Author's

Enjoy the story, though. ;)

Disclaimer: I am not Suzanne Collins, and therefore not the owner of the Hunger Games series. Got it?

II. Emotional Breakdown

Everything seems to slow down. How could she have been chosen? Her slip is one in millions! I feel Peeta clutching onto my arm, trying to comfort me. Did I fall? I see her, passing by the roped area for the sixteen-year-olds, pale and stiffly stepping onto the steps of the platform. Her blouse is sticking out like a duck tail again and sink back to life. I run towards her and stop her from stepping any further. "I volunteer!" These words escape my mouth before I can stop them.

The mayor and Effie have a little debate onstage about my decision, but they let it pass. A drunk Haymitch Abernathy comes towards the stage. He's the one missing from the three chairs on stage. He's staggering towards me and yells something that I can't understand to the cameras. All I can manage to hear him say is "More than you!" while he points to the cameras. Is he mocking the Capitol? Just as the thought passes my mind, he flings himself off the stage head-first. So this is the guy who's gonna try and save me in the arena.

Effie keeps the ball rolling by picking a boy's name from the crystal ball opposite from the girls. I can tell her hair is fake because her pink hair has slightly gone to the right. I had no time to think about Peeta when she says the chosen boy tribute.

"Gale Hawthorne" that name rings inside my head and I know I've met this boy before.

Anyone but him, I thought. I know this guy. First time I saw him was just a few days after I met Peeta. In the woods, where I saw him shoot an arrow and set a snare. I also pass by him at school, being the talk of all the girls. Clearly the odds are not in my favor today.

Effie starts asking for volunteers. No one steps up to take his place. I think he has two younger brothers, but they're probably too young to volunteer. I see him, olive skin, grey eyes, it's obvious he's a Seam guy.

Tons of thoughts are running through my head. What will I do? Will I kill him? Does he know me the way I know him? Probably not.

We're being escorted to the Justice Building as I'm trying to hold back my tears. I go to my waiting room, hoping the first guest won't see my tears soaked in the velvet couch.

My sister comes barging in, hugging me tightly as my mother comes in. We're all sobbing and telling each other to take care of each other. Prim's asking me to try as hard as I can to win. I tell her I will, even if we both know it's an incredible feat. Peacekeepers come to take them away and I hold on to their hands as long as possible.

My next guest is unexpected. I hardly hang out with her but I guess she counts as a friend. It's the mayor's daughter, Madge.

She barges in and stares at something in her hands. "They allow you to wear at least one thing from your District. You'll wear this, won't you?" She holds out a pin she's been wearing since the start of the day. A bird enclosed in a gold ring. And if I'm not mistaken, it's a mockingjay.

"It'll be like a slap in the face for them, since mockingjays weren't supposed to exist." she said.

Before I could react, she pins it to the blue dress that my mother told me to wear, gives me a strong hug, and she's escorted out of the room.

Finally, Peeta comes in and maybe there's nothing romantic between us, but when he holds out his arms, I don't object. His body is already familiar to me — the steady pace of his heartbeat, the smell of bakery bread and frosting, even the way it moves —but this is the first time I feel it so close to mine.

He kept reminding me about strategies and weaponry inside the arena, recalling that the old Games and how some people died horribly, but I just kept thinking about this morning.

Was it just this morning when we were eating peppermints? It feels like a long time ago. Oh, how I wish I could go back to that moment.

I'm pulled back into reality as Peacekeepers pull Peeta away.

"Don't go!" I say desperately.

"Don't worry I'll take care of Prim and your mother. Make sure they're full." At least I feel safe that my family will have enough food. "Just remember to find an arrow and water." The Peacekeepers are practically carrying him out now. "And remember I..."

The Peacekeepers close the door shut and left that sentence hanging. What did he want me to remember?

I'm about to enter a car train the sight of Gale catches my eye. Compared to him, I feel like I'm a weakling. His strong, tall body, his seemingly emotionless expression, I look pathetic next to him. We both board the train and something comes to my mind. What will happen to me when I die? What will happen when I get to the arena?

How will I kill Gale?