Love & Hunger

Chapter 12- one year in the future

Today is the day that I've been scared of since last year. Today is Prims first reaping. When I got out of bed she was in our mother's bed instead of ours. I pulled out the loaf of bread that Peeta gave us and prepared a slice for myself , Prim, and our mother. After I finished eating I took my bath where the anxiety I've felt over this past year about Prim being reaped into the games and of course Peeta. If I'm reaped into the games I know I could win though the principals of hunting aren't comparable to killing another person but I could handle it. Even in one my mind's worse case scenario if Peeta got reaped he's strong and would have a high chance of coming home to me, but if Prim was reaped I know that she wouldn't be able to win the games.

I changed into a green shirt , black pants, my father's old hunting jacket, and my hunting boots. I grabbed my bow before leaving the house to hunt, I know that it's not the most practical for me to go hunting before the reaping but I need to get my mind off it. As I walked deeper into the woods I saw a deer it's definitely not anything that I was expecting but an amazing hunt for me none the less. I had to drag this damn deer home all by myself but I had to put it in the house so I decided to start butchering it but to protect myself from the bath I just took I put on an apron.

Prim had woken up when I was about half way through butchering this deer, which if I woke up to my sibling butchering a deer I'd be confused just like she was. " Katniss what are you doing?" She asked. " Well I decided to take my bath early for some reason but then I went hunting and saw this deer so I had to bring it home," I said. " I figured that's what you did because your wearing an apron," she said. " I'm almost done but then I'm going to bring some to the Mellark's." " Your going to see Peeta later today why not just stay at home?" She asked. " Because I'm going down there to give them some meat but then I'm going to I trade some," I said. " Well are you going to save some for us?" She asked. ' yes I've saved us a decent amount that will last a week or so." " Well I'm going to wait for mom to wake up so she can help me get ready, she has a dress for you that she set out re to late last night," she said. " Thank you Prim, but I have to focus on butchering this deer if I want to make it in time."

I looked to the clock it read 9:15, this deer is small I don't think it should take me much longer. I'm thinking about what Prim said about how I spend so much time with Peeta I love Prim very much but Peeta is my future as much as I want to spend everyday of my life with her at the same time it's how I feel about Peeta. I find hunting to be peaceful yet I always have the anxiety of a bad hunt.

When I looked at the clock agin it read 10:00 when I finished so I wrapped up what we could keep and wrapped up the rest of it and put it in my large bag. I always enjoy the walk to town, my hope is when Peeta and I get married we can have a house in town so that Prim could live with us in a safe place where she can learn and grow. When I opened the door to the bakery I was welcomed with their signature greeting " welcome to Mellark's" from Mr. Mellark who was looking down at some dough he was kneading. " Mr. Mellark it's Katniss," I said. " Oh hello Katniss, long time no see," he said. " So I went hunting today and I was able to catch a deer and I wanted to bring you all some meat," I said. " Thank you Katniss, we really appreciate it let me give you something," he said. " You don't need to give me anything in return," I said. " Katniss you worked very hard to hunt and butcher this deer I'm going to grab you a cupcake," he said. " Thank you sir, wish Peeta good luck for me," I said. " I will thank you," he said.

As much as I wanted to see Peeta today before the reaping but I have to wait to see him there I don't have the words why I just have to wait. Selling the meat went Incredibly well as deer meat is a hot commodity for trading in the hob I was even able to get a nice mockingjay pen to give Prim. Then began my walk home was peaceful in a strange way I find the morning before the reaping to always be this way the calm before the storm.

When I got back to the house Prim was in her bath. Luckily Mom sat out some clothing for Prim and myself it was a nice surprise to see our mom out of her bed. " Katniss, I have some clothing sat out for you put them on," she said. " I will thank you," I said. I looked at the dress she'd picked for me it was blue, I remember this dress from one of the photos of my parents while they were young, the fabric is light blue with somewhat puffy sleeves. Before I knew it mom had pushed me down as she sat in the chair to braid my hair. The sound of the clock ticking was nerve racking each second passing was leading up to finding out who would be entering the hunger games.

Poor Prim is horrified. " Katniss, what are they going to do to me at the reaping?" Prim asked. " Little Duck, they aren't going to get to you I won't let that happen so take this pin," I said passing over the the mockingjay pin. " Thank you Katniss, your really calming my nerves," she said. " Well we need to walk down to the reaping let's go," I said. " Okay," she said grabbing onto my left hand. Today I decided to keep my engagement ring on because when I wore it last year it seemed to give me some good luck. " Okay Prim, when we get to the stations in the front their going to pick your finger for a blood sample but it won't hurt too bad," I said. " Oh okay, why do they do that?" She asked. " I'm not exactly sure why but I think it's mostly for the capital so that they know that you are who you say you are," I said. " That makes more sense," she said.

When we finally got to the front of the line it was hard for Prim to be so far away from me with her in the front and with me in the back. Ten Effie Trinket walked out with a pink wig and some of the tallest heels I've ever seen. " Hello, and welcome to The Hunger Games," she said. " As usual let's start with the ladies and may the odds ever be in your favor
....
Primrose Everdeen," in shock I started running up to her just like I promised her, " I VOLUNTEER I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE," as the peacekeepers escorted me up onto the stage I looked into to crowd and I saw Peeta, he look horrified he as I looked at him longer he started crying. " Well I bet my hat that was your sister," Effie said. " And let's not forget the boys
...
Peeta Mellark," she said. I was the one in shock I'm about to go into a battle to the death with my boy with the bread.

Author's note: Hey everyone!!! I hope your all doing well!! There should be at least one more chapter this month, I plan on doing one chapter for the train & tribute interviews with Ceaser Flickerman! I hope you enjoyed this chapter because I had fun writing it!