I wake up, not knowing what was going on. Had I been dreaming? Was it my imagination? Judy suddenly says. "Cato! You're awake!" My little sister is sitting in the rocking chair across from me, just looking at me.
"What happened?" I ask.
"Mom said you were going to be a tribute this year, and you collapsed, and I got so worried!" she says. So it wasn't a dream. Remember when

I said my mom wouldn't care if I got reaped this year? Well, now you know what I mean. I look around, expecting to see my mother maybe, but it's only me and Judy.
"So, how about it? Mom wants me to volunteer his year, huh? Well, then, who will take care of you then?" I ask Judy. I probably shouldn't have said that. Judy starts crying.
"You have to win, Cato! You have to come back to me, so we can be together, and play without worrying of anything!" she says. I stare at her, no knowing what to say.
"Of course, Judy, I will always be here with you." I say, trying to sound convinced.
"Oh goodie, Cato! You're up! You should be training now, if you do want to come back alive." my mom says.
"Yea, thinks for the support. You know, I should be the one thinking of what to do with my life!" I scream. "You have no right in telling me what to do! What if I want to live? What if I don't want to die? Does any of that matter to you?" I scream at my mother. If she can even be considered one, since she's signing my sentence of death.
"Oh, Cato, don't be ridiculous! I'm not doing anything wrong! I just want you to be stronger, that's all!" she says. I go upstairs to my room. I want to be alone. Think of what I have to do. I cry, think about Clove, and Judy, and how I won't be able to hug them ever again.
The next day, Trish comes up to me.
"What's new, Cato?" she asks.
"Oh, nothing, just that I'm going to die in a month, no biggie." I say sarcastically. She stops and stares at me.
"What you're telling me is tha-"
"Yes, Trish." I say. The bell rings and I leave Trish alone, her mouth hanging open, shocked at what I just said. I enter the classroom, and find Clove.
"Hey Clove!" I say. "Want to pair up?" She looks at me, and agrees.
"Something's up Cato." she suddenly says. "What's wrong?" I look at her, not knowing if I should tell her or not.
"It's the reaping," I start. "I'm scared."
"Oh don't be, Cato! There are probably going to be a lot more papers with my name in the girl's than yours in the boys" she says.
"I'm volunteering" I suddenly blurt out. She turns and looks at me.
"You're kidding. Why? Why would you risk your life? Do you have anything to live for?" she says, mad.
"Clove, you don't understand. I have no choice. My mom already decided. I didn't want to, I really didn't! I would never leave my sister alone! Or you!" I say without thinking.
"Me? What am I? We barely know each other, and besides, you're with her!" she says, pointing to Trish.
"Clove," I say. "I- I want you to know that-" suddenly, the bell rings. Clove waits for me to say something, but I can't get the words out. How do I tell her my feelings? How do I say I love you and I always have?
"I've got to go" I say. I turn around and start walking.
"Cato! We've got to talk! What do you mean you're volunteering this year?" asks Trish.
"Yea. My mom wants me to, and I guess I'm ready for it." I lie. I don't want to do this. I don't want to go into the arena, where we could be in the middle of nowhere for as much as I know. We could be in a desert, in the ocean, in the woods, anywhere. Even inside a volcano.
"But you are coming back. I know you are." Trish says. I just keep walking, until I get home. I walk inside, and the first thing I see is my little sister.
"Cato? What's wrong?" she asks.
"Nothing." I say. She suddenly giggles.
"It's her isn't it? That girl, Clove. You like her don't you?" she says, smiling.
"what are you talking about?" I say.
"Oh, Cato. You cant fool me. I've seen you writing about her in your journal, I've seen how you stare at her when she's not looking. You are in looooove." she says, teasingly.
"Oh, Judy. You know me so well" I say, and give her a slight push. She walks with me upstairs to my room.
"Can I sleep with you tonight?" she asks. "I want to be with you as long as I can, since you have training almost everyday, and you keep getting home late."