Author's Note: Welcome guys! This is my first Hunger Games fanfic. Hope you enjoy and tell me what you think. Should I continue or not?

I sit here alone, thinking of that day. The reaping day.

Flashback:

"Don't worry Prim, your names only been in there once, they're not going to pick you" I reassured my younger sister. She was scared. I could tell by the look on her face. Her eyes said it all. It was her first reaping. It was the first time of many more to come where she would find herself terrified knowing her name was in that bowl. I was terrified for her knowing there was nothing I could do to protect her from the cruel games of the capital.

She hugged me tight. I held her in my arms for what seemed like an eternity. All I could do was comfort her with soothing words.

"It's time" my mother called from outside.

"Let's go little duck" I gave her a warm smile. "Everything's going to be fine. I promise". It was a promise I didn't know if I could keep but I needed her to know she wasn't in so much danger. I grabbed her hand and led her out the door before closing it behind us. I looked at my home one last time before I left. It was a grown habit I had every year on reaping day. No one had guaranteed their return back home. I always took a last minute glance in case my name was ever pulled out.

The reaping every year always took place in the little courtyard in front of the justice building. Every year there were thousands of families lined up behind the ropes as they anxiously saw their children in danger of being reaped. After the reaping everyone would celebrate that it was over, that is of coarse everyone except two families. Those two families were forced to see their children die on live television. There was no hope for district twelve. Almost never did we ever win.

We lined up in our corresponding area. Everyone was divided up by age. Prim was on the other side of the courtyard. I was opposite of her. Before my wandering eye went looking for her, Effie Tricket arose to the platform.

"Welcome, welcome!" she said enthusiastically. "And Happy 74th Hunger Games!" she clapped.

There was death silence from the audience, as usual.

After watching the same clip from every year about the history of our country and the hunger games the moment finally came.

"As usual, ladies first!" she said as she slid her hand into a large glass bowl that had to have at least a thousand slips with names. After about a few seconds of anticipation she finally grabbed a small slip that contained the name of the newest unfortunate tribute. I held my breath as she opened the paper. I closed my eyes hoping it wasn't any of us two. My palms grew tighter and tighter as the time went by.

"Madge Undersee!"

I couldn't help but feel guilt over me because I was relieved that Prim and I hadn't been chosen but I was devastated because Madge was the only friend I had.

I watched her go up the platform with tears already forming in her eyes. Her father who was the mayor of district twelve looked speechless. The look on his face was indescribable. It had mixed emotions ranging from anger to sadness.

I looked over to Prim making sure she was okay. I could tell she wanted to cry as well. Madge was someone she knew. Someone that she knew would never return home alive.

Before I knew it Effie had continued on.

"And now for our boy tribute!" She slipped her hand into the bowl once more before retrieving a single slip. I watched as she smiled to everyone in excitement. I stared at her in disgust. Her along with the capital were shallow people who used us all in the districts as a piece of their games. We weren't human to them. We were objects to them. Filthy useless objects in their eyes.

I continued watching as she slowly opened the paper.

"Peeta Mellark!" she exclaimed.

My heart sank in. It took me a couple seconds to process what just happened. Shock completely took over me as well as grief. I knew this boy very well. He saved my life once. He risked a beat from his mother to give me bread when I was starving. It was because of him I was still alive. He was the reason I had hope, why I had continued to move on. I always noticed him everywhere I saw him. Of course he never noticed me. I never got to thank him for the bread and I know I would never have the chance. Tears came down my eyes as I saw him take the stage. The pained look on his face said it all.

"Ladies and gentleman I present to you your newest tributes! Madge Undersee and Peeta Mellark!" Effie said. The two of them shook hands before turning to look at us. No one believed it. No one wanted to clap. Then before I knew it I did it. I kissed my three middle fingers and raised it up to them. It was the district twelve salute.

I watched as everyone followed my example. Little by little everyone gave their salute. Many were on the edge of tears as we watched two of our town's most beloved teenagers go off to be a piece of the capital's games.

I sat here remembering the day Peeta Mellark got reaped and was sent off to the capital. None of us though he'd return. I had felt devastated because I never got to know the boy or thank him for what he had done. But now life had given me a second chance. He was coming home alive. He had won the games. Unfortunately Madge didn't make it. But I didn't want to think about that. Today Peeta was coming home. Home to us. Normally I wouldn't have bothered to go wait for him at the train station with the rest of the town but I felt a need to go. If he was coming back alive I had to tell him at least thank you. I hated leaving debts unpaid. Even though this one was nearly impossible to repay.

I left my home in the Seam just on time. The train pulled in nearly 10 minutes after I had arrived. About half the towns people were here yelling and cheering for our newest victor. His family was in the front along with the mayor. I couldn't help but feel sympathy for him. He was forced to come out and cheer for our victor secretly wishing it had been his daughter. I continued to scan the cheering audience before I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Oh it's you Gale" I jerked.

"Hello Catnip! What brings you here?" he asked.

"I told you. I came to support Peeta." I said.

"Oh you weren't joking when you said that then. Weren't you?" he looked surprised.

"No! Of course I wasn't. I really meant it. He deserves it"

Gale looked at me with confused look. He knew me all too well and still couldn't understand why I wanted to show this boy support.

I wanted to drop the subject. It was going to be tough to explain to Gale and avoiding it was for the best. I walked towards the front of the crowd were Peeta would be emerging any moment. I stood across from his family waiting like the rest. The anticipation grew within me with each passing second. I wasn't even sure if he still remembered that day. Even if he did or did not I still had to do what I came here for. Just say thank you to him and that's all Katniss, I told myself. The air grew tenser as the time went by. Finally with what seemed like hours the doors to the train opened. First came out a tall figure. It was Haymitch, district twelve's oldest victor and mentor to Peeta. Second came Effie followed by the prep team that designed those lavishing gowns during the parade and interviews. And finally it was him. He slowly stepped out of the train taking each step with ease. He stared at the crowd in astonishment. But before you knew it his eyes were solely fixed on his family. He must have missed them so much. He took his steps in their direction as his eyes began to get watery. I stood there in silence with the rest of the town. No words could describe this moment. The moment a victor reunites with his/her family. It was soothing knowing at least one of our own came back. My thoughts were soon interrupted by my own family. Preferably my father. I hated those wandering thoughts; they reminded me of unwelcomed memories.

Before my head took me in the deeps of despair I realized Peeta was walking towards my direction. This was it. I had to do what I came here for. I had to finally say thank you. I had to finally speak with Peeta.