Chapter 3
Months passed and tomorrow will be the reaping. Only reminding me of the video, I still couldn't wrap my head with the thought that Peeta had won the games. But it didn't just hurt me; after the night I watched the video I realized that everyone in District 12 was keeping in the sadness about Katniss death. I was trying not cry because Katniss was my favorite character in the Games. I learn that the Capitol had set new rules like more peacekeepers around each district. Prim and her mom taught had to treat and save injured, burned and sick people which came in handy. Prim and I got really close I trusted her and I told her the truth about my life but even she knows why I am here in Pamen. The people in the Seam began to know me with my fair deals but people were thinking that I liked Gale because I'm around him almost all day. With the file in my iPod I started to know more about eh Hunger Games. I learn that the Capitol changed the ages to 12-19 and children at the age 19 wouldn't work will they are 20. Which means Gale will have another year in the Games. With that said I insisted to take some tesserae from Gale. Gale refuses but after an hour of me insisting he gave in. I took three tesserae from Gale leaving me having my name in the reaping five times. Prim took have the same amount as I did. Not only was that but Quarter Quell holding off for another year. Great…
"Hanna, can you come here for a second?" Called Gale
I snap back to reality and run over to Gale. He holds two boxes in his hand.
"The top one is for you and the bottom ones for Prim" said Gale
"What is it?" I asked
Gale grinned "Some for the reaping, I thought you can wear something pretty"
I laugh "Yeah like need to celebrate the reaping."
Gale smiles and brings me home. He hands me the boxes but before I walk in my house he stop me grabbing my arm. I stop and Gale pulls me into a hug. "No matter happens" he whisper in my ear that makes me feel a shiver down my back "I'll be here for you"
I nod and Gale turns me around making me face him. I could see my reflection in his eyes that made feel like I was about to fall to my knees. He brushes my bangs out of my face and he stares in my deep blue eyes. Gale looks away and leaves without saying another word. I fall to my knees with the boxes on my lap. My face felt hot and I am breathing heavily. That was strange I have known him for what? 6 months now and all of the sudden he acts like this! Once I feel like I have gone back to normal I got up keeping the boxes in my hand and headed to my room I shared with Prim. I find Prim searching something in her closet.
"What are you looking for?" I asked
"Something to wear for the reaping," Prim answer "I might as well."
"I don't think you need to worry about that." I say
I put down the two boxes on the bed and took the top box as I sat on the edge of the bed. I open it and out come a bark blue strapless dress. I pick it up out of the box I could feel the lace of the dress on my fingertips. I love it! But it wonder me how Gale was able to get a dress. I push that thought aside and keep my eyes fix at the dress as I smile.
"It matched your eyes." Said Prim
"Yeah you're right; check out the other box that one for you."
Prim smiles and quickly opens the box out comes a pretty light blue long sleeves dress. "I'm going to try it on in the bath room"
I nod and she leaves without second thought in mind. I side off my other clothes and put on the dress. When I look in the cracked mirror as looked different. Some black hair and dark blue eyes but in this dress I looked beautiful. If I would to say this myself back home I would have punch myself in face but now not so much. Prim amazing as well with the sleeve dress showing Prim's shoulders it made Prim older than her real age that I dreamt of all my life.
"You are wearing that tomorrow right?" Asked Prim
"Yes I'm sure the Capitol would love it!" I joked. We both laugh as we lay on the bed we shared.
The next day we head off to the reaping, no one was allowed to leave their homes before that. A new rule that the Capitol had made after the 74th Hunger Games, But now that Is 1:00 the day has come. Mrs. Everdeen had braided Prim's two into two but left my hair fall to my shoulders she had told me from the first time she saw me that my hair looked better when it's down but it felt wired because with my hair usually in a ponytail. We lined up at the square in our ages. A few rows behind Prim and stands Gale. I looked at him and he gives me a smile and mouths 'like the dress.'
I give a quick smile as Effie Trinket goes on the stage. "Welcome, welcome. The time has come to choose one man and one woman for 75th Hunger Games!"
She asked for the victors for District 12 and Haymitch and Peeta stands up. Haymitch looked drug and at time to time looked like he about fall. Peeta on the other hand was standing strong, emotionless but I could tell he was crying earlier. Effie smiles "Ladies First" she said. She heads to the bowl where my names is, Prim's and all the girls in the ages of 12-19 in District 12. Prim grabs my hand like a little child holding on to her mother. I grip on to her hand as Effie pulls out one slip of paper from the bowl. She brings up to the mic. "Hanna Miller!"
My eyes widen as I let go of prim hand. I give her a hug before going on the stage. "Don't volunteer for me, Kay." I whisper Prim nod and I let go and Effie leads me to the stage.
I stand there my face emotionless as Effie grabs a slip of paper from the boy's bowl. Please not Gale I thought to myself I. anyone but him.
"Gale Hawthorne!" Yelled Effie
At that moment I want to scream. But I didn't I keep my face emotionless but in realty mix emotion over well my body. Gale and I shake hands and turn back to the crowd. I knew at that moment that my worst nightmare is coming true.