The Sex Games

Chapter 1

So today is reaping day. And my chance of going off to the Sex Games is great. But what has to be done, to protect my sister Primrose, and my mother, is necessary. As I lay in my bed, thinking about the day ahead, I get a weird feeling. I need to get out before the reaping starts. I want to see Gale.

Gale is a long time friend. A best friend. The only friend I ever knew. We've known each other since birth.We are the same age, 20. Also, he wants to provide food for his family, so his name is put in more times. But I have more.

I gather some cheese and a fresh loaf of bread, put it in a backpack, then grab my old shoes, and my father's coat, and rush out the door. I run until I can't see my house anymore, and the village I live in is far away.

I slow down my pace and start walking to the gate, where the forest is. It is forbidden to go into. But I don't care. I go anyway. I go for peace and quiet. When my mother is drunk, and when I feel upset because I miss my father, who is dead now. I sometimes take Prim with me, because she needs the quiet too sometimes.

As I entered the gate, I hear a familiar voice calling my name. Gale.

"Katniss!"

I turn around and see Gale trying to catch up with me. I stop and wait for Gale to come inside the gate.

"Hey Kitty Kat." Gale says, touching the tip of my nose.

"Hey Gale." I say, smiling with my lips. I love that nickname. When I first told him my name, he had looked at me for an awkward second. "Katniss, huh?" He had said. "Well I'm going to call you Kitty Kat." And it stuck.

Honestly, I have no idea how the Sex Games work. My mother had never let me watch them, because she says they are to graphic, and will give ideas in our heads. Gale's mother feels the same way. I never wanted to anyway.

I grab my book bag and take out the loaf of bread and cheese. I break the bread and cheese in half and hand each halves to Gale. He looks at me in surprise. I smile.

"It's for celebration." I laugh. Gale smiles bites into the piece of bread.

"Mmm.... right out of the oven?" He closes his eyes, enjoying the flavor. I nod, taking a bite of my half of the bread myself. The flavor fills my mouth, and I savor it the best I can. "Prim made the cheese from her goat." I say, tasting the cheese. Gale also tastes it. "Very good. Tell her I say thanks."

"I will. Don't worry." I wink at him.

Then, his face gets more serious. "Are you ready for the reaping?"

The bread in my stomach threatens to come out, when Gale mentions the reaping.

"I guess." I say, trying to act brave. But Gale sees right through it. "Look, Katniss," He turns his body toward me. "You'll be fine. You won't be chosen. I mean, yes, your name is in many times, but I'm sure other girls sacrifice too."

I nod slowly, hoping that I have a chance.

Then I think of something. I lift up my bread and cheese, saying, "May the odds ever be in your favor." I mock Effie, the woman from the Capitol that presents the tributes every year.

Gale laughs and we both forget that the reaping is today, and that we might lose our virginities, just days from now.

>>>>

Gale walks me home after an hour in the forest. When we walk back, I find something on the ground.  A shiny object. It instantly catches my eye and I pick it up. A necklace, with a moon dangling in the middle of it. I stuff the precious jewelry in my pocket and keep walking.