I set fire to the rain, and I threw us into the flames. When it fell something died 'c cause I knew it was the last time...

Set Fire to the Rain by Adele

It's awful, really. Watching the reactions of the victors as their loved ones face the Reaping.

Some remain impassive and emotionless. Some clench their fists tightly and some actually cry.

I try to memorize the faces of my competition, but really, only a few stick in my mind. A tall, bronzed woman from District One. A teenage boy who rushes forward to volunteer from District Four. There's a lanky, dark skinned boy from Eleven.

And worst of all, a young girl from Eight who has to detach herself from her two little siblings before she makes her way to the stage. She can't be more than twelve, and she looks almost ready to cry when they ask for volunteers and all you can hear is silence.

One of the announcers sighs in pity. "So young. Poor girl."

"That's Cecelia's daughter, I believe," Effie says in a hushed voice.

I leave the train car before they can make me relive my Reaping all over again.

I don't go back to my room. Instead, I wander around the train for a while until I find a completely empty car at the very back. It has huge windows and comfortable couches and chairs, so I take a seat on a cushy purple sofa and watch the world go by.

I don't know how long it is before I here a knock on the door. I turn around just in time to see Gale slip into the train car and sit down next to me.

"Hi, Prim."

I giggle. "Hi, Gale."

"So what are you doing?"

"Just thinking about... things." By things, he'll know I mean the rebellion,but I can't say anything about it out loud because I'm certain the train is bugged.

"Yeah. So am I. I can't believe this whole Games thing." He sighs. "I'm not sure that Snow knows what he's doing by sending us into the arena."

"The rebels have hope," I whisper. "And hope is the only thing stronger than fear."

Gale grins. "Since when have you gotten so smart, Primrose?"

My smile disappears. "Since they hauled my sister off to the Games and I realized what a cruel world this is."

"Oh." Neither of us can think of anything else to say, so we sit in silence for a while.

I think of District Twelve giving Katniss their silent salute when she volunteered for me. Of the Peacekeepers who knocked on our door to give us the news that from then on, the fence would be fully electrified.

Of Gale, wounded and unconscious, lying helpless on the kitchen table.

Was that when I first felt the odd new weakness stirring inside of me, that thing I've been feeling for the past few months now?

"Primrose." Gale takes my face in his hands. "Are you all right?"

I swallow the fear of death that threatens to overwhelm me. "Not really."

"I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"It's all right." We look at each other for a moment.

"Primrose."

And then he does something completely, utterly insane.

He kisses me.

This is wrong. Too wrong. I should end it. Push him away, NOW.

But I like it. I want to lean into him and...

No. It won't work out.

This all flashes through my head in an instant as I gently but firmly push him back.

"Gale, this can't happen. You can't love me."

And I can't love you. As soon as I think the words, I know they aren't true. I do feel for him.

He looks at me, hurt. "Why not?"

"I, well.." I stutter over the words. "You're six years older than me, and Katniss will kill us both if she finds out. Not to mention we're going into the Games and we're supposed to kill each other soon."

"We can always play out the romance in the arena. It worked for Katniss and Peeta."

"And you're crazy if you think the Capitol will let that happen again. They'd kill us, more likely."

"Prim. You feel the same way." It's not a question.

"That's beside the point. This won't work out. I'm sorry, Gale."

I leave the room without looking back.