A/N: Here is the second chapter! I would like to thank everyone that reviewed, alerted, and added this story to their favorite. It really means a lot! I hope y'all enjoy! :)

Chapter 2

The rest of the reaping was a complete blur to me. After I noticed the male tribute was Peeta, my mind went blank. The next thing I remembered was being ushered into room in the justice building. I have been here about fifteen minutes pacing back and forth. I can't seem to make myself sit down. I have way too much on my mind. The sound of the door opening caught my attention. I looked over the door to see who it was, it was Katniss. I practically ran over to her and immediately engulfed her into the tightest hug I could muster up.

"You didn't have to volunteer for me," Katniss said with a shaky voice.

"Yes I did. Prim needs you, and you know that. Prim would be lost without you. Plus you have done so much for me, I have to show you how much it means to me," I said was we separated from our hug.

"You can win," she said looking me straight in the eyes. I looked at her like she was crazy. Did she really think I could win? I'm not a killer. I know I have absolutely no chance in hell. "I'm serious. You're good with a bow, decent with a knife, fast, and light on your feet." She made a good point. "Just promise me you won't give up. Promise you will do anything you have to do in order to win." She looked at me with pleading eyes

"I promise," I said trying not to cry. I pulled her into another hug. I knew this was probably going to be the last time I was ever going to see her.

"Time's up!" a gruff voice broke us apart. Katniss slowly headed to the door and gave my one last look. With that the door closed behind her.

I had to sit down; I worked myself up too much. I sat down and put my head in my hands trying not to cry. I was unsuccessful. Tears just started streaming down my face. I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. I lifted my head up and rubbed my face. I mentally kick myself for breaking down. I couldn't look like a complete wreck. We were leaving for the train station any minute now. I went over to the sink that was in the corner of the room. I washed my face to try to get some of the puffiness to go down. I looked in the mirror, my green eyes were still red but the puffiness was pretty much gone.

"Time to go!" A peacekeeper said as he entered the room. He grabbed my arm and led me out the door and through the justice building. We exited the back and there was a car waiting for us. Peeta, Effie and Haymich were already in the car when I got there. Haymich was sitting in the front; Effie and Peeta were in the back. I took my seat next to Effie.

The car ride was pretty much silent. I looked at Peeta, I could tell he had been crying and is trying not to cry. He looked at me and gave me a small smile. I smiled back. Within a few minutes we had arrived at the train station.

Once on the train I couldn't believe my eyes. It was more amazing than anything I had ever seen before. Everything was so plush and extravagant. There was also so much food. There was enough food there to last me a lifetime. Effie showed us to our rooms and gave us time to get settled in. My room was just as luxurious as the rest of the train. I ran my hand over the velvet bed spread and sat down. I replayed the events of today in my head. I still couldn't believe I was here. I never imagined I would be a part of the Hunger Games. I just wanted to crawl up in a ball and never get up, but I promised Katniss I would try my hardest to win. I sighed and got off the bed and went back to the main room.

When I got there Peeta and Effie were already sitting down in the chairs. Haymich was nowhere to found.

"Where's Haymich?" I asked while taking the empty seat next to Peeta.

"Probably in the bar car," Effie said as she rolled her eyes. "Let me see if I can find him." Effie got up from her seat and exited the car.

Peeta and I just sat there in silence. I don't think either of us knew what to say. Peeta was the first to break the silence. "How are you holding up?" This is the first time we have been able to speak to each other since the reaping.

"Considering the circumstances, I'm okay. What about you?"

"I've been better. I just keeping hoping I wake up and this all will be a dream."

I nodded. "Well on the bright side, look at all this food we get to eat," I said with a grin and went to the table. I grabbed the first thing I saw and took a bite.

Peeta laughed and got up to join the feast. After a few minutes of eating, Effie entered the car with grumpy Haymich following her. Haymich went straight the bottles of alcohol and randomly grabbed a bottle. He went and sat in the chairs that we were previously sitting in. I gave Peeta a look and nodded for the chars. He nodded and we both made our way back to the chairs. Peeta and I sat in the chairs that were across from Haymich.

There was an awkward silence. Peeta cleared his throat. "Do you have any tips for us?" Peeta asked.

"Don't get killed," Haymich replied with all seriousness and then started laughing like he had just heard the funniest thing in the world.

Was he serious? That was the only tip he had for us. "You as our mentor you are supposed to try and help us win. You know mentor us for the games so we at least stand a chance. Not throw us to the wolves," I replied with attitude.

"And as your mentor I am telling you not to get killed," Haymich slurred.

I was furious at this point. Did he really think that telling us not getting killed was a good tip? We already knew that. It was more common sense than anything. Now I know why tributes from District 12 never stood a chance. I pushed myself off my chair and started to head for my room. Halfway there I stopped and turned around. I marched back to where Haymich was sitting and snatched the bottle from his hand. "Maybe if you weren't so drunk you could see that we actually want to win," I snarled and threw the bottle against the opposite wall. It shattered and all of its contents ran down the wall. Effie let out a shriek, but I ignored her and marched straight to my room.

I decided that maybe a shower would calm me down. I entered the bathroom that was attached to my bedroom. I took off my clothes and entered the shower. There were so many buttons I didn't know which ones to push. I decided that red meant hot so that's the one I pushed. Luckily I was right. I didn't bother to wash my hair. The hot water running down my back was relaxing enough. After about twenty minutes in the shower I was calmed down. I pressed the off button and stepped out of the shower. I pressed the button that said done. I was practically dry in an instant. I put on the same clothes that I had earlier and decided that I should go and apologize to everyone about my outburst.

I grabbed the door handle and took a deep breath trying to the confidence I needed to face everybody. I opened the door and was greeted face to face with a smiling Effie. "Come on, come on!" Effie grabbed my hand and walked be to the main room. "It's time to watch a recap of the reapings!" I really wasn't in the mood to watch this. I just wanted to get to the arena and get this whole experience over with. I sat in the empty seat next to Peeta. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at the screen.

The capitol symbol appeared and the recap began. Of course, District 1 was first. The girl looked strong but it also looked like she wouldn't want to get her hands dirty. The boy on the other hand looked like he was ready to fight.

District 2 was next. The girl looked fierce. I could tell by the look in her eyes she wouldn't hesitate to kill. The boy looked downright scary but oddly familiar. He practically trampled the crowd when he volunteered. His blonde hair, blue eyes, and cocky smirk were haunting me. I felt like I knew him from somewhere.I know I have seen them before, but how? I just couldn't seem to place it. That's when I heard his name, Cato Weldon. That's when I hit me, I did know this boy. He looked a lot different than he did a year and a half ago. He had grown nearly 6 inches and put on a lot of muscle.

I feel stupid for not instantly recognizing him. I mean he was the Cato that I had known and loved for four years. We may not have seen each other in the last eighteen months but we still kept in touch through letters. Then it hits me, one or both of us are going to die. All of the color drains from my face and my stomach become nauseous. I dropped my hands to my side and clenched my fists trying not to have another outburst. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. I unclenched my fist and left my hands in my lap.

I can't believe this is happening. Haven't I already suffered enough? I feel someone grab my hand and notice that it is Peeta. He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. He must have recognized Cato too. Peeta and Katniss are the only ones that know about my relationship with Cato. I try to keep concentrated on the rest of the recap but I can't. The rest is just a blur.

"Wasn't that exciting?" Effie said a little too enthusiastically. "I'm going to be bed. Don't stay up too late you two." Effie was got up and left Peeta and I alone. Well, Haymich was in the room, but he was passed out in his chair.

I couldn't stand to sit any longer. I got up and started to pace.

"I'm so sorry Bristol. You didn't know he was going to volunteer?" Peeta asked in a quiet voice.

I shook my head. "I don't understand. Why wouldn't he tell me?"

"I don't know Bristol. Maybe he didn't want you to worry. I'm sure he didn't plan on you being a tribute either. There is no way that he could have known.."

"I know Peeta, but it still hurts. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow." I said.

Peeta stood up and gave my a hug. "It's going all work out," He said into my hair. "Goodnight"

I nodded "Goodnight Peeta. I broke form the hug and went to my room. I needed to be alone so I could process everything that has happened today. It keeps getting more interesting. Once in my room I didn't even bother to change my clothes. I just crawled in to bed and pulled the blankets up to my chin.

My thoughts took me back to when Cato and I first met.

It was the day of my thirteenth birthday and I was going to the bakery to pick up the cake that Mr. Mellark promised me. I entered the bakery through the front since it was still daytime. When I entered the bakery there was man there with a boy about my age. I couldn't help but notice how cute the boy looked. When he looked my way I gave him a little smile, but he didn't smile back. If I didn't know any better I would say that he was glaring at me. I gulped and looked away. I could still feel his eyes on me. I just stood there looking straight ahead, waiting for the man talking to Mr. Mellark to leave.

I could still feel his eyes on me. I couldn't help myself. I glanced back in the direction of the boy. Sure enough he was still looking at me, but this time his eyes didn't look so icy and he had a smirk on his lips. That is when he walked my way.

"Cato," he said and extended out his hand.

"Bristol," I replied and shook his hand.

"Oh so your the birthday girl then," he said with a smile.

I nodded. I couldn't help but notice that he had a really nice smile.

"Well the, happy birthday Bristol."

I smiled at the memory. Cato and I became really close friends. Soon we became more than friends. We saw each other pretty often because apparently his mom only likes the baked goods from Mr. Mellark's bakery. Once she got sick they stopped coming to District 12. Cato ended being the best birthday present I could have ever asked for.

I closed my eyes and let my sleepiness take me away.