A/N: And here is chapter two. Review!

Chapter Two

The Reaping

When I woke early that morning it was already hot and humid. I changed in to my hunting clothes and headed for the fence. Finding it silent, as usual, I slipped under the broken chain. I grabbed my bow and arrows and made the short trek through the woods to mine a Gale's meeting spot. I glanced at a few snares on the way and found that they were already reset. Good. I thought. I don't have to wait on them.

Gale's father, John Hawthorne, was returned two years ago after Gale's last reaping. Although he was free from the manual labor in the Capitol, he was still required to work in the mines six days a week.

John returned with the rest of the fathers the day after the reaping. There was so much happiness in the train station that day. Husbands and fathers greeting their wives and children with hugs a kisses. It was almost too much to bare. But I was there for the Hawthorne's and I knew he was there when I heard Hazelle's cry of relief. Through the crowd stepped a tall, strong looking man and I knew immediately that he was Gale's father. Hazelle had said it many times but I didn't have the proof until then. Gale looked just like his father.

Hazelle was pregnant with Posy, Gale's little sister, when John was taken to the Capitol. John didn't know what to do. He hated to leave his family but he knew that if he resisted he would be shot on sight. So he didn't, resist I mean. He did his manual labor in the Capitol and prayed for his family and the baby that he knew was on the way.

John Hawthorne saw his baby girl for the first time that day, and it was like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time. Although he already loved Posy before he even knew that she was a she, you knew as soon as his eyes landed on her that he fell in love again.

It was like Posy knew that John was her father. The minute Posy was in his arms she whispered, "Daddy," and Hazelle burst into tears.

I stepped through the treeline and saw that our rock was empty. I knew immediately something was not right. Something bad had happened or something bad was about to happen to me.

I took a step then gasped but I knew it was too late. I felt the rope tie around my ankles and pull me upside down hanging from the tree that was above me.

"Ugh! Gale Hawthorne! Get me down right now, dammit!" I screamed.

I swung to the side and saw an upside down Gale and John. They were both laughing their butts off.

Gale grabbed me into his arms so I wouldn't fall on my head while John untied the rope from my ankles. Gale was still laughing as he set me on my feet.

"I swear..."

"It's not nice to swear, Catnip," Gale interrupted.

"Well, it's not nice to interrupt... I swear! You two are supposed to be mature. Gosh!"

"Come on, Catnip. Let us have a little fun."

"It was Gale's idea. I had no part of this," John said.

"Oh, thanks for taking up for me, dad!"

I sighed and grinned. "Come on, let's go. How about fishing today?" I asked.

One thought had been on my mind all day. If my name is not reaped, I will get to see my father tomorrow.

Gale, John, and I walked into the Hob. Gale immediately went over to Greasy Sae's booth like usual while John and I went to the Butcher to sell her our left over meat.

After trading at the Hob we walked around the back toward our houses. Gale gave his father a look and John nodded. Gale grabbed my arm and stopped me from walking while John kept going. As soon as John was around the corner Gale turned to me.

"Listen, Catnip," his voice was low and soft. "I want you to know that everything is going to be all right today."

"I know," I reply.

"You're going to get to see you father tomorrow."

I grinned, "I know."

He sighed. He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. He looked down at it and then took my hand.

"I saw this the other day at Sae's. I don't know why but I immediately thought of you when I saw it. Sae she, she saw me looking at it and she said 'You know what that is, right?' and I said no. She said, 'That's a mockingjay and most people say that when you are in the presence of a mockingjay nothing bad will ever happen to you.'"

He placed the pin in my hand. "I want you to have it and I want you to know that nothing bad is ever going to happen to you. I won't let anything bad ever happen to you."

I bit my lip and glanced down at the delicate mockingjay in my hand. "Thank you," I whispered and wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest.

"I don't think you realize how much you mean to me, Catnip," he said.

"Same here," I replied.

I stepped out of his arms and looked up to see him grinning.

"Okay, enough mushy crap for one day. Let's go to a reaping," he said.

I laughed. We walked to the corner of the Hob and went our separate ways. Before I turned the corner to go to my house he called out to me,"Catnip!"

I turned and asked, "Yeah?"

He smirked, "Wear something pretty!" to which I replied with a roll of my eyes.

"Oh my, Primmy. You look beautiful!" I exclaimed when I walked through the front door.

My sister stood in front of our broken floor length mirror wearing the dress that my mother gave me to wear to my reaping a couple years ago. At fourteen, Prim was tall and beautiful which explained why she could fit in my reaping dress from just two years ago. She had obviously gotten our father's height.

"Not as beautiful as you," she replied.

"Now that's not true, Prim, and you know it." I said.

I came up behind her and squeezed her shoulders to comfort her before walking in the back room to bathe. After bathing I changed in to my last reaping dress.

As soon as I slipped the dress over my head the horn sounded indicating that it was time to go to the square. My hair would just have to stay in its braid. I walked from the room and took Prim's hand in mine. We walked out the door with our mother trailing behind us.

We met the Hawthorne's half way. Rory and Vick looked handsome in Gale's old reaping clothes just as Gale did when he wore them. I knew that they would be girl magnets just like Gale.

Rory was the same age as Prim, fourteen. This was Vick's very first reaping and like all twelve year old's he looked scared to death. When we walked up we could see Gale and Hazelle trying to calm the tears that were rolling down his face.

As if Gale could feel my presence, he stood a turned towards me. He took my hand. "Hey, Catnip." He smiled at my sister and mother. "Primmy, Mrs. Everdeen."

"Hello, Gale," my mother replied.

Gale dropped my hand and said, "Well, let's go."

He led us all to the square. When we got to the edge Prim, Vick, Rory, and I split from our parents and Gale. "See you all soon," John said.

Hugs were passed around and we were soon walking toward the table to sign in. We each went to our own age groups.

Effie Trinket walked on the stage not long after and began the same speech that she says every year. Then, before I knew it, she was saying, "Ladies first!" and I held my breath.

She walked to the bowl, dipped her perfectly manicured hand into it, and pulled out a name. She paused for dramatic effect and said the two most unthinkable things.

She said, "Katniss Everdeen."

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