Broken- A Hunger Games Fanfic

Chapter 2: What Am I Going To Do?

I stood there praying Katniss or me would not get chosen. I had my fists clenched at my sides so hard, I could no longer feel my hands. "WELCOME WELCOME! THE TIME HAS COME TO PICK ONE BRAVE YOUNG MAN AND WOMAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 74TH ANNUAL HUNGER GAMES! AS USUAL- LADIES FIRST" Effie Trinket beamed. I gulped nervously and looked behind me, making eye contact with Katniss. She could tell I was scared. "Its ok Prim, be brave. Remember that- don't show anyone how scared you are" Katniss said just loud enough for me to hear. I nodded in response. I turned to face the stage again just as Effie snatched a piece of paper out of the bowl. I glanced at my mother, who looked absolutely terrified. She glanced at me and put on a smile that I knew was fake. I turned back around just as Effie called the name. Effie cleared her throat and looked at the crowd. "PRIMROSE EVERDEEN!" she boomed. I froze in my spot and I could feel all the blood drain from my face. "Primrose? Come on up" I heard Effie say. I slowly walked out of the 12 year old section and made my way to the stairs, glancing back at Katniss, who just stood there motionless. I kept walking and got up onto the stage. My eyes found Katniss, who was staring straight at me. I was about to call out to her when she ran out of the 16 year old section and started screaming at the top of her lungs. "NO! PRIM! LET ME GO INSTEAD OF HER!" Katniss screamed, her voice coarse. I looked to Effie who looked at the Mayor. He cleared his throat and asked "Well... How old are you?" "I'm 16" Katniss replied, her voice still coarse. "Well... According to the rules, you must be 17 or over to volunteer. I'm sorry" the Mayor sighed. To qualify for the Hunger Games, you have to be ages 12-21 and apparently, you can't volunteer for someone unless you are at least 17- 'that's a stupid rule' I thought to myself. Katniss gave the Mayor a death glare as 2 peace keepers forced her back into the 16 year old section. "Now, for the boys" Effie smiled. She whipped out a piece of paper and I had never heard the name before and I was kind of happy I didn't know the kid so I didn't have to fight against him. "Gunnar Yule!" Effie boomed. A some-what but not to-muscular boy with brownish hair and green eyes walked up onto the stage- he was 13. Nobody even tried to volunteer for him, We shook hands and then we were escorted into separate rooms. I ran my hands over the leather couch. I sat down on it and it was like sitting on a cloud. The door suddenly opened and my mother stepped inside, "You have 5 minutes" a peace keeper said, closing the door. "Prim, come here" my mother said as I ran over to her and sobbed into her chest. "Mom, I'm scared. I don't want to die" I cried. "Shhh. Honey its ok. You are a strong and capable girl- you can do this. I love you ok?" my mom soothed me. "Ok mom. I love you too" I said, trying to pull myself together- remembering what Katniss told me. The door opened again. "Time's up" the peace keeper said. "By Prim, remember, you can do this, I love you" my mom said quickly. "I love you t-" I was cut off by the door slamming shut. I sighed- I wanted Katniss to be with me. Right as I thought that, the door opened again and Katniss came running in. I bolted right to her. "Katniss. I can't do this" I sobbed all over again. "Prim, Prim look at me" Katniss said, grabbing me by my shoulders. "You are going to be fine. Stop crying, that will show the other tributes and the capitol that you're weak, it will get you killed and nobody will want to sponsor you. I know you're scared Prim, everyone is, but you have to act like you're not scared. Put on your bravest face" she told me. "Ok" I replied. "Show me your brave face" Katniss ordered. I wiped my tears and put on the bravest face I could. "That-a girl" Katniss smiled weakly. "Prim, you KNOW I wanted to volunteer for you, but you know I love you and if I could, I would be right there next to you the whole way, protecting and helping you" Katniss choked out and I could tell she was holding back tears. "I know. And Katniss?" I said. "Yes little duck?" she smiled. "I'm going to try my hardest to win. For you" I smiled back at her. "Oh Prim, thank you, but do it for Gale, mom, Buttercup, and also yourself- not just me ok?" Katniss grinned back. "Ok, I will. Katniss, I love you" I hugged her. She hugged me back and I could tell she was crying. "I love you too Prim- don't you EVER forget that ok? I'll always be with you in spirit" Katniss said. "I'm always with you in spirit too" I whispered back to her. "Thank you Prim, it means a lot" she sighed. She pulled away from the hug and looked at me. "Here" she handed me a silver heart shaped locket that had the words "I'll love you always little duck, sisters forever- love always, your big Sis" engraved on it. I opened it and it had a picture of Katniss and I smiling. On the other side it showed Katniss, our mother, me, and my cat Buttercup. We all looked so happy. I closed the locket and looked up at Katniss, feeling tears spring to my eyes. "Here let me put it on you" Katniss said, snapping the locket onto my neck. I turned and hugged her. "Thank you so much Katniss. I'll never take it off" I said. "Good" she smiled, hugging me back. The door opened- "Time's up" the peace keeper called. "I love you Prim, be brave remember, don't let anyone know you're scared. Try your hardest to win. Love you" she said as she was pulled away from me. "LOVE YOU TOO! I PROMISE I'LL TRY MY HARDEST" I called after her. The door opened again and Gale came in. "Prim!" he said, scooping me up. "Nice locket" he said. "Katniss just gave it to me" I half-smiled looking down at my locket. "Oh. Well, I just came in to say good luck, try your absolute hardest and I know you can win. Try making an alliance with someone, probably someone who is stronger and older than you so you are more protected" Gale told me. "Ok Gale. I will" I hugged him. "Here" he said as he handed me a bracelet that said, "Be the best you can be - Gale" I put it on and hugged him and thanked him until he had to leave. I didn't know how or if I would win this, but I had to try for my family, Gale, and myself.