We flick on the television and the capitol seal is split in half and President Snow comes on the screen.
"Ladies and Gentleman, the moment that you've all been waiting for, the announcement of the victors competing in this years hunger games! With the highest amount of votes is Augustus Jacobi, victor of district 7. They briefly flash a picture of a 26-some year old man with dark green eyes, dark brown hair, very tan, and very built. Haymitch groans "Augustus is the most self-absorbed pretty boy I've ever had the misfortune of meeting. Don't let those looks distract you though, he can kill viciously." Next President Snow announces "and coming in second place we have Katniss Everdeen followed closely by her district partner Peeta Mellark, no surprise there" That's it. I mean i was almost certain that I was going in anyways, but now it is a fact. I look around the room and see Gale shaking his head, Haymitch reaching for his flask, and Peeta looking at me reassuringly.
We turn our attention back to the screen as Snow announces that #4 and #5 will both be from district 1 They are both fairly young and I remember watching their games on television, first Cleo won, then the next year Kane won it for district one again. The thing I remember is that both were careers and both were very good at what they do. Kane took pride in his killings, and Cleo never showed remorse. They were both attractive and bound to pull some heavy sponsors.
"Coming in sixth place we have Coda Ventl from district three" The screen flashes the largest man that I have ever seen. I do not remember his games but Haymitchs frown deepens. The next girl that appears on screen is the most beautiful girl that I've ever seen. Even Gale has to catch his breath. Based on the number flashing under her screen she is from district 8.
"Finally," Snow announces, "We have Peppers Young from district 5" He continues to drabble on, but the men in the room are already weighing the pros and cons of the selected victors. We know that district one will be our biggest threat because they are also all fairly young, in shape, and they will also have a four person alliance. They are also loved by the capitol and they will not be short of sponsors. We are all curious to see who will be joining us at the reaping tomorrow.
Peeta and I rise early on the morning of the reaping and we ready ourselves to meet our fourth team member. We each go to spend a few hours with our respective families before we leave. Prim is waiting for me at the door in one of my old outfits, and my has she grown. She is wearing the same braid that is always in my hair and you can tell that we are related. Without words she comes into my arms. I can tell that she is holding in her tears for me and soon our mom joins the hug. We gather for breakfast, but I do not eat because I will be eating on the train and I don't want to take any food out of the district when I know I will be eating later. I tell them that again I will try my best to come home to them. Haymitch told me that if anything were to happen he would make sure they were fed. This fact makes this goodbye a little less painful.
Too soon I am collected by a peacekeeper and brought on stage. I take my seat next to Peeta, and we are greeted by the always bubbly Effie Trinket. After about twenty minutes the square is filled and Effie brings out the devices in which the names are held. I feel as though her introductions have gone by in a blur and before I know it she is pulling out a slip of paper and reading the name "Puffs Mallum" and I keep my face expressionless as I watch Puffs take the stage I know her from class and she is not my first choice as an ally, but she will do. I watch her face and see that it has gone pale white and she is trembling as she tries not to show emotion. She takes a seat next to us and Effie begins to draw the second name "Fin Jackson" Fin also does not look happy about being called but he makes his way onto the stage.
Effie goes through welcoming them to the 75th Hunger Games with a bright smile and then she asks "Do we have any volunteers?" And because I know it will happen we planned to smile as Gale takes the stage so that people will know that this is planned. When Gale steps up Fins face goes so bright and he practically runs off the stage. Gale introduces himself and Effie is ready to wrap things up, but then another volunteer steps up. A girl this time.