Skinny Love

Chatpter 30

Chapter 30

~Song Of The Chapter Terrible Things By Mayday Parade~

-Katniss's POV-

I wake to the sounds of horns. The reaping is today. I shake of fear and clutch onto Peeta. "We have to get ready, Kat." He whispers. I nod and my lip quivers. I slowly and unsteadily stand up from my bed, and towards my closet. I open the doors to it and see a plain, blue dress that has a ribbon in the middle that ties in the front. I pick it up and twirl it around, holding the handle. I take off my clothes and slip on the soft material.

Peeta smiles at me and I smile back. "What a great dress to die in, eh?" I ask, sarcasm dripping in my tone of voice. His smile disappears, and he comes to me. "You will not die. Trust me. Even if we do get reaped, guess what? I will protect you." He tells me. "Because that's what we do, we protect each other." I whisper. He nods and shares a kiss with me. I break it and rub his cheek. "Everything will be alright." He tells me.

This is the only year, next year we will be too old. But what about our baby in 12 years? What if she gets reaped? I didn't know I blanked out till Peeta shakes me, "Honey, are you okay?" He asks. I just nod, still kinda spaced out. The horn sounds again, signaling to get to the building. A tear slips down my cheek and Peeta wipes it away, starring into my eyes. "Don't cry." He says. "Hormones." I reply, looking down. He brings me to his chest. "I guess we should go." I sigh. He let's go and locks our fingers. We head out and I take one more glance toward our house.

Peeta and I get in the herd of people. They are whimpering, sobbing, whispering, and a few baby cries in the distance. We arrive and head to the stands. I give him a kiss as I check in. "Lift." The peacekeeper orders. I give her my hand and she turns it over, bringing out my finger. She brings a needle to it and pricks blood. I bite my lip and she says, "Lift." To the next girl.

I rub my finger and get in the crowd of girls on our side. I look over to the boys side and search for Peeta. I see him and give him a worried look. "I love you." He mouthes. I give a smile and mouth back, "I love you too." He grins and we hear a tapping sound on the microphone. We turn our attention to a bright pink Effie. "Welcome, Welcome!" She says, rather joyfully. I roll my eyes and feel a slight rubbing on my back. I turn and see Madge.

I smile and she does the same back. I turn back to Effie and zone out. They play a video about brother turning on brother, the hunger games will supply peace and a bunch of lies. The video ends and Effie claps, "I just love that!" She squeaks. I scowl at her. "Now it's time, 2 girls and 2 boys shall be selected." She announces. I close my eyes and clench my fists.

"Girls first." She starts. I open my eyes and bite my lip as her heels click towards the bowl. She twirls her hand in the air and dives in the bowl, picking up her first tribute. I fury my eyebrows at the paper. She unfolds it and reads in a loud voice,

"Primrose Everdeen!"

I gasp and my eyes widen. No, not Prim. I see her walk into the way. My actions get the best of me and I run into the walkway. "Prim!" I screech. She turns around and she shakes her head, "Don't." She begs. The peacekeepers start pulling me away put I push threw. "Stop, No, I volunteer!" I yell. I finally get through and say more clearly,

"I volunteer as tribute."

Effie raises her eyebrows and turns to the mayor, "Can she do that?" She loudly whispers. He nods and she shrugs it off. "Our very first volunteer!" She says, perky. Prim rushes to me and hugs me. I hug back, tightly and she whispers, "Don't. Stop. No!" The peacekeepers take her back into the audience to my mother and she screams, pounding her fists.

I take a deep breath and head up the stairs, my legs are like jello. I eventually reach Effie and she pushes me towards the microphone. "Now what is your name, dear?" She asks, even though she knows my name. "Katniss Everdeen." I whisper through tears. "I bet my buttons that you're pregnant aren't you?" She asks with a wink. I nod and say, "Yes." My voice is thick of tears. She grins and says, "Let's have a big hand for our volunteer, Katniss Everdeen." Nobody claps of course. Why would they? A woman, who is 18 years old and 5 months pregnant, just volunteered for her younger sibling for a game of death.

I stay quiet and try to wake myself, wishing this was some sick nightmare. I had to volunteer for her though, she's only 14. "Now for our 2nd girl tribute." Effie says and head towards the bowl of death once again. She picks a note that has a woman's name on it that signifies her death. "Madge Undersea!" She yells. The Mayor's wife, or Mrs.Undersea, gasps and cries onto Mr.Undersea's shoulder.

Madge walks up with a shocked expression on her face. "Now for the boys!" Effie chirps. I try to swallow the huge lump in my throat as she dives in the bowl. I look at Peeta, if his name isn't called, he'll volunteer. I just know it. "Peeta Mellark!" Effie says. I bite my lip as he walks on the stage. I stare at him, in tears. He just nods, as if this was his duty. My lip quivers and Effie announces the last name,

"Gale Hawthorne."

My eyes widen and I look to Madge who's crying. Gale walks up, and goes next to Peeta. Madge leans on me as Effie yells,

"Our tributes for our very first Hunger Games!"