Hey guys! I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long! Fanfiction got blocked and I hit a writers block. But I'm back now! Thank you guys so much for the positive feedback on this! Thank you so much 1FANGIRL for reviewing all three of my stories! It was really encouraging! Without further ado, Enjoy!

When I wake up I reach out for my sister, realizing that she's not there. She probably climbed in with our mother. I climb out of bed. I put on my worn hunting boots and my dad's hunting jacket. Then I walk outside into the morning air. Going to the usual place in the forest where I enter, I enter. I go to the ledge where I'll meet Gale, my best friend. I sit down to wait for him.

"Hey Catnip," he says from behind me.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at the nickname. "Hey," I reply.

"You nervous?" he makes his way over to where I'm sitting.

"About being drawn for the Selection? Yes," I say.

"Why did you even sign up if you didn't want to?" he sits next to me.

I sigh, thinking back to when Prim begged me to sign up.

"Katniss, you HAVE to sign up!" she had said.

"Why?" I asked her.

"Because the prince is so cute! And you guys would be perfect! Plus you might become royalty! And so would I!" she squealed.

"I probably wouldn't even get picked Prim,"

She said this more serious, "Plus we get a check every week you're in the Selection."

When she said it like that she knew I couldn't turn her down, I had sighed and said "fine."

Then she squealed again, "I just know you're gonna get picked!"

"Prim," I answer Gale, in the present.

He face takes a look of recognition, "I would do it for my siblings."

I smile, "I know." More seriously I ask, "Did you sign up for the draft again?"

"What do you think?"

"Yes," I sigh, "Gale, what if you get killed?"

"At least my family would get the money."

He would do anything for his family. He became the main provider of his family when his dad died when the building they were building collapsed, along with my dad. So he provides for his family of sixes while I provide for mine. We were sevens; my mom married down. When my dad died, we went back to my mom's old caste, a six. The same thing happened with Gale's family. That's why we hunt in the forest, to provide.

"Ready to hunt?" I ask.

"You bet," he replies.

We move like one person. He has my back. I have his. I take down three squirrels, two wild turkeys, and a rabbit. Gale found a patch of strawberries and we picked about a gallon of them. We trade at a market with others sixes and some sevens called the Hob. After trading I end up with, three rolls, some fresh herbs, two new ribbons for prim, some vegetables, a half-gallon of strawberries, and the two squirrels I shot.

Gale walks me back to my house. As he walks off, he calls, "Good Luck!"

This time I do roll my eyes. "Thanks," I call back sarcastically.

He starts laughing and his laugh is contagious so I laugh too. Then he's far enough away that I can't hear him anymore. I walk into my house.

Prim hears the door, "Katniss, the report is tonight!"

"I know, little duck," I ruffle her hair, "wanna see what I got you?"

She nods and I take her into the bedroom. I dig in the bag until I find the hair ribbons. I pull them out, "Here you go."

She takes them out of my hands, "they're beautiful! I love them! Thank you, Katniss!"

I give her a big hug, "Your welcome. You ready for school?"

"Can you braid my hair like yours?"

"Of course," I reply. She sits on the bed and I sit behind her. I brush through her blond hair, braid it to the side, and tie it with the pink ribbon to match her shirt.

"Thanks," she gives me a hug and runs to the bus stop before I can say you're welcome.

After school and before my mom arrives home, I begin to fix dinner. Prim is in her room while I make stew. I cut some carrots, and throw some herbs in after I roast the meat and put it in. While I let the stew simmer, my mom comes in.

"Katniss," she scolds lightly, "I could've made dinner."

"Mom, you had a long enough day at work."

She just shakes her head and smiles. She works as a housekeeper and she's always so tired after she comes home. I walk down the hall and go into the bedroom. Mom calls us for dinner an hour or two later. We sit down at the table. When I take a bite of stew, Prim screeches and I choke on my stew. While I have a coughing fit, Prim dashes into the living room and turns on the television.

"Katniss," Prim shouts, "the report!"

I sigh and roll my eyes. Prim settles in front of the TV and I take both of our bowls in the living room handing Prim hers. Mom brings the rolls and a bowl of strawberries. We listen to the announcements. Then Gavril come to announce the Selection contestants.

"Rue Marlina, Sumner, Five."

It shows a picture of a girl with brown skin, and curly dark satiny hair. I take a sip of water right when they announce the last name.

"Katniss Everdeen, Panama, Six."

I spew my water out onto the carpet. It shows the picture I took when my mom and Prim dressed me for it. I was wearing my mom's blue dress and she did my hair into elaborate braid style.

Prim squeals, "Oh my goodness! Katniss! You made it!"

All I can think is, Oh no I have to wear a dress.