It was that time of year again. The time of year when we all dressed up nicely, and herded ourselves up like cattle heading for slaughter. In the weeks leading up to the Reaping, Nova had been having night terrors. They were so bad, that on an almost nightly basis, the whole house was woken up from her screams. This was her first year being reaped, and I would have given anything for her not to be in there. My first year was similar. I had awful nightmares and mum had to sleep in with me for the two weeks leading up to the reaping. Although Jasper and Gray were normally the typical big brothers, winding up their little sister, this time they were really nice. They explained everything to me about what would happen, what it felt like and so on. I was extremely grateful for that. Now it was Nova's turn, and it was me in there, comforting her, telling her it would be alright. Except that it wouldn't really, would it? Every year 23 families had to bury their children. Something had to be done about this, I just wish something would happen to stop this. But here we were, this is was now, and tomorrow, we would be lined up again, waiting to hear if our name would be called out.
By the time the sun rose, we had only had about 5 hours sleep. The reaping wasn't until 2pm, as that gave the Capitol time to send down the cameras, the lights, Effie Trinket and so on. I decided to sit in the back garden for a little while after breakfast, to try and calm myself. This was Jasper's final year being entered and Nova's first. I lay there on the back, in the grass (on a blanket), watching the fluffy white clouds floating overhead. They seemed too white, too pure to be here in Twelve, especially on today of all days. A shadow fell over me and a face appeared above mine.
"Peeta!" I grinned. "How did you get out so early?"
"I just told them I needed to see you before everything started. Mum was busy in the shop front, but dad said as long as I wasn't too long." He wrapped his arms round me and I relaxed into them. I really needed it today and he seemed to know. "Oh, I got you something." He opened his jacket and I gasped. He handed me a small, but very fresh bread roll. "Sorry it isn't much, but I......." he began. I pressed my lips against his.
"It's perfect, thankyou Peep," I whispered. I think the last few months had made him realise I was here. We weren't dating, but he was much better around me, there were more hugs and he wasn't as surprised when I gave him a kiss on the cheek. Today may have thrown him a little though, but I didn't care. "Oh I just realised. I never got you anything."
"You did," he smiled. "You've just given it to me." He wrapped his arms round me more and we stayed like that, sat on the grass for a while longer, before a crash in the bakery brought us to our senses. "I, er, better go," he sighed. "See you in a bit, Solly."
"See you in a bit Peep," I smiled, watching him walk through the gate and back into the bakery. I grabbed the blanket up and made my way back into the butchers.
"Sorrel." Nova was stood in my bedroom doorway, tears trickling down her face. "I can't do this." I crouched down to face her.
"Nova, sweetheart, we all think that, even mum and dad when they were our age." She wiped her nose on her sleeve. Thankfully she was still in her pyjamas. "Come on, sweetie, what has mum laid out for you to wear?" She took me to her bed, in our shared bedroom, and showed me the dress. It was the same one I wore for my first reaping, four years ago. After a quick bath, I sat her down and helped her get dressed. Afterwards, I went for my own bath, and got dressed. By half past one, Jasper, Nova and I left the house to walk to the square, bumping into Peeta and his brother again as we passed the bakery. Jasper had Nova's hand and I slipped my hand into Peeta's. We passed Gale and Katniss. Katniss had her little sister's hand too. Oh god, Primrose, I completely forgot about her. I hope Katniss is doing ok. Gale caught my eye as I thought this and he smiled. It was as if he could read my mind! We signed in and lined up as normal - the youngest ones at the back, the oldest at the front. The boys on the left, the girls on the right. I looked back at Nova, tried to see how she was coping. She was stood next to Primrose, so at least she had a friend with her. I looked back to the front and Effie Trinket was just coming onto the stage. There was a seat empty at the front, who I assumed was being saved for Haymitch, the District 12 mentor. He was usually black out drunk, but then I figured he had the right to be, after everything he had been through.
"Ahem," chimed Effie, as the clock struck two. "Welcome to another year of Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour. Now shall we get straight into it? Ladies first." She clip clopped across the stage and to the girls' bowl. She took her time to find the right slip of paper and when she found it, she held it in front of her, grinning and walked back to the middle of the stage. "Now, the girl tribute for District 12 will be......." We all held our breath. "Primrose Everdeen." What? No that can't be. It's only her first year, that's not fair. No one said a word, but the crowd parted as Primrose walked towards the stage, tucking in the back of her shirt like a little tail.
"Prim," screech Katniss, in front of me. "Prim no." Anyone listening could hear the desperation in her voice. Two peacekeepers stepped forwards and tried to retrain Katniss, but she kept yelling. "I volunteer, I volunteer," she yelled. "Please, I volunteer." Everyone stopped. The peacekeepers let go of her.
"Katniss no," screeched Primrose, clinging onto her sister for dear life.
"Prim, go find mum, go find mum and wait there with her," Katniss was telling her. Thankfully Gale stepped up and picked Primrose up, still screaming, and took her back to find her mum.
"Well, well, a volunteer, this is a great turn of events,," Effie cooed. "Come on dear, up you come. That's right. Now, what's your name?"
"Katniss Everdeen."
"And Katniss, I bet my buttons that was your sister." The crowd were in silence. "Ok, well, now it's time for the boys." Effie walked over to the boys' bowl and I felt myself screaming inwardly "Please not Jasper, Please not Jasper."
"And the boy tribute for this year will be...... Peeta Mellark."
