"Peeta Mellark will be our boy tribute from District 12! Congratulations!" Effie Trinket bubbled with excitement, what was wrong with her? I don't know what provoked my next move, maybe Katniss' expression of dismay, maybe my knowing of Peeta's little crush on her. Forget it; I have no idea what provoked me. I'll just say, I needed to protect her. "I volunteer!" I shouted. Katniss looked at me, horrified. Peeta stepped back. I walked forward, my feet moving without my command.

"Gale Hawthorne and Katniss Everdeen, our tributes this year! May the odds…" Effie began. Katniss slipped her hand into mine squeezing it hard, along with Effie, we both whispered to each other, "Be ever in your favor."