Chapter 1

I didn't really want to volunteer. I had been training all of my life to bring pride to my district. But on the reaping that I am supposed to volunteer, I feel something I've never felt before, fear.

When I was eight years old I volunteered for the school of careers. I wanted to bring pride to my district. I wanted to be a hero. That year only 20 kids volunteered for the school. 10 boys, 10 girls. I was smaller than most, so what I lacked in size I made up for with skill. The day before last year's reaping was when the 17 year old students did the honor contest. In the hunger games when the tributes show off their skills and get rated from 1 through 12 is what the honor contest is modeled after. Except we get scored 0 through 100.

I won for the girls with a score of 89. And my soon to be district partner (Cato), won for the boys with a 92.

The true competition is in the arena, I thought.

I can do this

Think about being a hero, bringing honor, I think to my self

The ridiculous announcer for district 2 walked up to the stage. There was silver on every inch of her body. As far as I could see she was just like all of the fancily dressed capitol snobs. Unlike most people in 2 I hate the capitol.

At least she doesn't say may the odds be ever in your favor.

After watching a ridiculous capitol film, she finally says "ladies first."

There it is again, fear. I push it back to the back up my mind and focus on strength, honor, and bravery. Her heels clank against the stage as she walks to the bowl. She "dramatically" fishes for a name until her hand clutches a slip of paper.

"Karen Deguzman!" she calls out.

The girl doesn't even move knowing I would volunteer. With the fear in the back of my mind, I proudly say "I volunteer as tribute!"

I walk up to the stage.

"What's your name dear?" she asks.

"Clove Kentwell."

"Well, welcome Clove Kentwell!"

"Now for the boys!"
She walked over to the boys' bowl. I smirk when she trips on her ridiculous high heels.

"Stephen Jones!"

Before I even see Stephen, Cato volunteers.

I get my first good look at Cato. He has blonde hair, a smirk on his face, and a muscular body, all a girl could ask for. Cato and I know the drill. We shake hands and are taken to the justice building to talk to our family and friends.

I heard Cato's family is dead and he has no friends. But I do. My mom comes running in with all 7 of my little brothers and sisters. Well, my little brothers and sisters come running with my mom. My siblings tackle me with hugs and tears come from their eyes… except the oldest Shelbo who has already started training in the Hunger Games School.

All she says is that I better come home because I promised her I'd teach her to throw knives.

Hey so sorry if this chapter was a little boring but I wanted to introduce Clove and how she was reaped. If you leave a review I will make you a character in the next chapter. Peace :P