for livestock, smooshed tightly together with about 50 to 100 other 16 year olds. The tension in the air was unbearable. It made Peeta want to throw up right there.
The mayor, Madge Undersee's father, made his usual speech, one that Peeta stopped listening to after his first Reaping. That wasn't something he wanted to remember. Afterwards, Effie Trinket, a woman from the Capitol with pink hair, pink eyeshadow, and pink lipstick stood in front of the microphone. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" Effie was quite the joke in District 12. A joke that helped everyone cope with the actual Games. "Ladies first!'
Peeta's eyes scanned the female side of the livestock lanes. Why do I find you every time? His eyes fell and locked onto Katniss Everdeen. Her hair had been twisted back into a ravishing braid, with a blue elastic to match her dress. His heart panged as he watched her. Her eyes were on Gale, who was looking up at Effie. "Primrose Everdeen!"
The next few moments rushed passed in a matter of seconds. Katniss' scream, Prim's scream, Peeta thought someone had died. That was until he heard Katniss shout with a determined anxiety to her voice, "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" Peeta couldn't believe his ears. Katniss rushed to the stage and said her name. Effie, who was clearly shocked, stuck her hand in the boys bin. A moment later, Peeta felt himself battle with his stomach as he heard his own name.
He joined Katniss on stage and knew in that moment he was done. He was gone. He'd be the first to die. Why? Because he couldn't ever kill someone he'd been in love with since he truly laid eyes on her.