CHAPTER 1

CLOVE:

The day of the reaping has come. Finally! I make myself think. But even I know I'm lying. District 1 and 2 are the careers, the most well fed and at the reaping we volunteer, in fact sometimes fights break out. I don't want to volunteer, not because I'm scared, I bet I would win weather I volunteer or not. I just don't want to fight Cato. Cato and I have known each other since kindergarten. And we always fight and train together, he denies it but we b𝕠th know I'm better. I just don't want to kill him. I mean, since he is volunteering, nobody is going to wanna fight in on that, so he'll obviously win. I can win another Hunger games. Just not this one, and there is a low chance I'll be going anyway, my name is only entered 5 times, out of thousands. I walk out of the door in a red short sleeve shirt with some black pants. Were supposed to dress "to impress" but my eye piercing stare would be enough. I see Cato not too far away, and yell "Cato" as I catch up to him.

"Volunteering today Princess" He asks turning his head. Ugh, Princess. He still calls me that. On the first day of Kindergarten he says he remembers that I was in a pink dress and was wearing a small tiara on my ponytail. He mocks me by calling me a princess like that.

"Nahh" I smile.

"Why, is the little itty bitty princess scared she'll get beaten by her own friend"

"Please Cato, if I were to be against you I would win in seconds.

"You can't win if I've already won though" He says still mockingly.

"Right back at you Kitty"

"Kitty, seriously" He stops and says.

"What, it's really close to Cato and it's what you really are. You look fierce, but really your like a pussy cat inside" I mock.

He rolls his eyes and grins. "Then again, I do call you princess. I guess it's fair" he laughs.

"More than fair" I correct.

We hear a faint "Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen" from the town square.

Were late. We look at each other, and were thinking the same thing.

Run.

Were able to manage to sneak in, without getting our fingers pricked and our fingerprints taken. Which is good, its so annoying. Like saying "Before you walk into our death maze full of things to get you killed, we would like to prick your finger for your blood"

Deeana McHuffins, the District 2 Manager, is on the stage greeting everyone and saying the long boring introduction. She finally says, "Now, Ladi-" But she is cut off with Cato breaking the silence, "I volunteer"

"Oh" Deena says surprised, "I didn't even get to the males, but ok, come up young man" She says and Cato jumps on the stage skipping the stairs not too far to the right. Just this would be intimidating enough for the other tributes when they see the replays.

"Ahh yes, now what is your name" She says stepping back allowing him to speak to the microphone.

"Cato Dayrock" He says proudly as the audience claps, Cato is very popular in the district.

"Thank you, thank you" Deeana says calming the audience.

"And now for the girls" She says as she walks up to the bowl full of names. She roughly puts her hand in and picks a random one.

"The female tribute from District 2" She pauses. "Clove Cleverwood"

I was too dozed off and bored to hear my name. I noticed, when everybody turned around facing me, making a path to the stage.

"Come on up dear" Deena encourages. But I'm too shocked I don't even know where I'm going. And soon enough I find myself on the stage with Cato and Deena, and all of District two watching.

Please volunteer, someone please volunteer. I think, but it's silent. I'm assuming that's my fault, people would think I want to go, therefore not daring to fight me on it. My own fierce and deadly reputation just blew up in my face. I try to keep a fierce look on, knowing, eventually a ton of people would be watching this, including sponsors and my fellow tributes.

"And here are" Deena says adding excitement to her voice. "The tributes from district 2"

CATO:

"Go on, shake hands" Deena mutters. I hold my hand out, and give her a reassuring squeeze. Clove, my best, no, my only friend. How am I supposed to kill her.

I look into her light green eyes, that turn dark when she's at battle. They look confused, angry, maybe even upset.

Immediately the peace keepers take us to our train, unlike the other districts we don't do goodbyes, nobody cares about goodbyes here. Love isn't a thing in district 2.