Today is the day of the reaping in District 12. I have a bad feeling. I look over to Katniss, who is talking to her sister Prim. I just couldn't imagine what would happen if one of us got reaped..

As I look up onto the stage that is set on the Justice Building, there are 3 chairs, but only 2 of them are filled. Mayor Undersee and Effie Trinket, District 12's escort. She looks like a scary clown to me, with all her Capitol makeup and pinkish hair. I look over to Katniss again, and this time I find her looking back. We both have those Grey Seam eyes.

The Mayor goes up onto the stage, and gives the speech that he has to give before every annual Hunger Games. He then introduces Effie Trinket, who crosses to the podium and gives her signature "Happy Hunger Games!" and "May the odds be ever in your favor!" All in her Capitol accent. I had entered my name into the reaping forty-two times, but I had to remind myself that thousands of other names were entered too..

I'm pulled back into reality when I hear Effie's voice say "ladies first!". She crosses to the glass ball that contains all the girl's names, slips her hand inside, and pulls out a slip of paper.

It's Primrose Everdeen.

I look over to Katniss, but she's not there. She's running to the stage. "Prim! Prim!" I watch her as she pushes her sister behind her, and the the words come out of her mouth. "I volunteer! I volunteer as Tribute!" I stand there, stunned. Katniss is going into The Hunger Games. I just couldn't take it in. "Lovely!" Says Effie Trinket. "But I believe there's a small matter of introducing the reaping winner and then asking for volunteers,
and if one does come forth, then we, um .." She trails off. The mayor pushes it aside and gets Katniss to come up onto the stage, but before she does, Prim is grabbing onto her leg screaming hysterically. "Prim, let go" I hear her say. "Let go!"

I come up behind them, grabbing Prim in my arms. "Up you go, Catnip" I tell her. I'm trying so hard to keep my voice steady, but it's too hard. I bring Prim over to her mother, and stand there with them.

"Well, bravo!" I hear Effie Trinket say. "That's the spirit of the Games! What's your name ?"

"Katniss Everdeen" My hunting partner says. I can tell she's trying not to show her terror. I know her so well, it doesn't make a difference. It's time for everybody to clap, but nobody does. Then something unexpected happens, everybody takes their three middle fingers on their left hand, touches it to their lips, and holds it out to her. It's a gesture that's not rarely used in District 12, but it means goodbye.

Effie Trinket crosses to the glass ball that holds all of the boy's names, and i'm actually hoping it's me. I could protect Katniss in the arena, but that would mean one of us would have to die. I couldn't put that stress on Katniss. 'Peeta Mellark!" Effie says joyfully. He's the bakers son. As he makes his way onto the stage in shock, I can tell he's not trying to hide his fear. She asks for volunteers, but nobody does. He has a couple of brothers and lots of friends at school, but everything is silent.

I almost volunteer for him, but then I remember what I told myself before. Katniss is good with a bow, she could easily kill him in the arena if she had to.

They take them both away into another building, so that loved ones and friends can say their final goodbyes. District 12 hasn't had a victor in quite a while, since the tributes die off fast in the arena and they don't get many sponsors. The odds are not in Katniss's favor.

When it's my turn to visit Katniss, I don't know what I'm going to say to her. I want to tell her that she's special to me, that those 4 years of hunting together has pulled us closer. But I'm just not sure she would feel the same way. As soon as I enter the room, I open my arms for a hug. She doesn't hesitate, and hugs me back. When I let go, I can see that she's worried. I don't blame her. Just imagine going into this huge arena with 23
other tributes who want to kill you.

"They just want a good show, that's all they want" I tell her. "There's 24 of us Gale, and only one comes out" She replies. I don't know what to say back. I don't know how to comfort her. She's most likely not coming back out of the arena, since it's usually the Tributes for District 1, 2, or 4.

Our time is up. The Capitol people come in and take me out. I was planning on telling Katniss that I loved her, that I'll miss her. Just before the door fully closes, I get out "Remember I-" But the last word it cut short. Now she doesn't know how I feel about her, and I'll never get the chance to tell her.