Chapter 1

Mmmmk. So this is my first non-oneshot Hunger Games story! My other stories I've written before haven't been exactly... Good. At least that's my opinion! So I really hope you like this story! I thought it was a really summery, fun, story idea. This is the first chapter though, and I kinda just wanted to introduce Katniss and her situation and get the plot train rolling out of the station... Yeah... Ok so onward with the story!

Katniss' POV:

BOOM! I could practically smell and see the smoke coming from the mine, all the way across town. I knew this was bad news. I grabbed Prim's small hand and joined mother in the street as we ran to the site of the mine. BAM BAM! More explosions went off while running through the town center, fearing the worst. BOOM! As we turned the corner at a flower shop, the mine came into view. We ran up to the edge of the rope holding us and the rest of the town back. My eyes searched the crowd for Gale. One by one, men dressed in gray came up through the mine entrance, lucky to be alive. But my father was not one of them. I screamed and I cried, begging to be let in to the mine. I needed my father here, I needed him to survive. Everyone started leaving in tears that their loved ones were safe. Except for me. My father was dead. Forever. I sobbed more than ever and crumpled to the ground in a heap of sadness.

I shot straight up in my bed, sweating and shaking. I had this nightmare frequently within the past 5 years. And it never failed to frighten me. My father had died years ago in that accident, and I remember it like yesterday. I couldn't dwell on the nightmare any longer, though. For today was the first day of the last week of school. My year had been decent so far, I have great friends, ok teachers, good grades, and I'm on the dance team at school. My best friends have always been there for me, Madge, Annie, Glimmer, and Clove. From my crayons being stolen in kindergarten, to my father passing away, my friends have been there with my through everything. I stumble out of bed and take a quick shower. Once I get out, I settle on wearing a blue floral tank top with white shorts and black flip flops. To say it was hot here in Montgomery, Alabama was an understatement. Today it was supposed to be 102. I walk downstairs and into the kitchen to find my little sister, Primrose, getting herself and her mangled cat, Buttercup, breakfast. I frown at the scene. My mother should be the one making her breakfast, not herself. She's only 12 years old. She needs her mother. My mother has been out of our lives since my father died 5 years ago. I've been taking care of Prim, providing for my family. I grab myself some toast off the plate she has set out on the counter.

"Goodmorning, little duck." I greet her.

"Morning Katniss! Isn't beautiful today?!"

"It sure is!" Honestly, I hadn't even noticed the weather outside. I glanced out the window and it truly was beautiful out. A prefect day, even. If you can ignore the sweltering heat, it's otherwise ideal.

"You look nice today Prim." I said, pointing out her pink dress that she paired with white flip flops.

"You do too, Katniss!"

I laughed at her remark and hugged her goodbye.

"Have a good day at school, little duck. I'll see you later." I told Prim.

"I will! You too!" Prim called after me as I walked out the front door. I walked down the sidewalk and down to Madge's house, where our friends all wait for me each morning. I knock on her door and wait for an answer.

"Hey Kat!" Madge greets me and opens the door wider for me to come in.

"So are you excited for this summer?!" Annie asked me excitedly.

"Of course I am! I can't wait!" I answered her.

This summer we were all going on vacation for a month in... New Jersey! I honestly was really excited to get away from the worries at home. Plus, the weather is somewhat cooler there. We chatted a bit about our summer plans until we decided we should get to school. Once we arrived, we walked through the hall and up a few flights of stairs to get to our lockers. And that's when I spotted him. The boy with the bread. Back when my father died, our family was struggling. I was very young, yet I had to care for my family. We had no food for weeks so I was forced to go find some. I was rummaging through trash cans behind the Mellark Bakery, where I sold the owner, Mr. Mellark, squirrels frequently. I heard the back door open and the devil woman walk out.

"Get out of here you disgusting Seam scum!" she screamed at me.

I didn't know what to say so I just turned around ready to leave when I saw her son's head peak around the doorway. He threw me two loafs of burned bread before locking eyes with me. I had no idea what to say. I quickly ran off with the bread as he returned to his home. I hadn't failed to notice the big red mark on his cheek, that looked pretty recent. With the hope of that bread and dandelions I found outside of school, me and my family survived. All thanks to Peeta Mellark.

Ok! That's chapter one for you! I just thought that was a good part to stop the chapter. I really hope you liked it! I worked hard on it! And I know I have REALLY long authors notes, I can't help it! I also noticed I use way too many commas in all of my stories I've written, it's just a bad habit. I can't seem to stop a sentence without adding commas and details because it just wouldn't flow if I started a new sentence. And I'm rambling again. So R&R! I would LOVE to hear what you guys think and stuff c: have a lovely day guys!