Easton's Games

Chapter 1

I jolt up, sweating all over. Another nightmare. Of course I had one, it's reaping day. I need to get ready. Looking across the room, I see Jasmine, and tiptoe out of the room so as not to wake her with the creaking floorboards. I make it into the bathroom and start running the shower, taking my nightgown and underclothes off and stepping inside. I adjust the temperature and thoroughly scrub my hair and body, getting all the grime and flour from the bakery off.

I step out, grabbing two towels and wrapping the largest around my body before dumping the smaller one on my head. I tiptoe to my parents' room, grab the hairdryer and go back to the bathroom, plugging it in and waving it over my dripping hair. The hot air juxtaposes with the cold atmosphere of the bathroom. I finish drying my hair and walk back into my bedroom, getting my flowy, ash dress out of the wardrobe and laying it on my bed before smoothing it out.

I look in the mirror, spinning slightly to see the skirt. The dress is slightly tight around the waist, showing off my figure my mother fought so hard for me to keep. The sleeves drape on my shoulders. My ginger hair lays over the corset. It's perfect. This is the best dress I've had for this day in a while, and it's insane to me how it's so perfect when mother would have been focusing on Jasmine this year, as it's her first year. However, I'm not complaining. The sun is rising now, and I realise I need to leave if I'm going to see Leo before the event.

As I start my walk towards the bakery we planned to meet at, my brain starts going over what could happen today. What if Jasmine's chosen? Or what if he's chosen? I feel like that would be worse, as I can't volunteer for him. And if Jasmine's chosen, the girl chosen for this year from the Academy would volunteer. If Leo is chosen, that would mean that the boy would not volunteer as he is from the Academy, and one of the star pupils of our year. I nudge the thought out of my mind, and continue my walk.

As the bakery gets into sight, so does he. We run to each other and I jump into his arms. I haven't seen him in days due to the break from the Academy. He cups my face in his hands and our lips connect, before pulling away. I lean my head on his shoulder.

"I missed you!" I say, smiling up at him. "It feels like I haven't seen you in years."

"It's only been two days, no need to overreact," he says, rolling his eyes jokingly. "Anyway, it's the 69th year. Wonder if anything special's gonna go on this year.." I punch him slightly.

"You're so weird, Leo! Why would you say that?" I say, suppressing my smile.

"It could be our last day to see each other, I have to make the most of it!"

"Don't say that! It's the smallest chance!" I slightly raise my voice.

"Come on, let's go on a walk."

After a few hours, the ceremony is nearing.

"I have to go back, me and Jas have to go together." I kiss him on the cheek before waving goodbye and walking home.

I get home and see Jasmine in her violet dress, waiting for me outside the door. My other siblings are crowded around my parents, also near the door. I take Jas's hand,

"Let's go, you'll be fine."

We arrive at the town square, already crowded with people. I point Jasmine to where she has to go to sign in before getting into my own line. It takes a while but I finally get to the start and hold my finger out. The worker takes it and stabs into it with a needle gun. No matter how many times this happens to me, I fear it will never not hurt. I bite my tongue to keep from a slight cry and let my bloody fingerprint get put onto a piece of paper. I have no idea why they do it, as our names aren't even on the paper. Useless, in my opinion. I walk over to the 15-year-old girls area, pushing down on my finger to try and stop the blood flowing out.

After a few minutes, everyone's eyes are drawn to the stage as we watch Alphonso Heavensbee, the escort of District 1, walk out the Justice Building along with Cashmere and Gloss, the mentors for this year. I smile slightly seeing Cashmere, as she trains me at the Academy. Her and her brother sit on their assigned seats as Alphonso walks to the microphone in the centre front of the stage.

"Hello, District 1!" He says in his high, Capitol accent. He pauses, but after being met with silence, clears his throat and continues his speech. "So, as always, ladies first."

I hear everyone around me take in a sharp breath as he walks to the bowl. His hand rummages around the entire bowl, finally picking a slip after what felt like forever. My eyes follow him as he walks back to the microphone and unwraps it, seeming like he's dragging it on just for suspense, although it may just be because of the talons on his hands. Once he has finally worked it out, he reads it out for all to hear. But it's not the name I needed.

"Easton Ash Saed!"

What? How? I used every precaution. How was I still picked? I didn't even take out tesserae? Why am I picked? And, slowly, my brain comes to the realisation the girl will not be volunteering. I'm a star student of the Academy, they won't want a volunteer. Without me realising, the others near me have made a path for me. I walk past everyone in the district, covering my emotions with an expressionless face. Don't show emotion.

I finally make it onto the stage, and am immediately smothered by Alphonso's perfume. Jesus Christ, the Capitol has some strong fragrances. I should know this, being from the place they make the shit, but I've never got the chance to smell it until now, and I almost pray I don't survive these games as to never smell it again.

"Congratulations!" For what, being sentenced to my death? I keep this thought in my head and stand in my respective position, praying for this to be over and done with soon. But Alphonso has to drag it on. His talons make a horrible scraping noise, and I try my best not to scrunch my face at it. They grab a slip, almost taking many more with it. And it seems the universe is out to get me, as this name feels like a stab to my chest.

Leo Bates.

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hi! this part took way too long as ive been procrastinating but heres chapter 1 of my rewrute! ill be trying to publish a part every week but it may take longer as i dont wanna rush it as i want to be pruoud of it. anyway uh i kinda need to write this as i dont wanna add a whole authors note at the start. so hi! im sam, im genderfluid and abrosexual and I FUCKING LOVE MY GIRLFRIEND. um im a swiftie and like billie eilish and other artists and im a huge fan of powerless and the hunger games. im a hellenist pagan (aka i believe in the greek deities, and am an aphrodite devotee). i am very annoyed that i didnt make this chapter longer but i have an aversion to short paced things and felt like this was a perfect cliffhanger! sorry for bad spelling here i cannot be asked to fix it anyway uhh this song will actually have a sapphic ship later on (in a million chapters but shh). i will try and drag out the training because i can add a lot into there actually and i can make it medium paced. OK BYE SORRY FOR YAPPING ALSO SORRY FOR NO COVER I CBA TO MAKE ONE