A.N.: Hey guys! So, my OC Athena got really good reception, and I really liked the character, so I decided to do The Hunger Games trilogy from her perspective! This is the first in the series of three prequels To "The Lesser of Two Evils". This is "The Hunger Games" from her point of view. So, without further ado, "A Gamemaker at Eleven"!

A Gamemaker at Eleven
Chapter 1: Of Tributes and Birthdays

My eyes flutter open. A knot immediately forms in my stomach. Today they choose the tributes for the 74th Annual Hunger Games. These Games are a macabre, morbid, sadistic, and all around horrible way to make sure there's not a Rebellion in the Districts. They take a boy and a girl from each of the twelve Districts and put the twenty-four of them in an arena to compete in a fight to the death. The worst part: it's televised and the main source of entertainment for the Capitol. I hate the Hunger Games, though I'm the president's granddaughter. I love my grandfather, but I wish he would stop all of this.

Oh yeah, today's also my eleventh birthday.

I swing my legs over the bed and hop out. I prepare for the day. I make my way to the living room. I slept longer than I thought, because Mother and Grandfather are already watching the Reaping.

"Athena! Come see this! Someone volunteered in District 12!" Grandfather beckons. As we watch the replay, a blonde twelve-year-old girl is chosen. Her sister, who is sixteen, goes berserk and volunteers to take her place. The blonde girl, Primrose, goes crazy as she is dragged off. The sixteen-year-old, Katniss, has black hair, gray eyes, and olive skin. She stands alone on the stage, scared. There hasn't been a volunteer in District 12 for decades, on account of there only ever being two Victors from there. The boy is sixteen, too. His name is Peeta Mellark. He has beautiful blue eyes, fair skin, and blonde hair, like Primrose. He is incredibly handsome, and immediately I am cheering for the tributes from District 12. I mentally kick myself, because only one of them can win, and District 12 never wins. Mother shuts off the television. I sigh.

I can't get out of my head the looks of horror the two had. Katniss tried to look brave, but Peeta looked utterly terrified.

"Think we forgot about today, Athena?" Grandfather laughs. He always puts words in my mouth like that.

"Truth is, I had forgotten with the Reaping and all." That is the truth, but I say it as if I have respect for the Games. Grandfather would be furious if he knew I think otherwise.

"Have I missed the party?" a voice says.

"Uncle Seneca!" I run to hug my uncle, Seneca Crane. He is my late father's sister's husband. Father had died a year ago in District 9, and then Mother discovered Morphling, but that's off topic. Seneca is also the Head Gamemaker for the Games. He can literally rig the Game to choose a tribute's fate. Maybe I can get him to protect Katniss and Peeta.

"Here's your present." He hands me a charm bracelet with a charm to represent each of the twelve Districts, with the Capitol included.

"Thank you!" I hug him again.

Mother throws a box carelessly to me. She's never really cared about me, but it's especially offensive on my birthday. I open it, and it's a turquoise dress with a plaid pink and purple sash. Purple high heels are also in the box.

"I want you to wear that to the Tribute Parade tonight," Grandfather says. I nod and thank Mother, though I'm sure Grandfather got it.

"And here's my present," Grandfather continues, handing me a velvet box. I open it, revealing a heart-shaped locket. I open the locket. One side has a picture of me, Mother, Father, and Grandfather. The other side is blank.

"You have to choose what to put in the other side," Grandfather instructs.

"Thank you," I say quietly.

"Ah, Athena," Uncle Seneca smiles. "Since you're eleven now, and so mature, I asked your grandfather if you could help me in the Control Room for the Hunger Games. Be an honorary Gamemaker. What do you say?"

What do I say to having the power to save Katniss and Peeta's lives? "Yes."

"Good," he says, patting my arm.

Maybe I can help one of the underdogs win this year.

A.N.: So, how did you like it? Be sure to review, follow, and favorite!