"Clove..."

Zzzzz...

"Clove..."

Zzzzz...

"Clove!"

I feel the cloud hit my cheek and my eyes fly open. Glancing around, I sigh. "Thanks."

Pepper, my younger sister by seven years, gives me a smug little grin. "Anything for you, Freckle-Face."

I roll my eyes. "I told you not to call me that."

"Fine, then. I'll call you Monster Hair. Try to brush that ferret on your head would you?" She says with a wicked grin.

I grab the pillow she threw. "I should tell mom you said that."

She sticks out her tongue and dodges my feeble toss, and the pillow flops on the floor. With a laugh, she flounces out, red hair in tow.

With a sigh, I slowly get out of bed. Checking the clock, I groan. It's ten thirty. I have one and half hours to get ready.

Silently, I wash off, and dry my hair. I fix it up in a tight bun, and walk out of the bathroom.

Our beds are ruffled and unmade. I want to crawl back under the covers, and for a moment, I feel like I've swallowed ice. I'm leaving home... Then shake my head. I'm coming back within a month, tops. I'm going to gain my ally's trust and then kill them all in their sleep once it's down to the final eight. Then, I simply eliminate the remaining tributes. As easy as tag.

Slipping into a silky, cream dress, I pull on flats and even spritz perfume around me. If I'm going to the Capitol, I have to look nice, right?

Once I trump down the steps, I sit down at the table where Thyme is quizzing Pepper on Hunger Games History for her test tomorrow.

"And what was the Arena in the 63rd Hunger Games?" Thyme says, sipping orange juice.

"Wasn't it... A wheat field and some plains?" Pepper says, drumming her fingers on the table.

"Nope," Thyme says. "That was the 64th games. 63rd was a frozen tundra. Don't mix the two. Next, who won the 32nd games?"

"Plum Eveengie. District Eleven," I say, stabbing some eggs on my plate.

Pepper grins, and Thyme looks at me. "Who is the future Victor of the 74th Hunger Games?"

"Is it, possibly... Clove Wilkinson?" Pepper says, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Ding ding," Mom says sitting down across from me. "We have a winner!"

I smile. "Thanks. I'll make history! I promise."

Mom pats my wrist. "You always have, my little Spice."

With a laugh, I feel one-hundred percent more confident.

Once we arrive at the square, I take my place in the 15 section, and think of everything I've learned in class: At the Reapings, stand up tall, and don't give any emotions away once your on the stage. On the train, gain your partners trust. Get close to them. You'll have to rely on each other. At training, show off your skills. Intimidate the field. During your private session, showcase your best skills, and display your knowledge of weaponry. During your Interviews-

Someone nudging my shoulder breaks my thoughts. Not bothering to turn, I clench my fists. "What?"

"Just wanted to wish you luck, Pebble. I heard from Thyme that your volunteering."

My eyes shift, and I relax hearing Onyx's voice. Onyx is Thyme's best friend. Actually I'm surprised my sister could narrow down the group of friends she has. She's pretty popular. I myself prefer to be alone. Focus on the training and studies, not friendships you'll forget in a year.

"Thanks," I say picking at a loose thread on my dress. "Oh, and don't call me Pebble anymore. By the time I'm done in The Games, I'll go by Clove the Magnificent. Just looking at me is going to make you famous later. Everyone wondering how you know me."

She snorts. "Alright, Miss Magnificent."

I stare at our escot as she takes the stage. Each curl rainbow, skin sparkly pink. What a freak. But I'll pretend to like the fashion during my interveiws.

"Onyx, go away," I say quietly. "Run back to my sister. Oh, and sorry I'm taking your last chance to enter The Games. But not really."

Even without looking, I can feel her blue eyes on my face. "Are you kidding me, Clove? Don't be so arrogent. You've always been small and mean..."

She steps away, but I know she means for me to hear her last sentence: "I wouldn't place a bet on you if someone garunteed you'd make it to the final two."

Ignoring her, I wait as the escort, Sunni Markson, grinned. "Hello children! Welcome to another year!"

She rambles on and on about the history of The Games and how she wishes one day her kids could have the oppurtunity we do.

Then, she walks over to the girls crystal ball. I take a deep breath, smooth my skirts, and get ready to yell. I'm not actually the one who's rumored to volunteer this year.

Granite Clark is. She's a seventeen year old who's 'exceptionally gifted' with spears. I think she's an airhead who'd sooner fall off her podium than win The Games.

She slips her hand in, and yanks a scrap of paper out and breaks the seal. Giggling, she opens it, and peeks out from behind it. Stupid...

I can almost hear Pepper rolling her eyes from beside Mother.

"Marble Nickz!"

A girl from the fourteen area walks out, and trots up the stage.

"Any volunteers?" Sunni says.

The minute the 's' leaves her purple lips, I scream: "I volunteer!"

Some kids murmur and glance around. ("What about Granite?" "Was she planning on volunteering?" "I thought an older girl was going to..." "Is that... I don't know, Cinnamon or something?" "Oh, she's the girl that's always at the knives station in Gym" "Think she'll last?)

I run up the steps, and Marble glares at me as she leaves. "Thanks for ruining my chances."

Sweeping past her, I turn to the crowd.

"And who are you?" Sunni asks.

"Clove Wilkinson," I say, and suppress a grin. Instead, I face the cameras, and let my eyes speak. I am going to win.

She gives a nod. "Well, that's as lovely as a gem! Now, let's see who the brave boy is!"

She seems to take longer, and in the end, Cato volunteers. He's eighteen, so I haven't seen him much around school. I've talked to him a couple times in Gym. He walks up on stage, and shakes my hands.

I pull my hand away as soon as possible. I don't want anyone thinking I'm friends with him. Friendship is weakness.

And I don't have weakness. Instead I have plans.

Plan 1) Become the best knife thrower in District Two. CHECK.

Plan 2) Volunteer for the Hunger Games. CHECK

Plan 3) Win the Hunger Games.

CHECK.

4/9/15: Hello! I changed a line that Pepper said, and a name of a character. Pepper had said a line that was inspired, or kind of created, by a book called The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller. I'm pretty sure it was that book. So, yeah. I just didn't want to be copying that.

Thanks for reading!