-Katniss-

"Katniss!" Prim said loudly, causing me to jump. I must've been lost in my thoughts and she'd probably been trying to get my attention for a few seconds based on her loud tone. I looked to her and she motioned to right in front of me. "Can you pass the cilantro please?"

I looked down and saw a bowl filled with the green herb in it and picked it up, handing it to her. "Thank you," she said and I went back to thinking. After the end Victory Tour a few nights ago, the next thing on my agenda was preparing for the 75th Hunger Games and my first year as a Mentor. The announcement of what the Third Quarter Quell would be was airing in less than a minute, and I was nervous. Was I ready to train kids, and was I prepared for the fact that they most likely won't come back?

"Are you ok?" Prim asked quietly, chopping up some cilantro.

"Yeah," I said, lying for the most part, and looking out the window. I heard the Capitol anthem come on in the other room and looked to Prim, who also looked at me. We knew that that was the indication that the announcement ceremony was starting. I went into the living room and say next to my mom, Prim then sitting next to me.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the President announced, appearing on the television. "This is the 75th year of the Hunger Games."

The crowd went insane, cheering and screaming as they grew excited for the upcoming bloodbath next month.

"It was written in the charter of the Games," continued the President. "that every 25 years, there would be a Quarter Quell to keep fresh for each new generation the memory of those who died and the uprising against the Capitol. Each Quarter Quell has a special significance. And now, on the 75th anniversary of the defeat of the uprising, we celebrate the Third Quarter Quell." He paused, letting the audience continue their delirious cheers as he opened up the envelope in his hand. "As a reminder," he started, "that the Capitol will even put down a rebellion of small children, on this, the Third Quarter Quell Games, the male and female tributes are to be reaped from a pool consisting of 10-12 year olds from each District."

I felt myself become sick and my knees felt weak, even though I was sitting. I breathed a quick sigh of relief, as Prim was now 13, just missing the cutoff for this year's Hunger Games by a few months. However, it was a bittersweet moment. For my first year as a Mentor, I would have to watch 23 young children die, and most likely two coming from my own District. I turned off the TV, not wanting to see Snow any longer. My somber thoughts and twisted feeling in my stomach must've showed on my face, because I felt Prim put a light hand on my back. I jumped just a bit, as I did when I didn't expect someone's touch, but tried to play off my constant paranoia.

"I'm sorry that you have to do this, Katniss" my mother said in a small voice. I didn't answer and instead went up to my room and attempted to sleep, despite it only being 7 at night.

Surprisingly, I did get a decent amount of sleep, even on the night before my first reaping as Mentor. I checked the time, and I had an hour before the reaping began.

One hour!

I quickly got up and changed out of my clothes from the night before. Downstairs, I was greeted with the sour looks of my prep team and Effie.

"Well there she finally is!" Effie said with a bit of a hiss. "You do know you need to be in the Town Square in half an hour, correct?!"

"I know, Effie, I'm sorry," I said and went to the pantry to get out my breakfast.

"No time for eating, dear," Octavia said. "We need to get you all ready for today. Cmon, let's get this done."

I stifled a groan and followed my team upstairs and into my bathroom. Working their magic, they managed to get me all dolled up in a matter of fifteen minutes. Flavius did my hair, quickly putting it in its usual braid, per my request. Venia did my makeup in almost no time. A light layer, not obnoxious. And Octavia easily did my nails, and Cinna appeared in the room with a pile of clothes. I couldn't contain my slight smile as I saw him, since I was always relieved when I saw him.

"Hey Girl on Fire," he said with a smile.

"Cinna," I replied and smiled back.

"Hurry up and get changed. Today is a big day," he said and gave the clothes to Flavius. I stood up from my prep seat and took the clothes from Flavius. Everyone exited the room and I changed, not bothering to do so quickly. I really did not want to go today. Not only did I hate the reapings in general, but also I felt nervous and worried since I would be a Mentor this year. I stared at myself in the mirror, seeing that what Cinna brought for me to wear was a solid green blouse, obviously from the Capitol due to its material. I also wore black pants and fine leather boots that were a rich brown. The color faintly reminded me of the chocolates my family used to not be able to afford in the candy shops of 12. I sighed and finally left the bathroom and went down the steps and back into the kitchen. This time, along with my prep team and Effie, sat my mother and Prim as well.

"All ready?" Effie asked, standing up quickly. I didn't nod and just stared at her and she gave me a smile. "Good, because we're already late."

"Bye, Prim," I said and hugged her after she stood up to receive the gesture.

"Do whatever you can," she said quietly and when our hug broke, she looked me in the eyes. "Do whatever you can to bring them home."

"I will," I said back quietly and went over to my mother. I hugged her tightly.

"You'll be ok," she said and I nodded, a lump starting to form in my throat. I quickly broke the hug, fearing that I would begin to cry if we hugged any longer.

I followed Effie out of my house, my prep team trailing behind me, and saw Peeta just leaving his house too. Again, I couldn't contain a slight smile when I first saw Peeta, but quickly returned to my neutral demeanor. However, I once again returned to the smile when I saw a news camera out of the corner of my eye. I went over to him and kissed him, placing my hands on his cheeks as he put his hands on my waist.

"Cmon, you two," Effie laughed, playing along with our constant act as lovers. Our kiss broke and I smiled at him, which he returned with a smile as well. I wrapped my arms around the crook of his right arm and we walked over to two Capitol cars, the automatic camera moving out of our way so we could reach our mode of transportation. My prep team and Effie entered one car, while Peeta opened the door to the second car for me. I entered and then he entered, shutting the door behind him. The driver put the car into gear and I tried to control the shaking in my hands.