DUSK ~Peeta Mellark~

Weeks Before the Reaping

I ran to his door but before i could knock the door opened revealing Finnick and before I knew what I was doing I threw myself into his arms. He held me back before he pulled away and looked at my already tear streaked face. I didn't have words. All I could think about was him. He was the only male tribute in district 4. I knew I'd be upset if he didn't make it out but for Annie, it would break her completely.

I couldn't let that happen. I knew what i was going to do if I wasn't called. It didn't matter who they called. Mags or Annie. I would volunteer for both. I was going to volunteer for one of them. I could make sure Finnick made it back home to them. Mags was too old to last a few hours and Annie wasn't stable enough. But if I were in the arena with him, I could protect him.

"If you're thinking of doing what I think you are then I can't let you." He was always able to know exactly what I was thinking even if I was the master at hiding it. "I have to. You know that" I looked him in the eyes basically challenging him. He knew he couldn't stop me. He sighed and looked at Annie's house. "I have to check on Annie. Go be with Cason and Lilly. If you are going to volunteer, then these may be the last few weeks you get with them." With that he walked past me and headed towards Annie's house.

I did as he said and went back home to a crying Lilly and a frozen in shock Cason who was most likely filled in on the situation. Though I could not just sit in the living room and cry in front of them so instead I ran up to my room and shut the door with an unintentional slam. I sat on the edge of my bed and just let myself cry.

I don't know how long I sat there before Lilly opened my door and sat next to me wrapping an arm around my shoulder. It was clear she had continued crying without stopping. We sat there for a few minutes just quietly crying together before she finally spoke up. "Are you going to volunteer if your name isn't called?" Her voice was soft, but it was shaking. I looked at her and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear before responding.

"You know I have to Lilly." "No, you don't" Her voice was less quiet. She clearly did not want me to do it. "If I don't then Finnick has a worse chance at coming home." She looked up at me obviously still against the idea and I understood why. "What if both of you die? Then what? Things will be even worse." She made a good point. I didn't know how to respond to her. I knew I couldn't change her mind, but she couldn't change mine either.

"For now, all we can do is spend as much time together as possible. And somehow convince Cason to hang out with us." I say jokingly and she laughs a little back. She lays her head on my shoulder, and I lay mine on her head. "I love you" I say under my breath. "I love you too" she responds only a little louder than me. We stay like that for a while before falling asleep in each other's embrace.

-

The next few weeks are filled with family time, time with Annie and Finnick, walks on the beach, and trying to convince Cason to do things with his family. He's always hesitant but it's easier now than it has ever been. But time passes quickly and before we know it it's reaping day.

I make sure to dress as best as I can and hide the fact that I have been crying my eyes out. I laid out an outfit for Lilly and Cason like every reaping and made sure to make both their favorite foods for breakfast. If this is the last day, I get to be with them then I want some of it to be happy. Cason came downstairs first, and I made sure to tell him how handsome he looked to embarrass him a bit. It is what older sisters do after all. Lilly comes down not long after and I make sure to do the same to her. Only she isn't as embarrassed.

After we all eat, we still have a few hours to kill so of course we go down to the beach not far from Victor's Village. We walk along it for about an hour collecting shells before going back. We get back and go to Finnick's house so we can walk with him when he leaves.

As all four of us walk it's silent. People are obviously staring at us giving us looks of pity, but I ignore them all. As we arrive at The Hall of Justice, I give Lilly and Cason one last hug before stepping onto stage next to Annie and Mags. Annie is making no attempt to hide her tears and I feel terrible for her. I can only hope she isn't called but if she is then I will take her place like I'd planned to. 

A/N: HI!! I honestly cant tell if this is longer than the first chapter or not but I hope it was good! My friends and I are working hard on this and we hope you like it! Again if you have any suggestions on how to improve please let us know!! Thanks for reading!