CHAPTER 1: Reaping Day

Katniss' POV:

I stand in a small reserved space with every other 16 year old girl in District 12. My breath is steady and my face shows no emotion, but inside, I am crying and jumping up and down from nervousness. "Please don't pick me. Please. Please. Please don't pick me-or Gale-for the Games. Prim is lucky. She's only in once."I think to myself.

Effie Trinket, the District 12 escort walks up to the stage in her pink dress and taps the microphone to make sure it's on. Then she begins speaking.

"Welcome, welcome. The time has come to select one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing District 12 in the 74th annual Hunger Games. May the odds be ever in your favor...Ladies First!" Effie says, then begins to walk to the glass that contains the names of girls ages 12-18. 20 of them have my name. Please! Please not me!

Thankfully it's not me. But now I wish it was. The name Effie reads makes me terrified: Primrose Everdeen.

Gale's POV:

The moment I hear Prim's name, I know exactly what Katniss will do. And I'm correct. She runs to out into the aisle and screams, "I VOLUNTEER! I-I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!"

No! Not my Catnip. She can't be a tribute. Just the thought of her blood splattered over the place sends a shudder down my back. But I know she won't let Prim enter the Games. Suddenly the idea dawns on me. I must go with her. I have to go protect her from whoever her competition will be. Even if it costs me my life.

I see Prim run to Katniss and clutch her legs as she tries to walk up the steps to the stage. I run out and grab Prim as Katniss tries to shake her off.

"Up you go, Catnip" I whisper to Katniss as calmly and quietly as I can.

Then, I carry Prim back to the 12 year old girls section and whisper to her, "Katniss will be alright, Prim.". But she's obviously no idiot. Prim knows that every tribute goes through a painful death. Even if your the victor, you go through a lot of pain and blood shedding.

I walk back to my spot as Effie reads the boy tribute's name: Peeta Mellark. The baker's youngest son. He gulps and I know he's trying not to cry.

Without thinking I walk into the aisle and say loudly and clearly, "I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE."

Kantniss' POV:

It takes everything I have for me to not break down and scream. But before I can think I run to Gale and embrace him, holding him tightly like he'll fall off the stage and die if I let go. No this can't be happening. This is all just a nightmare and in a few hours, I'll be awake and at home. I try to calm myself down. But this is real. Gale pats my back and gently pushes me back to my spot on the stage.

"Wow! Two volunteers this year! This is sure to be an interesting Hunger Games!" Effie says, smiling broadly.

I just glare at Effie and then shift my eyesight to Prim, trying to make out her expression.

"Let's give a round of applause to this years tributes!" Effie exclaims, begging to clap.

But nobody else does. Instead, one by one, each person in the audience lifts their left hand and presses their three middle finger to their lips and holds it out to us, high above their heads. This is an old District 12 gesture that is rarely seen or used anymore. It means thanks, admiration, and goodbye to someone you love.

Effie frowns and then the national anthem of Panem begins to play. After it ends, we are taken into the Justice Building, where we will get a few minutes with your visitors to say some goodbyes.

Gale's POV:

Katniss and I are lead into separate rooms in the Justice Building. With each step, my hearts beats faster. This is real. I am now a tribute in the 74th Hunger Games. I could have been home now. But I decided to volunteer. To protect my best friend, Katniss. Katniss. The girl I became friends because of our mutual need to survive 4 years ago. Katniss. My hunting partner who has amazing skills with a bow and arrow. Katniss. My best friend. Katniss. The girl I fell in love with a while back but only realized it 6 months ago. I know I did the right thing.

I sit on a velvet seat while I wait for my visitors. The first to come is my mother and three younger siblings: Posy, Rory, and Vick. They all hug my tightly and I don't push them away. After a few seconds they pull back and I see tears forming on each of their faces. Now something horrible comes to me. How will they get things to eat? The Games usually last over 2 weeks. They could starve without me. And there's no telling if I will make it out alive-I probably won't.

"Mother...I-I'm sorry. I didn't think about you and Posy and Rory and Vick. All I could think about was protecting Katniss. How will you get food?" I ask my mom

"Shh. We'l be fine Gale. I'm sure I can get enough money from washing clothes for people and I can do other jobs to get food as well. It'll be tough, but I know we can make it". she responds, trying to put on a smile for my sake.

I rub my hands over my face and begin to pace around the room. The 4 members of my family watch me as I narrow my eyes at angrily walk around the room. Stupid Hunger Games. Stupid me for not thinking about my family. But...Katniss needs a protector. Doesn't she?

The Peacekeepers tell us to wrap it up and I walk over to my family. I place a kiss on each of their cheeks and I get a hug from each of them one last time. The Peacekeepers pull us apart and I take one last look at them as they disappear out the door. It takes a lot of effort not to cry.

My next visitors are Katniss's mother and Prim. They obviously know I volunteered to protect Katniss.

"Please, keep her safe, Gale." Mrs. Everdeen tells me

"Of course." I tell her and nod.

"Thank you. For everything." she continues

"Your welcome." I say

We sit in silence for the next minutes. Then the Peacekeepers take them away.

I have no other visitors.

Katniss's POV:

The Peacekeepers escort me out the door and towards the train station. All I can think about it the weeks to come. The Chariot Rides, training, interviews, and the Games themselves. I'm not too worried about my family. Prim can sell her goats milk and cheeses and my mom can get enough money with her apothecary. She can also earn money from other jobs she'll find. If they're careful, they can get by without starving. But I'm scared for myself and Gale. I don't think I'll make it out, but I can't bear the thought of him dying trying to protect me.

The train station is swarming with television crews but I don't acknowledge them. Instead, I run over to Gale and grab his hand. He is my rock, my anchor. I'm glad he's with me, but upset he will be fighting to the death in a week alongside me. Either way, I don't know what I would have done without him.

I glance up at the screen projecting out faces and am glad to see that Gale and I look almost bored about the situation.

I cross my fingers behind my back. Hoping, begging that maybe we will be contenders in the Games and that maybe we will both make it home safely and alive.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading the first chapter. I know it's kind of boring, but it gets better with every chapter. Feel free to review! I love getting criticism that helps me improve.