Chapter Two: The Reactions

We all stand there, shocked. There is an eerie silence. Everyone is completely shocked. There isn't even the usual mutterings about a twelve-year-old getting reaped. Everything is just still. And I know why.

The day Rue started out on the farm with me, Azalea, Zinnea, Cypress, and Jonquille. Jonquille, being herself, taunted me about being friends with a little kid as we started planting. The hard work went on for hours, and everyone was getting edgy. It's the hardest thing to live in District Eleven. The Peacekeepers watch us warily 24/7, pointing their hard metal guns at us to push us, to force us to work harder.

But at the end of the day, Rue gently nudged me. She pointed to a strange bird.

"A mockingjay," she had whispered.

A mockingjay. The unlikely combination of a mockingbird and a jabberjay, which survived against the odds. And Rue began to hum her four-note tune. The beautiful melody echoed throughout the fields. Everyone heard it. Everyone knew that the work was done for today.

Since that first day, Rue has always sung the four-note tune. It's somewhat of a symbol of hope here in District Eleven. And now, with Rue in the Games, there's no one to take her place.

"Are there any volunteers?" Camellia asked calmly.

Absolutely no one responds. I feel tempted to go up there and take her place, but somone clutches me tightly. Azalea. "Don't," she seems to barely whisper.

"Well! That settles things, doesn't it?" Camellia says.

She then summons the Peacekeepers to keep Rue and Thresh in custody. We all are silent. Rue follows the Peacekeepers. No, I think. Don't go away from me. I am your soul sister, Rue. Don't abandon me! She doesn't catch my silent scream. I watch them walk swiftly to the Justice Building.

"If anyone wishes to visit the tributes, you may visit them in an hour in the Justice Building," Camellia chirps.

I knew that I had to see Rue. Why hadn't I done anything? What a coward, I thought to myself. What a coward! I pushed through the crowd, which slowly dispersed.

"Rue!" I scream after her. "Rue!"

"Nalin," someone whispers behind me. I jump, and turn around. It's Rowan.

"Rowan," I muttered. "I can't live with myself."

"Nalin, you didn't have to volunteer," Rowan says softly. "Rue is perfectly capable..."

"No!" I sob. "She's not 'perfectly capable'! She's only twelve! She's doomed! She's from District Eleven! She-she's-" I break off. Rowan wouldn't understand. I brush away from him. He has a hurt look on his face. I sob even harder. Great. I had lost both my best friend and my chances of ever being with Rowan all in one hour. I'm hopeless! Rowan had only been trying to help me...

An hour later...I rush towards the Justice Building. I had figured out exactly what I wanted to say. I would say that I should have volunteered, and I was so, so sorry. Then I would give her the star charm I had made. It was to my birthday present from Rue, but under the circumstances, it would make Rue happier than me. And it would remind her of home, and what she was fighting for. After checking with a Peacekeeper to let me in, I walk into Rue's room. I look straight at her, then, against my will, I slowly begin to cry.

"Rue!" I wail. "I should have volunteered for you! And now I'm going to regret it for the rest of my life!"

"Nalin...' Rue looks sad. I reflect on what had happened. She was in greater danger than I was. She was about to go to the Capitol. And she now had to deal with me thinking that it was my entire fault. I wipe my eyes. I didn't want Rue's last days to be filled with sorrow for me, and not for her. Last days? I think. Don't think that!

"Nalin, I don't blame you for anything. You shouldn't regret it. I'm the one who's going to the Hunger Games, remember? Just-just let the song continue on, do you understand?" She doesn't sound like her usual chipper self. I nod. I know exactly what the song was. Her song to the mockingjays. The beautiful four-note melody that signified the end of the day; the end of a day of hardships. I would sing it for her, and for the other citizens of District Eleven. I slowly take out the star charm. I look at it longingly. Then I place it in her palm.

"Rue, take this." I thrust it at her.

"Nalin, you need that to remember me! I made that for you!" Rue gasps. "I couldn't-"

"It'll remind you of us. And-" I took a deep breath, "-you need it more than I do."

Rue nodded. We hugged for a long time. Then a snarling Peacekeeper comes up to me.

"Get out!" he snarls at me.

I give him a hard stare, then I run off. I stop and look behind at Rue. I smile grimly. I take a deep breath. This would be the last time I saw my best friend, before the Hunger Games. The Peacekeeper growls at me. I jump, then run off.

Later, I join Mom, Dad, and Lobelia. We are all in the town square. A small TV is in front of the whole crowd. It shows all of the Reapings all around Panem. District One: The beautiful District 1 classics. District Two: A menacing, brutal-looking boy who looks like a real contender. I bite my lip. District Five: A smart-looking girl with red hair and a foxy grin. Not an ally for Rue; she seems like she'd betray any ally, no matter how much the ally helps her. Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten. Then Eleven. I watch in horror as Glitter calls out Rue's name. It chills me to see that scene again. I would never forget it. The eerie silence as Rue quietly takes to the stage. No one doing a single thing for her. Twelve. The escort announces the name, "Primrose Everdeen!" Then a brave girl runs up and volunteers in place of Primrose. "Katniss Everdeen" is her name. I feel crying. Why had she volunteered, and I had not? I run off, even though Mom and Dad yell at me to come back.