I always hated my name. For one reason or another, it just didn't sound very pretty to me. It sounded cold and heartless. Adrianna Jennings, what's pretty about that?

However, today is the Reaping and I am dreading it. Now I really hate my name.

Mostly everyone in District 4 dreads the Reaping. Normally, we get volunteer tributes (if the reaped tributes are lucky enough, a Career tribute volunteers).

Purposely, I wake up early and read my book. Reading just calms me down. Right now, the object of my obsession is an old, leather-bound book my mother kept in a box up in the attic. It's labeled the Merchant of Venice. I guess it was an okay book.

I slid into my cream dress that had a lace overlay and lace sleeves. It had a tan belt on it and I slid into some flats that were my mom's.

My best friend, Nina Ross, came over and she helped me with my hair and makeup. Nina looked utterly gorgeous for her last Reaping. Her blond curly hair was spun up in a bun and her brown eyes looked really big.

Nina braided my brown wavy hair and left it in a fancy angel braid that looked really pretty. She made my green eyes pop against my pale porcelain skin with black eyeliner and mascara that was a gift from the Capitol.

"So what do you think would happen if I decided to not go to the Reaping this year and skip out?" I asked.

"You really would consider Cromwell coming after you?" Nina asked me. Cromwell is our incredibly strict Head Peacekeeper for District 4.

"I suppose so. I would run before he could trace me." I said as she sighed.

"You're so young and naïve." Nina said rolling her eyes.

"You're 18, I'm 17. We're not that far apart." I said.

"In age. But in spirit or something else, you're like five." Nina said.

"My mother can't handle it if I go in. She already drinks enough, she doesn't need to add me not being here to the alcohol addiction." I said as Nina nodded in agreement.

My mother was an overly-obsessed alcoholic. She spends thousands of dollars a year so she can have her high class liquor. Mom used to be pretty, but now her eyes are dull and her skin is sunken. She's in a state of grief and she doesn't know how to get out of it. People at school humiliate me endlessly for it. But I suppose she has a pretty good reason to let herself slip away.

Dad left us. He and mom fought one day and he went out on a fishing journey and he never returned. Rumors fly around that he's dead, but no one knows for sure. I do know one thing, though. Dad isn't going to come back.

Nina and I stared at the green soothing wall of my bedroom and we waited for the Reaping.

"We'll be fine." She sighed as I nodded and we walked off to the town. Normally, the town was a pretty place to be at, but today it had a very gruesome and monotone tale.

I checked in and Nina and I parted ways. Rainbow- our Capitol Attendant- and the mentors came on stage at exactly two o'clock. We watched a very boring film about how Katniss Everdeen made the Capitol see sense, but we need to have one last Hunger Games to finish it off. After all, we do need a final Quarter Quell.

"For the final Quarter Quell, there will be no weapons at the Cornucopia. The weapons will be scattered around the arena." Rainbow said adjusting her cherry red wig and grinning. She was wearing a purple dress thing and it was not very attractive in District 4. But I have never had an outfit quite like that before in my life.

"Now onto our Tributes for the 100th Hunger Games." She said reaching into a glass filled with tiny little slips of paper. About a handful of those were mine!

"Our female tribute will be... Nina Ross!" Rainbow said. I watched my best friend, who was almost done and out of the Capitol's cage, walk closer to the stage. She seemed numb.

"I volunteer!" I yelled as everyone turned to stare at me. District 4 has seen volunteers before, but there was new blood in the playing field now.

I saw Annie Odair and her son, Finnick Odair smile sadly as I walked up onto the stage.

"What's your name, dear?" Rainbow asked.

"Adrianna Jennings." I replied, really hating my name now. Nina was bawling her eyes out and people forced applause. But now Nina was done and didn't have to go through the Games. However, this reminded me of a quote in my book.

Truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man's son may; but, in the end, truth will out. -Launcelot Gobbo

I was a District 4 Tribute for a Quarter Quell. I was a volunteer. I was a best friend/sister. I was a daughter. I was a swimmer. I was an artist. I am a wavy haired brunette with light jade green eyes.

But now, I am dead meat.

Author's Note: So this is the first official chapter. It's just a look into what's going to happen! And as of today, I only need 3 more characters left: the District 5 boy, the District 6 boy, and the District 8 boy.So it's going to be first come first serve for the final three! And all the spots are solidified! Thanks to all of those who participated! I'm working on the next Chapter as we speak! So tune in for that and please read and review!

XO, GirlonFire