No, this couldn't be, this could not be true.
The crowd parted, to reveal Zailia in a light green dress, heading towards the stage.
"Zailia!", I yelled. I could feel people restraining me, but I shrugged them off.
"No" I yelled, "No...No!".
I broke out from the rest of the people, this time having the peacekeepers grab at me.
"I volunteer!" I yelled. "I volunteer in her place! I volunteer as tribute!" I yelled, my voice echoing loudly.
"Sarah! ", Zailia whimpered as they lead her back to the crowd.
"Go find Evangis ", I yelled back.
"No! ", She screamed, tears now running down her face.
"It's going to be alright, Zailia", I promised.
My mom was holding Katrina, both of them crying. She welcomed Zailia into the embrace, as they all held each other tightly.
"What is your name sweetie? ", Effie interrogated.
"Sarahfina Leversend", I replied, my voice burning with despair.
"Well, I'm not doubting that she was your best friend, am I correct? ", Effie continued.
I nodded, not wanting to give her any satisfaction from me speaking.
"And now for the boys", Effie said, working her stilettos to the other bowl. She reached in, and with no hesitation, pulled out a slip.
She hurried to the microphone and read out the male tribute's name.
"Roflin Rose", she announced.
Could this day get any worse? I asked myself.
Roflin's face was frozen in terror. Suddenly my mind flung back to when I used to be in love with him. I'd stare, I'd follow, I'd do anything to see him; but he had taken it to a different level. He claimed that I was stalking him. This to everyone sounded accurate, me being 12, while he was 15. In a way actually, I had. Mostly though, I had just wanted to love somebody, and have them love me back.
All the girls liked him nowadays, so I was going to make sure that I ignored him at all times possible.
Although a part of me just wanted to click with him automatically, so we could get through this Hell of a game together, even if we had to kill one another in the end anyways.
Still, I couldn't believe this was happening. An alright day, turned into a horrible day. And a horrible day had turned into the worst day of my life.
"Okay you two, shake hands", Effie probed excitedly. I looked at Roflin, who had finally made his way to the stage, with disgust on my face. All that portrayed in his eyes, were fear and sorrow.
He read out his hand to me, and I took it unwillingly, my body feeling violated with the littlest contact from him.
Just then, the whole crowd touched their three fingers to their lips, and lifted them in our direction.
"Ladies and gentleman", Effie began. "Let's have a big round of applause for our 74th annual Hunger Games tributes! ".
Nobody clapped.
" Happy Hunger Games, everyone", Effie congratulated. "And may the odds, be ever in your favor" .