AN: Jack's POV

Reaping Day

It's been a year since Kim and I found ourselves in Panem. Gale and Katniss helped us find an abandoned, run down home in District 12 in what is called The Seam. It's been a rough go, harder for Kim. She made really good friends with Madge Undersee, the Mayor's daughter. Katniss introduced them when Kim had helped pick strawberries and they sold them to the Undersee's.

I've become great friends with Gale. He's taught me how to shoot a bow and set traps. I'm nowhere near as good at Katniss, but I'm getting there, slowly, very slowly, but improvement is improvement, right? It took a bit, but Katniss finally accepted me and Kim, she even brings us along when she sells her game off at the Hob, that's the black market here at 12, things tend to be a tad bit expensive in the Square, that's where all the town folk live, that own shops.

Kim and I could not believe our eyes when we watched the Hunger Games last year. I could not believe that people sacrificed their children to such a horrid game of survival. This year is the 74th Hunger Games and the Reapings just happen to be today. This will be the first time Kim and I will be entered, Katniss and Gale left us in the forest last year and found us wondering around the day after the Reapings. This will also be Primrose's, Katniss' younger sister, first time. Katniss stricktly forbad her from pulling tesserae. Likewise, this will be Gale's last year, since he turned 18, but he's still worried for all of his siblings.

"Catch!" Kim tossed him some bread as she headed into the back to put her best clothes on.

"Where'd ya get fresh bread?" I asked as I fixed my hair, taking a bite and relishing in the great taste of fresh bread, a nice change from all the stale bread we normally eat.

Kim entered the room in an off-white dress and her hair was braided the way Katniss normally wore her hair. "kat shot some squirrels. You know how much Mr. Mellark loves squirrels!"

They both headed out the door, stuffing the rest of the bread in their mouths.

"Tuck that tail in Little Duck," Katniss said to Prim who quacked in reply. Both girls started laughing. This was the only time that Katniss was truly happy. Her sister was her life. The only other time she ever seemed to come close to this state was when she was out in the forest.

"How you two holding up? Nervous?" She asked.

Kim nodded, looking down. "I'm not ready to die, ya know."

I pulled her closer to me. "I told you I won't let anything happen to you. Jack Brewer does not break promises." Kim smiled shyly. We've grown in a lot of way since we somehow ended up here. Our affections towards each other have also grown and become more obvious to everyone. However, we are still trying to get used to this Panem and the way of life, so we aren't official, yet. I plan to change that, but if she gets called to enter the Games, I will fight tooth and nail to make sure she comes out alive. I will never let anyone or anything hurt my girl!

Katniss held Prim back. "You two go ahead. We're going to see if the Hawthorn's have already left. Come alone Prim." The two sisters held hands as they headed towards Gale's home.

With a deep breath, Kim and I headed to the center of the Square, where a stage had been set up. There was a woman from the Capital watching all the teenagers get into their age groups separated by sex. She had a huge smile plastered on her face, it made me sick. Sitting behind her was Madge's dad, Mayor Undersee, and next to him a drunken man had stumbled into the chair. That was Haymitch, the only victor from District 12. I don't know much about him, just that he's the only one from District 12 to ever make it out of the Games alive. He was to be the mentor for this districts tributes.

Gale caught my attention with a wave. He was already in his group, keeping a close eye on his siblings and mother. "Where' Catnip and Prim?"

"She said that she was going to check to see if you guys had already left, they should be here any minute."

"Good luck," Kim said, waving at Gale and giving me a hug before heading off to join Madge.

"May the odds be ever in your favor," Gale replied back.

I turned hearing Katniss snort. She gave Prim a hug and whispered something in her ear. Prim nodded, putting a brave face and standing straighter, headed off towards the other 12 year-old girls up front.

Katniss turned to me and Gale. She have a friendly nod before turning all her attention to Gale. "I go, you take care of Prim. You go, I take care of your family."

Gale nodded. "Always." They hugged and she went to her group.

"You guys always do that?" I asked.

Gale nodded, keeping his eyes on Katniss. "We take care of our own. I'll always do whatever it takes for her." I gave a knowing nod and headed towards my own group. And with that, the Reaping began.

I tuned most of the beginning out. I put a brave front on, but inside, I was scared. I'm 16 and my name is in a drawing to participate in a game where in order to win, you have to kill 23 other kids. Who could possibly be excited about that? Did I want to die? Of course not! Do I want to kill 23 other people in order to stay alive? Most definitely not. "Am I willing to kill in order to stay alive? That was the main question here. If it came down to it, would I be able to kill another human being?

"I VOLUNTEER!" I was pulled out of my thoughts at the scream. I looked towards to voice and was shocked to see Katniss being held back by two Peacekeepers. I was even more shocked to see Gale gather Prim and carry her away as she screamed for her sister.

The Capital woman smiled with excitement. "A volunteer! How brave! Well, come up here, tell us all who are!"

Katniss made her way to the stage and shakily spoke into the microphone. "Katniss Everdeen."

"Katniss Everdeen! I bet that was your sister," Katniss nodded. "Wouldn't want your sister to grab all the glory. Your female tribute is KATNISS EVERDEEN!" The Capital woman clapped excitedly.

It was dead quiet, save for the obnoxious Capital woman. All at once, everyone put the middle three fingers on their lips and lifted them towards Katniss. I did not know the meaning of this, but by the reaction of Katniss, it was special, so I did it as well.

The Capital woman, I believe she had said her name was Effie, but that just sounded weird, so I wasn't sure I heard right, cleared her throat into the mic and started digging into the boys bowl. She pulled out a piece of paper, read it, smiled, then said, "Jack Brewer!"

I heard Kim gasp as I stood there shocked, not moving until another kid from the Seam pushed me forward. I slowly started moving forward until a blond haired boy grabbed my arm stopping me.

"I volunteer!" He yelled out in such a confident voice. I just looked at him in shock as he stepped forward and took the stage.

"Oh my! Two volunteers!" This Capital woman cried. "Everyone wants that glory! And what is your name?"

The boy leaned forward. "Peeta Mellark."

Peeta Mellark, the bakers son. I will never forget him, he save me from having to play the Games. He gave me the chance to make it work with Kim. Now I'll make sure that one of our tributes make it home.

"There you have it all of Panem! Your District 12 tributes are Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!"

AN: Please leave reviews. Corrections, ideas, likes, dislikes, anything, the only way to become better is by getting feedback. Thank you.