Chapter 1:

P.O.V.

Today was the day in which I have dreaded for many months. Nightmares of the Capitol symbol and their outrageous people have scolded me for the past 4 years,ever since my name had started to be reaped. My name "peeta mallark" will now be placed in that bowl over 20 times from all the terrace which my mother forced me to take out. Not that she'd care if I'd been selected as the 'lucky' tribute. To be brutally honest I would see it as a blessing for both her and I, I wouldn't be beaten within an inch of my life if she ever felt angry. In many ways I will be glad if I get chosen, I might even volunteer... No I have to stay strong for my father, yes my weak old father whom was forced into marriage with my abusive mother, not to mention that he still loves that idiot katniss' mother. But that is all but a dream for him, as he now had three children in which he never showed a snippet of emotion to. He cares more for the bakery than me, rye and Lythe. Still there's no excuse.

It was 6:30 am and I was just washing my forever burnt skin when I heard sobbing from outside the room. I new it was my younger brother Rye, he was only twelve and this would be the first time his name would be in the bowl. "Come in rye" I said with a calm but brave tone. He opened the door slowly and scurried in the room only to bury his face into my chest with a constant sob. It was heartbreaking. "Don't worry" I said, "your name has only been entered once". With that he sat up straight and rubbed a hand over his glassy grey eyes only to be met by my piercing blue eyes. Many people have said how my eyes can make many swoon and fall into a trance, but I just shrugged it off, a baker boy that can do that, no. Rye stood and nodded his head politely and left with a light thud of the door, we did not exchange many words between us but we always new what the other was feeling. Compared to mine and Lythes relationship, this was great, me and Lythe were very distant, he now worked in the coal mines as we live in district 12, but still very few words were ever exchanged, we were more of friends than brothers.

I wasn't scared for this reaping, surprisingly, I was the most well built kid in the district. Well that's the only thing I can thank my mother for, ever since a young age she made me carry the 120b bags of flour from the market to the bakery.

I didn't play out much as you would expect a child to. I had to work for my living and keep, which is terrible considering they were depriving me of my youth. The one day a week that I was allowed out I met Haymitch, he was like a hero to me yet many said he was a fool for drinking the bad memories of his game away. He told me how 'he entered on the 50th quarter quell with 48 other tributes. He said that he was good at manipulating people, so he did so to the careers and took them all out one by one. This only intrigued my knowledge of the games, I wanted to learn how to fight because I had a high chance I was going to be reaped. Haymitch guided me through many different weapons of which I liked them all. However because of my strength and speed, he said I will be better off with the hunting knife which was also great at throwing. He then taught me all the defensive moves he new and I soon became a pro at wielding a knife. He then took me to the Forrest where he trained me to be light on my feet. I also discovered that I was good with stamina and agility.

After he taught me all of this, he trained me in defence over and over again, and by this I learned how to block out my emotion and pain. The last year Haymitch trained me, he taught me how to hunt animals in the Forrest which I was good at because of all the training. He said I was ready for the games if I ever get picked, and with that he never spoke to me again.

Half an hour had passed and I was just pulling the sweet smelling bread out of the oven when my mother snorted and stomped past me, kicking me in the shin on the way. It didn't hurt at all, I had learnt to block the pain and emotion out which was a good thing. She the snorted again which made me meet her gaze which instantly felt like she was boring into my soul. "Put that on the side! And get your brother and walk to the square where I hope you get reaped" she said with the bitterest tone. This however did not effect me, I just brushed it off and left, it was a regular occurrence like I was a burden she wanted to get rid of. Most of the time I thought I wasn't even related to them. They all had jet black hair with grey eyes and pale skin where as I had dirty blonde hair with a slightly tan skin and beautiful blue eyes. Many have asked me if I was adopted, I knew from then on that I most likely was.

Walking out into the brisk air, I had rye by the hand whilst Lythe was a few paces in front, I couldn't understand why he wanted to come, but put it down to his crush on madge the mayors daughter. I left rye in the twelve year old section and headed towards the sixteen year old one. I stood by the edge next to a peacekeeper whom looked at me with disgust, I only stood there to keep an eye on my brother though.

"Welcome, welcome, to the 74th annual hunger games, and might I say, ' may the odds be ever in your favour!' " spoke the Capitol escort named Effie. She stood at the front of the stage in a ridiculous neon pink wig with a horrible neon pink dress to match. I just chuckled which caught the attention of many other children. I just shrugged it off like anything else. Many people say how they hate Effie, however I liked her. To my knowledge it wasn't her fault that she was brought up to love the games. "Now, Lady's first" Effie said as she stood over the bowl filled with names. When she finally picked one out, she went to the mic and shouted, "Katniss Everdeen". I heard a loud sob and turned to my left where I met the girl crying for her life, she was stick thin with single braid coming down her back. She timidly made her way to the stage where an impatient Effie tapped her heel on the oak floors. When katniss was finally on stage Effie said, "now, for the boys" and without hesitation she ripped a name from the bowl and trotted over to the mic. "Rye mallark" my heart was in my mouth, no not rye he'll die for sure, I stepped out of line and lunged forward. Pushing him back in line, I shouted "I volunteer as tribute" with the bravest tone I could. Many gasped in shock some even shrieked, we never had a volunteer from twelve. I glided up to the stage with ease and pride, with my stocky stature and all the muscle I had gained from lifting the flour at the bakery, I looked like I had trained for it. As I toke my place next to Effie she said, "what's your name dear", I snorted at the word dear which again raised a few gasps from the crowd. "I'm Peeta mellark" i said in a bitter tone. I new what I had got myself into so I might as well try and play a brute card I thought. Effie then spoke into the mic, "well, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you are tributes, Katniss everdeen and Peeta mellark" . And with that we were ushered of stage and into the justice building.

A few moments later, we were shoved into separate rooms , which of course I didn't mind. I hated that girl with a passion, ever since she manipulated Rye into giving her 3 loaves of expensive bread for nothing. I snorted at the thought and sat down on one of the provided chairs. The large wooden door then suddenly swung open when a crying Rye raced into me and tightly wrapped his arms around me. He silently sobbed into my chest whilst I ruffled his hair. Lythe was standing behind him and gave me a reassuring look and said, " make sure you win, your strong enough, you know how to use a knife...". These words sent courage coursing through my veins because they were true, I had a good chance. My mother and father didn't come to visit but I couldn't even care. After one last hug with Rye and a pat on the shoulder from Lythe they were gone. I slumped back into the chair, remembering when the only victor of 12 taught me how to wield and throw a knife which I did with deadly accuracy and precision. I was ready, and I sure hell wasn't afraid.