Hey darlings! So this is my first ever story for the Hunger Games! I am a complete and utter tribute, and words cannot express how much I love the books! When I first read The Hunger Games, and the many times after that, I always wondered about the first victor of District 12. We got practically no insight about them, so I decided to make that person! The first chapter were the statistics of that character, so you get to know a bit more about her! Also, this story is also on wattpad, but I decided to put it on here as well because I'm more accustomed to this website! Anyways, enough of my rambling!
On with the story!
Here are the statistics of the character! Read further down for the official first chapter!
Name: Alice Sterling
Age: 13
District: 12
Family: Mother- Emily- 39 years old
Father- Grey- 41 years old
Brother- Cody- 18 years old
Hair Colour: Deep wine red
Hair Type: Wavy
Eye Colour: Hazel
From: Merchant Class
Complexion: Slightly Tan
Lips: Small, full and naturally red
Escort: Nicolexa Evans
Height: 5'2"
Pet: A grey tabby kitten named Ginger
Sometimes I lay in bed awake at night, dreaming of what horrors may befall my path. My parents being blown up in the mines. My brother being attacked by the ravaged beasts that lurk on the outside of the fence. Being taken away to the community homes and never seeing my family again. Some would call me pessimistic. I call it being cautious. I had a million scenarios mapped out in my head; if a tragedy were to happen, I'd know exactly what to do. I had always been prepared for everything. But no amount of planning could've prepared me for this.
I was sitting upright in my bed, scribbling furiously into my journal. The worn leather and crinkly yellow pages felt familiar to the touch. With the fountain pen in my hand, I could almost pretend that today was any ordinary day. I'd head to school with Cody, see all of my friends at school, steal glances at Mason, and then head home for a wonderfully cooked meal with all of us sitting around the table. Alas, today was no ordinary day and try as I might, I couldn't ignore that today was a reaping day. My second reaping, in fact.
I remember my first, when I was 12. My knees were knocking so hard I was positive Nicolexa Evans, the escort, could hear. My relief from not being called lasted for less than a minute when I saw the girl who had been called. A little girl who didn't even look old enough to be eligible for the reaping. She had white-blonde hair cut into a small bob and light-green almond-shaped eyes. My instinct was to protect her. Throw her behind me and volunteer to take her place.
Robin Lasterly I vaguely remember Nicolexa calling out.
"Any volunteers?" Nicolexa's cheery voice rang out, consumed by her ridiculous accent.
All was silent. I opened my mouth to speak and found it dry as sandpaper. I moistened my tongue and opened my mouth to call out, but I omitted no voice. I couldn't send myself into a battle to the death. Call me selfish, a coward, a dastard, but I just couldn't bring myself to volunteer in her place.
Sorry I mouthed to her, positive she wouldn't notice. After I opened my mouth, her eyes, which had been previously focused on Nicolexa, darted to me. I dared repeat myself. Sorry I mouthed once again. I expected to see anger in her eyes. I expected her lips to part and for her to shout every foul name she knew at me. I expected rage. But all she did was give me a soft smile, and a knowing nod. As if she completely and utterly understood why I hadn't volunteered. How could such wisdom come from one so young? How could one which such a right to show anger, show nothing but kindness? I expected rage but all she had given me was compassion.
"Alice!" A voice calls and I'm, instantly transported back to current day. Reaping day. The one day none of us are looking forward to.
I take my journal and lock it away in an ornate box my mother has given me. The key is on a chain around my neck, as it always was. I hurry to the dining table to find a rather lackluster meal. Rough bread, cheese from our goat Snow, and a few basil leaves. My brother Cody is the only one sitting at the table. I sit down and begin to eat ever so slowly, trying to stay here as long as possible. If I pretend like today isn't the reaping, maybe I won't feel so anxious. Maybe I could actually pretend like today was any other day.
I stand in front of my mirror, trying to drag out as much time as possible. My mother and father had already readied themselves and were waiting on me. Cody had gotten ready as soon as possible, and was acting a bit jumpy. Of course he was, today was his last year of the reaping. After this, he could actually enjoy himself, or as much as you could "enjoy yourself" in the dark and dreary mines. I snap myself out of my thoughts and focus myself on becoming presentable. I had on a powder-blue pleated high-waisted skirt and a long-sleeved collared white blouse. I had done nothing special with my wavy wine-red locks, a rare trait in District 12. I had debated on whether or not to take off my key necklace, and ultimately deciding against it. My key pendant hung around my neck, gleaming in the sun shining through the window. I take in a deep breath. This will all turn out fine, I assure myself. You're worrying yourself for nothing. Nothing bad is going to happen today. Nobody you know is going to get reaped, and District 12 might even have a victor this year. I hurry to the living room, just hoping that all my reassurance would prove to be true.
The walk to the square was unnerving, for the air of silence around us. Usually, we always had something to talk about and it was almost always something positive. Families usually are close like that in the poorer Districts. Once we got to the area where our parents had to stay, they turn us both around. My father looks into my hazel eyes with his grey ones.
"It's all going to be okay, Alice," he assures me, "just remember that." I nod and then turn to my mother, who embraces me in a hug.
"We love you Alice," she tells me and I nod once again. I turn to Cody and together we walk to get registered. I get my finger pricked, which still makes me wince, although Cody hardly flinches. I guess after six years of having your finger pricked annually, you get over it. I get herded into a group of 13-year olds, and I look around to see if I know anyone around me, only to see the one face I'm always stealing glances at, to my immediate right.
"Mason," I say softly. I thought I had spoken at an inaudible level, although it seems Mason has impeccable hearing. He turns his head at the mention of his name, and his dark-blue eyes dart to my hair before anything else. Of course, it seems as if I'm the only one with dark-red hair in all of District 12. I raised my head to meet his gaze, only to see that he's smiling. Directly at me. I might faint from happiness. His dark blue eyes meet my hazel ones for only a moment before he speaks.
"Alice," he says, the smile never leaving his lips, instantly bringing a grin to mine. It seemed as if nothing could ruin this moment.
"Welcome to the 16th Annual Hunger Games!" Nicolexa's voice booms over the microphone. I cringe and hold my hands over my ears, and I hear a soft laugh which can only be Mason's.
"And may the odds be ever in your favor!" She calls out. Am I mistaken, or do I hear some actual sincerity in her voice?
"Ladies first!" she chirps. Her hand, which is wrapped inside an ice-blue glove, reaches into the glass sphere, and emerges with a single slip of paper.
"Alice Sterling," she calls out. Huh, I didn't know there were any other Sterlings in District 12. And Alice, that's a pretty first na-wait, that's my name. I've been reaped?! This can't be happening!