Porter and I grew closer over the next few weeks and on the day before Reaping Break, he asked me out. During lunch, Moore and I were sitting at our usual spot by the flower patch and he was late coming over, "Where were you?" Moore asked, chewing on her sandwich.

He sits down next to me, "Um… I was just grabbing my book." He throws his backpack down and sits indian style. I can sense his nervousness about something I had yet to find out.

"Hey, are you alright? You seem nervous?" I ask.

He smiles and grabs my arm, pulling me up and taking me over by the school entrance, "Johanna, I need to ask you something." He rests his hands on my forearm.

My heart beat picks up quickly and I beg him to not reach for my hands because I could feel them clamming up, "Go ahead. Ask me anything Porter."

He removes his hands and runs his fingers through his now shaggy hair, "Um… Well… I was just wondering if you wanted to be my girlfriend?" He stumbles over his last few words, spilling them out of his mouth.

I can feel a bright smile spread across my face, "I would love to."

His lips pull into a smirk, "Really?"

I nod my head and grab his hand, "Come on lets go tell Moore!" We ran back to our space on the ground. We sit together again, but this time our hands fell together in the center.

"Finally!" Moore says, pulling us into hug. "I was waiting for this day…"

"You were?" Porter asks, reaching for his water.

Moore nodded her head, "Yeah! I can't believe it took you this long to ask her…"

Porter laughs and lifts his cup of water into the air, "Well To Johanna and I."

We all clink our cups together and take a sip, "Ah yes! And to a happy Reaping Break! May the odds be ever in your favor!" We let out a puff of nervous laughter, each one of us praying we aren't reaped.

Over the next week I hung out at Porters house and snuck into the woods with him. We would practice with the weapons and talk about past games. I mastered the bow and arrow, knifes, spears, and even learned a few snares. But my specialty was the axe. Maybe its because everyone in 7 learns who to use an axe so they can chop wood, but I could do anything with it. Throw it 20 feet and still hit the target, chop anything off, and kill. We even had a mock fight on Friday. He had a spear and I had my axe. I ended up cutting his arm during the duel. I apologized profusely but he insisted he was fine.

Then the Reaping rolled around.

Porter had turned 18 that spring and his name was in that bowl 48 times. And mine was in it 30. And Jewels tiny brittle hand will decide if our fate is life or certain death.

Luckily I had a big strong hand to hold on to.

Porter had picked me up that morning at my house. I had done my hair and put on the small amount of make-up I owned. Rimming my upper lids with a deep brown eyeliner and swiping one coat of a tiny bottle of mascara on my lashes. I had put my best dress on, a light cream-colored frock with buttons down the front and a short collar. He told me I looked beautiful and kissed me lightly on the cheek. I hadn't seen Moore all day and I was growing nervous thinking I would never see her again.

We were making our way to the justice building when we passed a tiny boy, who must be 12, crying on the street. His mother was over him saying, "Don't worry son, you won't be picked. Your name is only in that bowl 2 times." She notices our shadows over her and turns around. She looks us up and down, turns around and says, "His name is in there a lot, he will get picked, not you."

Porter lets out a huff of breath before gripping my hand tightly and dragging me away. The mother backs at me and whispers, "I'm sorry."

I just turn my head and grip Porters arm.

While walking, I feel is hand loosen and he pulls me in front of him, "Jo... I don't want to freak you out but I... Well, I have this feeling... I think I might be..." Porter stutters.

"What is it?" I say nervously.

"Well I have this feeling in my stomach... That I'm going to be the male tribute. I don't want to freak you out but I think It might be my named called this year."

"Don't be silly Porter," I say. "Its just a stupid feeling, it doesn't mean anything." I attempt to pull us toward the Justice Building but he stops me.

"But Johanna I got this feeling when Hunter was called too." He says lowering his eyes to our intertwined hands.

"Well then maybe I will be called," I say trying to lighten the mood. But obviously it has the opposite effect.

"Please don't say that Jo... Without you... I would be hopeless."

I'm about to speak but Jewels thick Capitol accent interrupts me, "Welcome to District 7's reaping for the 70th annual Hunger Games!"

I turn to walk again but Porter keeps an iron grip on my hands, "Wait I want to give you a good luck present."

I face him and wait as he fumbles around in his pocket. Finally he gets hold of my gift, "Okay close your eyes." he says. I obey and hold out my hand. I feel a cold, heavy, object land in my palm. When I open my eyes I see a solid gold mockingjay pin. In the center is the bird in flight with three arrows in its mouth. I hold it up closer to my face getting a closer look. I gasp at the pure beauty.

"Do you like it?" he asks quietly.

"Like it? Porter I love it!" he takes the pin from my hand and pins it to my reaping dress. I wrap my arms around his neck and his fall around my back. I lean my head back and kiss him lightly on the lips, silently hoping his feeling is incorrect.

We have to walk in separately so they can prick our fingers and shuffle us into boy and girl section. I flinch as the pin goes in my finger and draws a thick drop of red blood. They smear it on the paper and let me pass. While walking around I spot Moore's red hair. I run over and hug her, "Moore! Thank god I found you!"

She turns around and wraps her arms around me, "Jo… Oh gosh…" She speaks in a whisper as Jewel begins to speak about how the capitol has taken control of the rebellion. "Who do you think is going to get picked?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I have no idea, could be anyone." We turn our attention back to the stage and watch as Jewel introduces the past victors. We clap uselessly as they take their seats and stare blankly ahead.

"Alright! Here we go!" Jewel screams into her microphone. "Shall we do the ladies first?" She chuckles at her joke but no one laughs. She hobbles over to the bowl in her giant blue heels and huge matching dress. She lifts her hand into the air, rubbing her fingers together causing her nails to clack together. She digs her hand in and pulls out a name.

"Johanna Mason!"

My breathing stops. And so does everyone else's. My whole body goes numb. I can't see, I can't hear, I can't think, I can't move, and I can't speak.

Jewel tries again, "Johanna Mason! Come on up!"

I look to Moore, whose eyes are filled to the brim with tears. My feet move faster than my mind and I make my way to the stage and next to Jewel. She reaches her hand out and grabs my arm. "Oh!" she says while holding my arm. "So muscular! What a wonder female tribute we will have this year!" She motions to the past District 7 winners who are all silently judging me. "Let's see which boy will join her in the games!"

The boys. I forgot.

I was so wrapped up in my own drama I completely forgot about the boys. My eyes rake the crowd for the only pair of blue eyes in 7. When I find them I send them a silent good bye. I look at Porter for what could be the last ever.

I had to look away. I wanted to remember him like this. I bring my eyes to dark brown flats and hold them there, although I can feel his eyes burning a hole through my skull.

I the only sound I hear is that of Jewels hand running past the papers. "48 times," I think. Then that stops too. I hear her opening the paper. Silence. "Keegan. Keegan Johnson."

My whole body sighs.

Not Porter.

At least he doesn't have to come all the way to the Capitol to see me die, he can just watch it from the comfort of his own home. My eyes are still on my shoes but I can hear Keegan's footsteps slowly walking to stage.

Then I hear another pair of footsteps.

Running.

Then I hear a familiar voice yell, "Wait!"

"I volunteer."