After our awkward conversation came to a halt, Katniss changed the subject by asking, " What do you want to do? I respond with, " Let's fish at the lake. We can leave our poles and gather in the woods. Get something nice for tonight." When I say that all I can picture are the two families who are going to isolate themselves in their houses and grieve on the loss of their children. Their not even dead yet, but being from district twelve you will most likely never see the two kids who were picked again.

We gather, hunt and fish and when the sun is high in the sky we have a dozen fish, a whole bag of greens and a galloon of strawberries. Katniss was the one to discover the strawberry patch, but I was the one to keep it alive by putting mesh nets up to keep the animals out.

Before we head home we stop by at the Hob, the black market in district twelve located in an abandoned coal warehouse. We trade all the fish for some good pieces of bread and salt. Greasy Sae the old women who sells soup takes almost all of our greens in exchange for some paraffin. We could have made better elsewhere, but when we shoot a wild dog by an accident Greasy Sae is the only willing candidate to buy the meat.

After making inventory at the Hob we swing by the mayor's house to sell half the strawberries since he has quite a taste for them and has the money to afford them. The Mayor's daughter, Madge who is in Katniss's grade, greets us. Madge is not as bad as you would expect, for being the Mayor's daughter. Madge is dressed in a costly white dress while a pink ribbon hangs up her hair.

"Pretty dress." I say. Madge looks at me trying to weigh if I was being genuine or just sarcastic. Her smile is grim when she says, " Well, if I end up going to the Capitol, I want to look nice, don't I?" I gape at her. She can't really be serous can she?

" You won't be going to the Capitol." I say matter–of-factly. My eyes fall on her pin that is made out of real gold. Just with that alone it could feed a family for months and they would never starve. " What can you have? Five entries? I had six when I was just twelve years old." Madge may be nice, but I wish she would see the life she has will keep her from ever getting picked at the reaping.

"That's not her fault" Katniss assures me. She right of course, but sometimes it's better to have someone to blame and right now Madge is my target. " No, it's no one's fault. Just the way it is." Madge face goes blank of emotion and carefully hands the money to Katniss. " Good luck Katniss." She says sincerely. Katniss returns the gesture and then we head off.

We walk to the Seam in silence. I know Katniss is upset with me for blaming my problems on Madge, but what I said is true. The poor our those that get hit the hardest when it comes to the reaping. At the age twelve you become eligible to enter the reaping and your name is entered once. But if you are someone who is poor you can add you name in more times to gain a tesserae. With tesserae you gain a years worth of grain and oil and you can do this with each kid who is eligible for the reaping.

I have been doing tesserae since I was twelve years old and now that's it's my last year to participate in the reaping my name has gone in forty-two times. I have my family to think about so I will put my name in as many times to keep the alive. That's why Madge lit my fuse with her words. Being the daughter of the major they live a wealthy life and don't fight starvation on a daily bases.

Usually I don't get set off so easily, but I guess with the stress of today's events made me loose control of my emotions. Usually I go off on a tangent in the safe darkness of the woods only for the ears of Katniss to hear.

I'm still upset and I'm trying to hide it although I feel Katniss staring at me and I know I'm achieving nothing. We finally reach our destination and divide up our spoils. "See you at the square." Katniss says. I heave my bag onto my back and start walking away, " Wear something pretty" is the last thing I say to her. The next time I'll see her will be at the reaping.

I enter my house and throw my bag of goods on the table. I start to take them out and put them in cabinets when I hear my name being called," Gale? Is that you?" My mom peaks her head around the corner and a smile covers her face. Sometimes I wonder how she can smile on such and awful day.

She walks hastily towards me and gives me a quick squeeze and a kiss on the forehead. " It's good to have you home, dear." She wipes a cloth on her hands and inspects the food I gathered. " Thank you Gale for bringing this food home. I'm so proud of you." She looks at me closely for the first time and sees what a mess I am. " Oh dear! What were you doing out their rolling in mud? It's a good thing you have me around I just finish fixing up your bath so go on and clean yourself up. I placed your clothes on your bed."

I nod my head and bow, " Yes ma'am." I do this to her only to make her laugh. When she laughs nothing can go wrong. " Good boy. Now all I have to do is take care of the others and we're off." She scuttles off and I head to the bathroom. I strip off the mud crusted clothes and throw them in a pile on the floor. After my bath is done I head to my room with damp hair and see a black simple suit waiting to be worn.

I don't own a single suit so it can only belong to my dad. I swallow a lump in my throat and carefully put it on. Soon I'm all dressed up and ready to go. We head out to the square. I really wish I could pretend I was sick but they don't care if you're dying. Attendance is mandatory when it comes to reaping day. I separate from my family and I'm ushered to the front where the oldest are put while the younger kids are towards the back.

Soon, the square is holding the whole district twelve population. I don't pay any mind to those around me. If I do I will start to remember times I hung out with them or time I wish I spent on getting to know them. I don't need that on my plate right now. I can't worry about anyone but myself and my family. While I'm trying to forget the other kids I find myself looking for that face that always keeps me going no matter the case. Katniss is intermixed with the other sixteen year old and I can't quite make her out.

I turn back to the stage where Mayor Undersee and Effie Trinket, who is district 12's escort, are seated and waiting to begin. When the clock strikes two the Mayor walks up to the podium and starts his speech. He begins with the history of how Panem was born and why they hunger games came to exist. It was because of those you went against the Capitol we are sent to fight to the death each year.

This is the capitol's way of reminding us that they are the one's in charge and they can do whatever their evil hearts desire. To them the Hunger Games is a time to celebrate and the last district standing is rewarded and showered with gifts and prizes along with fame. I zone out for a while and then the Mayor saying, "It is both a time for repentance and a time for thanks", brings me back. How could someone even think that is what the hunger Games is all about? What the Hunger Games bring to my mind is death.

He then reads off the previous winning victors of district twelve. We only had two victors in the last 74 years. The only one living is Haymitch Abernathy who is middle aged and is now staggering his way onto stage in a daze probably having no idea what is going on. He is making a fool out of himself since you can tell he is very drunk. The major only can get people's attention by introducing Effie Trinket who just had to fend off Haymitch from practically molesting her.

Here it comes is all I can think before she belts out, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odd ever be in your favor!" She just had to say it. The pink wing on her hair had shifted sideways on her head and moves every time she speaks.

As Effie is telling everyone what an honor it is it be with us (Even though we all know she would rather be anywhere else) I search the crowd for Katniss. When I spot her she is staring back at me. I give her a smile even though I know it probably came of as dead and full of words I wish I could say. She looks afraid for me and all I want to tell her is too not worry about me but for herself. I'll worry for her is she won't.

Effie Trinket is now drawing the names. "Ladies first!" She announces and reaches into the glass ball where the slips await. She rummages around and finally picks one to her liking. No one is making a noise. I myself have stopped breathing. I am wishing with all my might the Katniss's name is not on that slip. Please. Please. Please.

Effie takes her time as she walks to the podium and clears her throat as she smoothes the tiny piece of paper. " The contestant to represent district twelve as the girl tribute is Primrose Everdeen."