Disclaimer: Did you know that I do not own The Hunger Games.. I know you did, I'm not cool enough for something like that to be mine :D

Three years later

It's reaping day.

This will be my fourth.

There are four slips of paper in a glass bowl with the name Peeta Mellark on them.

The odds are in no one's favour.

I'm lucky, unlike children from the Seam, unlike Katniss, I don't need to take out the tesserae to survive. Katniss on the other hand does, meaning that her name is in there sixteen times today.

I get washed and dressed in a daze, my mind, like every year since we both turned twelve, the year her dad died, is on Katniss praying that I don't hear her name today.

When we hear the sirens my brothers and I, only one of whom is still eligable for the reaping, head for the square which is beginning to fill. We go through all of the necessary protocols and we end up in position. Everything goes in a blur, the obscene colour of the Trinket woman's outfit is giving me a headache which does not help in the matter.

I try to clear my mind as she heads for the bowl with all of the girl's names in. Please don't be Katniss. I look over to her, she's hidden well in the crowd but I manage to make quick eye contact and give her what I hope is an encouraging smile. She reciprocates.

Evida Moors

It's not Katniss.

I breathe a sigh of relief as I see a girl who I think is in my year at school walk towards the stage. She is shaking like a leaf.

The Trinket woman moves to the bowl which has four slips with my name on. I hope it's not me, but at least I wouldn't have to kill Katniss if it was. Actually, who am I kidding, I'd sacrifice myself for her without a doubt.

Sam Pennell

Crap.

I look to my left and see a look of pure shock on his face. Why him? Anyone but him.

He walks up to the stage looking as noble as he can but I know he is crying inside. I can hear crying and know straight away that it is Delly.

Both tributes are quickly led into the justice building where family and friends can say their final goodbyes. That's me. I'm a friend. A good friend of Sam.

I grab Delly who is nearly incoherent with sobs and pull her towards the justice building. Peacekeepers eventually let us through and we are told we get three minutes each. I let Delly go in first because she won't last much longer. When she comes out she curls up against the wall. I'll comfort her when I've seen Sam. I have a long while to comfort Delly, I only have three minutes with Sam.

I enter and see that he has still not shed a tear.

I straight off give him a hug. We don't usually hug like this but it may be the last time I'll see him in person.

'It's been great Peeta. I've never had a friend quite like you.' He says into my ear.

'No.' I say firmly. 'I'm not saying my goodbyes and neither should you. You can win this. You have to win this.'

'You know as well as I do that I can't win.' He says with a retired smile.

'You can't just give up before you've started!'

He hugs me again, knowing it's nearly time.

'Go get her Peeta.' He whispers. Of all the last words he could have said to me, only these four could make a tear roll down my cheek.

As I pull away I give him a nod. I will do it for him. I leave and a second tear rolls down my cheek. That is all I let escape because now I have to comfort Delly and to do that I have to be strong. It is an impossible ob to get her to move from the floor. Eventually when some peacekeepers order us out I pick her up and carry her to her home her head buried in my chest, wetting my shirt.

A/N Firstly, I apologize if i got the number of times Katniss' name is in the reaping bowl, it's a minor detail but if i find something wrong, anything at all it bugs me :P if it is wrong i would much appreciate it if you could inform me :D

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