I bolt upright in bed and stare at the wall, breathing heavily. I must have had another nightmare again, only Peeta isn't here to comfort me like he always does. But he's probably still sleeping. I don't blame him. I'm not really looking forward to today, because today is the most dreaded day of the year, the Reaping. I know Peeta isn't looking forward to it either, being this is his fourth year and all. Not that anyone else looks forward to it…except for Capitol citizens. This is my first year to be participating in the Reaping, and like all the other kids, I'm nervous. But not because I'm afraid that I will get picked. I'm afraid for my friends, Prim, Katniss, Gale, Rory, Vick, and Madge. And of course for my brother Peeta. But I push these thoughts aside as I get up to go get ready.
Just as I'm opening the door, Peeta calls me. "Meredith? Is that you?" I turn around to find him sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Darn. I didn't want to wake him up. "Oh Peeta, I'm sorry that I woke you, I was just…" But he quickly gets up and embraces me. I hug him back, thankful that he wasn't mad, but it's not like he's ever mad at anyone. Especially me. He knows what I'm going through. I let go and look up into those deep blue eyes, the ones that match mine. "Don't be sorry, everything's fine." He says with a smile on his face. Then he frowns for a moment. "You ok Mer?" I was confused for a moment until I realized that a small tear was dripping down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away. "Yeah I'm fine. It's just…I'm scared Peeta." He hugs me again and strokes my soft, brown curls. Even though I'm a merchant's daughter, I have brown hair. No one knows where that came from. It's not like any of my parents or relatives have brown hair. I'm the only one. "I know" he says calmly. "It's your first year Mer and your name is only in there once; they're not going to pick you." "But what if they pick you? Or Gale or Katniss? And what about Prim…" my voice trails off. Prim is my best friend. We always go out to the meadow and pick flowers while Katniss, Peeta, and Gale go out into the woods. Sometimes they even drag Prim and I out there, if they convince us enough.
"I'm sure that won't happen." Peeta says. "Come on now, Mom made us blueberry pancakes, your favorite!" "Okay." I say, and we walk into the kitchen together. The table is already set with pancakes on our plates. Mother always makes blueberry pancakes on Reaping day; it's almost like a tradition. She's been making them ever since I can remember. I plop down in my chair and just stare at the pancakes. I'm not really hungry. But I manage to eat just a few bites before I have to get ready. We have to be at the square by noon, and it's already 10:30. I hurry out if the kitchen and change into a white blouse with small purple flowers on them and a grey skirt that was left on my bed. They belonged to my mother when she was my age. Just as I finish changing, my mother comes in to our room.
"Want me to braid your hair?" she asks. "Sure" I say. I've noticed that I'm not my normal self today. I'm usually all happy and bubbly, not shy and depressed. Well, I guess no one is going to be happy today, except maybe those stuck up, arrogant kids from Districts 1, 2, and 4 because they actually want to be chosen for the Games. They scare me, too. We walk into the bathroom and my mother begins to braid my hair. After she's done, she ties the ends with small elastic bands, and I notice that my hair is I two separate braids. "Thank you, it looks beautiful." I say with a smile.
Peeta comes in and says it's almost noon and we have to leave now in order to make it to the square. I hold Peeta's hand and we all walk to the square and take our places in our category. I glance back at Peeta, who has a worried look on his face, but then I nod reassuringly and turn around quickly to find Prim and Katniss waiting for me. We take our places just as the announcer from the capitol begins. "Welcome everyone! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" she says in her crazy capitol accent. I'm pretty sure her name's Effie. She's wearing a bright, puffy prink outfit that definitely stands out from the crowd. It's kinda weird looking. But you know, they're from the Capitol.
Then the announcer continues with the same video and speech they show us every year, basically telling us what had happened to the districts when they have gotten out of hand during the Rebellion. Then President Snow wishes us a Happy Hunger Games, and the pulling of the names begins. Prim attentively holds my hand, and I give it a tight squeeze. My palms start to get sweaty, and I nervously search for my friends in the crowd. Of course, Katniss and Prim are standing right next to me, and I spot Peeta and Gale in the boys' section. But where's Madge? Then I realize she's standing right next to Katniss, holding her hand like I'm holding Prim's, only she looks calm and determined. Unlike me.
Suddenly Effie startles me with her "Ladies first!" She walks over to the girls' reaping ball, and takes her time digging around for a slip of paper. I'm nearly out of breath by the time she finally pulls out a slip and heads over to the microphone. "And our female tribute for the 74th Hunger Games is…" I close my eyes and pray that it's not anyone I know.
"Meredith Mellark!"
My heart skips a beat. What? What did they just say?
I look over at Prim and to see that she's already crying and Katniss and Madge are giving me a sympathetic look. Now everyone is looking back at me, trying to make a pathway through the crowd so I can get to the stage. "Come along now don't be shy!" Effie says in her high pitched voice. I slowly make my way up to the stage and stand next to Effie. I try to act calm even though silent tears are streaming down my face. Then Effie says "And now to the men!" I look over at Peeta and see fear in his eyes. Right now all I am thinking about is him. I'm really not paying attention to Effie until she says,
"Gale Hawthorne!"
Gale walks up to the stage and takes his place, looking dignified. Why is this happening to me? This is exactly what I was afraid of. The mayor makes a small speech and orders us to shake hands. Then we are quickly forced into the Justice Building, waiting to say our goodbyes.