Peeta

When I wake up the first thing I feel is dread. I look over at Katniss and find her staring at the ceiling. "Are you okay?" I whisper and she shrugs. I kiss her forehead. "Come on, I'll make cheese-buns," I say, taking in her hand and leading her downstairs into the kitchen. She sits down at the table and watches as I make cheese-buns and cook bacon and eggs. I look at the clock. 8.00am. We have six hours until the reaping.

I divide the food equally onto five plates and put one in front of me and Katniss, leaving a plate each for Mr and Mrs. Everdeen and Prim. Katniss plays with her food while I dig in. "Kat," I say in a firm voice. "You have to eat. For me," I beg and she takes a few bites. The rest of her family wakes up a while later and are surprised when they see the food.

"You didn't have to," Mrs. Everdeen says.

"I wanted to. Think of it as a thank you for letting me stay," I reply. Katniss and I finish eating while the rest of her family starts.

I help her wash the dishes and soon she's out of the house wearing her hunting gear. "I'll see you later," she had said and was gone. I stay for a while and talk to Prim but I can tell she's not as happy as she usually is. Of course not, her sister is going back into the arena. "She's coming home," I tell her and this gets everyone's attention. I look from Prim to Mr. Everdeen to Mrs. Everdeen. "I promise you, she'll get out alive."

Tears fill all of their eyes and I'm surprised when Mr. Everdeen stands up and holds his hand out for me to shake. I shake it a little but he pulls my hand, pulling me to my feet and hugs me. He pats my back and pulls away and Mrs. Everdeen hugs me and kisses my cheek. "Just look after her for us," she whispers and I nod, tears filling my own eyes.

"I have to go get ready," I say. I hug Prim and then head to my house next door.

I have a quick shower knowing that I can have a longer one once I get on the train. I brush my teeth after drying myself with a towel. I put on black trousers and a shirt and then head to my parents house above the Bakery.

I arrive after ten minutes and as soon as I walk in my father greets me with a nod. He smiles sadly and hugs me. I turn to my mom and we just stare at each other for a while. "I'm not coming home," I say and she looks at the floor.

"You might have a chance," she mutters and walks off. I hug each of my brothers and we share a few old jokes that I would find hilarious if it wasn't for what's happening today.

I help my brother and father in the bakery for a while. I hear the bell on the door ring and I look up to find Katniss. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?" I ask with a small smile.

"I don't see any point. I can have a shower on the train," she shrugs and walks towards the counter.
"What do you want?" I ask.

"A cookie for Prim," she replies and curls her lips ever so slightly.

"You spoil her rotten," I grin.

"Might be the last time I can," she replies and I see tears fill her eyes.

"Don't say that," I order and she looks away. I get her a cookie and put it in front of her. She hands three squirrels to me and I shake my head. "For free," I whisper and she looks at me like she wants to refuse.

"Give these to your family then, you know mine doesn't need them," she says and hands over her whole hunting bag filled with several animals.

I look at her and she nods, telling me she's serious. I sigh and hand the bag to my father. He nods in thanks, unable to speak and walks out back.

"I'm going!" I yell. "Don't come to the reaping!" My father and brothers come back out and hug me one more time.

"Why can't we come?" my oldest brother asks.

"It'll be easier for me," I reply selfishly. We say bye one more time and they even hug Katniss, who I can tell is holding back tears.

I take her hand and we head to the door. I open it and I look back once more. I see my mother by the counter with tears in her eyes. "Goodbye," she says, just loud enough for me to hear and I know that she knows I'm not coming back.

"I love you all," I say and lead Katniss out. We walk back to her house and she changes into jeans and a shirt, not bothering to dress up like she did last year. I don't care; she looks beautiful no matter what she wears.

At one o'clock we head to the Square with her parents and Prim. Once we arrive she hugs each of them and tells them she loves them. "Bye," she whispers and takes my hand leading me up to the sections for us to stand. She kisses me quickly before walking to the female section while I stand with Haymitch in the male's section.

At two o'clock on the dot the Mayor says his speech. The same one he says every year about the dark days, District 13, and the other Hunger Games and Quarter Quells.

A while later he introduces Effie Trinket and she hops onto stage, but even she isn't as bubbly as she usually is. "Happy hunger games and may the odds… be ever in your favour!" she says. "Ladies first!" She walks over to the large bowl containing one slip and it takes nearly five minutes for her to reach it. Once she pulls it out she smiles and says, "Katniss Everdeen!"

Katniss walks onto stage with no emotion on her face and stands next to Effie. "Gentlemen now!" Effie squeaks and walks over to the other bowl containing two slips. "Haymitch Abernathy!"

Haymitch doesn't even have time to react before I'm running onto the stage yelling, "I volunteer!" That's when Effie noticeably saddens.

Her voice sounds different as she says, "Let's give a round of applause to District Twelve's tributes, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!" No one claps, just like last year.

Katniss and I wait to be led to the Justice Building but instead we are led to the train and we are riding to the Capitol in no time. At least we said bye to our families before the reaping. I sigh. I guess I'll never see my family again.

AN: This chapter is not that good but fear not... the good parts will be coming soon! REVIEW!