Chapter One

Katniss Everdeen stood on the stage and stared out into the crowd. Which one of these boys will I be competing with?

Effie Trinket put her hand into the pile of names, and much like she had when she pulled out the girls' name, she swivelled her hand around a couple of times before eventually deciding on one to take. She pulled it out, and held it in her hand with as much care as if she were holding a baby.

She cleared her throat before reading out the name. Get on with it, Effie. I want to go and cry already.

"Gale Hawthorne," Effie read, with a precise and piercing voice.

Oh no. Oh no. I can't fight against Gale! Gale… He's my best friend… And I need him to look after Prim when I'm gone…

Prim was crying from the audience, just as loud as when Katniss volunteered. Everybody looked in shock. Even though they were in separate years in school, everybody knew how close she and Gale were.

Gale, however, was playing the perfect poker face, not showing any emotion, and sure as hell not giving the cameras anything to work with.

When he reached the stage, he merely looked agitated, and Katniss was doing her best not to weep in front of everyone.

Gale… he could probably win, he's tough… He can look after Prim when he wins… But what if he doesn't?

Katniss's thoughts weren't on her own demise, but on how Gale being picked could impact her family. Who will get them food while we're away?

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Effie's voice boomed, "your Tributes from District 12, Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne!"

Before she could see the audience's reaction, Katniss was pushed inside the building behind her and taken to a secluded room, away from Gale of course. The first people to come and visit her were her family.

When her mum was still half way through the door, she started ranting at her.

"You are not to zone out again like you did when dad died, understand?"

"Yes... But…"

"Prim will need you when I'm not here to look after her anymore. If you don't stay strong for Prim's sake, you'll both starve, and I can't allow that."

"I understand."

"You are not to take the Tesserae; the Capitol would just love that. You can sell milk from Prim's goat and Gale…" Damn. "Mrs Hawthorne can help out where possible."

She hugged Prim and then her mother. "Be strong for me."

The next person to come in was Mrs Hawthorne. She was the first to visit Gale and came in straight after. Katniss hugged her, and let out a few tears that she wouldn't let her mum or Prim see.

"How's Gale doing?" Katniss asked.

"He's holding up okay. I told him I'd come and see you afterwards. 'Tell Katniss you'll watch Prim and her mother for her.'"

"You will? You mean it?"

"If I have anything to say about it, they're not going to starve anytime soon."

"Thank you." Katniss said through tears. Gale's mother pulled her back into a hug. She stroked her hair.

"It's okay, Katniss. Everything is going to be fine."

But how can she be so sure?

The last person to visit Katniss was a complete surprise. She gasped when he walked in. Him? She didn't even know his name. She knew him though, from that one event almost five years ago. When he basically saved her family, and copped a beating for it.

"You." She breathed.

"I don't think we've ever been introduced… I'm Peeta."

"You- you're the one… you're the one that gave me the bread!"

"You needed it. You were starving. I could tell, even then. You know Katniss; I would never have been able to say this… if it wasn't for, well, recent events… But, I really like you. And if I have anything to say about it, your family isn't going to starve. My dad said he'd pitch in some food, and I could take them any leftover food, when we have some that is…"

Katniss took a second to take it all in. "You like me?" She asked with a small voice.

"Yes. Ever since I heard you sing, when we were five."

Katniss felt her face go red. This is not the time, nor the place. "I'm honoured, thank you, but-"

"Oh, it's okay, you don't have to think up some excuse. I think your current circumstance is excuse enough. I just needed you to know, before… well, before something happens. You'll be a great tribute. Just stay strong."

And before she had the chance to say anything, Peeta hugged her and walked out quickly. As if this morning couldn't get any weirder.

Katniss waited for her next visitor, but there was no one. The next person to come in was the Peacekeeper, ready to take her to the train, the train that would take her to her doom.