"Pearl Winters." The voice of Effie Trinket, district 12's escort rang throughout the clearing. I stood paralysed. I was only twelve. This was my first reaping, it couldn't be me. It just couldn't. The world around me was a blur – I didn't hear Effie's over-excited calls as she beckoned me up to the stage, or see the shocked looks of my 2 friends standing beside me. The sudden shove from one of the peacekeepers brought me back to my senses and I stumbled up the stairs.

"Now for the boys!" Effie chirped, turning towards the boys reaping bowl and grabbing out one of the papers. "Cormack Lloyd," she read out. I looked over towards the boys section and watched as a tall, dark haired boy emerged from the 17 year old sector. He strolled cockily up to the stage and even grinned at the camera before shooting a death stare over at me. I shivered at the thought of having to face him in the arena. The boy had turned to face me and was glaring at me angrily. I glanced down and suddenly realised that his hand was outstretched. Quickly I placed my small hand in his and winced as he crushed it in handshake that pretty much told me that I was dead. After what felt like eternity, he let go.

"Happy 81st hunger games and may the odds be ever in your favour!" Effie cheered in her high-pitched voice, before ushering us off the stage and into small separate rooms.

This would be the last time I would see my family. I rubbed my sore hand and sat down on the petit red sofa, sitting in the corner of the room. There was a creak as the door opened and my twin brother Niko came running into the room. He enveloped me in a hug and I felt tears begin to streak down my face.

"You're going to win," he told me, pulling back and locking eyes with me. "You have to, because I'm not going to lose you as well."

I nodded as my mind flashed back to a picture of my older brother standing in the same room as I was now. He had been reaped for the 77th hunger games; only 4 years ago and the memories of him were still fresh in my mind. I snuggled my face into his shoulder and I felt his arms tighten around me. In his arms I felt safe. I wanted to stay here forever.

"Times up!" the peacekeeper bellowed. The large wooden door crashed open as the peacekeeper strode in and grabbed hold of my brother's arm.

"Don't worry Pearl, you'll get through this, you'll come home!" he called to me as he was dragged from the room. The door slammed shut behind them and I was left alone with my fears. I slouched down onto the sofa, unable to stop the newest rush of tears. I curled up into a ball and put my face in my hands. It felt like hours before I heard a knock on the door and my two best friends – Anastasia and Hope – ran into the room. Immediately, they were next to me, hugging me and crying. The sight of them made me realise that this was all real, that I was really leaving and that I really was a tribute in this year's hunger games.

"I'm going to miss you so much!" Anastasia cried as she gripped my arm, as if she would never let go.

"Me too," was all I managed to choke out.

They continued to tell me that we were best friends and that that would never change no matter what. I was grateful for this, because who knew what I would be like if I did manage to win. I had seen the others victors on TV – especially Haymitch Abernathy – and I did not want to end up like him. But I didn't want to end up dead either. I blinked rapidly, bringing myself out of my day-dream as a necklace was dropped into my hand.

"We want you to have this; as your district token," Hope told me.

"I'm sorry, but times up," Anastasia said as they shuffled towards the peacekeeper waiting impatiently at the door.

"Good luck. You can win this, we know that you can," they chorused together each blowing a kiss over at me.

"Thank-you," I whispered. But they were already gone. I suddenly remembered the necklace, enclosed tightly in my small fist. I opened my hand revealing a shining silver locket. I opened the locket, my hands shaking and my fingers fumbling with the tiny latch. I gasped when I looked inside and my vision clouded up. There was a photo of my family when we had all still been together. When we had been happy and carefree. I recognised the day the picture had been taken. My older brothers 11th birthday. Niko and I were only 6 at the time, but I remembered it vividly. It had been the best day of my life – we had had so much fun and the most food that I had ever seen. I heard the sharp tapping of Effie's extravagantly heeled shoes outside in the corridor and I quickly fastened the locket around my neck.

"Okay sweetie, it's time to go," she chirped brightly, "I'm sure you're very excited to see the capitol!" She then whisked me off and into the car, and about 20 minutes later we were on the train, en route to the capitol.