A/N: So it's the Reaping! Yay!

Chapter 14

The blazing sun beats down on me. I'm walking to the Reaping, my arm linked with Peeta's. Prim trails behind us, talking with Rory in hushed whispers. I know what's she's saying. She's wishing him luck and telling him that she loves him.

Effie greets us, "Oh, Peeta! Katniss! Prim! Two years in row of Victors! Let's add a third year!"

We smile and go to sit. Haymitch isn't here, but that's not surprising. He's probably passed out somewhere, with a bottle in his hand. It's sickening that Effie so enthusiastic about the Games.

"Now! Welcome to the Reaping for the 76th Annual Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" Effie says into the microphone.

I grip Peeta's hand like it is a lifeline. I'm nervous that Rory or someone else like Madge will be reaped.

"Rory Hawthorne!" Effie calls.

"No!" Prim screams and runs off of the stage.

Rory comes outside and Effie says, "Alright, after that fiasco, let's choose the girls!"

With Rory already reaped, I'm even more nervous. Peeta whispers, "It'll be okay."

"Madge Undersee!" Effie calls. The mayor's daughter comes to the stage. She was the closest thing I had to a friend my gender. After the Reaping, I go to see Prim first.

She's slumped against a tree, crying. I motion for Peeta to leave us alone and he goes to see Madge, his best friend since childhood.

"Go away, Katniss," Prim says, crying into the tree.

"No. I know that it hurts when someone you care about is reaped," I say, taking her in my arms. Prim trembles and cries.

"No, you don't! No one that you have ever cared about has been reaped!" Prim shouts.

"You have been reaped! Gale has been reaped! Don't tell me that no one I have ever cared about has been reaped!" I yell. In a softer tone, I add, "Come on, Little Duck. We need to get to the train."

Prim nods and gets up. I meet Peeta and Haymitch at the train. Moments later, Effie, Madge, and Rory arrive. I remember riding in that creaky car. It was the most luxurious thing I had ever ridden in. I remember promising myself that I wouldn't cry. How far I've come since then. Now, I know that I'm in love with Peeta. Now, I've survived the Hunger Games. Now, my little sister has survived the Hunger Games. Now, I've lost my best friend. Things have changed since then.

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