The Hunger Games, Peeta's POV

Chapter 1:

I wake up. The sun is shining through my window. I don't feel good, because today is not an usual day. It's the day of the reaping. The day where hearts will be broken and parents will cry. My mother has prepared my clothes for the reaping. I put them on. They're plain; baby blue shirt and beige khaki pants. I hear my mother telling me we need to go to the town's square, where the reaping will take place. On my way there, I see people from my school. They look as scared as I am. We need to stand up in a line while some Capitol people pinch our fingers so they can have our blood mark. I take my place in the square in front of the stage. The boys are on the left and the girls are on the right of the stage.

Effie Trinket shows up. She tells us about the games and shows us the same old short movie brought from the Capitol which explains us how and why the Hunger Games were created. "It's time for one courageous boy and girl to come on stage! Ladies first!" says Effie. She puts her hand in a large bowl filled with small neatly folded pieces of paper. She chooses one and opens it. She yells "And the female tribute from District 12 is Primrose Everdeen!" Suddenly, I see Katniss Everdeen, Prim's big sister. I've had a crush on her since 1st grade. She yells "I volunteer as tribute!" She goes on stage while Prim is crying and screaming her name.

Effie continues and goes to the boys' bowl. She picks a sheet and opens it. I tell myself it won't be me and that everything is going to be alright. Then, I suddenly hear "... Peeta Mellark!" I feel like my heart is going to explode. My head is spinning. It can't be me. Everyone turns their head in my direction. I start walking slowly in the stage's direction. On my way there I look for my brothers but I can't find them. Effie starts talking, but I can't hear her. Then, I see Katniss giving me her hand. I shake it.

Right after, some Peacekeepers push us in the mayor's house in separate rooms. A few minutes later, my mom comes in. She just stares at me and finally says "District 12 might finally have a winner" and leaves. I know she wasn't talking about me. She meant Katniss. My mother doesn't love me. I'm her least favourite. She treats my brothers like they are jewels, but me, she treats me like I'm an animal. My father is too occupied with our bakery and doesn't really notice how mother treats me.

I hear footsteps on the other side of the door. A Peacekeeper opens it and takes me by the arm. He then pushes me in a train, where I meet Katniss.