Everyone around turns to me, to see my reaction. I feel like crying, falling to the floor and screaming that it's not fair, but then I remember something.
My mind thinks back to a scene that happened just a few days ago. I remember Katniss, coming up to me as I was getting ready of bed, and lying by me until I fell asleep.
"If you do get picked for the Hunger Games, then do not show you fears at the reaping. Don't show your emotions, as you may come across weak," She whispered in my ear, "Now sleep, sweetheart. I'm sure you wont be picked anyway."
Oh, how wrong she was.
But I do what she told me, and putting on a blank expression, I gulp back the sobs threatening to escape in my throat, and slowly start to walk towards the stage.
As I walk, trying so hard to calm my nerves so I don't start trembling with fear, everyone gawps at me, before moving to let me past. I feel like a leper or something, the way as soon as I walk past, everyone moves aside. But that's what happens to everyone who becomes a tribute. Nobody wants to get close to me; they don't want to have to say goodbye.
"Come on, Primrose, come up to the stage!" I hear Effie Trinket say, but her voice is muffled so it sounds just like a whisper.
So many people are wishing me luck, others just giving me a sympathetic smile. These are the one's who know. I mean, seriously, who will really sponsor a twelve year old girl, who has no clue in surviving? I start wishing that instead of me, Katniss was the one chosen. At least she knows how to look after herself and avoid starving. I don't. However, I soon wipe away this idea, as I know I cannot change the past.
My legs are trembling uncontrollably as I climb the stairs onto the stage. Effie Trinket grabs me by the hand and drags me over to the left of the stage where the girl tribute normally stands. I must be hard to move, as I'm not really paying attention and really, I'm in shock too.
"NO, PLEASE NOT PRIM!" I hear someone scream from the back of the crowds. I look over, and see it's Katniss. She's screaming at the Gamemakers to help me, whilst pushing them but they stand firmly, telling her that this is a sacrifice because of the war that took away our freedom.
Effie ignores this outcry though. "Three cheers for the 74th Hunger Games girl tribute!" She shouts, as she pushes my hand into the air.
I expect an uproar of cheers and shouts for me, but nobody makes a sound. Instead, I see ym whole district, kissing their three fingers, and holding them up into the air. It's like a peace sign, shows that we wish them the best of luck.
Effie looks at the crowds and at what they are doing, open mouthed. She doesn't say a word as she strides over to the other glass bowl and hunts for the boy tribute.
"Caleb Major!" She screeches down the microphone with her high pitched voice. I look around all the people in the crowd, and spot the only boy that could be the boy tribute this year. He looks about 13, with dark brown hair, and gleaming blue eyes. As he walks towards the stage, and the crowd parts like the red sea to let him through.
As he's walking up the stairs onto the stage, I notice he nearly loses his balance as he climbs up. He practically creeps over to where he is meant to stand, like he doesn't want any attention. Bit late for that.
"We now have the tributes for the 74th annual Hunger Games! Primrose, Caleb, please shake hands!" Effie Trinket bellows, gesturing for us to do just what she said.
Nervously Caleb and I outstretch our hands, and interlink them to shake hands. As soon as I touch his skin, I feel like there's electricity running through my whole body. The crowd claps as we do this, but it's more forced cheers. Close up, Caleb is very good looking. Well, if he didn't have that look of angriness crossed with sadness on his face.
After the crowd dies down, Effie motions her hands towards the brass doors behind us, indicating that the show is over and we have to go through the Justice Building.
I'm lead by a Peacekeeper to a room, where I have to stay until my family comes to say goodbye. I try to think about what I'm going to say to Mother and to Katniss, but all my mind wants to think about is how luxurious this room is compared to home. The sofa that I am now stretched out on is made on velvet, and the other wooden chairs are polished until they glisten in the sunlight.
After some time, I hear the opening of the door, and in strides Katniss, followed by Mother. Katniss fiercely picks me up, swinging me around in a circle as she hugs me, like she will never let go. I start to feel dizzy and it's becoming hand to breath because of her tight grip on me.
"Katniss... I can't breath..." I croak, my voice muffled because my mouth is directly on her shoulder.
"Oh, sorry Prim!" Katniss says, as she puts my feet back on the ground and lets me go.
"No, it's okay.." I mumble, not knowing what to say.
Mother stands in the corner, watching me and Katniss, probably waiting her turn to say her goodbyes to me.
"Listen to me Prim," Katniss starts, "Be careful, you hear me? Make sure you make a good impression so you get more sponsors, and make sure you have supplies of water with you at all times. If your going to die, die proudly, not from dehydration," My mother coughs when Katniss mentions the word 'die'. "And remember, I'll always love you. Goodbye little Prim, for now anyway, because your strong enough to win, I promise you are!" By the times she finishes, I can see the tears streaming down he cheeks. She's starting me of now. This is the first time I've cried since I was picked, seeing as I was following Katniss's advice. I hope I seemed strong enough to everyone else.
Katniss wipes the tears away, gives me one last desperate hug, then moves away so Mother can come and see me. "Prim, make sure you listen to Haymitch, he's the one who can help you get out of that arena alive. And also mind your manners," I smile at this, every though I could never be coming back, she's still telling me to mind my manners. "Goodbye, I hope to see you soon." She says, as tears drip down her face.
I look at her for a moment, before turning to look at both of them at the same time. "Don't cry, I'll be okay. I'm going to be coming back. I love you both!" I tell them, but I'm not fooling them, the uncertainty in my voice tells it all. In fact, I'm not even fooling myself.
But I can't do anything about that, as before I know it, Mother and Katniss are escorted out of the room and down the corridor.
However, just as I see them leave the room, I look to see Katniss looking at me, a glimpse of sadness on her face. Normally, she is the strong one. The one who looks after us. But things have fell apart for her, first Father dieing in a mine explosion, then me dieing for entertainment for the people of the Capitol.
Effie Trinket is the next person who enters that door. She sees my face, and immediately starts to babble, "Put a smile on! We don't want everyone thinking your upset do we, Primrose?"
"It's Prim," I grumble through gritted teeth. I hate it when people call me Primrose, except for Mother of course. She doesn't like nicknames.
"Okay, sorry, Prim!" She laughs, saying my name sarcastically. God, this woman is annoying.
I don't reply, just look at her with loathing.
"We need to keep to schedule! So, I expect you on the train right now! Hurry up, much to do!" She says, in a bossy tone.
I follow her from the room, twisting through corridor after corridor. I never knew that this Justice Building was so big.
We eventually arrive at the District 12 train station, and I see the train I'll be travelling to the Capitol in for the first time.
The train is huge, with a very shiny look. It's one of them trains that goes at full speed, like a bullet through the air.
We jump onto the vehicle, and I see the inside of it.
I seriously never knew a train could be as stunning and luxurious as this one.
Just the hallway was amazing. As I walked through to what seemed like the living room for the next few days, I was stunned at how expensive all the items in this room probably where. I'd never seen a chandelier (as I found out what the light was called later on) as big as the one here, in fact I'd never seen one at all before.
"Wow." Is all I can manage to say.
"You think this is good?" Effie Trinket says to me, laughing, "Then you should see the stuff in the Capitol!"
I'm not listening to her though, as my feet are already dragging me over to where all the the food is positioned.
Just looking at all the breathtaking looking food was making my mouth water. The food here, was like the food of my dreams. After only eating fresh game and Katniss roots for as long as I can remember, seeing white crusty bread and frosted cookies was like a dream. I never knew that the Capitol had such scrumptious food.
I glance over at Effie Trinket, as if to say 'am I allowed to eat any of this?'. She just nods approvingly. I fill my plate high with rolls, cupcakes, stew, broths and sweet tasting, little birds. They sort of remind me of home, when Katniss used to bring them home for us after a day of hunting.
I'm stuffing my face with all this food, when I hear the door to this room click open, and in walks Caleb. He looks a bit better than when I last saw him on stage; he has a bit more colour in his face and he isn't as shaky.
He strides over to the table I am sitting at, while I sit there, mouth open, looking at how nice he looks in the new clothes. He's wearing some sort of tight pants, and a long sleeved fitted jacket. He's fanciable of course, but I can't like him as in a few weeks, we will be trying to kill each other. And anyway, I'm only 12, nearly 13, I can't be getting involved in boys. Katniss isn't even allowed a boyfriend, and she's nearly 16.
"HI," He says, smiling showing his perfect white teeth, as he sits down facing me.
"Hello," I reply, in between a mouth full of food.