"Phoenix; it's time to get up and get ready for the reaping" Dad called. I sighed and got up. After dressing; I put the pin on and left with my dad. I walked up to the Peacekeeper's table and they cleaned my finger before drawing a drop of blood for verification. After that; I joined the other 18 year old girls. I caught a glimpse of Gale and he mouthed 'Good Luck'. 'You too' I mouthed back and I turned back to the screen and after the announcement; our district escort, Effie Trinket got up out of our seat and walked up to the microphone.
"Ladies first" Effie announced and she reached into the bowl. I held my breath, praying I wouldn't be chosen. Effie finally unfolded the slip of paper and said "Phoenix Abernathy!" I locked eyes with Gale before walking toward the stage with the peacekeepers leading me. I got up and stood beside Effie and she said "Well bless my buttons, look at you. You do look like Haymitch. I'm certain that you'll do everything to win." "I'll do all I can" I answered, glancing toward my dad. He gave me a nod and now; it was time to choose the male tribute.
"Alright; we have our female tribute. Now; it's time for our male tribute." Effie trilled. She reached into the bowl of the male names, unfolded one, and announced "Gale Hawthorne!"He came forward and joined me on stage. After the reading of the Treaty of Treason; Gale and I had to shake hands. We were still to keep our engagement a secret. Now it was time for us to be taken into the Justice building to say goodbye to our loved ones. I had nobody to say goodbye to except Hazelle, my future mother in law if Gale and I came back. No; Gale and I would come back together. He and I had were led into separate rooms and allowed our visitors. My first visitors were Prim and Mrs. Everdeen. "Good luck Phoenix" Mrs. Everdeen told me. "I know Katniss will keep you alive" Prim added. "I'm sure she will Prim. Your sister is smart and so are you. Keep your mom out of trouble" I told her. "I'll do that if you keep Katniss out of trouble" Prim said, hugging me. "I'll do my best" I promised. "Let this be the time that District 12 gets more victors and show those other districts who the boss is" Mrs. Everdeen added, hugging me again tightly.
"That's a promise" I vowed. Just then; their time was up and my next visitor was Hazelle. She hugged me and told me "Take good care of Gale. I need you two back safely so that we can have the best wedding ever for you two." "I'll do all I can" I promised. I hugged her again and then she had to leave. Dad came in with Effie and Peeta and said "It's time to go sweetheart." I nodded and followed him, Effie, Peeta, Katniss, and Gale out of the Justice building and into a waiting car and we were taken on to the train station.
We got on our train with the people cheering and Katniss showed me to my compartment. "Wow" I whispered, looking around. This was certainly made for a queen and I brushed my hair out from where I had been perspiring. "Dinner will be in a little while" Katniss told me. "Good; that gives me time a quick shower and to put on a clean dress. I got hot outside" I said. Katniss left me alone and I finally ditched my reaping dress and started a warm shower. This was such a relief since didn't have a shower in the house which would be useful sometimes. That was something I was going to see that he got sooner or later so I could switch and not have to run a bath.
After my shower; I changed into a simple dark pink dress and some flats. I carefully brushed my hair and pulled into a simple ponytail on the right side. "Phoenix; it's time for supper" Peeta called. I got up, took my pin off my reaping dress and put it on before following Peeta to the dining car. I took a seat beside Gale and we began eating.
During supper; my dad discussed everything that would happen up until the final Games began. He wanted me and Gale to play the 'tragically chosen couple.' Hopefully by using that angle; we would be more likely to get as many sponsors as Katniss and Peeta did. This also meant that on the night of the tribute's interviews with Ceaser; Gale and I would have to reveal our engagement to all of Panem. We knew that since I'd be interviewed first, I'd ask if Gale could join me during the interview. Tomorrow night though; we would be introduced in the tribute's parade and that would be our chance to be introduced to the Capitol and to potential sponsors.
I knew that would be a chance for me to make the best impression possible. After dinner; we watched the recaps of the other district reapings and discussed potential allies and who would be our biggest threats that we had to take out right away. I finally excused myself and began to get ready for bed. An Avox came in and turned down my bed and I asked for some hot tea with honey and lemon. She came back and left me the tea and I dismissed her with a 'thank you' and after putting on some sleeping clothes; I sat down on the bed and drank my tea.
While I was sitting there; I began to cry. I didn't like the thought of killing people but in that arena; it's kill or be killed. Gale's voice surprised me when he asked "Are you alright love?" "I can't do this Gale. Killing is not in my nature except for food and even though I was trained. I wish I could go home but I know I can't" I answered. "You can't talk like that Phoenix. You and I are going to win and when we emerge from the arena together; we will celebrate and be able to get married and I will spend the rest of my life with you" Gale promised, wrapping me in a hug.
The thought of being with Gale forever did make me smile. "You're right Gale. We can win together" I said, kissing him softly. "I'll leave you to get some sleep" Gale said, getting up. "Gale, will you stay with me tonight? I'm terrified" I said, sitting my teacup down. "Of course but I might sneak back into my room before breakfast to ensure nobody thinks we did anything we shouldn't have" Gale answered, crawling into the bed beside me. I turned out the lights and fell asleep in his well toned arms, praying that we would be the ones to come out of the arena alive. Tomorrow would begin the first day of the longest pageantry tradition to ever exist and I hoped that it would be all worth everything that we were about to go through in the end.