This is my first story and I'm really excited! In this retelling of The Hunger Games, 3 tributes from District 12 get chosen to go to a High School in the Capitol to try and get a different perspective of popularity and life. Each chapter is a different characters POV. Hope you enjoy! :)
Chapter 1: Katniss
Today was the day. Today was Reaping Day. I moaned as I got out of bed. My mother, father, and sister (Primrose) were eating breakfast. Goat cheese (probably from Lady) and oats were set on the table. We ate in silence until Prim broke it by saying, "So Katniss, are you scared for the reaping? Do you think they'll call you? Or maybe me?" She had a running mouth that always got her in trouble. Especially be me. "Are you Katniss? Are you?" she asked, pushing my buttons. With her saying that, I lost it. "YES! I'm scared! Who wouldn't be? What dumb kid would think that going to a different school, especially one in the Capitol wouldn't make them feel scared? That well as heck won't be me!" I said yelling in her face. As soon as I saw water fill her eyes, I stomped out the kitchen. In mine and Prim's room, I braided my hair and put on a shirt and pants made with an odd material called "denim" my mom bought at a shop. I raced outside and jumped over the gate to the Meadow. I had taken my bow and arrow from the side of our house to see if I would get lucky enough and kill a jackrabbit or two. Just as I placed an arrow on my bow, something stirred in the tree above me and I silently aimed it upwards. Then it came down and moved behind me and I felt myself tense. I turned around quickly, having my arrow ready to shoot an animal with some decent meat. It's eyes met mine just as I released the arrow and barely missed his right arm. "Gale! I thought you were an animal! I almost got your arm!" He laughed and I punched the arm I almost got. He punched me back. My eyes narrowed and then as I threw my arm back to whack him, I stopped midway and cracked up. Then he cracked up. Then I remembered what day it was, and my smile faded. He must have known what I was thinking 'cause his smile faded and he told me everything was going to be fine. I nodded, even though I didn't believe it. Something weird felt about the reaping, but I wasn't sure what it was. Then the sound of the all too familiar song forced us to run out of the Meadow. We headed to the square, Gale and I. Only kids are to go, and its mandatory. I spotted Primrose and we ran up to each other, hugged, then wished each other luck. The mayor of District 12 gave a speech and then Effie Trinket spun the ball of the names of every kid here. Before she read the names that were chosen she said, "This year District 12 was chosen to add one extra tribute to be sent to the Capitol. But remember, may the odds be ever in your favor." I stood next to Gale, holding his hand, and waiting anxiously to see which three kids were chosen. I prayed Please don't let it be Primrose. Take me instead. As she unfolded the name, sweat formed on my forehead. "Katniss Everdeen" was spoken into the microphone and I felt like I was in a dream. I pinched myself to see if I woke up, but nothing happened. "Katniss?" she asked once again. "She better be here!" I heard Effie tell the Mayor. I walked slowly up the stairs to stand on the stage. "Ahh. Thanks for finally joining us. The next tribute is… Peeta Mellark!" The baker's boy I thought. "And the last but not least tribute is… Rue Withers!" Gale stiffened probably hoping it was him who was called to be with me. A girl my age starts walking up the stairs when Gale stops her and says, "I volunteer!" I gasp in shock and see Rue mouth Thank You. Effie says, "What is your name volunteer?" "Gale. Gale Hawthorne" he replies. "Nice to see a volunteer this year. First one since the past 16 years," Effie says with a smile across her face. Gale comes up and joins me on the stage. "This is going to be fun," he said. I snickered. I was NOT giving him pleasure in any of this! Just as I was about to object, the train from the Capitol sent to take us there, arrived. The all glass train glistened in the sunlight as it halted to a stop 80 feet away. Gale got there first but when I arrived, said, "Ladies first." I smiled forcefully back as if to say thank you but then he pushed me out of the way to go in first. How could he be so calm during a time like this? We were about to go on a train to the CAPITOL! Oh no! I forgot to say goodbye to Prim! I tried to run back out but the doors were already closed. "PRIM!" I yelled. I saw her orange hair sparkle in the sun and smiled. Her smile lifted up my spirits. I'll be back. I promise. She smiled then waved and I returned her actions. Then I was told to sit down by some guards, but I didn't listen. Mistake #1. The train started with a jolt and knocked me off my feet.. I looked back and District 12 was just a speck as we bolted towards the Capitol. On the train, Effie Trinket and her pink hair tried to comfort us by bringing us food and saying it's not that bad. I was to busy gulping down beef stew and loaves of bread to hear what she was talking about. The Capitol was ways away, so we had about 40 to 50 minutes to go. After all the stew was gone, they brought cups of herb tea, and cheese with crackers. I stuffed myself until I was full. I hadn't eaten like that for years, last time I checked was when we lived in District 8. (That district is good for surplus of food.) I looked at Peeta who was awkwardly staring at me. I quickly looked away to see Gale and Effie and what they were talking about. I got up to walk around and explore, when Peeta got up. I sat, he sat. I scooted over close to Gale to pretend I didn't notice what Peeta had done. The 40 minutes flew by. (I mean literally flew. We passed District 12-8 in the last 10 minutes.) Next thing you know, we got off the train and stood in front of Capitol High School. I swallowed the lump in my throat as we walked up the steps of where we were going to go to for the next 4 weeks.