I stared dejectedly into the cracked and dirty mirror as my mom pinned my hair up. I was surprised at how well I had cleaned up from hunting earlier. I desperately longed to be in the woods right now, that is where I usually am but not today. Today was the dreaded day- it was reaping day.

Usually I would be concerned for myself or for my friends on a day like this but not today- I didn't have any room for concern for anybody except Prim, my little sister. This was the first year that she was eligible for the reaping and it scared me to death- not that I would let Prim know that.

"Why do we have the hunger games?"

I pulled away from mother and looked at Prim who had asked the question. Prim knew the answer to the question, they went over it in school but I knew that Prim was just nervous and that was why she was asking.

I kneeled down and reached behind Prim to tuck her shirt in. "Well, little duck, you know the answer to that. It's punishment for when the districts rebelled against the capitol. Each district has to send two tributes- a boy and a girl- to an arena to fight to the death as a reminder to never rebel again."

Prim sighed. "I know all that. I just wish that it could be over with. I'm so nervous that I'm going to be picked."

"They won't pick you, Prim. Your name has only been entered once. It won't be you, I promise. Now, go get your shoes. It's time to go."

I looked out over the gathering crowd with a growing sense of familiar dread that overtook me every year on the day of the reaping. My roaming eyes studied the youngest kids that were gathered together up front, near the stage and got snagged on someone dark and handsome- Gale, my best friend. He was kneeling down next to Prim, hugging her. Prim turned and I could see that she was crying. Before I could take a step forward to go to her I heard the familiar clicking of heels and lilting voice. Effie Trinket washere.

"Good morning! Good morning! Well, well let's get started shall we? Oh, and may the odds be ever in your favor."

There was a muffled shuffling as everyone got into their designated places. I watched as Effie crossed the stage in her magenta dress and pink hair to the bowl holding the slips of the girls' names. She deftly picked one out and returned to center stage. There was a pregnant pause while she read the name on the slip and then.

"Primrose Everdeen."

Those two words rang out into the crisp morning air and echoed eerily into the silence that had fallen upon the huge crowd that was gathered. Those two words echoed dreadfully in my ears. I went into shock, was not able to move except to watch as a little blond girl shuffle her way towards the huge stage. My stomach dropped to my feet and I let out a mangled cry and stepped forward, pushing people out of my way to get to her.

No. This was not happening. This could not be happening. Not to the sweet, innocent, caring, and pure Prim. But it was and I watched in dread as peacemakers closed in on my younger sister.

"I VOLUNTEER!"

Those two words rang in my ears and I stopped walking, wondering who could care enough to volunteer to save my little sister's life. It wasn't until I saw everyone staring at me with their mouths open that I realized that the words had come from me. Another sob escaped my mouth and I lurched forward.

"I volunteer as tribute," I yelled out again for good measure. I stumbled through the crowd and pulled Prim from the grasps of the peacekeepers and into a tight embrace.

"Prim run! Get out of here! Now!" I whispered desperately into her ear. I could feel Peacemakers grabbing at my arms and I pushed Prim away and turned my back on her growing protests.

Stonily, I climbed the stage and stepped into the spot light, joining the oddly dressed Effie Trinket.

"Oh my, my," Effie declared seriously. "Well, this is a big, big surprise we have here. What is your name dear?"

I numbly stared out into the crowd, feeling dead inside. I can't show any fear or emotion to the public- I have to be strong. I can't win this unless I am strong.

"Katniss Everdeen," I mumble into the microphone.

"Oh my, my, Katniss. That must have been your sister." Effie let out a little giggle and proceeded. "Well, congratulations on being district 12's first volunteer ever, my dear!"

I didn't say anything in response- there was nothing to say.

Effie cleared her throat uneasily. "Well, well," she trilled on, "let's see who the boy tribute is going to be, shall we, hmm?"

Effie turned and walked to the bowl holding the white slips. She stirred the slips slightly then plucked one out of the bunch. Returning to the microphone, she quickly opened the slip.

"Peeta Mellark."

Strength fled from me and I wanted to collapse. Not him! Anyone but him! Not the boy with the bread- the boy who had given me hope when I had none! How could I be expected to kill him of all people?

There was a quiet shuffling as people cleared a path for him. Before he could take a step, a deep voice rang out into the morning.

"I volunteer!"

Gasps broke out in the crowd and beside me, Effie let out a delighted cry. I, however, was struggling to stand once again. This could not be happening- Peeta was bad enough, this was unbearable. Recognition flowed through my body at that voice—it was the voice of my very best friend, Gale. A quiet whimper escaped my throat as I watched Gale make his way up on the stage to stand beside me.

"Oh my, my!" Effie sighed excitedly. "Oh dear, what is your name, hmm?"

Gale looked down at Effie, disgust plainly evident on his face. "Gale Hawthorne," he mumbled dejectedly.

"Well, why don't you tell us why you volunteer, Gale?"

Gale turned out to face the audience and lifted his chin, clearly letting Effie know that he wasn't saying anything else.

Effie cleared her throat awkwardly. "Well, can we get a round of applause for our very first two volunteers from district 12?!"

Effie started clapping, letting out a girly giggle, but stopped when she realized that the audience was doing something entirely different than applauding. Every one gathered in the crowd had their index, middle, and ring fingers held out with their right arm raised- a sign of despair and grieving in the districts.

Effie cleared her throat once again. "Well, may I present you with your tributes: Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne!"

I heard peacekeepers step forward and my hand shot out of its own accord to grasp Gale's. The peacekeepers grasped our arms and tore us from each other as they shoved us down the stairs and towards the justice building. I saw Gale's muscles flex in response to being manhandled by the peacekeepers but he managed to keep his temper in check.

The justice building loomed up in front of us and anxiety bubbled in my stomach. This wasn't happening, was it? The cool air coming out wasn't a comfort to me; it was too cold compared to my overly hot skin. Our footsteps echoed in the big lobby and crowds of people were staring at us. The peacekeepers shoved us roughly across the lobby and towards a hall, depositing us in two separate rooms across the hall from each other.

As soon as i heard the click of the door closing, I was there testing the handle, seeing if it would open. No such luck- it was locked. I crossed to the window, testing it but it too was locked. With a huff, I sat on the chair under the window. A soon as I sank into the chair, the door opened and my mom and Prim were being shoved in. I rose quickly to engulf Prim in a tight hug.

"Katniss, why would you volunteer for me? I can't let you do this," sobbed Prim into my hair.

"Shhhh, Prim. I couldn't let you go- it went against every fiber of my being. It'll be okay, Prim, please stop crying." I heard a silent sob behind me but I ignored my mom. Prim needed me more than my mom did.

"Katniss, please try to win. You can do it, you know. You're strong and you can hunt. You really could win this."

My heart sunk into my stomach. Poor, innocent Prim. There really was no way that I could win this. I knew it but gullible Prim who saw the good in everything didn't. I mumbled reassuringly to her, not having the heart to dash her hopes. I knew I didn't have much time left. I pulled back from Prim, placed a kiss on her forehead and crossed over to my mom.

"Listen, mom, you need to be there for her. Have her gather herbs and hopefully Peeta's family will help you guys out with food." My advice ran into one long sentence. I was in a race against time and I was losing desperately. My mom nodded mutely and tears streamed down her face. I pulled her into a hug.

"Don't cry, mom. Everything will be fine." My voice sounded weak and unsure and my mom hugged me tighter.

I heard the click of the door opening and I spun around to grasp Prim to me before the peacekeepers could usher them out.

"Promise me. Promise me, Katniss, that you will try your hardest to win. Please promise me."

Tears gathered in my eyes, blinding me.

"I promise, Prim."

With that, the peacekeepers grabbed Prim, picking her up and hauled her out of the room. A sob escaped my lips and I sank to my knees, letting tears fall from my eyes.

I don't know how long I stayed there like that but next thing I knew there were arms around me and the smell of cinnamon and bread filled my nose. I stiffened and pulled out of this unwelcome embrace. I looked up to see Peeta kneeling before me. I wiped angrily at my tears, not wanting anyone to see my weakness.

"What are you doing here?" I gasped at him. I have never even talked to him before really. We honestly had had one encounter together and that was so long ago.

"I had to come and see you before you left. I had to tell you something." He looked at me pleadingly and I wiped the last of my tears away.

"Well, what is it, Peeta?"

"Katniss, I- I have feelings for you," he stuttered. "I know we don't really know each other but I had to let you know before you left. If you make it back—I—I just want you to know."

I stared at him, not having anything to say. He took an unsteady breath and went on.

"That's not all I wanted to tell you. I'll take care of her, I promise Katniss. She won't go hungry I swear to you."

A tear fell from my eye and the door burst open one last time, peacekeepers spilling in the room and grabbing Peeta.

"Thank you!" I shouted after him. The door slammed shut in response.