A/N: hey guys, i just want you to know that this is my second fanfic and it's my first hunger games fanfic. whenever i write i always try to stay true to the characters so if i'm not please tell me. Reviews are always appreciated! If you have something bad to say about it i would still love your reviews because they help tell me where i need improovment. But if you do write a bad review i would ask you to put it as gently as you can and please specify what is wrong. Because otherwise what's the point?
~Monster~

Disclaimer: I don't own Hunger Games obviously. =P Only a genius could write a book like that and a genius I am not!

Chapter 2

I walk down the streets with Mom and Katniss. It's so crowded. I cling to Katniss's hand. Finally we reach the point where the reaping will take place. I look up to see cameras and banners of all different colors. Katniss almost looks sick when she sees them.
Panic starts to flare in her eyes. When she notices I'm looking at her she wipes her expression clear again. I start to feel queezy when I sign in. I'm reluctant to let go of Katniss's hand for fear I'll never hold it again.
As I start to walk to where all the twelve year olds line up mom grabs me and hugs me tight. "Be brave my little rose," she wispers, "it will all be over soon." Tears start to pool in my eyes when she lets me go but I quickly wipe them away. I stand in line next to all the other kids. They look just as nervous as me. Some of them have tears running down their faces.
I stand on my tiptoes and look over all the faces for Katniss. When I spot her, her face is unreadable. She just stares forward at the two giant glass balls on the stage.
I watch as more and more kids squeeze together into their rows and finally everyone is here. As the mayor gives his speech I'm not even paying attention. I stare at the glass balls and wonder who's name will be picked. I worry that it might be me but I'm mostly worried about Katniss. Her name's been entered what? Twenty-four times? I lost count long ago. I try to comfort myself with the thought of all those other names. I only stop thinking when I hear Effie Trinket trill. "And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
She moves over to the ball on the left. "Ladies first!" She smiles widely. I look over at Katniss in fear. Please, please don't be Katniss. I think it over and over. Effie digs her hand into the glass ball and pulls out a small piece of paper. "And this year's tribute is," my heart pounds in my chest. Please, please no.
"Primrose Everdeen!" I feel my heart plummet to my stomach as my own name is called out. I feel everyone's eyes turn to me with astonishment and pity.
Everyone makes room for me to make my way through. I clench my fists and grind my teeth. This can't be happening, I think. This must be a dream. I glance over at Katniss. She's collapsed in a boy's arms.
I make my way toward the steps, closer and closer. "No!" I hear Katniss call out. She runs in front of me and pushes me behind her. "I volunteer as tribute!" She says. "No!" I scream. I try to make my way in front of her but she pushes me back again. I feel someone grab me and I see Gale holding me back. "No!" I scream again as I try to fight my way out of his arms.
I see the mayor and Effie looking doubtful. Gale's grip loosens and I seize my chance. I duck under his arms and race past Katniss. "Prim!" She exclaims. I climb up the stairs to the stage and stand beside Effie.
She looks at me with a sad look in her eyes. "I will be tribute." I say. "No Prim!" Katniss cries. There's pain showing in her eyes. "Please!" She says. "I will be tribute." I say again a little louder.
Effie turns to the crowd. "I'm sorry, but if Primrose wants to be tribute then she will be tribute." Katniss looks ready to collapse again when Gale stops her and leads her back to her row.
"Let's give a hand for our girl tribute!" Effie trills. The crowd is silent. I can see some of them even staring at Effie with hate in their eyes. Then I see them doing the sign. The sign that says, "We love you, please come back to us." I lower my eyes so they don't have to see the tears starting to show.
Effie coughs. "And now for our boy tribute!" She exclaims with a little less enthusiasm then before. She carefully walks over to the other glass ball in her high heels. "And this year's tribute is, Peeta Mellark!"
I only raise my eyes now. I see a boy, about Katniss's age, come up to the platform. Just then another man arrives. He's entirely drunk. "Sorry I'm late!" He says a little louder than nessisary. Effie shoots him a glance. "We were just wrapping up." She says. The man stumbles around the stage a little more then does a head dive into the ground. Despite my troubles I can't stifle the small smile that appears on my lips.
As the mayor starts his ending speech I gaze into the crowd. My eyes lock on to my mother's. She looks stunned. And she has that same look in her eyes as she had all those years ago. The same look she had when dad died. I look away quickly. I don't want it to happen again. Katniss will need her. Katniss! I think.
I look over to where she is standing. I see Gale has his arm wrapped around her comfortingly. Tears are streaming down her face as she stares forward. She seems to be saying something, but I can't make it out. I glance over at Peeta. He's looking at Katniss too. His expression is impossible to read.
I hear the mayor finishing his speech. I hardly even notice as I'm lead down the steps into a car. When we get out I stare at the huge building for a while. I've never seen anything like it before. Not in the Seam.
I'm lead to a room on the side of one of the halls. As they close the door I collapse on the couch. I lay there for a while, watching the soft fabric soak up my tears. I sit up with a jolt when I hear the door open.
Katniss is standing in the doorway. Mom is right behind her. I rush over and fling my arms around Katniss. "I'm sorry," I sob. "I couldn't watch them take you away!" She bends down and holds me out in front of her. She looks me right in the eye. Her eyes are red from crying but otherwise there is no sign of tears. "Prim," she says. "What you did was very brave. And I'm- I'm proud of you." She hugs me again.
As she hugs me she wispers, "But you should have let me take your place." I just shake my head. I couldn't have done that. When we finally break apart I say, "I'll make it, you'll see. I know a lot of herbs, what to eat, how to heal. I promise. I'll come home." I try to sound strong and determined, but it didn't come out that way.
I go over to mom. "Mom please," I say, "don't leave. Not like when dad died. Katniss still needs you, all the people who get injured still need you... And I still need you." Mom doesn't say anything.
"And Katniss. Look after my goat. And Buttercup." I add. "Anything for you Prim." She says quietly.
"Your allowed to take one thing from home," mom stutters, "I want you to take this." she unclips the locket around her neck and gives it to me. I carefully open the silver locket and look at the pictures inside. There's a picture of me and Katniss. I stroke the locket gently then put it around my neck.
"Mom I-" Then a man opens the door and says our time is up. "Please!" I say."Just a few more minutes." The man shakes his head and beckons mom and Katniss out. "I love you!" I say as they leave. "I'll come back! I promise!" When the door shuts I sit on the sofa again.
I grab one of the pillows and bury my face into it. I will come back. I think. I will.

A/N: Hope you guys liked it! Once again, please review!
~Monster~