INTRODUCTION
This story is a Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) Fan Fiction. If you havent read the Hunger Games you may not understand this story. The Hunger Games is a torture for district kids. It is the capitols way of reminding people that they are in charge.
I dedicated this to DanceSingWrite who introduced me to THG. All rights to Suzanne Collins.
Chapter 1
"Peeta, are you ready to go?" shouted Mum from the lounge room.
"Yes Mum, coming" I shouted back, while heaving myself off my bed.
It is the day of the reaping. This year is the 70th annual Hunger Games. All people from across Panem will be turning on their Television's to watch each districts reapings. I live in District 12, the district furthest from the Capitol, which means that our reaping is held after all the other districts' reapings. This year, is my first reaping. I remember my older brother being in the reapings, thankfully he never went to the Capitol, but I'm paranoid that I will get chosen. I am only 12! I shouldn't have to put up with this. But no one can stop the Hunger Games. It is a tradition that I am aftraid will live forever.
I walk downstairs, to find Mum and Dad waiting for me. Dad, as usual, is covered in flour. My parents are bakers and we own a bakery, and live above it. "Dad, couldn't you dust yourself off before we go?" I said, pointing at the flour on his shirt.
"Oh" he stated. "You could have told me that was there!" He turned to Mum.
"I would have if I knew it was there" she replied.
"Can't we just go? I don't want to be late" I said, pushing past both of them.
As I'm walking out the door, our cat Tabby rubs herself against my legs. She can sense when we are tense about something and always tries to make it better, she can't help much except give a cuddle, which is nice.
"Not now Tabby" I say but she doesn't move. "Tabby, shoo!" I waved my hand, and she 'shooed'. I walked out the door. The air was quite cold. I shivered.
"Are you ok Peeta?" came a voice from behind me. I spun round to find that it was Katniss, my friend.
"Yeah, just bit cold that's all." I told her, while shivering still.
"Well, as long as your ok." she smiled. "Let's get there quick! It might be warmer there!"
So Katniss' family walked with my family to the town square. When we arrived, it was packed. It seemed like we were the last ones to get there because you could barely move without bumping into someone. Katniss and I were ushered to the 12 year old section. This was our first reaping so we stuck together as much as we could. I had just opened my mouth to speak to Katniss when a voice startled us.
"Happy Hunger Games everyone!!" It was Effie Trinket, District 12's escort. "and may the odds be ever in your favour!" she said, then paused to smile at us, none of us smiling back. "As you all know" Effie continued "this is the 70th Hunger Games, so... to celebrate the occasion, President Snow has ordered that each tribute for this year's games has to be under the age of 14." There were major sighs from the crowd. Nothing like this had ever happened before. "If you are over 14 you may leave the square." Says Effie. There was a lot of noise as the older kids made there way home.
"Now, for those of you who are left" Effie said, cheerfully, once the noise had died down, "lets choose two tributes!! Ladies first." Everyone held their breath at this point. All i could think was 'not Katniss, please not Katniss'
"KATNISS EVERDEEN" Yelled Effie.
"Nooooooooo!!!" I yelled "Katniss don't go!!!"
"Sorry Peeta, I have to." she cried, literally with tears in her eyes. "Be safe" she whispered, before walking to the stage.
As Katniss walked up to the stage tears filled my eyes. 'Be brave Peeta be brave' I kept telling myself.
