It's Reaping Day. We must wake up and be ready in the Square by 8:00 am. With all the voting everyone has to do, we must have three tributes prepared for the Capitol by 1:00 pm, when they expect it. I walk with my Mom and Prim to the square but I must separate from them to sit with Haymitch, the mayor, and the council. Everyone must sign in, including myself and the adults so they can vote and to make sure everyone does. In the bottom right corner of the Square, I see the elderly and the sick. I know everyone must vote, but was it necessary to bring them out today? During the other Reapings, if you're too old or sick to attend the Reaping the Peacekeepers come check on you and mark that you could not attend. Why those rules couldn't apply today, I have no idea. Effie appears and waves to Haymitch and I, but a tall, muscular guy is with her. He's holding a gun in his hand. He doesn't speak but sits down next to us. I offer to switch seats with Haymitch, but he says he's fine where he is.

Effie gets on stage and speaks over the rules for everyone. First she will choose ten names from the bowl, five boys and five girls. Someone will keep track of the names called and put them into an electronic system called a computer. Once all the names are called, everyone will go in line into the poll booths. We have twenty of them. The poll booths have a machine which you put in your name. Then a screen with the names of the ten kids and we will pick two boys and two girls to volunteer in the Games. Since it's computerized, as Effie says, it will take no time tallying the votes. The four kids with the most votes will stay on stage, while the others can go back to their families. After that, everyone will vote again to keep one of the four kids home. The three that are left will be sent to the Games. Effie also says with the including votes of the district, council, Mayor, mentors and the Peacekeepers the amount of votes is not divisible by ten which means no kids will have an equal number of votes. Effie takes a deep breath and closes her eyes and says, "If you refuse to vote you will face the charge of elimination." Just then the muscular guy with the gun that's next to us, gets up and walks into the crowd going towards the elderly and sick section of the Square. He picks up an elderly man, nearly about two days from death, throws him to the ground and shoots him in his head. Everyone jumps and gasps. Then Effie says in a broken voice, "This will be your fate if you choose not to participate in today's Reaping voting." You can tell as superficial as Effie is she's not evil as she's holding back tears. She looks at the crowd of kids and says, "Good luck, may be the odds be ever in your favor."

The muscular man comes back on the stage and pulls out some type of machine device out of his pocket. He stands next to Effie and nods for her to start pulling out names. She goes to the girl section and pulls out five sheets of paper. She says, "If I pull a repeat name, I will throw it back and choose a new one." She opens the five names and reads them off. "When I call your name, please come to the stage: Veronica Ridge, Madge Undersee, Melissa Hunter, Revia Kraten, and Jocelyn Greiter". I gasp when I see Madge in a beautiful blue dress grace the stage with her head held high. I don't know the other girls, and I try not to pay close attention to them until whoever is chosen is heading to the arena, but it's hard. The girl named Jocelyn is small and looks like she just turned twelve so I don't think she'll be chosen. I don't see Madge going either, but people might have a grudge against the little rich girl of District 12. However, the mayor could make our lives hell if his daughter was sent to the Games. I look at the girl named Revia. She's tall, muscular, dark skinned, and gorgeous. She looks angry. She might get chosen to go, cause she might have a chance to win. I made sure to tell everyone over the last few days to vote for people who may win, instead of at random. Melissa is dirty and you can tell she's from the Seam. She's holding back tears, and her bones are sticking out from her skin, I doubt they'll choose her too. Lastly, Veronica is a town girl, her blonde hair up and long eyelashes. She reminds me of Glimmer from my Games, but there's a sweetness about her that tells me she won't kill. I'm afraid she'll be chosen. Effie walks over to the boys section and does the same procedure, "Henry Watson, Jacob Mellark, Thomas Pethers, Luke McKane, and Franklin Hoblise." Haymitch's breathing stops when they say Thomas's name. Thomas moves on stage gracefully, and chances are he'll probably get chosen. He's not fat, but has more muscle and better skin, eyes, and hair than any kid in the District. He smiles and Haymitch and I, taking his place on stage. I look for Candice in the crowd, and I find her crying her eyes out almost about to combust. I recognize Jacob Mellark and almost cry. This is Peeta's younger brother. My heart goes out to that family and I'm sure the rest of the District does too and probably won't pick him. I've seen Luke before at school, he sometimes sits with Gale. He looks tired, but he's tall and skinny. He might get chosen. Franklin is a small boy of about thirteen, but he's a little bit on the plump side and has a tint of darkness in his eyes. However, since he's young he probably won't go today. Lastly, Henry is huge, over 6 feet and more than 200 pounds. I've seen him before because he's on the wrestling team. His face shows he's frighten, but with the right amount of training he could win the Games. He's definitely being voted for. With that, everyone gets in line at the polls and begins to vote. The families of the tributes and the council, mayor, and Haymitch and I all get our own line. Once you get inside you click on a screen and type in your name. You then get a list of tributes just picked. I think of who I could bring home and choose Henry Watson, Luke McKane, Revia Kraten, and Veronica Ridge. Thomas probably would've been a better choice than Luke, but I would never forgive myself if I chose Thomas. I don't think Veronica would last five minutes in the Games either, but everyone else would be just as bad as her, even worse. I try not to think about it, realizing that though my votes count, they don't determine who will stay and go. After about three hours, everyone's finished. Muscular guy whispers the results in Effie's ear and says, "The following tributes who still stay on stage will be: Henry Watson, Franklin Hoblise , Revia Kraten, and Veronica Ridge!" The other six tributes give a sigh of relief and rush to their families, with the exception of Thomas who mumbles how he could've won the Games. I roll my eyes, and relived that most of my picks got put into the second string. I want Henry, and Revia cause I know they have a chance of winning. Veronica is a town girl, but then again Peeta was a town boy, and look how far he made it. Franklin looks dead inside and that might be in advantage in the Games, but he's also very young. Effie says it's time to vote again, and this time it's for who to stay and I pick Franklin. Since everyone's looking at four names instead of ten, the process takes about an hour and a half. We wait for the tally and Effie speaks again, "The following tributes will participating in the Third Quarter Quell! Franklin Hoblise…. Revia Kraten… and Henry Watson!" Veronica starts crying tears of happiness and runs towards her family. The three of remaining take turns shaking hands and go into the holding building where they'll see their families and friends before it's time to go.

Haymitch and I are told we can go home, say bye to some people and pick up some things if we need it and to be on the train within half an hour. I go see Madge first as I know she's still probably shaken up by being chosen and everything. Gale is with her. I think I'm slightly annoyed but I also think about how I can say bye to both of them in one sitting. I hold her and ask if she's okay. She nods and says "Oh Katniss, I don't know what I would've done if I was chosen!" I nod and say, "Well, I would've done my best to take care of you." I sigh and say, "Well I'll be gone for about a month I think. You know training and then the actual Games." They both nod and Gale says, "Well do your best to bring someone home, Catnip." I laugh a bit, but then I see the angry look on Madge's face. The last thing I need is issues when I come back, so I say bye to them both and leave to see Thomas.

Haymitch is there when I show up and I don't know why I would be suprised. Haymitch has no other friends or family besides myself and Thomas. I ask Thomas if I can speak to him alone, but then I realize that'll leave Candice and Haymitch alone together. Thomas nods and go into his backyard. Before he says anything I speak and say, "I'm sorry about all those months ago. You're going to think I'm crazy or lying or something but that night I saw a ghost of Peeta. And it brought all these emotions back and I wasn't sure if I was ready to move on. Then I went on my Tour and saw some really bad things and when I came back I wasn't myself at all. And then today, when your name was called I was so scared for you, even though I knew you weren't. I just wanted to tell you good-bye and that I really do care about you." When I'm nervous I talk fast and I realized I had all that in about fifteen seconds. Thomas kissed me and said, "I'll see you when you get back sweetheart." I laughed and said, "Please don't ever call me that again." I kissed him back and went to spend time with my mother and Prim before Haymitch and I left to prepare for the next Hunger Games.