I stare at my reflection in the cracked mirror. My long, white hair is a mess. My eyes are tired. My whole body is tired. I just want to go back to sleep.

But I can't.

I can't, cause today is reaping day.

Today might be the last day I see my mother.

Today might be the day that I face the same fate my father did.

My mother's reflection joins mine in the mirror splinters. She is dressed up. She is wearing her best dress, and her hair is in a knot at the back of her head.

"It's time" she says. "Are you ready?"

I look back from my mother's beautiful face, to my daft image. I turn around with a sigh. "As ready as anyone can be" I say, as we walk to the reaping.

I line up with the other 16 year-olds.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to the 48th annual Hunger Games"

And the reaping begins.

Ubilia Trinket, with her hair dyed green, is utterly canty today. Her joyous smile is the only smile in the entire district. At least today.

After the usual speech about the 12 districts, and the Capitol's superior might, Ubilia re-enters the stage.

"Without further ado, let's get to the reaping!" She yells. "Our male tribute is..." She sticks her hand in the giant ball containing all the boys' names.

"Jonathan Erring!". A young man, yet fit and healthy, walks proudly up to the stage.

"And, our female tribute this year is..." My heart is pounding, I hope it doesn't say my name. "Jolene Michaels!" Oh thank god, it wasn't me!

"Jolene, come on up!". No one in the crowd moves. "Jolene?". Ubilia is angry. A peacekeeper whispers something in her ear, and she hurries back to the ball. "It seems Jolene does not have the opportunity to participate in the games, poor Jolene"

What? She cannot participate? So someone else has to? Can I really escape this twice?

"Therefore, we must have a new female tribute. And that will be..." She puts her hand in the ball for the second time "Alice Hall"

Oh. That's me.

I don't move.

Everyone around me move away from me, so I stand alone.

I take one careful step. And then another. Before I know it, I'm on the stage with Ubilia and Jonathan.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our tributes!"

What do you think so far? Please leave reviews, wether you liked it or not, let me know why!

Some of you might wonder where the romance is? Not to worry, I'll get there! And it's not about Jonathan...

Also if you have any suggestions for characters; tributes, Capitol citizens etc. , I'd be more than glad to receive them!