User blog:Lexi13/The Seventy Sixth Hunger Games

Chapter One

My mother and I walk to the place where the reaping takes place. I see Effie. Her wig this year is bright green, and she's wearing a skin tight purple jumpsuit. I join Peeta in the eighteen year-old section. Ever since we lost the war it's been tragic. I've had a fear they would rig the reaping to where I'd be in the Games. Peeta holds me close to him as we wait for the names to be called.

"Welcome to the seventy sixth annual Hunger Games!" Effie calls out. "Ladies first!" She says. I can barely hear her as a name gets called. I can tell that by the way Peeta tightens his grip around me it was mine. He lets me go, and I make my way through all the people that are my age. I see Effie hold back laughter as she helps me up.

"Okay. Let's move on." She says. I look at Peeta as she digs her hand in the ball. I close my eyes as she opens the paper. "Reen Bonegee." She says. Then I hear him, Peeta calls out the words I knew he was going to.

"I volunteer as tribute." He says. He pushes his way through all the people in his way. He runs up the stairs. We shake hands, and Effie leads us back to the train entrance. As soon as Effie leaves us alone Peeta pulls me into his arms. I feel so safe, but I know we'll both be dead soon. I can't even act happy. I feel myself start to cry as Haymitch enters the room. Peeta and I neither one have anyone to say goodbye to.

"Why did you do that, Peeta?" Haymitch asks him, and he's drunk, as usual.

"Because I need to protect Katniss." He answers, and I look at him like he's crazy. He does know that we'll be forced to kill each other in the arena.

"Peeta, if I was the only one in there we could both live." I tell him. He ignores me, and plants a kiss on my cheek. I walk out of the room, and down the hallway. I can hear someone following me. "Peeta, I don't want to hear it." I tell him. I still feel angry about the whole volunteering thing.

"Katniss, I don't think your weak, I just love you. You need to understand that I want to protect you." He tells me, and wraps his arms around me. I pull away from him, and storm into my room. I lock the door behind me. I hear Peeta knocking on my door. I don't answer it, but I know he'll keep going until I do. I walk over to the door, and put my ear against it. I can hear him mumbling something. I put my hand on the door knob. I unlock it, and see the handle move.