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I stare at the girl standing on the stage in front of me, my heart sinking. Katniss Everdeen. She has just volunteered at the reaping for her 12 year old sister, a very noble thing to do, and very Katniss. However, when you're from District 12 being reaped is like a death sentence, just the Capitol won't just kill you themselves. But this girl, Katniss, I have liked her for a long time, since we were children and she sang in school, every bird outside the window stopped to listen, and so did I. And now I'd never get the chance to tell her how I felt because she was going to The Hunger Games, and probably won't come back. Hardly anyone from District 12 ever does. We've had two victors in 73 years.

Effie wants a round of applause for our first volunteer. For what? For volunteering to go and die for our District? I will not applaud, I want to run and hold her and tell her it'll be OK, I wish I could take her place. But no-one applauds. And then all at once we know what to do instead. Everyone places their three middle fingers to their mouth and raises them to her, a silent salute from District 12, used to say goodbye. I have to hold back a tear, as it feels like I'm letting this girl go forever.

Haymitch, walks over to Katniss and Effie and starts rambling on about something, I only notice the word 'Spunk', and then he falls off the stage. He's a drunken mess, I can't blame him really, having been through the games, having to then watch all his tributes die, and now the focus is back on him today. It must be a lot to take.

Effie goes over to the boys bowl and picks out a name. I'm still watching Katniss, I can tell she's upset but she doesn't show it. She doesn't want to seem weak. Then I hear it.

'Peeta Mellark'

That's my name. Effie just said my name. All fear for Katniss turns into fear for myself as people around me turn to face me, some nudging me forward towards the stage. When I finally get my legs to work I start walking towards the stage. Towards Effie. Towards Katniss.

Yes, towards Katniss. Maybe this is a good thing, forcing us together, and I will get to tell her how I feel. We might have to die, but we don't have to kill each other, and maybe she will love me too. And just for the next few weeks, we will have each other, and I will die happy.

But as I walk up the steps to where they are standing I see Katniss watching me, her eyes do not seem friendly, or sympathetic, they almost seem hateful. But that could be because of the situation rather than towards me.

Effie asks for volunteers. Of course, no-one steps forward. Of course Clayden can't, and family protection only goes so far.

After this The Mayor has his usual speech, reading the Treaty of the Treason. I stare out at the crowd, I spot my brothers, then my Mother, and my Father. I remember the time my father pointed out Katniss to me that day before school. We have always been quite close, and now I'm never going to see him again.

The Mayor finishes the speech and motions for me and Katniss to shake hands. I've never been this close to her before, I can feel my heart racing, my palms getting a bit sweaty, I hope she doesn't notice. As I take her hand I give it a reassuring squeeze, although I'm not sure if it will come across like that. Her skin is soft and smooth. I can see a few scratches, it's not unknown that she goes hunting in the woods, so she must get a few bumps out there, but still, so soft.

Then the anthem plays. Again, we have to stand there in front of this crowd. My time spent on stage is far too long for my liking, in the eyes of everyone, and not just in this District. It will be televised, and it's mandatory to watch. I guess we're supposed to stand there and look proud, but I'm sure I just look sullen and miserable. Well I am. I'm probably going to die.

As soon as the anthem finishes the peacekeepers take us into the Justice Building. As the doors shut behind me, I realise this is it. I am trapped. Property of the Capitol for the rest of my life, however long that may be. Just another piece in their games.

I am shut in a room on my own, to wait for my family to come and say goodbye. I take the time to look around the room; plush velvet on the chairs, on a couch, soft carpets. The window looks out onto the square, everyone is leaving, going home, to celebrate that they have gone another year without being chosen.

I will have an hour to say goodbye to my friends and family, I know I must not get upset because there will be cameras at the train station. It shouldn't be too difficult, I don't really have much to stay for, the only person I believe will miss me when I'm gone is my father, his goodbye will upset me the most.

After a few minutes the door opens and my Mom, Dad and two brothers walk slowly in. Clayden and Rye survey me for a second and then each in turn embraces me quickly. My mother sits in the corner, staying quiet as my father sits on the couch and urges me to sit next to him.

'You'll be ok Peeta, you're strong,' I nod, I know I have no chance, and surely so does he, but neither of us want to say it.

'Maybe District Twelve will finally have a winner,' my Mother speaks up suddenly. We both look over to her, surely she can't think I will win. I see the look in her eye, she's not looking at me though, she's staring at the ground, and I realise what she means. 'She's a survivor that one.'

Katniss. Yes, maybe Katniss can win. But right now I understand how my Mother has already let me go. My family has no faith in me, I can't blame them, other districts are trained for this. I see Dad look at Mom as if to tell her off. She stands up, shuffling her feet a little, then walks over to me. She plants a quick peck on my forehead and looks straight into my eyes. I don't think I've been this close to her since I was a baby; she's not known for being very motherly.

'Goodbye.' And then she turns and leaves the room. Clayden follows quickly, but Rye stops in the door.

'I'm sorry,' he whispers, and then turns and leaves quickly after the others. I don't blame him for not volunteering; I wouldn't have done it for him.

I turn and look my father straight in the eyes, fear and sadness threatening to overcome me.

'What am I going to do Dad?' I ask, a single tear falling down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away, I don't want to cry, I don't want to seem weak.

He takes me firmly by the shoulders, looking back at me. He's the only one who knows how I feel about Katniss, and now I see a knowing look in his eyes. 'Do what you have to do.'

I know what he means, and he doesn't mean for me to win, he means to protect Katniss. He was once in love with her mother, which is why he pointed her out to me.

'You see that little girl? I wanted to marry her mother, but she ran off with a coal miner...' He said. I stared at the little girl for a little while. She was very pretty. But I didn't understand why someone would choose a coal miner over my father. 'Because when he sings... even the birds stop to listen.'

I nod at my father. He takes me swiftly in his arms into a tight embrace. I must admit even though we get along, we have never really hugged before. The sudden affection causes more tears to form in my eyes and I fight to hold them back, but some of them make their way out, and I spend the rest of our time sobbing into my father's chest.

A peacekeeper comes to usher him out and I wipe my eyes quickly. That's it. Now I will never see my family again.

Next in is a childhood friend. Delly Cartwright. She hugs me and gives me a peck on the cheek, and then we just sit there in silence until her time is up too.

'Good luck Peeta,' she smiles sweetly and then leaves.

The next person in is a shock. Gale. Gale is Katniss' friend. They go hunting together. We have never spoken to each other before in our lives, so I know he's not here for me.

'Protect her.' He says sternly. He stands by the door as if ready to leave at any moment.

'Of course I will.' I nod. He nods back.

'She has to win.'

'I know.' We both have the same idea; I help her to win. Somehow I don't think he knows my full reasons for it though. He's tall and dark and handsome and I'm sure she'd choose him in a heartbeat. All the girls at school talk about Gale, a lot of guys talk about Katniss. In theory, they are perfect for each other.

He offers out his hand for a handshake and I take it. Firm, strong, a little too strong, like he's trying to hurt me before I get anywhere. We both give each other a final nod and then he leaves before his time is up.

No one else comes to visit me and I just sit on my own, in the velvet room, trying to collect my thoughts and keep myself calm until I get to the train and can hopefully hide in my own private room.

Finally the Peacekeepers come and escort me to the car. This is it. This is where it all begins for certain.