2. The Unthinkable
Peeta and I walked into District 12's square hand in hand, happy even with the reaping being today. I knew we were a bit early, but I didn't care. The more time I had with Peeta the better. Although the odds of either of us getting picked for the Games was 1 to 1000, but you never know. Every year the tributes are surprised about getting picked even though it's random.
The only ones that are prepared for the Games are the Career tributes. The Careers train their whole lives for the Games and some are even excited about going. They even volunteer; something that no one has ever done in District 12. Careers only come from Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and sometimes 5- all the rich districts.
As we enter the square, small crowds of people are walking in as well. Most of them look stressed, or angry that the Capitol forces children to fight to the death. There are also the miners, the men and women who risk their lives to earn money for their families no matter what the danger.
Children from the ages 12 to 18 looked frightened as their mothers and fathers escort them to the roped off areas for the reaping. Peeta and I walk closer and suddenly he lets go of my hand and turns to me, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead. He whispers "I love you" one more time before walking off toward the boys' roped off area.
I stare after him wishing he wouldn't have left but know that he had to. I walk over to the girls' area and stand next to my little sister Prim. This is her first reaping and she is as scared as ever. Her name is only entered once, but the odds are never in anyone's favor. I put my arm around her shoulders and hold her hand in my other hand.
She smiles her thanks and then turns her head toward the stage as the mayor is making the long, boring speech about the history of Panem, our country. No one listens anymore, as we all know the story of the Dark Ages and how the Capitol took over. "…and now we come together for the annual reaping for the 74th Hunger Games!" The mayor's happy charade seemed a little forced to me.
Effie Trinket, a Capitol woman who is the escort for the tributes ,comes onstage announcing her presence in a giddy voice. She then introduces our only living Victor: Haymitch Abernathy- the most famous drunk in our district. Also the most snarky, annoying, and arrogant person in the district.
He stumbles onstage holding a bottle of white liquor and wearing dirty ripped pants and no shirt. No shirt! Seriously, who does that? Especially with the amount of chest hair the guy has. Seriously. Gross.
He attempts to give Effie a hug, but just messes up her hair (or wig?) and laughs loudly. Effie straightens herself and walks over to the reaping ball. She trills, "Ladies first!" and shoves her hand into the enormous amount of little papers containing names. I can only wonder who will be chosen. I squeeze Prim's hand, and I think wildly. Not Primrose Everdeen, not Primrose Everdeen.
But when Effie picks a piece of paper and reads it, it isn't Primrose Everdeen. It is Katniss Everdeen.
ME.
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