My name is Katniss Mellark, I'm 16 years old and I'm the daughter of a baker. My mother hates me and my father loves me. My brothers, Adrian and Rye, don't really care about me and I don't mind that. Mother always wanted three boys instead of two boys and a girl so she blames me for the DNA that was combined from both my parents.
I shuffled into the town centre and saw the reaping stage. Within 10 minuets, two unfortunate children would be standing there, shaking in their boots, praying for their lives. This stage held too many horror filled memories; public executions, Hunger Games airings and the presidents announcements at christmas. I filed to the row I was designated to and took my place between two tall, frail girls. I looked completely different from all the girls in District 12. I was short with long blonde hair and clear blue eyes and I had broad shoulders, whereas the rest had brown hair, olive skin, grey eyes and were skinny. I looked around to the boys and saw Peeta Everdeen, son of a minor. He had beautiful messy brown hair and shining grey eyes. Ever since I first layed eyes on him, back in Kindergarten, I knew I was a goner. Peeta slid into his place within the boys and he looked amazing, wearing a blue shirt and brown trousers with his hair slicked back, unlike the other days where it was just a general mess. I looked over to my friend, Gale who was strange looking, like me. His blonde hair stuck out in odd directions and his blue eyes always stared a the floor. His brown shirt and trousers were mud stained from his antics in the butchers at the hob, as per usual. Effie Trinket scooted up to the microphone and welcomed us and showed us the same video as every year. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes as Effie squealed with content when the Capitol seal appeared again.
"I just love that! Now the time has come for us to select one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing District 12 in the 74th annual Hunger Games. As usual, ladies first." She briskly walked over to the girls bowl as I wrapped the ribbon of the dress I was wearing tightly around my finger. Effie's painted nails dived into the sea of white paper and she plucked one out. The pink Capitolite pouted as she clip clopped back infront of the microphone. Her crisp accent made every child jump as she pronounced "Primrose Everdeen." Peetas little sister, only 12 years old. I watched the short girl shakily tuck her blouse into her slightly too big skirt as she began to proceed to the stage. My breathing was unsteady and difficult to keep up with and my hand shot up.
"I Volunteer. I volunteer as tribute." I barely had to whisper for the whole of the district to hear my sacrifice. I walked into the isle between the two genders and gently pushed young Primrose towards her mother in the adult huddle formed at the back of the town, out of sight.