I never wanted to be in the games. I used to think that maybe nobody did and that it was just something that we said to make it easier for ourselves. I even asked a couple of people. I got them alone and then suggested that maybe I wouldnt want to compete but I hadnt have much choice. I was a good strategist and my skills in combat made up for my deviation from our districtt possible but it was true that I didns name would be drawn and there would be a couple of older volunteers to demonstrate willingness and then I would volunteer. Everyone around me was thrilled. My parents finally felt proud of their odd, difficult daughter and my sister talked about me in school, saying that she wanted to be just like me when she grew up. My small group of friends were glad that my reluctance had seemingly been squashed and spent hours speculating what I might wear for the reaping and what I could do when I won.
The reaping, it turned out, barely registered in my mind. I was preparing for what came after. For the moment when I would have to choose between my death and theirs. I briefly registered the name of the girl who was chosen, Glimmer something, before it was time for me to volunteer. I was declared as tribute amongst applause and smiles and I waved at the crowd as though it was the happiest day of my life.
My goodbyes to my family and friends were short and simple. I would miss them, I supposed, although I never quite felt a part of them. First I was the odd outsider and then the chosen volunteer, never quite getting to play the part of a normal district one girl. I wondered what it was that I would miss if I never came back, or even if I did. My life was one of routine and purpose. If I died then It have to work if I won.
We didnt know much about our mentors but I was fairly sure we had some of the best. Two (district twelve only had Haymitch Abernathy, a total drunk.) strong (the district six tributes had to deal with weak sneaky people, who looked as though they were permanently drugged.) mentally stable (Annie Cresta from four seemed like a nice person but she must have been awful as a mentor.) victors.
When we were finally sent to bed Agon approached me in the corridor. "I look forward to contesting the games with you" It was an uninspiring and predictable introductory statement and a cursory glance at his expression confirmed that this was his intention. There was a hint of wry humour in the curve of his lips and a glint of shy mischief in his eyes. I thought back to the few times we had interacted during training and remembered a slightly withdrawn, focused boy with few friends and a prodigious skill with an axe which had made me think of Johanna Mason from seven, a tribute whose cleverness I had always wanted to replicate. I continued to look at the unsurprisingly good looking boy as I replied. "And I look forward to winning." It was certain that we would be allies and seemed probable from what I had seen of his personality that we could be friends, but in the end there could only be one victor.