A/N- I'm sorry that it has taken me forever to update :). I also know this chapter probably isn't as good as you would hope, I was just trying to get this out of the way so the fun parts can start. I'll be working on Chapter 3 now (The start of the parade and the first interaction with Cato. Wooo!) Lots of Love and Chinchillas, CM109 3 (Check my profile for the link to her outfits. I'll let you know when to check ;)]

Chapter 2

The reaction was instant. Katniss, who had just about reached her sister, froze and spun around to face me, disbelief etched on to her face. Everyone else had turned their heads in my direction, different emotions scattered from different people; Sadness, anger, disbelief, relief, more anger. I step in the empty aisle and hear Prim's small voice call out, "Carly?" I turn around and see her running toward me, dodging the Peacekeepers who try making a grab for her.

She wraps her small arms around my middle and sobs. "Carlynn, you can't go!" I crouch down to her level and hold her shoulders. "Prim, Prim go to your sister, okay? I'll be fine, I promise." She shakes her head, grabs hold of my arms and continues crying. I hear the clatter of feet, one heavy and one light. Assuming its Katniss and Gale I stand making Prim grab onto my waist again. Katniss tries to pry her off but she holds me in a vice-like grip. "Prim, I have to go." She shakes her head furiously. I look at Gale pleadingly and he tears her off while she screams and hits his back. Katniss follows sorrowfully and the Peacekeepers surround me, walking me to the steps that will lead me up to the stage.

Effie, in all her pink glory, beckons me forward. I stare neutrally out at my district when I'm behind of the microphone. "What's your name, dearie?" Effie's ridiculous voice breaks me out of my reverie.

"Carlynn Mosha." I dully answer. My eyes are trained on my surrogate family. Prim is sobbing on Gales shoulder, He and Katniss look furious, and Mrs. Everdeen silently pats her youngest daughters back sadly.

"I bet my hat that you knew her very well." Effie chirps. I refrain from rolling my eyes at her. "Yes."

"Oh, wonderful!" She laughs. "Don't want her to have all the glory now, do we? Let's have a hand for our first ever volunteer, Ms. Carlynn Mosha." She ecstatically claps her hands together but the district stays silent. So silent that it's almost deafening. Then, one-by-one, each person lifts their right hand in a three finger salute. A gesture rarely used, meaning thanks, admiration, and good-bye to a loved one.

Effie Trinket, seemingly a little shocked, goes on with the reaping. "Now for the boys." Please don't be Gale. Please don't be Rory. Please don't be . . . "Peeta Mellark!" Peeta. One of my best friends, the kind little baker boy that I've known for years, a tribute in the most deadly games ever. "Here we are; our tributes from District 12, Peeta Mellark and Carlynn Mosha. Go on you two, shake hands."

He holds his hand out but instead of giving him mine I grab his arm and pull him toward me, embracing him in a tight hug. "It'll be okay, Peeta." I whisper determinedly. "I'm going to get you through this. You will win." We eventually separate and he shakes his head in denial. "Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor."

"You promise you'll come back, Carly?" I was currently sitting on the plush red couch with Prim on my lap. Her mother and sister sit on either side of me to control little Prim if she started her fit again.

"You know I can't promise that Little Bit, but I'll try." I run my thin fingers through her golden tresses. "They've got knives you know. It'll be an easy win."

She nods and starts playing with the chain around my neck. "You never told me where this came from."

I smile and look down at the silver ring with the large orange jewel in the center. "It's a family heirloom. It's been in my family since before the Hunger Games." The wooden door swings open and the dark-skinned Peacekeeper lets us know that our time together is over. They each hug me one last time before exiting the room.

I lean back into the furniture and close my eyes. How am I going to get through this? How will I keep Peeta safe? The wooden door opening and slamming shut causes my eyes to snap open and me to jump to my feet. I take in the handsome appearance of my friend, brother, before launching myself at him and dry sobbing into his shoulder. "I need you and Katniss to take care of my mother. Make sure she eats, okay?"

He nods his head before wrapping his arms around me securely. "I will, you know I will. But you're acting like this is goodbye, like we won't see you again."

I swallow thickly before whispering tearfully into his ear. "I'm not coming back, Gale. I can't let him die, he's my friend. I couldn't live with myself if he died because I couldn't save him."

Gale pulls back before gripping my shoulders in a tight hold. "You've got to try, Carly. You can't just give yourself up because of a friend."

I pull out of his hold roughly. "You'd do the same damn thing if it was you and Katniss!" I snap only to sigh as his eyes harden. "Just make sure Prim doesn't watch when the time comes." He looks ready to argue before he stops himself. "Alright, I will."

I smile sadly up at him. "You're a good friend, Gale." I lean in for another hug and the door opens. "Alright, times up lets go."

"Take care of them!" I yell as he gets pulled away. I slump into the chair and wipe away my tears. And now I wait

A/N- Reviews are greatly loved and thank you for them!

MarinaTheJolteonMaster- Carlynn is taking Katniss's place (Of course that's obvious) so that means Peeta will be in this story as a tribute but you'll just have to watch how it plays out. Katniss does actually have a big part in here and so does Peeta. You'll see :) - If that all made no sense I'm sorry xD