Today is that dreadful day that occurs every year: the reaping.

Effie Trinket already hates the way I dress. Compared to her, I'm boring. This year, things are worse. I'm certain that I will be chosen. The trouble started a couple of months ago, maybe even years, if you think about it. I should probably start from where the real trouble began.

The reaping is an annual event in which one male and one female tribute between the ages of twelve and eighteen are chosen to participate in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is one giant bloodbath. Tributes have to kill each other until there is only one left surviving. There are two tributes from each of the twelve districts, so there are twenty-four competitors.

This is how the Capitol controls us. Long ago, during the Dark Ages, the districts revolted against the Capitol. Now, as a reminder of how powerful the Capitol is, they host the annual Hunger Games.

Last year, my best friend, Primrose Everdeen, was picked in the reaping. She was only twelve, her name was in there once, so everyone was shocked she was chosen. Her sister, Katniss, volunteered for her so that Prim didn't have to go.

Volunteering is allowed, but very rare in most districts. Katniss was the first volunteer from our district. Volunteers are more common in career districts, like One, Two, and Four.

My boyfriend’s brother, Peeta, was also reaped. Peeta and Jacob have one older brother Mitchell who is 20 and therefore not eligible to participate in the reaping that year. so it was obvious that Peeta had to go to the games this is where 22 people died and because there was two victors instead of one they were to be punished

I bet you're wondering who I am. My name is Nixie, meaning little water spirit. After my mother was murdered, Finnick Odair looked after me because my family was very close to the Odair's. my father went away on a fishing trip a couple days later and I never saw him again. I spent the next five and a half years with Finnick. During that time, Annie came back from the Hunger Games, but she was completely different. Finnick loved her, and seeing her like that broke his heart.

About three months after my tenth birthday, a peacekeeper visited our house and said that Finnick and Annie were not fit to look after me anymore. So they sent me to live with my uncle, Haymitch, in District Twelve. I have relatives here, but I don't have family. This is not where my friends are, not where Finnick is, and certainly not where home is.

This year is a Quarter Quell. Quarter Quells occur every twenty-five years, and there's something special about each one. President Snow read this year's announcements without hesitation.

“On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, tributes will be reaped from the original pool of victors.” He paused long enough for me to hear Peeta’s gasp. Snow continued, "There will also be a third tribute from each district; a child between the ages of twelve of sixteen, who has a family relationship with any of the past victors.”

Shit, shit, shit, I thought. That means Jacob or Prim! No, that can’t happen! I sat in the Victors' Village home that was designated to Peeta and his family. I spend most of my time there because I am dating Jacob, Peeta’s younger brother. I quickly stood up from my spot in Jacob’s arms and ran out the door.

I ran aimlessly and was surprised to see where my feet took me. It's the meadow Jacob and I had our first date. A rush of memories hit me, but I shook those memories away and kept running until I was at the tree I always climb when I get upset.

Peeta came into the meadow right into view with his weird limp that he obtained after the Capitol gave him a bionic leg because a mutt bit his when he was in the Games. But there was someone else with him; too tall to be Prim, but too slim to be Jacob, and it was definitely not Katniss because I saw her run into an empty victor's house. It was Mrs. Everdeen.

“Go away," I yelled.

“No, come down," Mrs. Everdeen commanded; she was surprisingly firm.

“I’m not coming down until you go away.” I was getting annoyed. Don't they understand that I might lose two, possibly three, of my best friends?

“Nixie, I know you're scared about possibly going into the arena, but you can’t stay up in that tree forever."

"We're not leaving until you come down,” this was Peeta’s voice.

I suddenly lost my footing and slipped, plummeting to the ground.

Mrs. Everdeen and Peeta pulled me to my feet as I noticed another figure walking towards us. The wobbly stumbling of the figure immediately told me the newcomer was Haymitch.

This is when what Peeta told me before finally made sense. He said I'm related to one victor by blood and another four by pure love. Haymitch Abernathy is related to me by blood, and I count Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta, who acted as my parents for almost six years, as family, and Peeta Merlark and Katniss Everdeen are like the brother and sister I never had.

I'm more than willing to protect Prim and Jacob, but Haymitch will never let me volunteer. It’s not like I haven’t faced death before. But the thought of practically handing my life to someone I haven’t met yet, or maybe I have met, is terrifying, but if it protects the ones I love I will swallow those fears. Even the fear is pounding on my chest. I will mostly likely die from the fear rather than a knife.