Chapter One
I waited. Other eighteen year old girls chattered and chirped all around me like birds. I didn't. I waited. Waited. This was my year, I knew it. It had to be. I'd been trained to fight since I could walk. I couldn't have put all that effort, that pain, those bruises and cuts and scars, for nothing. No. I had to be picked. I had to make my mum proud. I watched as Astoria appeared on the shining marble stage, wearing something even more ridiculous than last year: a white-blonde wig and a long turquoise sleeveless dress absolutely covered in a complicated pattern of tiny colourful butterflys and cherry blossom all intertwining together, with matching elbow high velvet gloves.
Astoria pursed her dyed-blue lips and declared, "Welcome, welcome, welcome! To the seventy fourth annual Hunger Games, may the odds be ever in your favour! Now then, ladies first." She reached a delicate manicured hand into the round glass bowl. Next, Astoria held up the selected piece of paper up for all to see, and slowly read out the name printed on it. It had to be me. It had to. "Jade Snow!" Astoria declared. Jade strode proudly forwards, beaming smugly, and blowing kisses to the crowd. That's it. That was my last chance. And it was taken. I leapt towards to stage and shouted,"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" Ibreathed in and out, timing my breaths with the click clack of Astoria's heels. Jade glared, her emerald eyes fixed with mine.
"You... you... Oh forget it! I'm female tribute- this is my year- not your's, mine! Isn't it Astoria?" Jade glanced hopefully at the woman, who was strolling up and down the wooden stage, enjoying the drama.
"I'm afraid, Miss Snow, that..." she searched for my name "Glimmer is the female tribute!" I'd done it. I'd actually done it. I smiled weakly k.y at the crowd, remembering this would be broadcasted live to everyone in Panem. I was this year's tribute, about to become a victor.