I do not own the Hunger Games!

I sat on my bed! Arms crossed over my chest with my head on my chest. I was worried! Today was Reaping Day of the annual Hunger Games. I am 14 years old and my little brother is entering the reaping for the first time! I was worried for him aswell as for myself.
'Lara! Come on, we don't want to be late.' Mother's shout broke my train of thought and I could just feel the different thoughts burst and fly away in my head.
'Coming Mother!' I called down and unsteadily heaved myself off my bed and made my way to the door.

My feet shook as I descended the stairs and stood facing my mother. She looked me up and down, surveying my outfit and cried, 'Oh Lara, you look beautiful!'

I looked down at my black dress with a blood red sash tied in the middle and was contempt with it. Nothing really mattered at this stage, I just had to survive the reaping and my brother, Liam, and then everything would matter again.

'Thanks,' I mumbled and we hurried out of the door.
We walked quickly and silently to the middle of the village until we were told to leave our parents.
'Lara, take Liam to his line and reassure him about all this and then just stay safe. I love you both and take care.' Mother called.

I nodded and I put my arm around Liam's shoulder and led him to his line. 'Now, Liam. This kind lady is going to quickly take some blood from your finger and then you must join the line with the other 12 year old boys. Remember, I am just a little way down. I have to go now Liam!' I explained and kissed him on the forehead.
'Love you Lara!' He called. 'I love you too!' I replied and then I walked away to my own line with the 14 year old girls.

'Hi Lara.' My best friend Adriana said as I stood next to her in the line.
'Hey,' I replied.
As Adriana started chatting to ease the tension of the day I swept my eyes away from her face to scan the crowd of 14 year old boys. My eyes quickly found my other best friend, Jake, in the crowd of boys and his eyes focused on my own and we gave each other a silent nod.

Just as Adriana stopped talking the microphone at the front of the stage was tapped and a high pitched sound came out.

'Hello District 8! Welcome to the 24th Annual Hunger Games! We are going to start by showing you the annual clip and then we will get on to picking the tributes!' announced Peri Weathers, our escort to the games.

The clip played for 5 minutes and then Peri continued to talk.
'We shall start with the girls and then the boys. May the odds be ever in your favour!'

Her hand slipped inside the bowl and looked for a slip of paper. Suddenly her hand grasped one and she pulled it sharply out. She slowly unfolded the paper and smoother out the crease in the middle before telling everyone, 'Congratulations to Adriana Mace! Could you please make your way up to the stage!'

Adriana was shocked but her feet walked of their own accord to the stage. I was so shocked that it was only as she was nearing the steps I stepped out of line and shouted at the top of my lungs, 'I volunteer as tribute for Adriana Mace!'

Everyone's heads swivelled towards me including Adriana's and I could see the fear in her eyes. All around me mouths were hanging open and I just wanted everyone to stop staring at me and look away.

'Ok, it seems we have a volunteer! Why don't you come on up and tell us your name!' Peri cried into the microphone.

As I walked to the stage people parted for me like I was an extremely important person. I walked past them but I hoped they couldn't see my knees knocking together. I got to the steps and saw Adriana watching me. She was too stunned about what I'd done to actually react so I gave her a quick hug and walked as quickly as I could up the 3 steps to the stage.

'My name is Lara Dawn and I am 14 years old.' I announced as bravely as I could.
'So, what made you decide to volunteer as tribute?' Peri questioned me.
'Adriana is my best friend and I couldn't let her face the Hunger Games. I would rather I was in there than her.' I replied quickly.

Peri asked a few more questions but she must have realised time was getting on and she made her way over to the boys bowl. Her slim hand dove into the sea of notes and quickly surfaced holding one paper. Same as last time she smoothed it out and opened it slow to keep the tension but then a minute later she announced, 'Well done to Jake Patrickson!'

That was when the tears started to flow out of my eyes and silently down my face. I had saved a friend's life but now I would also probably lose another. This couldn't be happening.

Jake made his way up slowly to the stage and came and stood next to me. I could feel his warmth radiating onto me and it made me sadder to think we were going into these games to fight for the death.

'Everyone, please congratulate your 2 tributes this year for the 24th Annual Hunger Games. Please shake hands tributes!' Peri said.

Jake and I clasped hands and held onto them and then swiftly dropped them back down to our sides. The Capitol's anthem played and while it did Jake and I were led into the Justice Building and taken to separate rooms to await visitors…

Hi people. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Leila xx