I gasp and stumble over my feet, and I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing for the last fifteen seconds. Nick catches me and puts me back on my feet. I'm running through the crowd, pushing people. I don't know where I'm headed but I'm looking for Will. Upon the podium area in front of the Justice building, the girl with the bubblegum pink hair seems nervous as the rest of the crowd is freaking out. I see mom coming into the crowd, crying, with dad at her side.
"Peeta, how is Effie doing this!" she buries her head into dad's shoulder. "It wasn't her fault Katniss." He is trying to comfort mom, but I know it won't help. My eyes are red I can tell I feel them burning up from me trying to wipe away the tears. I'm walking towards mom and dad because I don't know what else to do. When dad sees me his face is filled with so much pain, it hurts to look at his face. I'm hugging mom and dad both when I notice from the corner of my eye I see Will. Standing there, his face filled with worriedness. Poor Will, he is so little, and not powerful. I may stand a chance if I get reaped, but him, he stands no chance. He barely knows how to hunt. Will comes over and we're having a family moment. All of us wrapped around each other, mom is kissing my brothers blond curls and dad is looking into my eyes telling me it will alright.
"What a touching moment" We turn out head in unison, seeing Haymitch. Drunk. It really sucks seeing him as a grouchy old man, because the real Haymitch, the sober one, was great. We all ignore him tough.
The pink haired girl, Effie, comes down from the steps in front of the Justice building. And walks to mom and gives her a hug. "I'm so sorry Katniss." Effie whispers. Mom looks up at Effie.
"It's unfair. You know who they're going to pick, the names, they're rigged! Just for a good show!" Effie pats mom on the back and goes back to the podium. Mom is right; there is no chance for Will and me to not get picked.
"Ok, Everyone." Effie starts, "I need girls from ages to 12-18 on this side and boys from ages 12-18 on the other side." Mom and dad hug us both and dad kisses me on the forehead. Me and will look at each other and I nod my head. I don't want to hug him, because that's like saying goodbye. He understands because he doesn't hug me and we walk opposite ways.
"Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor." I wipe away my tears, there were cameras and we all knew who was getting reaped.
"Ladies first!" she says cheerfully. She pulls out a paper and unwraps it and her face darkens.
"Hailey Mellark!" she says and I can't believe this is happening. I might faint, I might cry. No, I can't cry, that's the one thing I can't do. I walk towards the Justice Building, my legs quivering. I stand up there in front of the cameras and Effie hugs me, looking into my eyes with sadness.
She walks back to the names. "Gentlemen," she says and puts her hand in the bowl and pulls out none other than
"William Mellark!" she makes a quiet noise. I immediately find Will's scared face; he stands up and starts walking. I then look at mom her hand clutched in dad's arms. Will is halfway down the aisle when a deep voice says
"I volunteer. I volunteer for him." I look at Nicholas Hawthorne's face. I am in shock and so is Will, he looks back at him and Nick walks forward. I can't thank him enough for volunteering for my brother, but it won't be able to fight against him either. Effie has a big smile on her face. Dad is shocked; mom is looking at Nick's every step. Then I find Gale and his wife, Fawna, I remember Nick calling her. She was beautiful, even crying. Gale I could tell was worried for his son, but part of him looked understanding.
Nick took his spot next to me and not caring who saw, I hugged him whispering "Thank you," In his ear. He nods his head and looks deeply in my eyes. I really hope I didn't have to kill this boy that saved my brother's life.