The Hunger Games - Peeta Mellark POV

Effie Trinket bobbles forward. Trying to get things back on track she says “What an exciting day! Now it’s time for the boy tribute!” She crosses to the other side of the stage with a similar sparkling glass bowl. She wiggles her fingers a little then grabs the first envelope she touches. She almost runs back to the microphone when she opens the paper slip and announces “Peeta Mellark.” I stand there, dumbfounded as the boys around me look my way. I look up at Katniss and see that her mouth is opened as if she is surprised at this. I step forward and maneuver my way around some of the younger boys. When I finally reach the edge of my age line the Peacekeepers form a strong huddle around me and begin to march me to the stage like a pig for slaughter.