Playing Games

Chapter One Reaping

Staying pretty close to the book at the beginning starts at the reaping but you will notice a few story changing changes. :

"Happy hunger games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" Rings through the square in Effie Trinkets bubbly voice.

I couldn't help but think the odds are not in Gales favor, pr mine for that matter. Gale has his name in their 42 times and mine was in there 20 times.

Suddenly I felt really nervous for Gale. 42 times is a lot. Thank god Prim only has one slip in that bowl.

"Ladies first!" Effie walks to the ball with the girls names and pulls out a slip out.

I hold my breath. I'm feeling nauseous and so desperately hoping that it's not me.

"Primrose Everdeen" Effie reads in a clear voice.

I am stunned and I try to remember how to breathe. I almost fall over but someone tips me back up. This can't be happening. Prim had one slip, ONE SLIP! I didn't even worry about her getting chosen.

Then I see her, making small steps to the stage. "Prim!" I yell coming back to life, "Prim!"

I start running towards her. A peacekeeper tries to stop me but I refuse, "I volunteer!" I gasp, "I volunteer as tribute."

There is some confusion since district 12 hasn't had a volunteer in decades.

"No Katniss! no you can't go!" prim screams holding onto my legs.

I feel someone pull her a way from me and I look to see Gale fighting to stay steady. He gives me a sad look and takes prim to my mother.

"Lovely that's the spirit of the games." Effie says as I walk onto the stage. " what's your name?"

"Katniss Everdeen" I swallow hard.

Effie continues on and in the corner of my head I hear he ask them to clap and to the credit to districtwelve nobody does. Everyone offers me the three finger salute of district twelve.

I'm greeted by Haymitch drunkenly and Effie goes to the boys bowl. I'm not really paying attention, still in shock but I hear her say "Peeta Mellark"

Oh no. Oh no not him.

Of course I know Peeta. He is 17 a year older than me. We go to school together. Despite that, I have never spoken to Peeta, not once and I know a secret about us, about our families.

My mother and Peetas mother are sisters. Peeta is my cousin.