The prep team quickly go to work on me, but there isn't as much to do since they cleaned me up a week ago. Still, they find a way to pass the time. Ripping and pulling and filing and scraping and scrubbing and rinsing and yanking. I'm raw and red when they're done. But they put a smooth lotion on my body that helps. It's soothing and comfortable.

Cinna walks in and smiles at me. I'm still in my robe, but that changes soon. He slips on my outfit which is comfy. When I see my dress, I instantly know that I'm going for the innocent little girl look.

The dress barely falls to my knees. It's a smooth, pink dress with little ruffles at the end of the sleeves and at the bottom. It shimmers a lot. It reminds me of candle light. My hair is in pig tails with a small bow on one of them. I have light make up, but my lips are coated in pink lip stick. I have small flats.

Darn you, Effie. I'm in FLATS!

When I'm ready, I'm shoved out where the other tributes are sitting. I see Gale and sit next to him.

Gale's in a nice tuxedo. He looked really handsome. I can see why Katniss is so attracted to him. (Just saying!)

He smiles at me. "You look nice."

I smile back. "So do you."

But my smile soon fades. "You didn't have to do this. You didn't have to volunteer. You and Katniss had a life ahead of you. I don't have love. You should have just let me do this alone. You should have just let me die."

Gale shakes his head. "Katniss would never let me do that. She was going to volunteer for you. I didn't let her die and I told her I wouldn't let you die, either."

My lip starts to tremble. "You mean, she was going to die for me? Why do you care? I'm not that important. You don't need me. And you can't protect me from this. You two love each other and lovers should stay together."

Gale looks away. "Prim, you ARE important. We need you. Katniss needs you. When your mom turned her back on the world after your dad... was lost, you were all she had. And I know that love shouldn't be separated. So... I kissed her. It was our first real kiss."

I stand up, furious and smack him. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU KISSED HER!? She's my SISTER! I have to protect her from guys like you! You can't KISS her!"

He has a confused look on his face. "But you just said-"

"I don't care what I said. It's too late, anyways. We're never going to see her again." I start to tear up, so I cry into his shoulder.

He tries to comfort me. "Hey, you will win this thing."

I shake my head. I was about to say something, but I'm yanked away for my interview. I quickly recover and wipe away the tears.

Ceasar Flickerman calls out my name, and I walk over, trying to be graceful.

"Hello, Primrose," he starts.

"Hi!"

"Ok, let's get straight to it. Are you nervous?" he asks.

I nod. "Very. I just wish my sister was here." I manage a sniffle. The crowd makes a few "aw" noises and Ceasar pats my back.

"So, the other tribute, Gale. Did he volunteer for you or for the fame of winning?"

I look up. "Gale is my sister's best friend. They're very close." I pretend to whisper. "They're kind of in love." The crowd laughs, and they show Gale's face, BRIGHT red. "He volunteered to protect me because he wouldn't let her go through the pain of losing me, but I'm not sure I can do it. I mean, people keep telling me to just make sponsors, but I'm not very good at making friends. I just don't want to lose!" I burst into tears, and glance at Cinna. He gives me a thumbs up and I know I said the right things.

Ceasar pats my back again and asks me a few more questions and the buzzer rings. "I wish the very best of luck to you. Let's give it up for Primrose Everdeen!" The crowd bursts out in applause.

When Gale comes out, Ceasar starts off with asking him about Katniss. His face is burning red the whole time.

When the interviews are over, we're shoved back into the building. There's a lot of pushing and shoving in this!

There's a knock on my door and I wake up from my dream. It's time.

Let the games begin!