I have tried talking to Katniss but she just won't listen to me. Every time I see her in the hallway she avoids looking at me or she starts to talk to people she goes past. I haven't seen her all this week.
2 weeks later
I woke up with a start. I felt horrible maybe because it was the day for the reaping. This event is the one thing district 12 people fear about because we have to offer up one courageous man and woman to compete in the hunger games. Once you turn 12 your name goes in there once and so on. But if you're poor you can sign up for Tessarae to have your name go into the ball more times in exchange for grain and oil.
I look inside my wardrobe and get out my best clothes and put them on. The reaping doesn't start until 2pm but I want to get ready.
4 hours later
We all walk in one single file down to the table where they get some blood of your finger. I see Katniss in a blue dress and gale in his best clothes. I line up with the other 16 year old boys and wait. I see a woman in bright pink clothes with a hideous wig. Effie is district 12's escort. She makes her way to the microphone and says in a high pitch voice "Welcome, welcome the time has come for us to pick one courageous man and woman to compete in our 74th annual hunger games!"
She waits a moment then continues "ok ladies first" she walks over to the big glass ball containing thousands of names. She picks one out and walks back to microphone. She holds it up and looks at us while she opens the paper. "Primrose Everdeen" she calls out.
Oh no I think that's not right. Prim is only a little girl she won't survive 1 day in the arena. Just then I hear a voice so familiar "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!"
"Well then District 12's very first volunteer" say Effie Trinket.
"No! No, I won't let you!" screams Prim as Katniss tries to break loose from her grip.
"Prim don't worry, I'll be fine. Prim please let go" says Katniss calmly.
But Prim doesn't go away until Gale takes her. The peacekeepers hold Katniss and they lead her to the steps leading to the stage. "What's your name dear?" ask Effie.
"Katniss Everdeen"
"I bet my buttons that was your sister wasn't it?"
"Yes"
"Give a clap for Katniss Everdeen for being district 12's very first volunteer" Effie says as she claps. But no one does what she did instead everyone put 3 fingers on their lips and raised it in the air.
Katniss I really hope you win. Cause if you die I won't have a reason to live anymore. I think.
"Now for the male" Effie walks over to the other glass ball and picks out a name.
"Peeta Mellark" she calls out.
But I don't hear because I'm too busy praying that Katniss will win and become a victor and return to district 12. Someone next to me bumps my arm and says "They called your name out". I could only gasp because that means I will have to kill Katniss because they can only have one victor not two. I walk with the peacekeepers to the stairs and stand on the other side of Effie. I look at Katniss and I remember the fight we had before the reaping
Flashback
"Peeta I never want to talk to you again!" screams Katniss
"Why?" I ask
"Because Gale told me you only pretended to be my friend and that you were using me"
"What I never did that" I say back
"Yes you did, and you also told Gale to break up with me" says Katniss as tears were coming down her face".
"Well what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to leave me alone and never talk to me again!" she says
I am so shocked and angry that she's accusing me for something I didn't do; I say back "Fine then" then Katniss walks away.
I try to hide my feelings and act as though it were nothing but deep down inside me every step Katniss took broke my heart into tiny little pieces.
End of flashback
"Well shake hands. And may the odds be ever in your favour" Effie says interrupting my thoughts. Katniss and I shake hands. This is the only time I've touched her since our fight. The peacekeepers lead us to rooms where they allow us to have people come in for 3 minutes. I take a deep breath and act normal and calm as the door opens for the first visitor.