My name is Whitley Johansen. My family and few friends call me Ley. My father's name was Ajax Johansen. My mother's name is Krynn Johansen, previously name Krynn Green. I have two sisters, Angelyn who is 11, and Cwen who is 7. I have a little brother, Jax who is 5. Jax was named after our father, who died in a mine explosion 5 years ago. The day before Jax was born. Jax was so young, and so hungry all the time, that he became sickly. Mother always works. So I always take care of my siblings, mostly Jax. He needs me more than the others.

My best friends are Katniss and Peeta. Which is kind of funny, considering they don't know each other. Well, Katniss once told me about the Boy With The Bread, who practically saved her life. Peeta talks all the time about the girl who Sings Like the First Whisper of Spring. Funny how the world works.

Katniss and I have been friends since I was born. My mother was best friends with her father. My father was best friends with her mother. It worked out so not only were Katniss and I best friends, but Angelyn and Prim were best friends.

Peeta and I met at school on the first day. Katniss and I had ONE class together. Music. Peeta and I had 4. We always got paired up together. So we started talking. I hated his mother, and she hated me. However, his father adored me and always asked how my mother and my second mother (Katniss' mother) was doing. He was very kind.

Whenever Katniss goes hunting, she saves me something. The first time I ever went hunting with her was the last. It was just the two of us. I was nervous, but I did well. I shot a young buck and two rabbits. I gathered a ton of strawberries and blueberries for my family. She did twice as well, but I was happy with my reaping. She told me I was quite handy with a knife, and a natural with a bow. When I went to the Hob, Greasy Sae told me to rush home. Katniss finished the trading and followed right after me.

That was the night that Jax nearly died.

I was so scared, I cried all night. Katniss gathered her mother and sister, and we all slept in the living room with Jax on the couch and us on the floor. I stayed up and tended to him all night, through the tears.

He survived. But that was the last time I went hunting.

Katniss' best friend (besides myself) was named Gale Hawthorne. He hated me. Why? I never found out. Once I learned of his hatred for me, we avoided each other like the plague. It was interesting, how I found out though.

-Flashback-

I was running to Katniss' house to check on Prim. I heard she was sick, and had to make sure she was alright.

When I got there, I ran right into Gale.

My eyes widened and I stared up at him, waiting for him to do something. I had always had the sneaking suspicion that he disliked me.

His eyes bored into mine.

"…I'm sorry." I spoke quietly, searching his eyes for any sense of emotion.

All they showed was loathing.

Suddenly, I was angry. "Why do you dislike me?"

"I don't." he frowned, his eyes flickering with a fire I couldn't recognize anything but hate.

"…." I turned away. "Is Prim alright?"

"She'll be fine." he mumbled before walking away.

I looked after him, shook my head, and proceeded to go see Prim.

-End Flashback-

Today was the Reaping. One boy, and one girl from each of the 12 Districts between the ages 12 and 18 would be chosen to go to the Hunger Games. A live fight to the death that everyone must watch.

Angelyn was three days to becoming 12. Her name wouldn't be put in this year.

Prim was 12. Her first Reaping. She was in there once.

Peeta was 16. He was in there 5 times.

Katniss was 16 as well. She was in there 20 times.

I was 16 years old. I was in there 25 times.

Gale was 18. He was in there 42 times.

I stood next to Katniss, grabbing her hand and squeezing it nervously. She smiled kindly at me, before we both turned toward the Town Square and waited for fate to reveal itself.

Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed Chapter 1! Let me know what you think, so I can continue ^-^ Love ya 3