Chapter #1

"Rue, wake up. Rue…." Thresh called out, shaking my shoulders. He noticed my open eyes and moved back. I got off the soft dirt. How had I dozed off? Then I remembered it was break time. But now it was over. Thresh pushed me towards the trees. "Their coming."

He didn't have to explain who "they" are. "They," were the peacekeepers. I ran to my tree and started climbing until I reached the highest branch. I saw the peacekeepers observing Thresh. He kept pulling the apples off until the basket was full. Without any effort, he placed it on his shoulder. His tall frame was full of muscle, a reason why we were good friends. I was small, twelve-years-old, with dark satiny skin, glossy black hair, and amber eyes. Thresh had the same attributes. He was sixteen, big difference. I saw that he placed a basket near my tree, so that I could throw the fruit down.

Carefully, I released my hold on the trunk, and pulled the apple, using all my strength. I threw it in the basket, watching it fall between the branches with out a dent. It landed softly, and Thresh glanced up at my direction, smirking. By the time I saw the flag signaling our freedom, I whistled a clear note. The mocking jays stopped and listened. Then they hummed again. I starting climbing down, and near the floor, I tumbled onto my back. Thresh grabbed hold of my hand. "Careful, chipmunk."

I pried my hand away from his hand, knowing he let me go. We hurry to leave the orchard. We leave the gates, and I relax. Thresh moved quicker than I did, so without warning, I ran behind him. I leapt as high as I could, my knee narrowly missing his head. He whirled around, his hands gripping my shoulders. My legs are in the air. "Apparently," He smirked, "The odds are in my favor."

He slung me on his shoulders, jogging to the road. "Why? Let go of me!" I squeaked. He put me down and I regained my composure.

"Rue… I don't know what I'm going to do with you." He glanced down.

"First, let's just pass the reaping." I commented.

He paused in his tracks. "You didn't sign up for the tesseare, did you?"

I paused before shaking my head. "Good," He muttered. "I wish we could run off together. I don't want to be in the Hunger Games."

"Thresh…. We know we can't do that..."

We stopped in the neighborhood. I soar into his arms, giving him a hug. I'm off the ground, paying no heed. "Please wear something nice." I whisper. He says it to me, before gently placing me on the ground.

I run across the street, watching Thresh move quietly to his. I enter and see my six siblings crowded around the door. Rose watches me elusively before turning. And I catch sight of a letter. With Thresh's handwriting. I run swiftly before she rips the letter into bits. "ROSE!" I shrieked. But I scooped her into my arms for a hug. I'm tackled by the other five. I hugged the rest before I got up. I enter my room and see my closet open. I found a new dress. Its pale pink. I put it on, silent when it reaches the floor. I see that there are heels. Small ones with a Rose on the front. I put that on, too.

I check the clock, noticing a half-hour until the reaping. I slowly sit on the couch, my eyes closing.

The clock chimes, signaling it was five minutes before the reaping. I opened the door and ran in the street. Thresh had his back to me, but I was no fool. He wore a suit, his hair pulled back. He turns around, noticing me for the first time. He saw the dress and exclaimed. "You're….. A FAIRY!"

I smacked him in a light manner. He mocked me and my voice.

"THRESH- UH! STOP IT! THRESHH! THRESH-UH! DON'T STARE AT ME THAT WAY!" He stopped, his face red.

He noticed my expression. "I'm joking Rue… I'm trying to lighten the pressure."

"What a good way," I glared.

He apologized. I slipped my hands through his. He was like the brother I never had. I was sure there was no romantic feelings. We walked to the square. I went to my side, for the girls who were twelve. All the way in the back. We were being herded like cattle. Alyssa Grande, our coordinator goes on the stage. She, without further ado, pulls out the name from the female and male bowl. She straightens the female one, and looks in my direction.

"Rue Leelong." I stand up, shaken. Everyone's heads turn to find me. The small twelve year old. They see me mount the stage. The peacekeepers watch Thresh's reaction. An expression of shock. An expression of rage. Alyssa reads out the name for the males. It's not someone I expected. It's Thresh.