'The time has come to select our tributes for this very special Quarter Quell, and I can see you're all as excited as I am to proceed, so I won't waste any more time. As always, lady's first.'
I barely even here the first name because the only thought running through my head is 'Not me. Not me. Not me. Not me.' When I don't hear it I relax slightly, just in time to remember that this year, she's not the only girl going into the arena. Someone else here will be joining her. This time, I still don't hear my name, but I'm taken aback anyway. I turn to Maysilee, shock obvious on both our faces. She proceeds to the platform and I feel the tears welling in the backs of my eyes. She isn't even 18, she's a merchant child, she couldn't have been picked.
My mind reels and spins and I feel like I'm going to pass out or scream. But I don't, because I can't if I hope to go and say goodbye.
I'm not listening when the boys names are read, and so I don't notice him on the platform until they're going off, and he catches my eye. I see all the concern behind them and wonder what happened, why are all these girls staring at me, why is he on that platform. The fog lifts and I drop to my knees. My best friend and my boyfriend are going to the Games.
I choose to see Maysilee first, she's still in shock, and so our goodbye is relatively painless.
My goodbye with Haymitch is a different story.
I wait for his parents to leave, and see his mother swimming in tears, being held up by her husband. After they leave, I'm allowed to enter.
No sooner am I in the door than he has me pinned against the wall and is roughly kissing me.
'Haymitch,' I begin,
'Don't,' he responds, but stops kissing me and looks me in the eye, gently cupping my cheek. I feel the tears well in my eyes again and this time I can't stop them. He pulls me close and holds me until the guard comes.
'I will come back.' He tells me as I'm pushed from the room. 'I promise!'