I walk to the stage slowly. Struggling to remain emotionless. This is not happening, clench, this is not happening, unclench. Katniss looks at me pitifully, almost sadly. I tell myself that she is going to try to kill me soon, and I have to be cautious, but some subconscious part of me thinks she doesn't want too. Effie asks for volunteers, and of course, there isn't any. Katniss, quite abruptly, stares off into the distance at the hills. While the mayor goes on about the Dark Days, I take this time to process what just happened. I lock my jaw and start worrying about everything: my family, the bakery, my friends, and, not to surprisingly. Katniss.

What will happen to my sanity if I have to go and kill her? I probably won't. The 22 other tributes will. My eyes flicker over to her and take in her physical appearance for the first time today. Katniss is wearing a nice, but simple blue dress and her long dark brown hair in a braided bun. The sun falls on her olive-colored skin, making it golden and bringing out small red highlights on the top of her head. Those fierce gray eyes of hers are still staring out into nowhere.

I wonder what she is thinking about but then slowly stare at my father and brothers' horrified expressions. A silent conversation is passed between me and my father. Protect the girl. Of course I will. I will take care of her family. I discreetly nod to him. Before I know it, the Mayor is asking us to shake hands. Katniss' hand is soft, but scarred and brings an electric current through me. I squeeze it gently to let her know I won't hurt her but she has a wall around her that I know will be hard to blow up.