I woke up shivering with excitement. It took a moment to recall what was so special about this day but I finally registered what it was. The Hunger Games, my one chance to bring honour to my District. I've spent my whole life preparing for this moment. I'm going to enter the reaping the last time then it's straight to either Peacekeeper or miners.

To change this fate, I could become a Victor in the Games, the dream I've been living for. Although being a Peacekeeper isn't so bad, my dad is one in District 4, making my District proud is what I've been gearing towards.

Today is the day of the reaping. An annual event when they draw out the names of one boy and one girl in each District between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the Games. The Games is basically an entertainment and a punishment for the twelve Districts that defined the Capitol.

Punishment for the other Districts but it's more of a cause for thrill in District 2.

"Last chance, my chance," I mumbled to myself.

Determination surged through me as I thought of the occasion that will be my key to my future. Though my future could be my death in the Games, I thought bitterly. I shook my head to rid the depressing idea out of my head but the thought kept creeping back. I know there will be only one in twenty four chances to escape the arena.

A survival game would be more accurately named. Twenty four tributes fighting for their lives inside one dome is pretty brutal even I'll admit that.

I snorted at the unfamiliar thought. Brutal? We were taught that the Hunger Games is the perfect opportunity to rise above the weak. During my training, my peers and I've been watching through the previous Games as study if any of us were to enter the arena. The past mistakes that ended in fatality were indicated during these lessons.

"Cato! Breakfast's ready!" a voice screamed, interrupting my thought.

"Coming Mum!" I shouted back.

Running my hand through my short blonde hair, I wandered towards the dining room. I saw my mum, blonde hair and brown eyes, loading an enormous dish with bacon and eggs, four toasts and a small jug of milk next to a glass. Yum!

I sat down and grabbed my knife, ready to butcher my breakfast.

"My son, you seriously going to eat that when you look like you rolled out of bed," my mum said disapproving.

I did just roll out of bed, I smiled to myself but I dare not to disagree with my mother. Being an only parent for most of the year, she kept me discipline by whacking me with a cane. It happens often but I might as well play 'the nice boy' today.

I dashed towards the bathroom. I hastily combed my hair and sploshed some water on my face. In about five minutes, I was back munching on my toast and enjoying the taste of fresh eggs.

"So you going to volunteer for the Hunger Games?" my mum asked.

"Yeah."

If I don't get chosen in the reaping, I could always volunteer for the part. I saw my mum giving me a small smile, a little strain. I puzzled over the fact, isn't she supposed to be proud of me?

I poured myself two cups of milk and gulped it down, ending my breakfast. I guess my family fairs pretty well to be able to afford such a simple meal. Actually, my whole District fairs pretty well. We are known as the lap-dogs of the ruling city of Panem, the Capitol, but we don't mind. At least we survive while they starve to death. They can call us whatever they want.

Though there are still some families that take tessera each year in District 2 - the miners. Tesseras are for the poor families that are in the bridge of starvation. It's basically a meagre year's supply of grain and oil for one person. It is obtained by the children, eligible for the reaping, who offer their names to enter into the 'lottery' more than the original number. Each year, starting from twelve with one slip, your name accumulates into the event but taking tesseras will add one more slip, depending how many tesseras you take, into the bowl.

Our District traditionally provide stones, masonry, for the Capitol but being the 'favourites' of the ruler after the first rebellion against the Capitol, which includes the annihilation of the 13th District, we are the military and the weapon makers of the capital city. Tessera families contribute their share through our original specialty, quarries, while three-quarters of the District lead an almost easy life.

Though my District is fair, all children, no matter if you come from a miner family, gets a free education to special training academies, like me. It's the perfect opportunity to escape poverty, to apply for a part in the Capitol's military after graduating with the required scores or take the risk with the Games.

I went back to my room to prepare for the reaping starting at noon. Each District has their own timetabled reaping so everyone in the nation could watch all of it. I entered back into my bedroom. In the rubbish dump, someone, probably my mum, laid a pair of grey pants and a white shirt at the end of my bed. Reaping clothes.

I quickly got dressed, not caring if it looked creased or not. I heard a bang as the front door of the house shuts. My mum's out, time to occupy myself till eleven. I hurried out into my backyard where my soccer ball, from my father, laid.

I performed some tricks. Got bored of that. Started to kick it viciously against the fence. Got bored of that. It was when I was just staring at the ball, pondering on the Games, a voice called out to me.

"Hey Cat, what ya doing?"

I winced at the nickname. Only one person was allowed to call me that without getting beaten into a pulp. I turned around and a slender boy with dark brown hair was smiling at me.

"Hey, Andy," I answered, breathing heavily.

Andy, full name Andrew, is my closest friend. We met in the strangest circumstances. I was instructed to help Andrew with his arm-in-arm combat since he was in the bottom of the class. Though reluctantly at first, I grew to fall in ease around him. It was during my tempers, when I realised how close our relationship grew.

The one of the few people that can calm me down had his arms dangling over my wooden fence. He gave a small mischievous smile and chucked some mud at my direction. Ducking as it flew past where my face would have been, I grinned.

"Nice miss," I commented.

"So, you're volunteering for the Games?" Andy asked, straight to the point.

I nodded.

"Will be nice to have a friend as a Victor," he said, "But are you seriously going to attend the reaping looking like you are now?"

"Huh? What?"

I glanced down and saw my shirt sticky with sweat. Ah. My mum is guaranteed to kill me now.

"You better change again, tribute boy," Andy grinned.

He sprinted away. The only thing I couldn't beat him. Running. He was the fastest in the academy; even the grades above are slower.

I sighed as I realise that I would miss him greatly when I leave. I would miss my home, my mum, I would miss everything. But this is why I'm going into the Games. For them. I strolled back inside, glancing at the clock: nine thirty.

Right on cue, my mum came home. Her mouth fell open as her eyes raked my clothes and the state I'm in.

"What were you doing? Running a marathon?" she gasped.

I stood motionless, waiting for a beating but it didn't come. All she did was usher me to my bedroom. There, she started rummaging through my closet. She pulled an almost identical pair of clothing and she ordered me to change. She walked out leaving me alone staring at my room for the last time.

I redressed and went back to the dining room, where my mum sat, motionless; her eye's fixed on the window. I followed her gaze and saw a child with the same blonde and blue eyes as me, tugging his mother to buy a small wooden sword.

The scene reminded me of myself when I was 10, begging my mum to buy me a wooden sword. And then I realised that was exactly what my mum was recalling. Me. Young. Suddenly, she snapped back into reality.

"Nice trip down memory lane. We should head for the square now," her voice crisp.