A/N Okay so this is my first proper story, I will try to update as often as I can but I have exams coming soon so there may be a delay then. Anyway, i really wanted to write a story and didn't want to wait until summer so here goes!

Chapter 1

I look out of the window at the cold, March morning. This winter has been going on for months on end, without any sign of ending. There are random days of snow that covers District 5; in December it was exciting, especially for the little ones, but by now the novelty has worn off.

I eventually decide that I have to get ready for school, though I really don't want to go out in the freezing school. Besides, it will only be another day of learning about the Dark Days, when the districts of Panem decided to rebel against the stupid stuck-up Capitol. Personally I don't blame them, but I'd never have the guts to rebel myself. I'm not that brave. I wouldn't last one day in the sadistic Hunger Games, the horrible event that Capitol created to keep us in line. That's something that we don't really get taught about in school; how to survive in the Games in the unlikely event that we get reaped. That's why we don't have many victors, although we certainly have more than districts like eleven and twelve. Although it's not legal, everyone knows that the Career districts, one two and four, train throughout the year so that they can bring pride to their districts. Obviously they get the most victors; I wouldn't be surprised if they have run out of houses in the Victor's Villages.

I pull on my uniform and go downstairs, to be met by the usual chaos in my kitchen. My dad, Ben, is frantically trying to get ready for work; he works in one of the many factories in our district, whose industry in power. My mum Violet is helping him and telling me to hurry up and the same time. I sigh and help myself to some cereal, then pick up my bag and yell my goodbyes before leaving the house. District 5 is fairly small so it doesn't take me long to get to school. Just as I reach the front gate I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see Casper and my stomach instantly flutters.

Casper's my best friend but also the boy I've liked for over two years now. He's funny, kind, and probably one of the most amazing friends I've ever had. There's just something between us that makes us get on so well. I don't know what it is, but I just now that I love him. Stupid I know, but I can't pluck up the courage to tell him. Like I said, I have no guts. Our friendship is too special to me to be put in danger. I'm scared that if I tell him, and he doesn't feel the same way, that it will ruin our friendship. I won't let that happen.

"Hey Casper, how are you?" I ask.

"I'm alright, how about you Sas?" he replies.

Saskia is my name, Saskia Jane, but Casper calls me Sas. He's the only one who does but hey, I'm not gonna complain.

"Not too bad, just looking forward to not freezing to death everyday" I laugh, smiling up at him. He smiles back, and just at that point my other best friend Daisy pops up.

"Hey guys!" she beams.

Daisy's one of those people who you can't help but like. She's bubbly, funny and understanding, which is why she's so popular in school. There isn't anyone that I know who dislikes her, she can just make me happy whenever I'm around her.

"So, everyone ready to hear the history of Panem...again?" Casper grimaces.

"Oh yes, can't wait!" I exclaim sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

"Well, let's go, the quicker we do the quicker it's over" Daisy says, always being the optimist.

We walk towards the classroom, chatting and laughing, trying to cheer ourselves up before the boredom of the day takes over. As we walk in and sit down, our teacher Mr Greengrass comes in and starts talking.

"Okay class, today we're going to do something different. District 5 needs a victor this year. So today, we are going to look at the Games".

A/N Sorry if this isn't very interesting but it's just an introduction to the story. Even so, please review and let me know what you think and/or how I can improve!