My long, golden curls swish against my back as I walk. My white dress is itchy and uncomfortable, as are my shoes. My Aunt Maysilee's pin digs into my chest and the back of my bow tickles the back of my neck.
I however, do not notice. Today is the day of the reaping, and the day I will go into the games. Fear consumes me because I know that unlike the past 4 years, there is not an "off chance" I will go into the games. It is certain.
The hot breeze, which is barely enough to be a breeze, blows brown dust on my shoes. It's not like I'll be wearing them after today.
The sun beats down on my pale, smooth skin, as if it wants to scorch my already pale body. I can feel the sunburn creeping on me like the rebellion crept on most of Panem. Slowly, terribly and utterly painfully.
I step out of the sun and stick out my hand to the Capitol attendant who will be pricking my finger. "Margret Undersee. Age 16. Merchant Class. Daughter of Mayor Undersee?" She peers up at me through her jungle of what she calls eyelashes. "Correct?"
I nod absent mindedly, and my mind wanders.
I see Katniss's sister Prim fight back tears as she shuffles back to where the other 12 year olds stand.
I find my self holding back tears as well.
"Well hellllllloooooo!" Effie, our escort drawls out in her high-pitched trill. "We might as well get this started, shall we?" She smiles a blinding grin and saunters over to the ball where the girl's slips are.
"Ladies first!" she coos.
The only word to describe how I feel is terror. My blood is cold, I shiver involuntarily as the goose bumps arrive on my arm.
"Primrose Everdeen!" She calls.
Katniss goes white, and screams her name. Before she can do anything stupid I rush forward, doing something pretty stupid myself.
And for the first time in District 12, 4 words ring out across the square.
They are my words. "I volunteer as tribute!"