Chapter One
I wake up to the sound of my father. He's downstairs in the shop doing his everyday routine. Cleaning the ovens, baking the bread and making every display perfect. Even though no one would be buying today.
Today was the day of the reaping. It's when one girl and one boy are chosen from each district. There are 12 districts. We live in district 12. We're chosen to fight in something that's called the hunger games. The hunger games, you go into an arena and fight to the death. There is one survivor.
My mother made me bathe and be in my best dressed for the reaping. There was a lot of uneasy tension in the district today. Everyone was going out and giving their loved ones gifts. It's just something you do on this day.
I only had one hope for today. That the girl I loved didn't get chosen. I didn't care if it was me, maybe then she would notice me. But Katniss Everdeen can't be chosen.
"Peeta?" I heard my mothers' voice.
"Yes?" I answered back.
"Could you please come down here and decorate this cake?"
"Yes, of course." I quickly finished slicking back my blond hair. "Please let me work when I might be chosen to die today mother. Nothing like quality time." I whispered softly to myself.
By the time I was done with the cake it was time to go. Time to go see if my brothers, my fiends, or worst of all Katniss is chosen. And then I am relived for it isn't Katniss, but her sister.
"Prim, Prim! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute." I could hear the desperation in her voice. Effie tells her to come to the stage once Gale carries Prim off of Katniss. She walks slowly up there. She was pale and looked like she was about to pass out.
"What's your name?" Effie asks.
"Katniss Everdeen." This was truly happening. How could this be happening? I won't be able to sit there in Town Square or in the comfort of my own home and watch the girl I love be killed. I wont do it.
"Peeta Mellark!" I had missed everything that had just happened. My name was called. This could not be happening! This was all a bad dream and it was time to wake up now. Time to wake up. But it wasn't happening. My feet were slowly moving towards the stage. No one jumped up and volunteered for me. I didn't really expect them too.
I looked at Katniss and she looked at me, both of us in shock. The odds were not in my favor today. Effie asks for volunteers and no one steps forward. I find my brother in the crowd and nod my head at him. He nods back.
Finally the peacekeepers take us away and we have one hour for visitors. My mother, father and two brothers came. They told me how much they loved me, and that everything will be okay. How will everything be okay?
"I love you so much my darling boy." She kisses my forehead. "Who knows, maybe district 12 will have a winner this year, she's a fighter that one." She as in Katniss Everdeen. I stayed silent because I wasn't going to raise my voice to her and start a fight right before I go and die.