I woke up earlier than I usually did, it was the morning of the reaping. When I got up I decided that to eat some leftover seaweed bread. I wanted to go sit by the beach one more time before the ceremony.

I wrote a note so my family knew where I was. "Gone to the beach, be back soon."

I walked down to the beach, the sun was just starting to rise. I just sat and watched the sunrise, spending a few small moments with myself. I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw that it was Sarah. "Mom wants you to come get ready for the reaping."

We walked back to the house and I got changed. My mom made me wear a white shirt and black pants. I walked out into the living room to show my family what I looked like. "Oh, Finnick," my mom said, "you look amazing."

Sarah walked into the living room a few minutes later. She was wearing a light green dress and had put her hair into a bun. "You look great, Sarah," my mom said. Sarah and I looked at each other and smiled.

"I think it is time for us to head down to the reaping," my mom said. Dad couldn't go to the reaping this year, he had to work on the boat today. District 4 is a fairly large district and reaping day is always busy for his work.

When we got to the ceremony Sarah and I gave each other one final hug. "I will meet you after the reaping and we can go to the beach again," Sarah said. "See you then," I said.

We got in line to be signed in. "Hey Finnick," a kid from school says. "Hi," I simply said. "If I get chosen to fight in the Hunger Games I bet I will win," he said. I role my eyes, "I am sure you would."

More and more people continue to get signed in, then it is my turn. I stick out my finger and they prick it and put the blood on the paper. "Next," they said. I walk over to the side where all the other boys are and stand with the ones who are fourteen like me.

I look over to find Sarah, she is standing with some of her school friends. I wonder what they are talking about. One of my friends walks over and stands beside me. "Are you nervous," I ask. He shakes his head yes. Before I can say anything, the district's escort walks out onto the stage.

Rose Calloway was the escort. She had blue hair and an orange dress on. "Welcome everyone to the 65th Hunger Games reaping," she said. I look over at Sarah who is mouthing the words, "I love her hair." I laugh back.

"Today we will be selecting two brave, young tributes to compete in the Hunger Games," Rose says as she walks over to one of the giant bowls filled with names, "we will start with the girls." She sticks her hand down into the bowl without looking and draws out a slip of paper.

"Link Prescott," Rose says. I didn't know Link personally, I just knew her parents died in the same shipwreck as Sarah's parents. She was the same age Sarah was, seventeen, was one of the most cocky and arrogant people I knew, I think it was to get attention.

"Are there any volunteers," Rose asked. No one volunteered. District 4 is a career district, but it's very rare for someone to volunteer.

Rose walks over to the other bowl, "now we will draw for the male tribute," she says as she sticks her hand into the bowl. My heart starts beating faster than it normally does and I'm pretty sure my hands are shaking.

"Finnick Odair." Did I hear that correctly? Everyone is staring at me now, I try and wipe the scared look off my face and walk out between the two isles and am escorted up to the stage. I look at Sarah's face, she is acting surprisingly calm.

"Are there any volunteers," Rose asks. I look around to see if anyone will volunteer, but no one does. I notice a few girls are looking at Sarah now. I wonder why.

"Ladies and gentleman, your tributes for District 4," Rose says, "Link Prescott and Finnick Odair." Everyone starts cheering and Link and I shake hands.

We are taken into two different rooms so our family and friends can visit us for a few minutes before we leave.

My mom walks in first. I stand up and give her a hug. "Remember what I said, no matter what I will still love you." I smile as a tear runs down my face, "thank you." She hugs me again, "don't cry, don't cry."

The peacekeeper comes and takes my mom out of the room. Sarah comes in next. "I guess the odds weren't in my favor," I say with a laugh. "Finnick, you can do this," she says, "you know how to fish and use a trident."

"I doubt they will have a trident at the Cornucopia and I can't make one."

"Then use a spear, Finnick, use whatever weapon is close enough to a trident," she says. "I believe in you, mom believes in you, dad believes in you!"

"Believing in me isn't going to keep me alive!"

"Finnick…" my sister says in a quiet voice.

Just then the peacekeepers come in and escort her out. Another girl walks in the room, "oh Finnick this is just so awful! Can you see that I am deeply upset!" "Umm who are you," I ask.

"I am in your class Finnick, I came to give you a final hug goodbye," she says hugging me. I didn't hug her back. "My friend wouldn't come with me, but we both are in tears over you," she says. "Thank you?"

The peacekeeper takes her out of the room. Was that why all the girls were staring at Sarah? Did all of them have crushes on me? There was nothing special about me.

No one else came to visit and the peacekeepers came and escorted me to the train. This is where my life started to change.