I do not own the Hunger Games or Titanic!
Hey everyone! This idea came to me randomly and I just thought it would be a good idea, sorry if it is really rubbish and everything. Please review though, good or bad they're accepted! Thankyou! Leila xx

On the day of the reapings, my older sister, Ashling, woke me up early. Ashling's 20 so she doesn't have to compete in the games, lucky for her.

'Starling, wake up! Mum's calling you. You're breakfast is downstairs and then Mum said to get in the tub and put on one of your best dresses so we can walk down to the reaping together.' Ashling said, loud enough to wake me up!
'I'm coming, Ashling,' I mumbled. My eyes still glued to my eyelids.

I woke up and slowly moved in the direction of the kitchen. Mum was sitting with Dad at the small dining table we had. They were hunched over talking to each other; I had no clue what about.

'Morning Mum, morning Dad.' I called out cheerily, trying to get their attention.
'Good morning sweetie, did you sleep well?' Mum asked. I could tell she was worrying about the reaping. I wasn't though.
I wasn't worrying because there are over a hundred girls in District 8 between the age of 12 and 18, so it is highly unlikely my name is going to be picked out. My name being picked out of the reaping bowl is like trying to find a needle in a haystack really.

'Yeah thanks, just going to have my breakfast, have a bath and then get ready for the reapings.' I replied.
I sat down in front of my breakfast. It consisted of hard bread and a lump of cheese, yum! Still, what do you expect? Only living in the Capitol you get treated like royalty. In the Districts it just depends how you can get the food and whether you're rich or poor really. Unfortunately we're on the poorer side of District 8.

I wolfed down my breakfast, still feeling hungry afterwards. I ran to the tub and quickly got in, before the hot water turned cold. I washed myself and towelled myself dry before making my way back to the bedroom I shared with Ashling to find a nice dress.

I decided on a white dress with a black cardigan and black plimsolls. I combed my hair and untangled the knots before tying it in my usual ponytail.

'Starling, are you ready to go? We want to make our way down to the town square altogether, as a family!' Mum called to me.
'I'll be right down Mum,' I shouted back.

I quickly adjusted my black cardigan before shutting our bedroom door behind me and making my way downstairs, where Mum, Dad and Ashling were waiting for me.

We quickly made our way to the town square as the others wanted to be near the front for the reaping so they could see. When we arrived after the short but silent walk we said our goodbyes before I joined the line where I had my finger pricked and blood was taken for a blood sample.
I walked to the 14 year old line where my best friend, Cayleen stood waiting for me. She hugged me and like me she thought that there was a slim chance she would be picked for the games so we were both happy while everyone around us looked miserable.

Together we chatted away, Cayleen telling me about how her little sister, Bridie, had been in her clothes and Cayleen wasn't happy about it. Just as I was about to tell her about this nice new top an uncle had bought me District 8's mentor, Seanna Nixie, spoke into the microphone, grabbing all our attention.

'Welcome to this years Annual Hunger Games District 8. Today I have a special treat for you all. I have brought a video for you all the way from the Capitol. Please watch this video carefully and enjoy it.' She exclaimed perkily. I liked to call her Perky Nixie. Perky Nixie sounded a lot better than Perky Seanna, don't you think?
As always I didn't listen to Perky Nixie's advice about watching carefully. I was wrapped up in my own little word, happy and contempt there.

Soon after I was pulled out of my world to the sound of Perky Nixie's annoyingly perky voice, 'Well, wasn't that exciting. I hope you all learned something from that. Now onto the reapings. As always; ladies first!'

Seanna made her way over to the big glass bowl containing all our Districts girls' names and her hand shot in there like a rocket blasting off to space. Her hand dived around in the bowl as though it was a jumpy little perky fish!
It came up from the middle of the bowl slower than when it went in, presumably as it had all those sheets of crumpled paper to overcome before making it to the surface and being pulled from the bowl. The paper was slowly unfolded and a name was read from the slip, 'Starling Efimova, please come up. I repeat, Starling Efimova, please make your way to the stage. Don't worry, we don't bite!' Said Seanna Nixie with a little high pitched laugh at the end.

I couldn't believe it was me. Me out of all those slips of paper, I had been chosen. I shakily walked through the crowds of people that parted as I began the walk of shame. Shame of being the one chosen, shame of being one of two chosen to represent District 8 who would most likely fail as everyone else had done.
I was no longer Happy Starling, I was Scared Starling! I knew I wasn't ready for this. What was I compared to those tributes in the Career districts who have been training for this moment since they were born. It wasn't fair!

I eventually made it to the stage, up the stairs and I stood next to Seanna by the podium.
'Well, Starling. That's a pretty name by the way. Isn't it an honour to be chosen as District 8 girls' tribute? Perky Nixie said while placing the microphone to my face.
'Some might say,' I replied.

Seanna figured it was worthless trying to talk to me while I was in a state of shock so instead she made her way over to the boys tribute bowl where she repeated the process. It seemed to take less time to find a name though.

'Asthore Caine, make your way to the stage. I repeat Asthore Caine; please make your way to the stage.' Perky Nixie exclaimed happily.

I recognised Asthore as being a year above me in school but obviously I didn't know him properly as we weren't in the same year. To be honest, I only recognised him as someone who I had seen strolling around school with the popular crowd of his year.

Asthore strode up to the stage and stood beside me before shaking my hand as Perky Nixie advised us to. Once our hands dropped Seanna proclaimed us as District 8's tributes for the 44th Annual Hunger Games.
As the National Anthem for Panem played, Asthore and I, were led into the Justice Building and taken to separate rooms to await our visitors before being taken to the station to board a train for the Capitol.

I couldn't believe that each second I was getting closer to the games and to a possible death.

My first visitors were of course, Mum, Dad and Ashling. Mum and Dad pulled me into their arms and sobbed into my shoulders as I stood there silently crying aswell. After they let me go I ran into Ashling's arms and she held me just like she had always done when I was upset or in trouble. I couldn't believe I had this perfect sister and I was being taken away from her and would most likely never see her again. A cruel life we live, eh?

'I just want you to know Ashling; you're the best sister anyone could ever wish for. I certainly couldn't ask for anyone better as a big sister to guide me through my life and help me see the bright side of everything and in everyone, I love you!' I cried.
'That's great to know, Starling but you're not saying your goodbyes. You are coming home! And you have to promise me, promise all of us, that you'll try your best to make it out of there alive so you can come back home to us, ok?' Ashling exclaimed.
'I promise I will try to come out alive. I'll do my best to win this and come home to you. I love all of you so much. You're the perfect family!' I said.

We all had a group hug then before my parents and Ashling were forced out of the room leaving me alone in silence with tears still streaming down my face.

I wasn't in silence for long though because as soon as my family had left Cayleen and Faylinn, my other best friend who came late to the reapings so she wasn't with us in the line, bounded into the room and hugged me for all they were worth. It was the worst feeling ever, knowing I was going into the games without my best friends beside me. We had been best friends ever since that first day at school where we had been thrown together and had become as close as me and Ashling were!

'I'm going to miss you guys so much! I promise you, like I promised my family; I'll do my best to win these games. So I can come back home to you two, too my family and everyone else here in the District.' I said while we were all looking at each other.
'You better, we can't lose the main girl in our group to these horrific games. Just please, please come back to us.' They cried.
'I will, I love you guys. I promise I'll make it back to you!' I shouted as they were taken out of the room and I was in silence once again.

I paced the room. I was a big fan of pacing. I paced when I was anxious, scared or nervous. And sometimes when I just needed to think. I was in mid-pace when the door opened and my last visitor walked in. It was a visitor I was genuinely not expecting.
It was Connor Dempsey, a boy in many of my classes at school.

'Err… hi!' I stuttered in shock. I had no idea why he was here. We didn't often speak. We mostly acknowledged each others existence in class and when we passed each other in the hallway.
'Hey Starling, I can tell you probably weren't expecting me. I just really wanted to wish you luck in the Games and I wanted you to know I'd be rooting for you all the way. I also wanted to tell you something. But first I was wondering whether you had a District token?' Connor said in a rush. I guess he was nervous. What about I had no clue.
'No, I actually completely forgot about that. My parents didn't give me anything and neither did my sister, Ashling.' I exclaimed, completely forgetting that I was going to ask for something to take with me.
'Well, I was wondering if I could give you something.' Connor asked.
'Sure, I guess. As long as you absolutely don't mind giving it away!' I said.
'I'm sure,' he said. 'Turn around, I'll put it on. It's a necklace from my mother. She wanted me to give it to you.' He explained.

I did as he said and turned round. As he placed the necklace around my neck it felt soft. He did the clasp and turned it. The middle was cold and when I looked down I could see the necklace was made of different fabrics and in the middle in silver metal were the words: District 8. It was beautiful!

'Connor, are you sure? This necklace is truly beautiful.' I exclaimed.
'I'm sure, it looks amazing on you!' He said. 'Starling, I wanted to tell you something…' Connor said and he took a small intake of breath before saying the best thing anyone could've ever said to me.
'Starling, I'm in love with you. I have been since the first time I met you. I didn't know how or when to tell you but I knew I had to before you went into the Games. Regardless of whether you love me back please just come out of those games alive!' He said to me.
I was stunned, in a complete state of shock. Could this really be true.
'Starling, win the games and come home. Please!' were the last words I head from Connor as he was dragged away by the guards.

Could it be true? Do I love him back…?

Hey, I hope you like it. It was a random idea so I can understand if you think it's bad but please leave a review on what you thought of it.

Leila xxx