4th July, District 12 Reapings

As we stand in the square, the crowd of children who are in the Reaping bowl is very much smaller than usual. I stand with the sixteen year-olds. If Lenore Violet was still alive she'd be here too. She was not quite a year younger than me. She only ever saw one Reaping…

Lenore was always so… brilliant. She had a sort of aura about her. Everyone loved her. She had a dark, sparkling humour and dark, sparkling eyes. She was kind. She was witty. She was funny. I miss her, so, so much. And my parents dared replace her. I do love them. So, so much. But everyone old enough in our family to understand knows that they wanted someone to fill the void that she had left. Paul Ebony wouldn't have been born otherwise.

I listen as the long lecture on the dark days plays. I'm so, so tired of it. Just get it over with, I think. It seems to drag on and on and on. I hate the waiting. Every minute feels like a whole year. I begin to daydream, utterly bored.

I think of strategies. I think of the cornucopia. I think of ways I can protect Raven. He has to win. He has to. The Gamemakers won't allow a double victor this year, I'm sure. If we are the final 2, I will kill myself, so that he can live. Wait, what about the arena? How did I not think about it before!? I begin to ponder on what supplies would be best for different environments, before finally a shrill Capitol voice breaks through my reverie.

"The siblings, of District 12…" Effie Trinket uttered… "Baird." All eyes are now upon my family. Effie unfolds the rest of the slip. "Would Clementine Rose Baird and Raven Crimson Baird please step up?" Fair Verdant looks absolutely aghast. Eliza Cerise is shocked. Tyger Bronze clutches her, appalled. Wolf Cobalt hugs my mother's skirt as she holds Paul Ebony, staring in shock, My father looks angry as he tries to comfort Tyger and Eliza. I can hear my heart pounding in my head. I step out of my line, and walk, trembling, to Raven Crimson, who is paralysed in shock. I gently take his hand, shaking him. He flinches, shaking, as I wrap my arm around his shoulder and begin gently manoeuvring him towards the Reaping stage. I can feel him trembling like a leaf as I guide him up the steps. All eyes are on us.

At last, we are standing on the stage and Effie is saying, "The tributes of District 12, Clementine Rose Baird and Raven Crimson Baird." It sounds like she is on the other end of a tunnel. I knew this was coming. It was never real. But now, it is.

As we walk off the stage, both somewhat dazed, we are led into a small room. It's astonishingly nice. It has walls made of mahogany panels, and the seats are all red velvet and oak. This is where we will say our goodbyes to our family. I know I won't see them again. Because Raven Crimson will win. I will get him as far as I can, I will protect him with my life. I will find other tributes to work with. I will do whatever it takes. I look at him, and I think sadly, 'I will die for you'.

It isn't at all long before our family bursts in. Immediately, Fair Verdant runs to hug me. I hug her back, trying to remain calm. I find myself and Robin embraced by seven sets of arms. Frantic "I love you"s and "You have to win"s and "Please come back"s fill the air. It's overwhelming. I can feel Fair Verdant pressing something into my hand. "Wear it in the arena," I hear her say. They are still trying to hold onto us when they are all dragged away by peacekeepers, screaming for me and Raven Crimson.

Next, there are separate visitors for me and Raven Crimson. We're still in the same room, just different people to see us. Raven Crimson's friend, Rory, is here, hugging him. They're both horrified. I clench my fist around whatever it is that Fair Verdant gave me. My best friend, Heather, is talking to me, horrified, as she hugs me. I'm not processing her words. I think she's talking about what I need to do. I know, I've thought about this a lot. She pulls away, and I see her tear-streaked face.

"I- I'll miss you. Please come back. One of you has to make it."

I nod. "I'll do as much as I can. But I need to save Raven. If I can." Heather nods slightly, shaking. She knows why I wants to save him, but she wants me to live. I know that. "I'm sorry."

A peacekeeper comes in. Rory and Heather are led away. Heather allows them to take her. Rory tries to hit one of the peacekeepers, but they restrain him.

Then the door opens, and two more people walk in. Nicolas Ore, a boy in my year who I've talked to sometimes, and a girl with blonde hair in two plaits and blue eyes. For a moment I struggle to place her, then I realise; Primrose Everdeen. Raven Crimson's face lights up for a moment when he sees her. She makes eye contact briefly before looking down. I turn my attention back to Nicolas. I don't really know why he came to see me. He struggles to make eye contact with me, his gaze darting around the room nervously.

"Good – good luck in there." Nicholas blurts out awkwardly.

"Thank you." I reply, somewhat numb.

There is a long pause between us. Raven Crimson and Primrose are quietly talking away.

Nicholas once again broke our silence. "I hope you win. Or Raven Crimson. But I hope you win."

"Thank you." I repeated dully.

"I-I just wanted to say that I- I really- well, I l-"

The door slams open, drowning out Nicholas's words, as the peacekeepers come to remove him and Primrose.

A few more people come to visit us. I don't really process them though. I can only think about what – I think? – Nicholas's lips spoke as that door opened. And the small metal object that is digging into my palm, the one that Fair Verdant gave me.

When Raven Crimson and I are alone, I finally open my hand. It's a brass ring. I smile at it sadly, trying not to cry as I wrap my arm around Raven's shoulders. And I finally realise what Nicholas said to me. I'd say I was happy. But I am numb. I am distraught and numb. Because in less than a week, I may well be dead.