A/N: This is my first fic, so please review? I have written a few more chapters, but I'll stagger them! Sorry if they are not completely accurate, I lent my books to my friend so I can't cross reference! ): I do not own THG or any part of it!

I wake up to find five tiny faces staring at me, like it's some special day. I was about to ask why they were there, then it hit me- it's reaping day. This year, I am twelve, so it's my first year in the reaping. T-w-e-l-v-e. The word feels weird on my tongue.

I get dressed and head off to the orchard. The reaping isn't until one, so we still have to work until eleven, when we are dismissed to prepare for the reaping. I am one of the smallest workers in the field, so I'm always up on the highest branches. I pick a couple of fruit from the trees and toss them down to my friend, Thresh. Thresh is big and intimidating, so he doesn't have many friends. Just me. I think he's a sweet boy inside though.

"Do you think I'll be reaped?" I asked anxiously.

"You won't, little Rue. Twelve year olds hardly ever get reaped."

"But there's still the except-"

"Shh, you won't, I promise."

"Okay," I toss an apple down on an unprepared Thresh, and it hits him in the head. He looks angry at first, but we both have a good laugh over it. Then, I see the flag that signals the end of work.

I do my special four-note whistle, one that I came up with. I think it sounds lovely, and the mockingjays do too. The birds pick up my tune slowly, and soon everyone knows to knock off and prepare for the reaping.

"Wear a pretty dress, little Rue," Thresh turns to me.

"Okay. See you after the reaping?"

"See you after the reaping."

I return home and find my 5 little sisters surrounding my reaping dress with awe. A light blue dress with little ripples when I shake it, and floral lace on the sleeves. It's new, and a luxury in our district. It must have cost mother and father a fortune!

Mother and father walk in, and tell me to wear it. With a grateful heart, I put it on gently. Turning to the mirror, I see someone I had never seen before. She was stunning, pretty, everything I'm not.

"You look beautiful," Rachel pipes up. My other sisters nod in agreement.

I believe her, but I can't be arrogant. "Thank you."

We head off to the town square. I'm the only one in my family eligible for the reaping, so mother, father and my sisters send me personally to the twelve year old girls section. Mother gives me a light kiss on the forehead, and my sisters follow. Father embraces me in his ever reliable arms, and wishes me good luck. They leave for the public section, and I'm left all alone.

After what seems like an eternity, the mayor reads the history of Panem and the Treaty of Treason. The Hunger Games were the result of the rebellion we had against the Capitol 74 years ago, and this is how the Capitol shows us who's in charge. The mayor then introduces our past victors. We're not a career district, so we have had only three. One of them is dead, so there's only Chaff and Seeder, our mentors. He then introduces our escort, Angel Tequilla.

Angel has bright orange hair, and lots of surgical enhancements that the Capitol offers. She may think she looks pretty, but I think she looks disguisting. Who would want sequins all over their legs?

I look over to the other side of the crowd. Thresh catches my eye, and gives me a smile that says, don't worry.

Angel says cheerfully into the microphone that she is going to draw the girl tribute's name for this year's games. How can she be cheerful about this? No one wants to be reaped.

As she sticks her hand into the reaping ball, I can't help thinking that she might pick mine. My name is in there nine times. Once because I had to, the other eight was to take out tesserae for each of my family members. My name is in there more times than some of the eighteen year olds who don't need tesserae! Thresh notices my slight frown, because he nods encouragingly at me. I won't be reaped, I'm only twelve. I won't be reaped, I'm only twelve. I won't be-

"And our female tribute is," Angel pauses, "Rue Viridian."