"What!" I whisper, starting to feel dizzy. Me? But..But that's not fair! My name has only been in 6 times including the tessare. And there's so many people in 11. It's not fair! Me, a little 12 year old fighting in the 74th Hunger Games.
"Rue Hedera?" She says again with a slightly less amount of venom. I slowly make my way to the stage; my head down. I fight back the tears that threaten to spill over. No. I can't look weak when the cameras are here. Infact, the other tributes will be watching this later on their way to the Capitol. I walk up the steps and feel everyones eyes pinned on me. "Hello Rue, and now-Ladies and Gentlemen; the male Tribute! Thresh Fritillaria." She calls out, and I just barely manage to keep my jaw from dropping. I can hear the gasps as he makes his way to the stage from the whole crowed, from the Capitol; from all of Panem. Thresh is tall, big, and certainly imtemidating; he's deffinitly 18. He keeps a face like stone the entire time we're on the stage. If there was any hope that I'm coming back; it's shattered now. I force a small, shy smile to the cameras as I feel their gaze on me. At least if I don't make it, 11 will have a chance. The mayor quickly finishes up the speech, and we are ushered to the Justice Building.
In my room I sit on the cough, swinging my legs off the chair. I can barely touch the ground, even with these shoes on. The doors fling open, and my family rushes in; tears streaming down their face. I hug all of them in a hug, ignoreing the kids whimpers.
"Barely, I'll miss you." I whisper, and hug him tightly. He hugs be tightly, whispering tihngs in my ears. I get up from kneeling down, and I move over to Almanda. I hug ger tightly, and kiss her forehead. "Ill miss you too." I move to Orcher, and I do the same. "you too." As I finish up with Huckle, and Iris, I turn to my parents. "I'll miss you guys too."I hug them each as they stand there quietly, hugging me tightly and holding back sobs.
We sit in silence for a while, holding onto eachothers hands. Finally, the Peacekeepers come in, and tell my family it's time to leave. My mother nods, and sobs somemore. She turns around and hands my father a necklace. Her and the kids leave, and I whimper good-bye. He comes over to me, and hands me the necklace. "This was your mothers when she was a kid. Now, remember your skills, Rue. I know you, you win…. Your're our daughter." He whispered, and pressed his cracked lips to my forhead. "Bye, Papa." I croak, tears streaming down my face as I clutch the necklace.
"Good luck." He whispers, and rushes out the door. I'm left in the big room, with chairs, tables and couches to high for me.
My best friend comes in next, and we just sit in silence; with sobs filling the backround. I will miss her.
We hug until she has to go. Even then the Peacekeeper has to repeat himself because she doesn't leave. Before she leaves, she kisses me on the cheek, and I whisper my goodbyes. With no one else to come, they pick me up and we head to the train. I walk carefully, taking in the last of home I will ever see. I whistle to the mockingjays, and they return it. I climb in, and go to sit on a chair by the window. I watch at the only home I've ever known disappears behind me; and I start to cry.