Okay, this is another story that I've been dying to write since, well, forever. I hope you enjoy thoroughly, and love.
Disclaimer: I've never owned the Hunger Games, or any other awesome story that I write deviations about.
Today is the day that is dreaded throughout the country of Panem. Today is another close encounter to being an unlucky participant in this year's games.
The first year my darling little sister will be entered, leaving her unprotected from the most horrible thing yet; the Hunger Games. I've tried time and again to provide Prim with anything I can, and now the Hunger Games, venturing to take the thing, well, one of the things I care most about in this world. Peeta being the other thing . . .
You can't imagine how helpless I am right now. I've survived poverty, I singlehandedly feed my family, and the one thing that I should have power over is now out of my control. Prim is just as exposed to this massacre as I am, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to help it.
Regardless, I got up from my bed, where I was laying previously, and slowly got ready to go hunting in the woods. Gale was waiting for me by our usual spot, and I creep my way towards his dark silhouette. Once he sees me, he smiled slightly, and held aloft a piece of bread with an arrow through it. Once I saw it, my thoughts reverberated to Peeta, and I smiled. His smile dropped as he saw me eyeing the bread.
"Look what I caught!" I laughed at his antics.
"Is it real?" My mouth watered at the thought of real bakery bread, fresh from Peeta's hands.
"Yeah; I think the old man was being sentimental this morning. It was only one squirrel." I frowned, not happy about the unfair trade. Gale saw my expression, and rolled his eyes. "Don't worry about it; today we're supposed to relax." I just nodded, and tried to be happy the rest of the morning. By noon, we had rounded up a couple of squirrels, and gathered some fruits and vegetables. We split it as usual, and I went back home after selling some of my portion for some money.
My mother was waiting along with Prim, and I knew that I had a bath waiting for me. Once I was clean, I noticed the blue dress waiting for me that my mom had lied out. I just looked at it, astounded that she would let me wear something from her merchant years. I slipped it on, noticing how soft the fabric was. When I stepped out, my mom was waiting for me, a brush held in her hands.
"Do you want me to do your hair?" She sounded slightly nervous, as if expecting me to deny her. I just nodded, and sat on a chair we had in our living room.
When she was done, it was time to report to the reaping. Prim was crying and shaking on the way there, her hands firmly attached to my waist. I comforted her, and stroked her hair while walking. There, we checked in, and I rushed to my group after pointing Prim to her section.
"Listen, Prim, this is your first time. You're not going to get drawn. You don't have any tesserae, and you're not going to get drawn. Just think about how pretty you look in your dress, and everything will be fine." She nodded her head, and avoided my eyes. I sighed, and stood up again. "I'll see you after the reaping. We're going to have a nice dinner, and eat until we're full. We aren't going to get drawn today." With that, I walked to the sixteen year old section, automatically searching for Peeta. He was standing a couple of people over, looking down at his feet, his golden hair slicked back. I sigh, and turn my attention over to the mayor and his annual speech. Finally, Effie gets on the stage in all of her pink-haired glory, and smiles at the crowd.
"Ladies first!" She squeaks, and slides her hand in the glass bowl containing the girls' names. She dramatically pauses with her hand at the lid, then slowly pulls it to her face. "Prim Everdeen!" I freeze. For one horrible moment, the whole district goes silent, and the only thing you can hear is the sniffling of my darling sister. She slowly stumbles to the stage, and I'm paralyzed. Then she steps up, and the image of her small body where someone older should be is too much.
"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" My voice is slightly manic. Effie looks at me, then turns to the mayor.
"What's the protocol?"
"It doesn't matter, just let her go." I hastily make my way, stepping in front of Prim, and she gets pulled slowly away by the peacekeepers, her face is frozen in a mask of pain.
"Well, after that exciting draw, let's see who we have as the boy tribute." She snakes her way into the other bowl, and pulls out the piece of paper. "Peeta Mellark!" My heart stops, and I'm sure my face is a billboard to all of the dreadful emotions making their way known into my heart. I let a whimper escape my lips.
The boy I've loved since kindergarten is now going to fight to the death, against me. I can't kill him. Not him.
"Recess!" The teacher calls out. All of the five-year-olds cheer and run out. I go out hesitantly, and sit on a bench by myself, just enjoying the sunlight. I close my eyes, and just smile.
Suddenly, a dark shadow appears behind my eyelids, and I look at him. He looks shyly back, his blue eyes innocent and raking over me.
"Hi. I'm Peeta. I think you're pretty." He blushes, then looks down. I smile.
"You really think so?"
"You are the prettiest girl I ever seen. I picked this for you." He holds out a dandelion, and I quickly grab it. I blush, and put it in my hair.
"Thank you." He just smiles.
After that, I couldn't help but notice everything smart, sweet, and cute he did. I slowly fell in love with him, but I can't bring myself to fall out of it; Peeta is just too perfect. I gulp, realizing that I am going to die in these games, just to bring Peeta back, alive.