The Hunger Games- Madges's POV

Chapter 1

The odds are in my favor, at least, I remorsefully thought when I woke up. So why do I have such a bad feeling? But of course, everyone in District 12 would feel ominous; today is the reaping.

I live in the wealthier part of district 12, as I am the mayor's daughter. That doesn't stop me from being eligible for taking part in the Hunger Games, but it does lessen my chance. Basically, there's this rich, never starved Capitol in our country, Panem, and there are 12 Districts. There was a District 13, but there was a rebellion and a war, and it was destroyed. Boom. Since then, every year, a boy and a girl are chosen as tributes to go to Panem, and then compete in a fight to the death. In an arena, with nothing but the weapons, food, and extreme landscape they provide for us. The Hunger Games.

I force myself up, and comb my blond hair, thinking about what would happen, and what could happen. Most likely, some kids from the Seam, those who signed up for the tesserae, would get picked. The representative from the Capitol, Effie Trinket, would say their names in the quirky Capitol accent. I pick a nice white dress, and do my hair with a pink ribbon in a way that's pretty, but unusual for me. The reaping is supposed to be celebrated. Finally, I choose a gold pin with a mockingjay on it. Tributes are allowed to bring one "token" from their District, and this might be mine. As if i'll go. And, a tiny spark of rebellion.

"Madge!" My dad yells up the creaky stairs. "Come get breakfast!" I dutifully come down, but I don't have much appetite today, no matter how extravagant the food is today.

After breakfast, I go climb a tree in the back, and just think. I have always been someone who doesn't talk much, and keeps to myself, much like my friend, Katniss. She's from the Seam, the poorest place in District 12. Well, at least I think we're friends. We sit together at lunch and assemblies, and partner up for activities. We rarely talk, but that's fine for us. She hunts and gathers in the wood with her best friend, Gale, to make a living for her family. Not 5 minutes after I go back inside, I hear a knock at the back door. That's probably Katniss and Gale with Strawberries, I think, proven correct when I open the door.

"Pretty dress," Gale says.I look at him, trying to figure out whether he's genuinely giving me a compliment or not.

Pressing my lips together, then forcing myself to smile, I say, "Well, if I end up going to the Capitol, I want to look nice, don't I?"Scanning me as if looking for all of the expensive things I have, he suddenly stops(at the gold pin) and it's his turn to be confused. I, myself, am not sure if I meant that, or I just needed a... comeback.

"Well, you won't be going to the Capitol," he says, almost coldly. "What can you have, five entries? I had 6 when I was just 12 years old."

He had succeeded in making me speechless, at least. I wanted to tell him that I wanted to help them, but that would be hard, but I also wanted to defend myself. I never really talk that much, though, so I just don't know how. It wasn't my idea for all of this to happen! All these thoughts and more were rushing my brain as I tried to think of an answer.

Katniss came to my rescue; "That's not her fault,"

"No, it's no one's fault, it's just the way it is,"Gale says, and it is in that moment that I decide not to be open to Gale anymore. I'll respect him, for Katniss, but he seems like he's trying to take out all his anger on me. Yes, I do feel guilty, just not because of him. I guess.

I give Katniss the money, and tell her good luck. She says it back and I quickly close the door, and not hard, just quickly. I run upstairs and back to my compact room, looking at myself in the mirror. Even though I am wealthy (and therefore eat more) compares to them, I am still skinny; I do live in District 12, the poorest, hungriest district.

I would like to rip off my pin, my ribbon, my clothes, and my identity, throw it out the window, scream, and somehow be transported to a better place; another time. No one deserves this system, no one should go to the Hunger Games. Fine, even if they do, it should be a fair chance to everyone, anyone could go. But I have a feeling that if Katniss (or possibly Gale) get picked, they would have a fair fighting chance. Katniss would probably even win.