In our world, I rank music somewhere between hair ribbons and rainbows in terms of usefulness.

Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.

When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim`s warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course, she did. This is the day of the Reaping.

I wrap my arms around his neck, feel his arms hesitate before they embrace me. Not as steady as they once were, but still warm and strong. A thousand moments surge through me. All the times these arms were my only refuge from the world. Perhaps not fully appreciated then, but so sweet in my memory, and now gone for ever.

He frosted under heavy guard.

Remember, girl on fire,” he says, “I'm still betting on you.

So, in a way, my name being drawn in the reaping was a real piece of luck," says Peeta.