Rose stared at me. She knew what I would do, but she was still shocked. Guards dragged me to the stage like before, but this time I could see Matt with tears in his eyes that he couldn't save me. Mercy started to scream, but I put my finger to my lips to quiet her. I put on a brave face, like I knew what I was doing. Rose began to stand on her tiptoes like me, but I shook my head at her, I could not have everyone I loved sacrificing for me, then there would be nothing for me to live for. I walked with the guards to the stage.
"I compliment you on your bravery." Effie began, "You look familiar, what is your name sweetheart?"
"Tessa Quint," I mumbled into the microphone.
"So, Mercy was your sister," she starts, "what a brave sacrifice. Would you happen to be the Tessa Quint drawn last year?"
I gulped down my feelings, "Yes," I said in a voice quieter than intended.
"We all feel sorry for the ending of your sister, Angela."
I tried not to cry, if I cried Mercy would worry, so would Matt. I sat down waiting to hear the name of who was coming with me, or I guess my competitor. I watched as Effie's hands fished in the bowl, "Matt Quint."
I was paralyzed. Matt was going with me. A million questions raced around in my mind, but the most constant one, 'only one of us can make it home.' I watched as Matt walked up surrounded by the guards, the rest of the boys too cowardly to save him. Though I sacrificed myself, I did not want him to get sacrificed. I looked to Rose in the crowd crying even louder and hugging Mercy. Matt looked back to them, his eyes full of tears. When he joined Effie and me on stage she began to ask, "Are you her sis…"
Matt interrupts, "Yes," sharper than I expected. Then we looked at each with worry in our eyes. "Our district twelve tributes! May the odds be ever in your favor," Effie announces as the cameras stop rolling.
Matt and I are pulled to the side of the stage. Effie tells us we were great and we our introduced to our instructor Haymitch. I remember the year he won the Hunger Games, I was four. Guards surround Matt and me and lead us to two doors. I am escorted inside to find Rose and Mercy.
"Remember Tessa, to use your speed and your agility. Make sure to practice hand-to-hand combat. Um, keep Matt safe, like stay together so your chances are better." Rose says. I try not to cry, apparently Rose had thought this through while I was on stage. Mercy gives me a hug and I watch her fight back tears. She doesn't tell me to win, she couldn't, that would betray Matt.
"One of you make it out," Mercy slowly said.
"Go see Matt," Rose tells Mercy.
"Please take care of her," I beg Rose, "if Mercy dies too I don't know what I will do." Rose shook her head and hugged me.
"I would have done it you know, I would have gone in for you," she whispers through tears.
"I will miss you Rose." I let her out of the room to see Matt.
For the remaining half of the minute I sit and wait for the guards to escort me out of the room. Matt or I have to win for Rose and Mercy.