I sit on the hollow bed of wooden boards, a thin cotton matress, and piled blankets. Basically I'm sitting on a cot, while Mom finishes Katniss's hair. "See now you look beautiful, too." she says to her.
"I wish I looked like you." I say unknowingly. Katniss strolls over to me.
"Oh no," she says. "I wish I looked like you, Little Duck." I smile. "Hey you wanna see what I got you today?" I nod and she holds out her hand. A golden pin with a bird in the middle with a arrow in it's beak, circled with gold. "Well, Madge gave it to me." I smile and take it into my hand.
"What is it?" I ask.
"I think it's a mockingjay. I'm pretty sure it is." she replies. The coal trains horn blares outside. Signalling everyone is meeting at the Justice Hall. Mom freezes with a worried face. I do also.
"It's time." Mom whispers. I get up and take Katniss's hand.We all walk out the door and on to the gravel road to the Justice Building. Our shoes make popping sound that I have gotten used to but like the sound of. Just not today. I really wish I was able to bring along Buttercup.
We arrive soon to the Justice Building. Mom has just departed. I freeze when I see what they are doing to other children's index fingers. I start to whimper uncontrollably. Katniss shushes me and kneels down at me. "Shhh," she shushes. "it's okay. They are just going to take a little blood that's all. It only hurts a little bit. go stand in line and then go with the other kids. I'll come and find you soon as I can." I calm down and depart with Katniss. Then, walk to the line.
"Next." the gloved woman says once I get there. She holds out her hand and gestures for me to give her my hand. I place my hand into her gloved hand. She injects the prick needle and places my finger on the DNA book.
I walk to the girls and stand waiting for Katniss. I look back, Effie taps the microphone, Katniss is glances over to Gale once the video from the Capitol starts. It ends.
"As usual ladies first," she says and walks over to the name bowl for the girls. She hovers over for a moment and dives in and pulls out a folded paper. Worry spins and swirls and does summersaults in my stomach. I turn around Katniss is gazing at Gale and mouthing words. Effie breathes in on the microphone. "Primrose Everdeen." she says. I try to hold back the tears. The girls space out. My mouth is open and I don't even notice. Peacekeepers come and retreive me. I walk on the trail towards the podeium. I tuck in my tail. I look over my shoulder Gale and Katniss mouthing. Not paying one ounce of a attention. I shed a tear and turn around I try to blink it away but it's already halfway down my cheek. I wipe it away. I walk up the stairs and Effie reaches for me. "Now for the boys." She walks to the bowl and surfs around and grabs a paper. It's too late for me now. "Peeta Mellark." I look over to him. All the other boys let out a sigh of relief. Gale is wide eyed. Katniss looks confused. Then she looks up. She knows it's too late now.
Gale looks at Katniss. And raises his hand. "I volenteer as tribute." he says. Katniss is freaking out now. Both of her best friends going to be lost forever. She lets out a wail of sob. And Peacekeepers come to push her to the side.
"Well, our tributes for the seventy fourth annual Hunger Games. Go ahead... shake hands." she says. I wrap my arms around Gale.
"Thank you." I whisper.
"No problem kid," he whispers. "I'll always protect you."
