A/N
Reaping time!
This is from Madge's POV
I recommend you listen to Goodbye my Lover - James Blunt at the reapings :)

6.

I wake up early, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. It's still a bit dark outside, so I stay in bed, thinking.

Reaping day. It is reaping day. I groan and cover my face with my hands. No. This couldn't be. How can I function normally, knowing Katniss her name is twenty times in? That she is most likely to be reaped? I shiver and bite on my tongue. I won't allow these thoughts in my head. I won't. She won't be picked, what are the odds? No, maybe I'll be picked. But for the first time in 5 years, I don't care about myself on reaping day. I can only think of Katniss and Prim. Because I'm absolutely 100% positive Katniss won't let Prim go into the Arena.

My head starts to ache, so I massage my temples. Katniss. After two hours of lying in bed, I get up and go to the shower. The water comes out pretty soft and it isn't exactly warm, but it's good enough for me. When I'm done and go into my room again, a plaid white dress and a pink ribbon are laid out for me. Reaping clothes. Reluctantly I dress myself in it, tying my hair up with the pink ribbon. I look into the mirror and frown. I wouldn't wear this, ever, in my right mind on a normal day.

I go upstairs, and knock on my mother's door. ''Mom?'' I mumble, pushing the door open. ''Close the door,'' she replies with a hoarse voice.

She is in pain again, of course. ''The reaping is today,'' I say quietly. No answer. I take a sit on the bed, and rub her arm. She is laying with her back to me. ''Good luck, sweetheart,'' she says with a little voice. ''Thanks,'' I mutter almost inaudible. I sigh before standing up and walking out the door, not bothering to look back one more time.

When I enter the dining room, some bread already has been stalled out for me. I butter it with jam and take tiny bites. My father is nowhere to be seen, probably taking care of some business before the reaping starts. I can't help but feel a but hollow and sick. It really would've helped if at least he was here with me. If I wasn't alone. Of course my mother is home, but she could've been gone too. It's not that she comes out of bed much.

I just finished my bread when I hear a knock on the backdoor. I quickly get up and open the door, smiling. It's Katniss with Gale. She hands me the strawberries, and I hand her the money. ''Nice pin,'' Gale says. I look down at the golden Mockingjay pin, which belonged to my aunt. ''Thank you,'' I reply politely. I give Katniss a quick peck and the check and hold her hand for a moment. ''Good luck, Katniss,'' I say. She nods. ''You too,'' and then they're off again. I sigh, and go back inside. I sit down at the piano and play Katniss' favorite piece.

After another hour My father comes in and hugs me. ''Good luck darling, I love you,'' he mumbles in my hair. I nod and smile at him. ''I love you too, dad.'' I'm doubting what I'm about to ask, but ask it anyway, already knowing the answer. ''Is mom coming?'' He shakes his head sadly. ''She is having headaches again sweetheart. I'm sure she would want to be there,'' he says soothing. I'll have to believe him on his word. Dad leaves, and I'm left alone for another half hour.

And then it's time to go to the square. I stand there in the lined area, shaking, looking for Katniss. I spot her pretty far away, and don't bother to go to her. I'll meet her afterwards. That is what I keep telling myself. What I would've given to hold her hand and have her next to me right now.. I don't pay much attention, until the names are getting picked. You could hear a pin drop. I hold my breath, hoping it's not Katniss. It's not. It's Prim.

I inhale sharply, eyes wide in terror, knowing what will happen. Knowing what she'll do. I clench my teeth when the unthinkable happens. She steps forward in complete panic. ''I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!'' The words echo in my head, when I watch her mount the stage, seeing Prim thrashing in Gale's arms. A pain in my chest grows, and I whisper an almost inaudible ''Katniss, no.'' She is holding back the tears, just like me. Just like Gale. I'm shaking and I feel like someone just punched me in the heart.

Then suddenly everybody touches their middle three middle fingers with their lips and hold them up. Me too. And then they pick the boy. It's Peeta Mellark. I don't really know him, so I don't really care. And, too soon, it's time for our goodbyes.

I go in after Peeta's father, holding my Mockingjay pin stiffly in my hand. I straighten my posture, not allowing myself to even dare to cry. I need to be strong for Katniss. When I come in, she launches herself in my arms, and I don't hesitate to press her close to me, as close as possible. ''You're going to win, Katniss. You're coming back for me, and Prim, and Gale,'' I say steady. I can feel her nod. ''I'll try,'' she mutters. ''You're not going to try, you're going to do it! You're going to make it happen! Okay Katniss? You promise me?'' I ask her, cursing myself for my voice going up at the end of my sentence. She nods again, more sternly. I quickly fix my pin on her dress. ''You will wear this as your token, okay? You promise me you will wear it Katniss?''
''Yes,'' she answers surprised.

I press a kiss on her lips and we stand there, head to head for the last minute. Everything has been said before, and besides; we never talked much anyway. I can feel my heart slowly shatter when I look in her eyes and see how lost she seems, how close to crying. And then it's time. As I get escorted out, I shout; ''I love you Katniss, I do!'' And I will never hear her say it back to me. And it hurts so much.

As I walk out, I feel like I've just lost a part of me. The emptiness and the hollowness are almost unbearable. And I know these few weeks will be pure torture. I just make it outside when the tears start falling and when the sobs begin to come. I'm completely lost, not caring where I am I sink down a wall and sit there. I see Gale pass me and know she is gone. I never cried so much, and never felt so hopeless. I cover my mouth with my shaking hand, realizing my worst fear has just became true. I lost her. I lost Katniss.