Chapter 1
Reaping Day:
"Uggghhhh." I moaned as sunlight poured out of my windows and shone on my face. It was a cloudless day, with birds chirping loudly on my front balcony. I pulled myself out of my feather-filled blanket, as I dragged my exhausted legs to the bathroom. Every part of my body looked terrible. Jet-black hair was strewn all over my soft, pale face, as it was crumpled into a big ball on top of my head. Raven-colored eyes were almost dull, like grey. As I raked my fingers over my hair, I realized that there was a triple split end and the end of almost every string of hair. I called my butler, who sprayed my hair with a sweet smelling conditioner, called "Essence of Hyacinth", as she combed my hair gently. Before she left, she told me,"Today's Reaping Day, Clove. Do take a shower as I will prepare something beautiful for you to wear."
As she left, I obediently obeyed my butler's rules. As I took a soothing bath in the, mint bath, I thought that I was lucky enough to live in District 2(also referred as "The Nut"). Since District 2 is one of the most richest District in all of Panem, I smiled to myself. "Good thing I don't live in District 12." I laughed at my little joke. District 12, also known as the Seam, is the poorest District in Panem. I thought that there was nothing good there. No good food. No good clothes. Almost no good houses like ours, and no refreshing water. I feel a bit vain, since I loved District 2 more then anything.
My name is Clove Jackson, and I am 16. I am a Career Tribute. A Career Tribute is tributes who come from District 1 and 2, who train illegally for the Hunger Games. Then they volunteer at a certain time. I train in a special academy, where they teach me how to throw knives. That is now my specialty. I can throw a knife at a person's heart from 15 meters away.
My butler came in as she dressed me up in a beautiful dress, splashed with the most prettiest colors I've ever seen. There were patterns of floral designs that I have never seen before. She blow-dryed my hair and tied it up in two buns, one on each side of my head. "There. You're ready to go to the Reaping." she said, urging me out of the door. "WAIT! You forgot the shoes." She slipped on two pairs of high-heels and then dragged me out of the door, to the Reaping area. A line of people were standing in line for the sign in. How they sign you in is they prick some blood from you using a finger stick, and use a machine and go over the blood. Once they go over the blood, they would know how old you are. Then, they would put your name in the pool of names in the Reaping Balls. For example, if you are twelve, then your name would be in the pool once. Thirteen, twice.
As they pricked my blood, I feel the pain as they forced my finger down to the paper to scan the blood. After, they pushed me to the crowed and waited for our escort to pick out the names to the Hunger Games. Our escort is named Serena, as our mentor is Enobaria. Enobaria won the Hunger Games before, so that's why she becomes our mentor. She gives us advise on how to win the Games. As Serena comes onto the stage, I'm hoping that I get into the Games. As Serena puts her elegant hand into the Reaping Balls, filled with our names in it, I hope I get in! At last she pulls out a card.
"Clove Jackson!" says Serena. I froze. Did she just say my name? Everyone stared at me. I can't move. My head was spinning, as I nearly fell over my high-heels. As I walked onto the stage, Serena pulled me up next her. "Who would like to volunteer for this lovely lady?" asked Serena, in a soothing tone. When no one came to volunteer, I was afraid. What if I died in the Games? What if? "And now, for the boys." Serena pronounced. When she put her hand in the pool of names, she took one out and just before she was about to open it, a muscular, gigantic male shouted,"I volunteer! I volunteer!"
I recognized that voice. That voice belonged to Cato Iyer. I know him because I've seen him around in the Training Academy where I learn my knife throwing. He is pretty excellent with his efforts with his sword. He twist a person's wrist until it cracks. I've always admired his skills. Someone interrupted my thoughts. It was Serena, again. "Well, a volunteer! Do you both know each other?" I nodded. Of course! "Well then, let's get into the train. I can't wait for you both to see it. It's filled with expensive sofas, crystal chandeliers, delicious pastries, cake, and drinks from every color. Come on you two. Let's get onto the train."