This took FOREVER to type from my rough draft! Please enjoy it!

Katniss' POV

5 minutes until the reaping starts. Prim and I are walking to the square right now. I'm wearing a light blue dress and Prim wears a white shirt and flower skirt. I look to my left and see Peeta with his father. I hesitate to say something or not.

"Good luck Peeta!" I manage and walk a little faster.

"Who was that?" Prim asks.

"Oh nobody really. Just an old friend from school." I say.

"Really? I don't recognize him. He seems nice." Prim says.

"Yeah." I say.

Even though I have no clue how Peeta acts. He has a pretty big group of friends at school and barely notices me. Except for that day with the bread...

Peeta's POV

She talked to me! She actually said something! The closest we've ever gotten was when I threw her that bread. And that was nothing. She even knew my name!

"So? Katniss Everdeen huh Peeta?" My dad asks on the way to the square.

He must've seen me staring at her.

"Who? That girl? No." I lie.

"You know son, I liked her mother, but then…" He says.

"I know dad you told me the story a million times." I cut him off.

I speed up and join the other 16-year-old boys. Delly flashes me a smile from the right assuring me everything would be okay.

Katniss' POV

"Prim it's okay." I see tears well in her face. "Everything will be okay. I promise."

Prim joins the other 12-year-old girls. What a stupid thing to promise. If I get picked, it won't be okay, but that's still not very likely. Effie Trinket appears with her big wig and overloaded with makeup as usual.

"Welcome, welcome! Happy 74th Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your favor!"

The capitol accent is so strange. I kind of laugh to myself from this morning when Gale and I said that very line.

"As usual, girls first!" She says cheerfully.

This is the moment that will change someone's life. It could me mine. Either they win and get fame and fortune, or die. I clench my heart where I put the Mockingjay Pin.

"Delly Cartwright!" Effie says.

I give a sigh of relief. Poor Delly. Sweet little Delly who always looks at the Brightside of everything. She has tears in her eyes. She looks at Peeta and then… Peeta! She's Peeta's best friend! I completely forgot! I look at Peeta who is holding his tears back. It must be terrible to have your best friend get reaped.

Peeta's POV

"Come on dear." Effie says.

This can't be happening. Why did it have to be Delly? Anyone but her! I try hard to keep my tears back. She approaches the top of the steps very slowly. She shoots me a sad look then just stands up there on the stage.

"Now, for the boys." Effie says. "This years boy tribute is… Gale Hawthorne!"

Oh no. That's Katniss' best friend. I guess were both having a pretty bad day. Gale just walks up to the stage. No tears, no mental breakdowns, nothing. What a brave guy. Katniss just covers her face. Probably from tears.

"Shake hands!" Effie says.

Delly and Gale continue into the Justice Building. This is my chance. Cheering up Katniss is just what she needs. And just what I need too.

Katniss' POV

I can't believe what just happened. Gale. Gone forever. The thought makes me want to collapse right here and just die right now.

Peeta's POV

Alright. Here I go. I'm gonna talk to her. I start with a pat on her back. Just as I'm about to say something, she wraps her arms around me with her eyes squeezed shut. So, I hug her back.

Katniss' POV

I haven't had a hug like this since… my father was alive. My mother must understand the pain I'm going through. She sure has gotten bigger. And taller… I open my eyes and realize it's not my mother! It's Peeta! He just lost his best friend too. Do I let go or hold on? It's a stretch, but I just squeeze tighter. He supports me from falling over or having a heart attack. I'm still in shock.

Peeta's POV

This hug is bittersweet. We both lose our best friends, and now the best moment of my life. Now, I just got to say something. This hug can't last forever.

"Should we visit them?" I ask.

Katniss lets go of me and wipes her tears with her hands. I can see Gale watching us from the window.

"Yes." She says.

Katniss' POV

I look into Peeta's sad blue eyes. I see Gale watching us from the window. He probably has no idea who Peeta even is. I start to feel weak again, so I just hold Peeta's hand.

"I got you." He tells me.

What a nice guy. I always thought he was stuck up or something. He always ignores me at school. He must understand how I feel. First we walk into Delly's Room.

"You have 3 minutes." A Peacekeeper tells us.

The sight of Peeta puts a wide smile on Delly's Face. She throws herself into his arms.

"Peeta!" She screams.

"Delly!" He says back. "Oh my God Delly… I'm so sorry this happened to you."

Peeta holds back his tears in front of Delly. He has to stay strong for her. Delly pushes Peeta away and looks to me in the doorway.

"Katniss?" She says sniffling.

She puts her hands on my shoulders.

"No matter what happens, please take care of Peeta for me." She whispers.

Delly is such a sweet girl. She always looks at the good side of all people. Accepts them the way they are. Even me.

"I planned to do that anyway." I whisper back.

I really didn't plan to do this, but I can't refuse to Delly.

"Good." She whispers.

"We'll always be best friends." Peeta says and gives Delly one last hug.

"Time's up." A Peacekeeper says.

Peeta's POV

Now, I have to grab Katniss' hand for my support. She's not shaking anymore, but I am. That was probably my last time to see Delly. I know she can't win. She's too sweet to kill anyone.

Katniss' POV

Poor Peeta. He's shaking like a leaf. I know what he's thinking… Delly has no chance. He's probably right. I want to do anything to make him feel better. At least Gale has a pretty good chance of winning. As long as he doesn't have any allies. That will slow him down.

Gale's POV

Katniss finally walks in the room to see me. She's not having the breakdown I thought she would have. Instead she has a determined look on her face.

"Gale, help Delly survive." She whispers.

Why on Earth would she want that? Then I see that blonde kid that was hugging her in the corner.

Peeta's POV

"Who is that?" Gale directs toward me.

"Gale, this is Delly's best friend, Peeta." Katniss says.

Gale's POV

Now I understand. She likes this Peeta kid and rather have me die than his best friend.

"Katniss, let's talk." I tell her. "So… you like this kid?"

"Well… no. He's the bakers son. Gale he's just a nice guy there's nothing between us. We just became friends. Just please help her survive. Delly has no chance. Once you talk to her you'll know why. She's too nice." She says.

I let out a sigh and walk over to Peeta.

"Look bread boy. I'll help Delly survive." I whisper. "But only on one condition. Keep Katniss safe. Got it?"

He nods.

Peeta's POV

"Try to win Gale." Katniss says.

"I won't let you down." He replies.

Before we leave, he slips Katniss a kiss on the cheek. Jealousy rushes over me. I have to like Gale though; he's trying to keep Delly alive. White Peacekeepers escort us to the door.

Katniss' POV

So much is happening today. Gale's gone and I have a new friend. Maybe eventually a new best friend. Peeta. He's just so sweet and, with us in the same situation, we understand each other. It feels like he's the only one I can run to now. Then the fact sinks in my brain. Gale can't win. Not with sweet old Delly following him around. I just collapse on the Justice Building steps and cry. I'm not sure if Peeta's still here, or if he went home. Then I feel those hands again. He lifts and me up and starts to walk with me. I close my eyes and just let him take me to… I don't know where he's taking me. I honestly don't care. He escorts me into a warm place. I open my eyes and see were in the bakery.

"Sit here." He says.

After that, he just disappears into another room.

Peeta's POV

Now is my chance to give Katniss the cake. I really hope she likes it. I remove the cake from the cupboard and put it in Katniss' hands.

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