The Reaping (Katniss's POV)
'On the second Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be chosen, to remind the rebels that for every capitol citizen killed, two rebels died.' These are the words that continued to run through my mind as I got my sister, Prim, and I ready for this dreadful day, the reapings. My mother, far too depressed to help us dress for such an event, stood outside the door looking sadly at us. Prim, who was usually bursting with happiness, couldn't look any of us in the eyes. As I finished helping her do her hair, I was hit with a horrendous thought; we can both go in this year…
My hands stopped moving and it felt like I couldn't breathe, I knew I needed to get that thought out of my head, because if I didn't there was no telling what I would do. Though my moment of hesitation was just that…a moment, Prim had felt my stiff posture and turned to look at me. I swallowed and forced my lips to pull up in a half-smile, "There," I squeaked, "you look great!" I realized, after a second of silence, that the words held nothing that could make her uneasiness disappear.
She looked at me for a second, and then said in a quiet voice, "But I don't want to look great for this." I sighed, "I know but, you do what you must to please the people of authority." She nodded solemnly. I couldn't stand to see her face so downcast so I suggested that we go over to the Hawthorn's house and see if they were ready so we could walk up to the square together. She perked up at the idea, though not as much as I would have liked.
We made the short walk to the Hawthorne's and as we did I thought of my best friend, Gale Hawthorne. We had met on Prim's first day of school, when I was waiting for her, he doing the same only for his brother, Rory. I was 9, Gale 13. We stood next to each other as we waited never saying a word. We were too different for one another and we both knew it. We noticed, however; when Prim and Rory walked out together, laughing and smiling. We knew that would would have to suck it up and, at least, act civil toward each other. It turned out to be much more than that and I could not thank Prim and Rory enough for helping our friendship along it's way.
I smile as remember and am pulled out of my daydream by two little kids running at me in a full sprint. I laugh and reach forward to grab them when they finally make it over to me. It's Gale's other two siblings, Vick and Posy. Since both are too young for the reapings, which are only for 12-18 year olds, they are one less thing to worry about when it comes time to draw the names. I am delighted by this reminder and hug them even closer, but then I see 18 year old Gale and all the happiness I felt just moments ago, vanishes. We study each other, thinking about the slips we have that could be drawn today. I let go of Vick and Posy and rush forward into Gale's waiting arms.
"Hey, there," he says with a chuckle, "We should get going." I sigh, "yeah, come on Prim, don't want to be late." And with that, we start to make our way to the square. We get there just in time, the mayor, Mr. Undersee, has just walked up to the microphone and begins the speech we hear every year, about the Dark Days and the consequences. Once he is finished, he introduces Effie Trinket, our capitol escort. She begins with the ever so cheerful saying of, 'Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!' She skips to the girl's reaping bowl, and instead of just one grabbing on slip, she grabs two. I hold my breath and pray that neither one of them contains Prim's name. As Effie reads the names, I realize the praying is just other useless thing against the capital, because the first name called is Primrose Everdeen and the second one is...Katniss Everdeen.
A/N: First story! Share your thoughts, continue or no good? Criticism welcome! Thanks for reading!