"Sweetheart"

chapter 1

Chapter 1

At the reaping for the Second Quarter Quell

I bravely walk to the place where my fellow 15 year olds stand. Today was the reaping for the 50th Hunger games. And this year there will be 48 tributes. As the daughter of a rich family, I am not worried about getting picked. But I do hope my best friend Maysilee does not get picked! I don't think she will either, because she is the daughter of the mayor. A lady with short brown hair walked out, and introduced herself as Clara Lopez. I always imagine that someone named Clara would have a heavenly glow to their face, and be extremely beautiful. This...acquaintance has quite the opposite. Her face is full of dirt and grime, and her hair looks greasy and dark. She looks like she came out of the mines. "Welcome District 12 to the 50th Hunger Games, and the Second Quarter Quell." Her rough voice scratches. She sounds like she ate a piece of glass because her voice is so rough. I hate this woman from the bottom of my heart.

"Now, I will pick the tributes. Ladies first." She says tiredly. She picks out 2 names. "Maysilee Donner and Iris Bosch." She says. I gasp as Maysilee's name is called. The 2 girls walk up on the stage and stand next to Clara. I can see the fear on both of the girls' faces, and I feel anxious. I'm glad that I did not get called, but I wish Maysilee didn't get picked. Oh well. She walked over to the boys and picked out 2 names. "Ash Chastain and Haymitch Abernathy." She announces. The two boys walk on the stage, and they stand on the stage. I gasp and I feel my cheeks heat up. "I think I'm in love..." I mutter to myself. The one named Haymitch Abernathy is absolutely gorgeous. He had longish blonde hair, and an olive skin tone, and there's something about his eyes. I could get lost in them. He looked confident and ready, and I love that about him. He catches me staring at him and winks, and I hide my face. He will not die, I think to myself. I keep telling myself that as I walk home. "Hello Euphoria." My father greets me.

"I told you, it's Effie!" I groan at my dad. He rolls his eyes and walks off, probably to his office. I walk to my room and sit on my bed. "His name is Haymitch. Haymitch Abernathy." I whisper. I smile at remembering him, blushing as well. My father would never understand how much I love him, so I won't tell him. I grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote down
Ha Ha Dad!    a/n: if you can figure out the pun I will give you a shoutout!

I giggled at the sheet and placed it in my drawer. "Dinner Euphoria!" My dad called. I rolled my eyes and walked downstairs to the dinner table, where Mom and Dad were sitting.

"Hello, Mom!" I greeted my mother cheerfully. I loved my mother, more than my father.

"Hello Effie!" My mother said, and I beamed as she called me Effie.

"Honey...it's not proper-" My dad started.

"Oh stop it Justinus! If she wants to be called Effie, she may. And besides, Effie really is a cute name!" My mother scolded, and winked at me. I giggled and sat down next to her. For dinner, we are having lamb stew and potatoes. As I ate silently, I listened to my mother and fathers conversation. Then the phone rang.

"I can get it darling." My dad said, and he walked up and grabbed the phone. "Hello?" He said. "Ah yes! President Snow. What an honor!" My dad exclaimed. They kept talking, then my father had a frown. "Really? Alright then, I will let her know. Thank you!" My dad said and hung up. My mom rushed over and they whispered for a while.

"Euphoria!" My dad called, and I jumped out of my seat and walked over.

"Yes Father?" I answered confused.

"President Snow called. He would like you to be the mentor for Haymitch Abernathy."

a/n: hey guys! thanks for reading this!!!!!!! I hope you enjoyed!