Author's Notes: I lied. Cato won't be introduced in this chapter, but he is mentioned! :)

I am so sorry this chapter is super late. I started over 3x to write this. Oh the irony. So yeah I've shortened it, and made it Peeta's POV to get a small glimpse on what goes on in that head of his.

Enjoy!

Part 1: The Tributes

Chapter 3: The Pin

My finger is pricked. As the red oozes out from the tip of my finger, they stamp my index on a blank card which now has a my blood on it.

Today is the Reaping, and everyone looks ready to die. Only one person has a cheeky grin on their face, and that is our escort. She is wearing my favorite color. Her outfit, her lips, and the flower in her overly frizzy hair is also sunset orange.

Ugly.

That's probably the most correct word for her.

"Welcome, welcome!" the grinning lady starts, "and Happy Hunger Games!"

She continues speaking of how kind and wonderful the Capitol has been to the Districts, but I zone out. I just can't disagree more. When they play the annual video of how the Games came to be, I start to scan the crowd for anyone I know.

To my very right, where the girls are grouped, Katniss seems to be looking around just as I am. She's probably looking for Prim to see if the little girl's okay. Summer, who's two girls in front of Katniss, begins shaking. It's not a surprise, though. She never really knew how to stay still.

Then, I see Gale with his chin up probably ready to get reaped. To his left, a slouching boy with a semi-distorted face grabbing and taking hold on to one of Gale's muscular arms for support. I would have been jealous until I realize who it is. Zep and Gale are from the seam, so it only made sense that they'd help one another out.

"The time has come for me to select the two tributes for the honor of representing District 12 in the 74th Annual Hunger Games," she informs us cheerfully with her Capitol accent.

I can never understand why she's so happy to be choosing children to die. Then again, I never understood a lot of things.

The escort paces towards the large bowls where the girls' names are located and stirs the names around as if she's looking for a specific slip. She then pinches a card between her middle and index finger as she walks back towards the microphone.

I look towards Katniss who is now trembling just as bad as Summer. The silence is so deafening that I can hear the unfolding of the slip from where I'm standing.

"Eheh-Ehem," the orange woman clears her throat with a smile. She stands crookedly and inhales.

"Summer Tai-Lee Zhang."

Summer stops shaking as girls near her begin to back away like she's a terrifying monster. I can feel my best friend's fear escaping those eyes of hers. But she just stands there trying to refuse reality.

"C'mon up, dear!" the Capitol woman says excitedly. "Don't be shy!"

Everyone knows shyness isn't the issue here.

Peacekeepers all around are ready to usher Summer to the stage, but she finally moves herself towards the empty middle aisle to head towards the escort.

"Summer! Summer, no!" I bellow as I push people away to make a path towards her. Soon, Peacekeepers make a wall with their bodies to block me.

"Peeta!" She runs towards my direction but a few men in white suits already have their hold on her. Then, they direct Summer up the stage.

I flail and extend my arm to try and reach her, but the Peacekeepers are restraining me.

"Please, let's all give a warm applause," the escort suggests, "to the female tribute of District 12."

No one claps. Only she does.

I can't have this. Summer's the only person that accepts me for who I am. Even if it is illegal here in this district, she's the only one that never judged me for it. And now, my best friend has to die. I can't have it.

"I volunteer," I say faintly.

The Peacekeepers finally loosen their grip on my arms.

"I volunteer as tribute!"

I stand firmly with an I-can't-believe-I-just-did-that look on my face. Others all around are already starting to judge me. I can tell.

But I have to do this. We'll have a higher chance of surviving if I do this because we work together so well. Plus, without her, I'll be a lonely gay boy.

Then, everyone becomes wide eyed from what I just said. Summer, the Peacekeepers, the escorts, even Zep becomes wide eyed.

"Wow!" the orange woman exclaims, "District 12's very first volunteer!"

The white suited men who were restraining me are now escorting me to the grey stage. I'm hesitant to climb the steps, but I go up regardless.

"Can you believe it? Ehem…" our escort states, "…What is your name, young man?"

"Peeta Mellark," I tell her.

There is a long quietness in the crowd, but of course, the Capitol woman breaks the ice.

"Well, let's all have a warm applause for District 12's very first volunteer. Peeta Mellark." Again, she was the only one clapping.

As I stare at the crowd one last time, I see Katniss with a devastated look on her face knowing she just lost two people that she recently made friends with. The huntress kisses her left middle three fingers, and raises them in the air. This gesture signifies a farewell to someone you respect. She is the first to do this, and soon others repeat her action as the entire District 12 has their arms and fingers raised towards their tributes.

"Without further adieu, Happy Hunger Games!" the orange lady states. "And may the odds be ever in your favor."

Summer looks at me shaking her head in disapproval of what I've done. I just look down. Hopefully she'll understand.

Soon, we are taken in custody at the Justice Building where she and I are put in separate rooms where there is no possible chance of escaping.

A Peacekeeper walks in.

"Good day, tribute," he says in a firm, official tone, "You will be allowed exactly thirty minutes for visitations before the Tribute Train arrives, and only one person is permitted in this room at a time. At the end of those thirty minutes any visitor in here who is not willing to depart will be, instead, forced to do so by my team. Is that clear?"

I nod due to the lack of words, and before long, he exits.

x x

"You fool!" my mother tells me. "Why would you volunteer? Who would run the bakery? Your father's sickness is getting worse! What's wrong with you?"

I stay quiet as she paces the room flailing her arms around. She's obviously dumbfounded by what I've done.

"Do you expect me to run the bakery by myself? You know your brothers are growing up and drifting away from the family, and yet you still volunteer?"

I sigh trying to dodge the arrows she shoots at me.

"You will be considered the stupidest person in District 12 history. Volunteering? C'mon, Peeta!"

Finally, I had enough. She's wasting my time with her comments. "Please leave" I say politely.

"Excuse me?"

"I said leave!" I repeat this time with more assertion.

"What?" she stares at me with piercing eyes.

At first, I hold back what I want to say to her, but knowing this might be the last time I'll see her. She might as well know the truth. "You wanna know why I volunteered?" I finally let out my true feelings. "Because this district hates me for who I am. In fact, living here, it's illegal to be who I am! I'd rather die with the one person that doesn't judge or hate me than live in this miserable excuse of a district."

"Illegal?" she starts questioning me. "What's illegal?"

"I'm gay! Don't you get it?…" I pause knowing I have a little bit of explaining to do. "I told Summer when I was twelve. Summer's the only one that never hated me for it, and knowing she might never come back… Well, I'd rather die with my best friend who actually cares about me than live with you who beats me!" I raise my voice as tears followed.

Slap!

I flinch from the impact. More tears leak from my eyes, and they travel down my face. I just got hit, once again, not by the wooden spoon, but by the hands of my own mother.

"You see?" I start while looking away. "Even you hate me now, too. Don't worry. The feeling is mutual."

Thwaak! She hits me again. "Well, Peeta," she replies, "good riddance." Then she exits.

Her hits stab me like daggers, but her final words are like salt in the wounds. I cry in the emptiness of that small room. What else was there for me to do?

About two minutes later, my older brother Ryen walks in on my crying.

"Hey, Peeta, you alright?" asks my brother. "Mom walked out, and she looked very mad. What did you tell her?"

"I can't tell you," I sob.

"Yes you can. I'm your brother. Whatever it is, it can't be worse than…" he looks down. "It can't be worse than being forced into the Games."

"Rye', promise you'll still love me as your brother?" I sob again.

"If you win or not you'll always be my brother." He reassures me. "Why? What's wrong?"

"I'm gay," I say it with more confidence this time as my sobbing slows to a stop. So if he doesn't like it, well, I'll either come back dead or as a victor.

My brother stands there speechless like he's trying to comprehend two simple words.

A few seconds pass. "Ryen, say something."

"I just can't believe… Wow… I never would have guessed… Hmm… I can't believe my brother is…"

"Yeah," I interrupt.

He sighs. "You know what, I don't care about that stupid law." he finally decides, "You are still my brother. Like I said, win or lose, gay or straight, you will always be my brother."

He hugs me, and I embrace him back. See, this is what real family is suppose to do. Real family is suppose to love you no matter what.

"I'm gonna miss you, Peeta." Ryen breaks the hug and heads towards the door. "I'll wish you the best of luck, brother."

"Wait!"

He quickly turns.

"Can you tell Dad about me and that I'm sorry. And Bammy as well. I know he's taking care of Dad just so you and mom can visit me."

"Don't worry I will. And stay safe, Peeta." My brother positively nods, gives me a quick embrace, and exits the room.

Katniss is the last to visit me, and to be honest, I'm quite surprised. I never would have expected her to visit.

The girl tells me that she's flat out sad and disappointed that she has to lose two new friends. Katniss also thanks me for the times I've given her bread to save her life, and she wishes she can do something to save mine. Finally, she wishes me luck just like Ryen did. She was saying something about a token for the Games when a Peacekeeper walks in.

"District 12 Male Tribute, your thirty minutes are now over. The Tribute Train has arrived, so your visitor must now leave." he steps towards Katniss with arms out to grab her and starts to force her out of the room.

"Let me go!" she screams.

I can't do anything about it. Then, I see my new friend drop a gold colored object just as the Peacekeeper forces her out.

I walk over to it as the object reflects the light from the room. I pick it up and recognize the shape: a mockingjay pin.

x x

The train ride to the Capitol is awkward. Summer won't talk to me. I find out our escort's name is Effie (dumbest name I've ever heard even though I shouldn't be talking). And our mentor, Haymitch, is a total drunk and won't bother to guide us whatsoever. Yup. Twelve long hours of silence and Effie complaining about the type of wood her chair is made of.

Once we get to the Capitol, my mind is awestruck. It's blindingly and hideously beautiful. The architecture is jaw dropping, but the people make me cringe.

I wave to them with a fake smile knowing one thing: If Summer and I are going to survive as long as we can, we have to make these people like us.

"Summer," I wave my hand towards me to motion her to come to one of the windows, "do what I do, just trust me."

She nods and waves at them as well. She plasters a plastic smile on her, too. These Capitol people are so easy to play around with. A single wave form the both of us can start an uproar in the crowd. Their behavior deserves a face palm from me, but I force myself not to do it.

Then, we arrive at the Remake Center where we are readied to be showcased at the opening ceremonies. My prep team doesn't waste any time as they begin to alter my appearance in a light level.

They begin by making me strip off all the clothing I had on, and I blush at my exposed body as I cover my private area with both of my hands. I don't mean to brag. Sure, I had a nice chest and thick arms from carrying sacks of flour everywhere, but I'm not the 'biggest' guy out there. I think you know what I mean.

Next, they point to a counter with light padding. It's probably where they experiment on me.

Dove, the cleaner girl, starts washing the dirt off of my face, my hair, and the rest of my body. While she does her scrubbing, Cosmo, the hair guy, begins painfully removing all of my body hair. And lastly, Mac, the make-up guy, starts putting these powders and stuff on my face which tickled when the brush contacted my cheeks.

After they finish the procedure, I look at my reflection on the nearest hand mirror.

I look terrible. There's a thick layer of just powder on my face which makes me look like a clown.

Regardless, they usher me to the next room where my stylist, Portia, will do some final touch ups. I hope she fixes the mess that my prep team did.

Soon, I force my body to progress to the next area. "Are you ready?" Portia asks me.

I nod as a reply. Saying 'no' would have been pointless anyway.

Portia guides me to a reclining chair where multiple colors of powder are ready to invade my skin.

"So your supposed to make us look pretty?" I address with a stern voice.

"No," she says. "I'm here to make you look… fabulous."

I roll my eyes at her remark, but I let her do her job anyway.

Before long, she completes altering my face, so I look to the mirror to take a peak at my reflection. To my surprise, I look natural. The thick powder was gone. Sure, I have no more body or facial hair, but I look… clean.

"The layer of powder earlier was just to remove the excessive dead skin." she explains. "Here put your costume on. My co-stylist designed this, so if you don't like it, blame him!" she says with a laugh.

Quickly, I put on the jet-black leather costume that matched Summer's hair as we go to the Chariot Stables to meet up with the others.

Summer is talking with her stylist while my prep team, Portia, and I meet up with them.

"This is synthetic fire," the stylist tells Summer who was wearing the same costume as me. "It won't hurt you as long as you don't inhale the gas."

She seems to be paying attention. I doubt it though.

Haymitch and Effie arrive and exchange a few words with our stylists. As they have their miniature meeting, I try to engage in a conversation with Summer.

"Look, I know you're mad at me," I start.

"Yeah, I kinda am," she agrees with an attitude.

"But I had no choice!"

"What do you mean you had no choice?"

"I mean…" I try to explain myself, but nothing comes out.

"Why'd you do that?" she asks. "The last thing I want is to witness you die!"

"Well, I don't want to witness your death either!"

"Then why'd you volunteer?"

"Because… if you die, I'll have no one else."

Then, she makes that face that toddlers make before they sob in a rampage of tears.

"Because… if you go, then I'll have to be all alone in District 12 with no one to share my gayness with." I raise my lower lip and pout giving her one of my famous puppy dog eyes.

Summer starts to sniffle as she's at the verge of crying.

"So what do you say?" I ask. "Friends?" I open my arms offering a hug.

To my surprise she lets go of her tears. "Mhhmm," she nods as she accepts my offer and tightly embraces me. "I'm sorry I didn't talk to you all day," she whines still sobbing into my chest. I can tell this whole 'being a tribute' thing has finally hit her.

"It's no big deal," I say as I try to calm her down. "Listen, we have to stay strong okay? We can't show the other tributes that we're weak. So no more crying okay?"

Her sobbing slows down, but I can still feel a torrent of wetness running down her face. Summer is still crying.

I sigh, but I'm glad she finally talked to me. Hopefully, we survive as long as we can together. I'm not too worried, though. Me and her mesh gears pretty well. After all, she's helped me with being comfortable about being gay. Regardless, I keep a firm embrace in hope she'll calm herself a little bit.

While she holds me tightly, I spot a tall blonde boy with hazel brown eyes wearing a bronze ancient Roman armor who is staring at me. At first I smirk and give him a friendly nod thinking he's a nice tribute. That is until he holds his right index finger up to the left side of his neck and drags it across his right side mouthing the words: 'You're dead!'

Author's Notes:

Yup! Summer is emotional and hyperactive! lolz XP and yeah Peeta's mom is a real bitch! DX

Anyway, I lied about Cato being introduced in this chapter. He is merely mentioned. (Don't Kill me!)

Please give a review on your thoughts. Such as things you liked or didn't like. Or maybe how I should approach Cato's character. Things like that.

So yeah constructive criticism is appreciated. Thanks for Reading! :D