Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games.

"Primrose Everdeen."

Gasps came from everywhere. Eyes widened and jaws dropped. And I just stood there in shock. It wasn't possible. Both of us? It wasn't possible.

The crowd parted for Prim as they had for me. Eventually, I could see her. She looked around in uncertainty, but soon began walking forward. Peacekeepers gathered around her. She came up to join us solemnly, steeling herself. She was brave.

She stood next to me. I wanted to break down. This couldn't be happening. What are the odds? But I reminded myself, this is the Hunger Games. The odds are never in your favor.

"Now, are you two related?" Effie asked. I should answer, but I couldn't find my voice. Instead, my sister was the strong one this time.

"We're sisters," Prim said.

"Sisters?" Effie asked. "How remarkable!"

I could think of a few better words.

"Isn't that interesting?" Effie asked the crowd. "Let's give them a round of applause."

She clapped her hands together excitedly, but the crowd didn't follow her example. Instead, one by one, the people raised three fingers into the air. Our sign of respect in this District. Effie looked a bit crestfallen, but soon enough had placed her smile back on her face.

"Now for a boy, our final tribute," she said. She dove a hand into the male tribute bowl and pulled out a slip.

"Peeta Mellark."

I couldn't contain the small gasp that came from my lips. Prim looked at me in confusion, but I couldn't explain. Not now. We were standing in front of the entire District, after all.

The truth is, Peeta saved my life once. In fact, he saved my whole family's life. It was a while back, right after my father died. I hadn't quite learned how to get food to sustain my family yet, and we were starving.

I was sitting outside his bakery one day, as rain quite conveniently poured down on me, and he spotted me. He had a loaf of bread in his hand. Before I could figure out what he was doing, he dropped the bread into the fire. His mother was angry. Incredibly angry. She started saying terrible things, and it's quite possible she hit him with her rolling pin a few times. She told him to go throw it outside. And he did. He threw it to me.

Normally, I wouldn't like taking food from people, but that time was different. So I picked up the loaf and ran with it. I never even thanked him, that day or any other.

I saw him eventually. He was trying hard not to show any emotion or betray his true feelings. It wasn't working very well for him. He walked up slowly and deliberately, though, quite the same as I had. Effie said something to him when he finally made it up to join the rest of us, but I wasn't listening. I was too absorbed by my thoughts of how quickly things had gone downhill. I didn't have much more time to think about it though, because we had to shake hands. It was an odd ritual, all four of us shifting about to shake the other three's hands, but it worked in the end.

We were whisked away after that into the Justice Building, where we would wait for our private meetings with friends and family members. Finally, I get to hug my sister.

She didn't do anything at first, but then she was crying. Softly, but she still was. And there was nothing I could do. I couldn't tell her it would be all right, because I knew it wouldn't. She knew it wouldn't, as well. So I simply hugged her, and didn't say a word, for as long as I could. Right up until the Peacekeepers dragged us on our way, into the room that we would wait in for our visitors.

I sat silently and waited then, until the door opened and my mother rushed in. It was a while before she came, so I expected she saw Prim first. It wasn't surprising; in fact, it was to be expected.

She said nothing at first, so I started to talk. I explained how she had to keep alive. I knew Gale would take care of her, but I had to make sure she would do her part, no matter what might happen to Prim and me. She listened to all I said, and assured me she would do as I told her. I had to take her word for it.

Eventually, the Peacekeepers came back and made her leave. She hugged me one last time, then exited the room. I sat in silence once more, but not for long, because the door was opened once more, and Gale showed his face.

I was off the chair faster than you would believe when I saw him. I threw myself into his arms and he held me. I was as close to crying as I would get.

"Take care of her," I managed to say. "My mother."

"Of course," he said.

"Don't let her starve," I said.

"I won't," he said. A single tear slipped down my face.

"Don't give up, Katniss," Gale said. "Both of you will have an ally. Who knows? If they really are chosen randomly, you may be paired with her."

It could happen, but it wasn't likely.

"Either way," he continued, "you'll both be with someone. There will be someone to keep her safe, Katniss."

I know, but for how long? I thought. The second ten tributes left came around, how easy would it be for Prim to be killed? Who could say if she'd be shown any mercy by her ally? Who could say her and her ally would even make it that far?

"And as for you," he said, "find a bow. If you do, you'll be unstoppable."

"I can't kill anyone, Gale," I said, my voice cracking.

"Just pretend you're out hunting," he said. "You can do it. I know you can. Just, get your hands on a bow. Make sure you show them what you can do. Do not give up, Catnip."

He was silent then, as was I. There was little else to say. We just waited in our embrace for the Peacekeepers to come back. They eventually did, Gale was escorted away, and I was left alone. I let my fear consume me. I couldn't keep Prim safe. I knew that. Not during the Hunger Games, they were too unpredictable. I didn't even know if I could keep myself safe. The Hunger Games had begun.