The Reaping (Peeta's POV)
The day started just like it always did, Mom and Dad fighting? Check. Brothers bickering? Check. Paralyzing fear? Check…wait, no that's not normal, then I remember why this fear is taking place, the reaping is today. It takes a minute to be able to move again, it's called paralyzing fear for a reason. I shake it off and remind myself that my brothers, who are 19 and 21, never got picked so chances are I won't either. After I get dressed, I head downstairs where everything seems to get quiet when I appear.
Mom and Dad, after spotting me, stop fighting over where ever it was they were angry about. My brothers, though, are in the process of stuffing their faces with breakfast, which consists of fresh bread. I look from it to my parents curiously, my eyebrows raised. "We thought you would like some fresh bread today to, you know, calm your nerves," says Dad, when he sees my look. I think about it for a moment before answering, "Oh, well thanks, I guess." He nods, "Go on then, eat up!" I sit down at the table and take a few slices. It's the good kind too, the one with the nuts.
I am just finishing my bread when I look at the clock and realize that we should be heading to the square. I turn to tell everyone else and notice that they are already ready and are waiting for me. I hurry and grab my shoes and then we are off. I sign in at the entrance and head to the 16 year old section. Being the baker's son, I spend most of my time working so I'm not close friends with anyone. I just stand there, silently, until the mayor takes the stage with the speech that I've never really paid any attention to. After he's done with the speech, which takes an hour at least, he introduces Effie Trinket. Effie is a bubbly, capitol person who comes to district 12 every Hunger Games content with sending innocent kids to their unavoidable death.
She starts like she does every year, with a cheerful, 'Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!' She then dances, there's no other way to describe the way she walks, over to the girls' tribute bowl and pulls out the two unlucky names. Primrose and Katniss Everdeen. I sigh quietly, sisters, what a tragedy! I don't know the names very well, so I am surprised to see the face of one of my classmates. Her sister is crying softly but Katniss stands tall and you can see that she won't be giving up.
After some disapproving silence instead of applause, Effie walks to the boys' tribute bowl, she must of lost some of her spunk after the display. I can see the frown that wants to take over her face, but if I can say one thing for Effie, it's that she is an amazing actress. She somehow keeps her smile as she digs through the bowl and comes up with two names. I hold my breath as she reads them, Peeta Mellark and Rory Hawthorne. Shock takes over my brain and I just stand there for a second, then I hear Prim's crying getting louder as a twelve year old boy comes to joins them. I'm just heading up when suddenly a boy from the eighteen's comes running out in front of me. He volunteered, I must have missed it. I finally stop on stage and Effie asks the eighteen year old his name. It comes out shaky but he says it loud enough, "Gale Hawthorne."
