I slowly start walking to the square for the Reaping. Even though my name is only entered around five times I can't help but feel nervous, not just for me but for everyone. For the unlucky girl and boy who will be chosen to compete in the Hunger Games. The Hunger games are a way the Capitol reminds us how much they actually own us and how defenceless we really are against them.
I get to area with the rest of my age group is starting to arrive. I awkwardly greet a few of my friends, but you can feel the tension between everyone in the square. I look around the square at everyone who's gathered the people who take bets on who will be chosen as tributes and then I see Prim. She is only twelve and this will be her first Reaping. She looks so nervous. I see Prim looking at Katniss. I follow her gaze and see Katniss. She looks so beautiful as always. I have been in love with her since we were five, since I first saw her. She looks worried now, not for her but for Prim. Prim only has her name entered once compared to the many Katniss has.
Once the mayor has finished talking, Effie Trinket, the escort for District 12 steps to the front of the stage wearing a bright pink wig. "Ladies First!" she says brightly moving to the big ball with the girl's names in it. I only have time to wish for Katniss's safety before she takes out a slip of paper.
"Primrose Everdeen," she says.
My eyes go wide because Prim whose name is only entered once out all the others has been chosen. I see Katniss, who looks as shocked as ever and Prim slowly making her way up to the stage.
"I volunteer," I hear Katniss shout shoving Prim back behind her. "I volunteer as a tribute"
No Katniss no, I thinks as she makes her way up to the stage don't do this.
Prim is screaming and holding on to her sister when Gale comes and pulls her back. A pang of jealousy hits me as she looks at him with eyes full of emotion. "Up you go Catnip," he says trying to keep the emotion out of his voice.
I am lost in thought as she makes her way up to the stage.
I come back to my senses just as Haymitch comes forward. "Look at her. Look at this one!" he says putting an arm around her shoulder. "I like her! Lots of . . . Spunk!" he says triumphantly. "More than you," he says moving to the front of stage and pointing at the camera. As he opens his mouth to continue he falls of the stage and is pulled away unconscious on a stretcher.
Trying to keep things moving Effie moves to the ball with the boy's name in it, her hand takes the first name it touches. "Peeta Mellark," she reads.
I freeze did she really just call my name? Of course she did. I struggle to remain emotionless as I make my way to the stage. The mayor gives a speech but I am not paying attention to it and I can tell Katniss isn't either.
Katniss and I turn to face each other and shake hands I give a hopefully reassuring squeeze and then the anthem comes on and we're swept into the Justice Building for the goodbyes.