Chapter 1: Just This Once

My game bag weighs heavily on my shoulder. Compounded by the lateness of the morning, on today of all days, and it is easy to see why I am eager to be rid of its contents. For today is the Reaping for the 74th Annual Hunger Games - the first one that my baby sister, Primrose, is eligible for.

She had a nightmare as I was getting up to go out this morning, convinced she would be picked. I assured her that the odds are not in her favor, but she has even the slightest odd, nevertheless. And that, to me, is unacceptable. Add the fact that no preteen has ever won the Games, and that the last Victor from our home of District 12 won almost a quarter-century ago, and I am very much on edge.

Though I don't show it.

My hunting partner, Gale Hawthorne, lays down his pack on the counter of our first stop, Greasy Sae. The Hob's illegal black market is thriving today. I even see Peacekeepers who should normally be tearing this place and it's contraband apart actually guarding the place. Some are even making purchases.

My gaze continues to survey the crowd as Gale haggles for a price with Sae. It falls on the striking white-armored guard with flaming red hair when he is nearly at my side.

"Morning, Katniss," he gives me a beaming smile.

"Good morning, Darius," I reply politely.

Peacekeeper Darius is one of the few of our officers from the Capitol whom I actually enjoy being around. The only Peacekeeper I enjoy being around, in fact. Even though Peacekeepers come from outside the Capitol and are unfamiliar with our ways here in Twelve, Darius has ingratiated himself well to the people of the Seam. He is far less strict with protocol than many of his peers, and that's saying a lot, because the Peacekeeper force here is jokingly run by its drunk commander, Cray. The only slight downside to the ginger before me is that Darius is a bit of a flirt.

"Anything to trade with me today?" Darius asks.

I peer in my bag. "I have a rabbit." I offer him one of the medium-sized pelts, and he accepts it.

"Now what's a fair trade for this game?" Darius ponders aloud.

I smirk, knowing what's coming. "Name your price."

"How about a kiss?" He leans in close, beaming. "You give me a rabbit, I give you a kiss. Sounds fair?" He flicks at my braid.

I laugh and playfully shove him away. "No thanks."

"But I'm out of coins!" Darius pouts, trying and failing to mask his mirth. "Help me out!"

This exchange is an old joke between us. But joke or not, I know why Darius is asking me. Peacekeepers are technically not allowed to marry, or even enter committed relationships of any kind - not even amongst themselves, but especially not with the common people from Town or the Seam. Stationed in even a backwater district like this, one where its commander has somewhere between an indifference towards and disregard for the rules, and any Peacekeeper would be hungry for a poke. Theirs is a militarized lifestyle, so any pleasure should be captured quick.

I smirk, enjoying the torment of this officer far more than I usually do. "Sorry, coins only."

Meanwhile, Gale has finished his trade with Sae. He tells me he has to get home to dress for his last Reaping, and I encourage him to go on ahead. I have to be getting back too, anyway. Gale nods and giving a half-hearted wave to Darius, slips through the flap entrance.

Darius bids me goodbye and I watch him head out the back way, behind the far stalls. Even in our playful banter, I have never wanted to kiss anybody, nor have I ever been kissed before. And I would be opposed on principle to the idea of my first kiss coming from the lips of a Peacekeeper. However, Darius is one of the few men in this entire district whom I actually wouldn't mind kissing. And today is such a trying day on the nerves... I impulsively find myself running after him.

I catch up with Darius behind the back wall of the Hob, away from prying eyes. I grab at his arm. He turns around, eyes hopeful. "Yes?"

Wordlessly, I grab his face and pulls his lips against mine in the most passionate kiss I can muster.

I am horrible at it. Kissing, I mean. My teeth bump and slide against Darius's lips for a moment, which I quickly try to avoid. Even then, I cannot maintain a good position with my lips, as Darius's are ever-moving in awkward tandem with mine. My hands end up framing his face in an effort to keep him still.

After a moment or two, I release him rather roughly, breaking the kiss. Darius is staring at me, and he looks very pleased. But perhaps he's being nice. I think my kissing skills leave much to be desired.

"What was that?" He blinks.

"A one-time thing," I breathe. "Kiss for a rabbit, right? And... for luck."

Darius must see the fear in my eyes about the Reaping, for he suddenly swoops in before I can stop him and captures my lips with his. It was his trade to complete, his kiss to give, after all. "May the odds be ever in your favor."

And I run home to my mother and Prim and the blue Reaping dress that awaits me, pondering over my first kiss.