I stand nervously in the crowd, amongst the other children who are awaiting the news on whether they shall be sent to their death or not. Mother has just reassured my brothers that they shall be safe and not to worry, however, she did not even make eye contact with me. My breathing is rapid and I can feel my heart pounding against my chest.

I see Effie Trinket, in her bright coloured attire, approach the stage, tapping the microphone harshly. This woman appears unnatural to me. How she is able to send two children to their death every year and treat it as if it was an 'honour' is beyond me. I scan the crowd to try to find something or someone to calm my nerves. And I do. Katniss Everdeen. She looks beautiful, her hair braided delicately while in an elegant blue dress. Of course she has made an effort, it is the Reaping. I notice her eyes looking over in my direction and for a split second I believe she is to be looking at me. But I am wrong. She is looking at the handsome Gale Hawthorne from the Seam. Of course she wouldn't be looking at me. Katniss hates me. And she has every right too.

Once the propaganda video for the Hunger Games has ended, Effie Trinket finally resorts to revealing the news which we are all anxious to hear. My name is in twelve times this year. Mother forced me to sign up for tesserae, however, she refused that any of my other brothers would sign up for it.

'Ladies first,' Effie calls over the audience. The body movement of the girls to the right side of the town square suddenly tightens, literally frozen in fear. It seems like an eternity, though it is only a few seconds, until Effie finally fishes out a name from the bowl. She opens it delicately, caring more for that piece of paper than the name on it.

'Primrose Everdeen.'

A deathly silence spreads across the town square. My eyes dart instantly to Katniss and I can literally see her heart breaking in front of me. I want to run out to her, wrap my arms around her and tell her that Prim will be safe...

'I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!' I hear Katniss scream in a soul destroying desperation. I feel my heart jump into my mouth, my stomach plummet to the ground. Not Katniss. But it's too late. Already Katniss is being escorted to the stage, being introduced to the entire of District 12. But Katniss doesn't need an introduction. She never does.

Katniss is one of those people who everyone knows the name of, although they may have never spoken to them. At school people admire her from a far, idolising the fact that she is able to enter the Hob by herself, the fact that she never shows any sign of fear or weakness. Until now. As I watch Katniss on stage, her body behaviour is fidgety, her voice breaking. There are tears in her eyes though she is trying so hard not to cry. When Effie asks for us to give an applause for 'District 12's very first volunteer' the town remains silent. We simply raise three fingers in the air for Katniss Everdeen.

Effie seems somewhat took back by our rejection to applaud an example of a living sacrifice. She tries to recover quickly by moving onto the male tribute. I instantly feel my stomach tighten as she walks over to the glass bowl. However, I am not too nervous. My dad has told me that Gale Hawthorne has been put in 42 times this year and that many of the towns folk who have no children have betted on Gale to be picked. In a way I hope Gale is chosen, at least that way he will be able to protect Katniss. I hate Gale because I know that, deep down, Katniss loves him, even if she does not know yet. However, I know that Gale loves Katniss too and that he will do everything in his favour to protect her.

'Peeta Mellark.' I hear my voice called out but I do not know why. I notice all of a sudden that everybody has turned to look at me. My mouth suddenly goes dry and before my brain can register what has happened I begin walking towards the stage. Like a mechanical robot, I just walk.

Silence fills the town square once again, but unlike with Prim, nobody volunteers to save me. As I walk up the stairs I stumble slightly. I want to fall to the ground and never get up. I can feel my stomach tighten even further and I am barely able to breathe. I, Peeta Mellark, am District 12's male tribute. I can feel myself shaking so I clutch my fists tightly as a way to gain some composure. My chest tightens and my breathing becomes even shorter. However, this is being filmed live right now and I must not appear weak. That is the only rule I know about the Hunger Games. Never appear weak.

I am forced to shake hands with Katniss but as I stare into her eyes all I see is hatred. She pulls her hand away quickly from me before turning her head swiftly. Within minutes we are taken into separate rooms within the Justice Building.

I sit down on the luxurious leather sofa whilst I await my visitors. I have five minutes to myself and I can feel the tears streaming down my face. I begin crying hysterically, I try to stop, but I can't. I pace myself around the room, trying to take my mind off what is happening. But what is happening is that I am being sent to my death. How can I take my mind off that? I hear the door open behind me and I try to wipe my eyes quickly.

'Are you crying?!' I hear the shrill voice of my mother call, 'Peeta, stop acting like a girl.'

'Where's dad?'

'He wants to visit you separately,' my mother replies, 'I wish we could have a sofa like this.'

'Are you okay?' I ask, trying to steer the conversation back to what is about to happen. My mother turns to me and releases a heavy sigh. She walks over to me and places her hand on my left shoulder, looking into my eyes,

'I really think District 12 has finally found a victor.' I feel a sudden burst of reassurance, just the fact that my mother holds some form of confidence in me means the world. 'Let's just pray there's a bow.'

A bow.

I walk away from my mother, suddenly becoming transfixed on the bookshelf. She wasn't talking about me. I can hear her talking in the background, giving an excuse about how my brothers' are in 'no state' to come see me. More like they could not be bothered. It is not them being sent to their deaths, it is their baby brother! I can feel myself growing agitated and as I turn around to shout at this woman who claims she is my mother I find that she has gone. I suddenly feel an emptiness grow inside of me. I have missed the chance to tell my mother that, regardless of the ill treatment she has given me the past 16 years, that I love her. I can feel the tears piercing my eyes once more.

I run my hands through my hair, pulling at it harshly. The form of pain on my roots distracts me for a brief second from the emotional pain within my mind.

'Peeta,' I hear my dad call. I instantly open my eyes to find my dad standing in front of me. He wraps me into a tight hug, pressing me into his chest. I can feel the tears flowing freely from my eyes but he does not care. Because he is crying too.

'I love you so much, Peeta,' my dad repeats numerous times.

'I love you too, Dad,' I reply, my voice muffled by my tears. My dad places both hands on my shoulders, furrowing his brows at me.

'You're going to win this, Peeta. You're a Mellark. I know you can do it.'

'I won't be able-'

'-You will! Peeta, I believe in you.'

I stare into my dad's eyes and, amongst the tears, I see a form of defiance.

'Just don't lose yourself in the game,' my dad comments.

'I won't.' A Peace Keeper enters the room to pull my dad away from me forever.

'I love you son,' my dad says one last time whilst hugging me tightly.

'I love you too.' The Peace Keeper pulls my dad away from me but before he leaves the room I shout 'Tell mother that I love her too!'

The door closes and I am once again isolated in my own fear. I stare anxiously at the ground, anticipating the inevitable.

A/N- Please follow the story and leave a review :)!