Chapter 1

Tris

Today was my 5th reaping day, and so far I've been one of the lucky ones. Mom had my dress laid out on my bed. A grey, smooth fabric with a bow around the waist. I came home from a day of hunting and washed, making sure to get the dirt from my nails. Mom trimmed my hair and pulled it into a twisted bun at the top of my head. I looked out the window and saw some other people from my class walking to the square. It was time. Mom hugged me tight, her usual reassurance. We got to the square and looked up at the stage. Effie Trinket stepped up, in her usual Capitol style get-up. Too much make-up, too large wig, too over-the-top clothes. On her left sat Mayor Undersee, and his daughter, Madge. Next to them was the previous victor, the new mentor. Katniss Everdeen.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome" Effie's voice came booming through the speakers. Christina and I always joke about Effie's voice. We pretend to be her when we say her usual phrase, "Happy Hunger Games, and, may the odds be ever in your favour". I looked over the crowd and found Christina, her short, black hair pulled into a ponytail. She met my gaze and we stifled a laugh, as she mimicked the over-dressed Capitol Barbie. The usual video was played, President Snow talking about the war, and why the games came to be. The video is played every year, Christina memorised it. I looked over to her and she was absent mindedly mouthing along. I couldn't help but giggle slightly, causing a stern shushing from the girl behind me. Myra. The video ends, and Effie's voice returns to our ears. "As usual, ladies first" She walked over to the bowl on her left, filled with little white slips of paper, 42 of which had my name on them. Her hand circled the inside of the bowl, dove into the pile and pulled out a slip. As she walked back over to the microphone, my heart began to pound. I was terrified and excited at the same time. "The female tribute from District 12… Beatrice Prior."

All eyes fell on me. I couldn't feel any of my limbs. Somehow, my feet managed to walk out of the crowd and up to the stage, where Effie's hands gripped my shoulders and dragged me over to the mic. I looked up for the first time since my name was called, and found Christina. Her expression was blank. She held her arm high in the air, 3 fingers facing the sky. Slowly, the crowd joined her action, one by one. I couldn't help but cry. This may be the last time I see them all.

"And now, for the boys" Effie walked to the bowl on her right, and performed the same routine, picking out one single slip of paper, closed with a piece of black tape. "The male tribute from District 12…" she let out a sigh, as if of sadness "Tobias Eaton."