Thanks to all those who reviewed so far. I also edited the first two chapters a little bit to fix up some mistakes. Read and review!

I'm shell-shocked. I can think of about a million and one questions to ask, but I pick perhaps the most detached one: "How did you come by this information?"

Haymitch replies, "I have some friends in high places here in the Capitol. But these orders to make sure you were selected as a tribute came directly from President Snow."

So the leader of the entire country wants to kill me even though he has never even met me or even knows what I am like? What a great example of our wonderful nation.

Haymitch says, "I'm going to tell Gale and Peeta this. They have a right to know. Other than that, this information stays in this room. If we threatened to expose the Capitol, something worse would only happen." And with that, he leaves the room, leaving me alone with Katniss.

We just look at each other for a minute, and then rush into each other's arms. We just stay like that, holding each other, until it is time to view the training scores of all of the tributes.

As usual, the Career Tributes from Districts 1, 2, and 4 score within the eight-ten range. Castor, my apparent nemesis, however, scores an eleven! Eleven! I definitely have a powerful enemy, that's for sure.

A couple of other tributes who stand out in my mind include the District 8 boy, who despite his gaunt and feeble looks, scores a nine. Also, the District 11 girl, there's something about her…..I can't put my finger on it. Anyway, she scores a seven, not bad.

Then it's Gale's turn. Oh my. Eleven! Gale scored an eleven too! Two elevens in one year is unheard of! Our District 12 group is going wild for him. Then I come up. Twelve! No, only kidding; I score half of that, a six. That's a lot better than I thought I was going to do, that's for sure.

It's now the day of the opening interviews. It's been decided that my strategy will be to appear as a small, humble girl. Katniss and Haymitch say that this is my natural image anyway, and that it will work out great. And to top it all off, I'm wearing the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen. It's the total opposite of my dress on the night of the opening ceremonies; now I am dressed in gold and silver, studded with black jewels meant to represent coal. I'm simply stunning!

So Caesar Flickerman starts the interviews, and I only pay fleeting attention to them. District 12 is last (of course), and there is plenty of time for my mind to wander. I note that Castor however, is just like his brother in the fact that he seems like a ruthless killer. He must be a Capitol's clone sent to torment me as further revenge on Katniss, I think to myself. However, I'm pretty much staring off into space until the District 11 girl comes up. She makes me sit up and take notice, because of one of the first questions that Caesar asks:

"So, Tayla, you're the sister of one of our contestants last year, Thresh Lysiri. In fact, you, Castor, and Primrose Everdeen, who we will be getting to shortly, are all siblings of contestants last year. You three are quite the talk of the Capitol. Do you think your bloodline gives you an advantage in these Games, Tayla?

WHAT!?? Another sibling! What the hell is this? Why didn't I hear about this earlier if I'm 'the talk of the Capitol'? Well, this year's Games will certainly be dramatic. I look over at the three mentors. Their eyes are downcast, and they are all avoiding my gaze. They kept it from me! How dare they!

The rest of Tayla's interview passes quickly, but I pay no attention. All I can think about is the implications of this. Somewhere in the middle of the male District 11 tribute's interview, I calm down and realize this is actually a good thing. I remember what Katniss told me about Thresh letting her go in the middle of Games. Maybe I can get this Tayla to join the District 12 alliance that me and Gale have. I realize that Katniss and the others only had my best interests at heart; that's why they kept this from me. Maybe they thought I would lose focus on the upcoming Games. Then before I know it, it's my turn to be interviewed.

"Well, Primrose, I feel as though I know you already, having heard Katniss talk about you last year at her interview. She was only here because she volunteered in your place. And I understand this year; somebody did that of sorts, when your fellow tribute here promised to keep you out of harm's way. We'll be getting to him in a second, but I'd like to know now, what's it like to be the recipient of such love and concern?

This is it. Game face on. "Well, I wish that neither of them had done so," I say. "I don't want people putting themselves on the line for me; I'm nobody special. But people make their own choices and decisions, and nothing I can do will ever change that."

"Let's think back to last year then, when your sister was a contestant in the Games. What was going through your mind as you watched her compete?"

"I remember I was awfully worried for her," I reply. "I thought that it was my fault that she was there in the first place, and I was so afraid for her, probably even more afraid than she was for herself." The crowd lets out a collective sound of "aww." "Thank goodness she came home safely," I add.

"Well, nobody can volunteer in your place this year. How are you feeling about competing in the upcoming Hunger Games, knowing that this time, it's definitely going to happen?

I take a long pause and then come out with a simple, "I'm ready." Right after I say this, the buzzer goes off. My three minutes are up. Caesar says, "Sorry, we're out of time. Best of luck Primrose Everdeen, tribute from District 12."

Then it is Gale's turn. Even though he is garbed in an all black outfit designed to make him look more powerful, he comes across as the white knight in shining armor, dashing onto the scene to save me from the terrible clutches of the Hunger Games. Katniss was known and loved last year; as her sister I am now known and loved; and Gale having volunteered to try and protect me makes him practically the king of being known and loved. Gale does well in his interview as well, and just like that, all of the interviews are over.

Back in District 12's main room, there is much cause for celebration. According to Haymitch, Gale and I should get a decent amount of sponsors. As the sister of one of the victors last year, being so small and pretty and lovable (hey, it's coming from somebody else, which makes it not conceited), people will be falling over themselves to sponsor me.

As for Gale, his score of eleven, coupled with his volunteering for me, will win him sponsors as well. However, the thought of sponsors does not even cheer me up all that much. Because tomorrow, the Games begin.