I stare forward. I can't afford to look around, or I know I'll break down. In front of me, in the pool of 12 year olds, stand my two friends, Raven and May. They are also not gazing around. As they say here in District 12, "The first Reaping is always the hardest."

To distract myself, I focus on the way May's hair is fashioned- twisted into a somewhat elegant know on the side of her head. What if it's her? Or Raven? Or me? No, it won't be me. After all, I do only have one entry, as Katniss kept helping me remember. But she has so many slips in that glass bowl… What if it's Katniss?

The District 12 escort dips her hand into the first bowl of names with a perky, "Ladies first!" and I think I'm going to hurl. She straightens the paper out in front of her chin a carefully reads the name aloud: "Primrose Everdeen".

I close my eyes. That didn't just happen. It couldn't happen. Someone near me is taking loud, uneven breaths. It takes me a few seconds to realize those breaths belong to me. I inhale deeply and place my foot shakily forward while I exhale. I open my eyes to see relieved girls parting to let me to the stage. As I pass Raven, she won't meet my gaze, but May's eyes are as wide as Buttercup's when he catches sight of a mouse.

While I'm taking my dreadful paces, I slowly reach behind me and tuck in the tail of my shirt. Suddenly, I'm hit with the memory of quacking and laughing that took place just an hour ago. I will hold onto that memory when I'm on the train leaving Katniss, and District 12, behind. Most likely forever.

I'm halfway to the stage. The stage that proclaims my death.

"I volunteer!" a rushed, scratchy voice screeches from the crowd. Katniss's voice. My sister's voice. "I volunteer as tribute!"

Screams emit from my throat. Gale quickly sweeps me onto his shoulder and carries my away.

"No! No!" I keep shouting, praying it may somehow reverse the event that just unraveled before me. Katniss stalks onto the stage, exactly where I am supposed to be. She took my place. The pink haired lady asks for her name.

"Katniss Everdeen", she replies in a dazed voice. And just like that, the last member of my family is gone; my father, my mother's spirit, and now my sister.

My sister, who sings me to sleep when I have nightmares, who bought me a goat, who risks being killed by the Capitol everyday to put food on the table.

But no, my sister isn't gone. She will, she has to win these games.

Katniss, don't give up.

Win for me.