A/N: Drumroll, please! I am a horrible updater. But, you all knew that by now. So, let's skip me begging your forgiveness, and let me get to my main point: I am having MAJOR boy problems. It's the typical teenage crush thing: The girl likes the guy, but the guy likes another girl. However, Guy keeps egging Girl on, making her think that Guy possibly has feelings for her. Guy doesn't lose sleep over Girl, he just flirts with her without knowing it. Does Guy know that Girl cries over him, and wishes he liked her? No. Thank you for letting me vent. I'm just kinda wishing he liked me….but you didn't click on this for me to tell you a 5 page story about Guy, did you? And no, his name is not Guy. I don't want to tell you his name. However, I will tell you his name begins with the 11th letter in the alphabet. And, on with the show!

Gale was looking with sympathy at me. But the look he gave Katniss was undecipherable. Love? It couldn't be. There was nothing romantic between Gale and Katniss.

"Prim! You're only 12; there's no way you're going in that Arena!" Katniss said.

I shook my head slowly. My mouth was dry. "Katniss, I have to." I tried to look into Katniss' stormy grey eyes with confidence, but I couldn't hold her stunned gaze.

"Prim." Katniss said.

"Katniss. We could talk about this all day, but nothing will change: I'm going into the Games." I said.

Effie Trinket stood there idiotically, not knowing what to do.

I tried to push Katniss of the stage, but she wouldn't budge.

Effie was shaken out of her stupor. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have a volunteer! Um, what was your name, Sweetie?"

I glared at Effie. "Prim. Primrose Everdeen."

Effie laughed nervously. "Usually there's a matter of asking for volunteers, but….um…" She trailed off, looking around.

Haymitch Abernathy, the only living Victor of District 12 came stumbling up the stage, and walked towards me.

He threw his arm around me, clearly drunk. His breath reeked of vodka, and his eyes were glazed by the amount of alcohol in his system.

He burped, then spoke. "I like her. She's got that something we need. Whatdaya call it? Confidence. And spunk." He winked at me before walking over and throwing up at least a gallon of vodka and other various alcoholic beverages onto Effie's pink heels. Effie shrieked and ran off the stage, on the verge of tears. I was on the verge of tears too, but for a very different reason.

Haymitch was led off the stage by two burly Peacekeepers. They had to handcuff him because he kept trying to pet their hair, claiming it resembled a squirrel.

The mayor got out of his seat, and came up to the microphone. He proceeded to read aloud a speech that we're required by law to listen to every year, on Reaping Day. It told of the Dark Days, and the beginning of the Hunger Games. I tried to keep the tears out of my eyes. Our District was already the laughingstock of Panem; Gale and I didn't need to be marked as weaklings too. I stared ahead, trying to be brave. Going into the Games wasn't so bad, was it?

The mayor finished the dreary Treaty of Treason and sat back down.

"Now, give our lucky tributes a round of applause!" The mayor shouted into the microphone.

Then, right before we were led off the stage into the Justice Building to say our goodbyes, the whole District did something unheard of. One person put his three middle fingers of his left hand to his mouth and held them out to Gale and I. Then, one by one, people started to do the same thing, until everyone's hand was outstretched in the familiar three-finger salute. I was in awe. They did not approve of a twelve year old going into the Games. They were not happy. Such a clear act of rebellion would not go unnoticed. The man may die for doing it. But, could this be the start of a rebellion? Could it be the start of a revolution?

I didn't have a chance to ponder over that thought though. Two Peacekeepers ushered Gale and I into the Justice Building.

I was put into a room separate from Gale. I would have an hour to say my goodbyes. An hour to sever all ties from my family. An hour to accept that I would die in that Arena.

The room was much fancier than any of the District. There was a shaft of sunlight streaming through a window with light green curtains, giving the room a warm glow. There was a white bearskin rug on the floor. In the middle of the small room was a plush green chair. I sank gratefully into it, and put my hands into my face. I could feel the tears coming, but I tried to force them back.

The door creaked open, and I found myself staring into the blue eyes of Peeta Mellark. He came over to me and I stood up. I didn't know why he was here. At school, we didn't give any acknowledgement of each other. The only reason I had even heard of him was when Katniss came home with two loaves of bread that Peeta had given us. He had saved our lives.

Peeta sighed. "Prim, you're allowed to wear one thing from your District."

I nod, unsure of where this conversation is going. "Yes." I simply say.

Peeta takes something golden from his pocket. It's a pin. A pin with a jabberjay on it, with a arrow in its beak.

He places it on my shirt, fastening it with a flourish. "Wear it, Prim. And think of home when you do." He says, then walks out of the room without letting me so much as say a simple "thank you."

Katniss is next. She walks into the room, unsure until she sees me. She runs over to me and envelopes me into a big hug.

"Prim," She mumbles into my curled hair, "You're so stupid. You should have just let me go into the Arena. I don't know how I'll live with myself if you die."

"When," I correct her. "When I die."

She inhales deeply, and pulls away. "No, Prim. If you die. You have to at least try. For me. Promise you will." She says, looking deeply into my eyes.

I sigh. "Fine."

Katniss looks down to the jabberjay pin.

"Who gave you that?"

"Peeta Mellark."

"Peeta? Why?"

"I don't know." I say, looking away.

Suddenly Katniss's eyes fill with unshed tears. "Prim, Gale told me he loved me. I love him too. But he's going into the Games! And I can't choose between you." She says this last part softly, as if she's ashamed she values mine and Gale's life the same.

But I understand. She's known Gale since she was 12. He was her best friend. He still is. But even if he comes back from the Arena, will Katniss look at him the same way? Will she be able to love him again?

I stroke Katniss hair, pushing a lock behind her ear. She smiles sadly at me.

"I love you, Katniss." I say. There's so much more I know I should say, but the words won't come out.

"I love you too, Prim." Katniss says.

We hug for a few minutes, and for a moment I convince myself that it's all just a bad dream. I'll wake up, and Katniss and I will be safe.

When the Peacekeepers separate us and drag Katniss away, I know it's not just a dream.

It's reality. And, like it or not, I was going into the Games.

As Gale and I board the train that will take us to the Capitol, I send a prayer to heaven.

Dear God, please don't let Katniss and Mother be too upset when I die.

A/N: Like it? Love it? Hate it? Tell me it all in a review! And I know it's short. It'll get longer; just bear it with me!

~Fire