I woke up to the sound of horns. As I calmed myself I reminded myself It's reaping day, so the entire district is woken up by a horn. This was implemented in the 76th games, When people in my district stopped watching and coming to reapings after... What happened. The reaping is always a sore subject for me, considering who my father is: Peeta Mellark. Yes, The winner of the 74th hunger games, the famous star-crossed lover left widowed. I always have this feeling I'm going to get picked, it would make a good show actually: The son of the famous Peeta Mellark in the hunger games. Genius!

I walked downstairs of my house, the house my dad won in the victor's village. I guess i'm lucky, getting to live in a house like this; with all the food, shelter and warmth the rest of my district so clearly lacks, I sometimes think i'm being selfish. But there are rules, only my dad's family can live here, and since gran and gramps are long gone, i guess this is how it is. As I walked in to the kitchen Dad was sitting on the kitchen table, wearing his fancy suit, with his blonde hair styled back, eating some pieces of bread and drinking some coffee. Dad only drank coffee on special occasions, and particularly when the event makes him nervous. I'm glad he's not like uncle Haymitch anymore, with the alcohol and all. But there was something in his eyes...

"Morning dad," I said, while taking a piece of bread from the table. "How'd you sleep?"

"I couldn't sleep at all," He replied, not making eye contact. "Too many nightmares."

"I know it's hard for you, mentoring tributes every year and having to see them die." It's true, this has been an issue for him for a long time.

"It's not that, Blaze." His eyes finally met mine.

"Then what is it?" I asked.

"It's the quarter quell." He replied, and I noticed tears in his eyes. "The 100th annual hunger games and they're going big. They're taking 6 from each district. And I have a bad feeling about you."

"It'll be fine, dad." I replied trying to console him. "If I haven't been picked up till now, I bet it's not going to happen. And plus, there are over 3,000 other kids besides me..."

"I just don't want to lose you." His tears falling down his cheeks. "The capitol has taken too many things from me. Katniss, your mother, your grandparents... I just wouldn't stand it If I lose you. All they want is a show."

I saw the broken look on my dad's face and I hugged him. I suddenly realized I'm all he has. And frankly, he's all I got too. My father has changed a lot over the past 26 years. He's told me the story many times. How he tried to win the hunger games alongside Katniss Everdeen, but when there were three left Cato was pushed off the side of the Cornucopia. But not before getting a grip on Katniss, making her fall to her death as well. My father was left the winner. The thing is, he loved her and it devastated him that she was gone. He went mad, Joined uncle Haymitch in booze-ville and made his life a mess. It wasn't until my mother came along, Prue was her name, that he found some meaning to his life. Unfortunately she died getting whipped by some Peacekeepers for breaking the law when I was 2 months old, I never met her. But dad fixed himself... for me. And now it's me and him against the world... well, the district because I can't leave here. And I know I have to be strong, for him.. for both of us.

"Everything's going to be alright." I told him, trying to hid my terror. "I promise."

And boy was I wrong!

As dad helped me run a bath and lay out my clothes, I couldn't help but wonder what if this were the last time I would be here, the last time I would get to be safe and sound in my bedroom, the last time I will ever be with my father... I can't stand the thought. When I got dressed, dad came with some gel and rubbed it on my hair. Soon, it was blonde and styled back.. identical to his. He embraced me, feeling me as if it were the last time he'll have me in his arms. Then he leaded toward the door, holding back is tears.

Outside, the first this I did was look for Hazel, My best friend. She lives in the seam and I help her out with bread and other kinds of stuff. Her family of 5 needs it more than I do. I found her, she was wearing a yellow dress, and her black hair was made into a ponytail; which really brought out her beautiful green eyes. She didn't look like most of the people in the seam, with olive skin. She was pale, like me and my dad.

"Well, you look handsome today, Blaze!" She said, examining me. "Green really brings out your eyes."

"You don't look so bad yourself." I replied, holding back my real thoughts "You look beautiful!"

"How's your dad doing?" She asked, if anyone other than my dad understood me, it was her.

"Hes got this fear that i'm gonna get picked." Which is obvious, i happened every year. "But this year, it's like he's already preparing my funeral. Like he's already lost me."

"Don't worry, he'll be alright." She said, extending her arm around me. "You'll see, it won't be you, it won't be us. I can feel it."

"How are you so sure?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm completely positive." She insisted. "The capitol needs to stay at peace, the last thing they need is a martyr. It's like Katniss all over again. They don't want that, so they'll leave you alone, so the country can be happy."

I never thought like that before, it actually makes sense. Hazel may be a year younger than me, but she sure is wise! Now all me fears are directed at the possibility of Hazel getting picked.

"Haz-" I started, but the horns rang again, indicating the potential tributes to line up and the rest to spectate.

"C'mon, Blaze.." She said with confidence as she invited me to walk with her. " Let's see our fate."

There I was, waiting in line for Abby Trinket to read those who were to await certain death. She stood there with her ridiculous green wig and purple plastic dress. It's a shame, really. How capitol citizens dress so badly, it almost makes me glad I'm not one of them; I prefer to be here awaiting my death. Dad was standing next to Haymitch, who was bald and very, very drunk today. I looked around to find Hazel and luckily I found her, she winked at me in confidence and then turned her gaze back to Abby.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome!" She exclaimed, resembling her mother. " It is time to select 6 courageous young men and women to represent district 12 in the 100th annual hunger games!"

First she called the three girls: Suzanne Mile, Drew Indigo... and Hazel Curtshaw.

My heart sank. My best friend... in the games.. awaiting certain death. There goes her confidence!, I though. Because there was going to be NO victor for 12 this year, I just knew it. There hasn't been one since my father... Hazel was "Escorted" onto the stage; she was pale, paler than I've ever seen her.

"Now it's time for the boys!" Said Abby with glee.

I braced for the worst. She started calling off the boys: Phoenix Blue, Stan Recall... I almost had a sigh of relief because there was only one name left. And it was one in a million chance it wasn't me. The she called the last name.

"And the last male tribute who will have the honor to represent district 12 in the 100th annual hunger games is.." She said, building suspense. " Oh my... Blaze Mellark!"

My father fainted right then and there. Abby ordered some guards to try to wake him. I wanted to run toward him, but I couldn't. I was pushed to the stage and I just stood there as Abby presented the tributes to the district. I glanced at Hazel, who started to cry. I don't know how to present myself, I wanted to cry and run away to the safety of my room. She looked at me and for a moment, we consoled each other with eye contact. At least I would have my best friend with me. But I have to kill her, I thought. It was too much. After that, Abby picked one girl and boy to ask a question to, she obviously picked me.

"Blaze..." Abby actually looked sorry for me. "Are you ready to represent your district with honor, courage and loyalty.. just like your father?"

"Ready as I'll ever be..." I replied, I'm not that good with publics. I couldn't' speak without my voice breaking, which it did at the end of that sentence.

Then I had a sort of Déjà vu moment. Everyone in the crowd kissed their tree middle fingers and then rose them in the air. I saw this once, when Katniss volunteered for her sister. And that didn't turn out good, the capitol got angry... I'm in trouble now.

Then we were escorted to the inside of the justice building. But not before Abby spoke that haunting phrase that I despise.

"Happy hunger games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

They are SO not on mine!