My mentor, the tribute

Chapter 1

(Katniss POV)

As we're escorted onto the stage, I steal a glance at Peeta. Normally he would return my gaze, but today he seems...rigid, almost. His face concentrates sternly on the male's reaping bowl, which only contains two names: Haymitch Abernathy, and Peeta Mellark. I take a shaky breath and look straight ahead. I know I will be reaped, for my bowl only has one name: Katniss Everdeen. Everyone knows that I'll be going back into the arena. Peeta has made sure that whoever goes is up for it. He has made me, Haymitch and himself excessivly train every day in preparation. When Peeta found he drunk with Haymitch, he was furious. I've never seen him so mad before. Peeta didn't talk to either of us for days. When I went to his house, he wouldn't answer the door. He did the same to Haymitch. And when he finally talked to us again, it was only to explain training excercises. Then he was back to giving us the silent treatment. I'm really worried. All I've done so far is hurt Peeta when he's been there for me. Even though I know how much it hurt him, he would stay with me on bad nights. He would comfort me. He would whisper words of assurance into my ear until I found sleep. But how did I repay him? By getting wasted with Haymitch after the announcement of the Quarter Quell.

"Welcome, welcome!" Effie interuppts my thoughts. Usually, Effie is very bubbly and smiley. But as she continues through her speech, her mouth sags into a frown.

"Happy Hunger Games," Effie says as happily as she can into the microphone. "And may the odds be ever in your favor."

I look out into the crowd and scan it for Prim. As soon as our eyes meet, she gives me a sad smile. I try to return it, but I can't seem to.

"As usual," Effie sighs sadly. "Ladies first." Effie walks briskly to the female's bowl, and grabs the only slip of paper in there out. She walks back to the microphone and starts,

"The female tribute from district 12, Katniss Everdeen."

I feel a tear roll down my cheek as I start towards Effie. I go to stand by her side. She doesn't even attempt a smile as I reach her. I turn my head to look at Haymitch, and we lock eye contact. I make sure Peeta isn't looking before I mouth "You promised," to him. Haymitch nods and continues to stare straight ahead. I look at Peeta, but he still stares straight ahead. I try to follow his gaze and see what he's looking at. As I follow Peeta's gaze, I see what he's looking at: his family. His father stands behind 2 boys, who are Peeta's older brothers. Peeta's father has tears flowing from his eyes, and his brothers wear deep frowns. As I look at them, I see Peeta's mother. She doesn't look sad. She looks angry. She glares daggers into the gravel that they stand on. I sigh to myself and re put my focus into Effie.

"And now, for the male tribute." Effie states and goes over to their bowl. I can see both Haymitch and Peeta go rigid as they await for the news. Effie walks back over to the microphone. Everything and everyone is so still in this moment. Effie slowly undoes the black piece of tape from the paper, careful not to rip it. She opens it and I see her eyes get bigger, She takes a step up to the microphone and hesitates before she reads the name off of the paper.

"The male tribute from district twelve.....Peeta Mellark."

Peeta says nothing as he turns towards Effie. As he starts to walk, I frantically glare at Haymitch. He seems frozen in place. Peeta has reached Effie by the time Haymitch processes what's going on.

"Now," Effie begins, but is interrupted by Haymitch,

"Stop!" He yells, running to where Peeta and I stand. "Stop! I volunteer as tribute!" The crowd gasps as Peeta looks up at him.

"No, I'm fine, Haymitch!" Peeta says, glaring at him.

"Well I volunteered for you, so go back by the bowl!" Haymitch tells him.

"No Haymitch! I won't let you!" Peeta says, raising his voice.

"You can't stop me!" Haymitch snaps and shoves his way past Peeta towards me. Peeta snaps. and smacks Haymitch across the mouth.

"Someone get me a peacekeeper or something!" Haymitch yells as he gets a hold on Peeta's arms. Peeta is now trying to get out of Haymitch's grasp. He is thrashing around whle Haymitch struggles to keep his hold on him. Peacekeepers bolt onto the stage to Peeta as he finally escapes Haymitch's grip. A peacekeeper tackles Peeta and holds him down while another sticks a needle in his neck. It must be a sleep syrum because Peeta immeaditley stops fighting back.

Two peacekeepers grab Peeta and drag him off of the stage. I gasp and turn to look at Peeta. His eyelids start to droop as they whisk him into the train. Peeta gives me a nasty look before his eyelids slam closed. By that look alone I know something for sure, just as I did when I drugged him in our first games: Peeta will never forgive me for this. I feel more tears stream down my face as I glance at Haymitch. He nods at me, then looks away. Everyone in the crowd is stunned, I can tell by the looks on their faces. My gaze finds Gale, who looks very confused at Peeta's outburst. Everyone still looks shocked as Effie taps on the microphone. Everyone turns their attetion back to the stage, to us.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the tributes from District twelve: Katniss Everdeen, and Haymitch Abernathy."

A/N: hey guys! So here's my new fanfic! I hope you enjoy! And I may update my other one soon ;)