Disclaimer: Hahahahaha if I owned The Hunger Games, I wouldn't have to be working part time at Mcdonalds.

Author's Note: I'm trying to write a lot more fanfictions lately with different stories! My first ever Hunger Games fanfiction! Hope you like it! (PS: This story is told from Clove's point of view.)

I'm woken up by my alarm clock ringing loudly. Today is reaping day. I pull myself out of bed and slowly walk to my full sized mirror next to my closet. My brown hair is a bird's nest and my freckles look even more disastrous today. I sigh and go to the bathroom to clean myself up. I finish washing my face and brushing my hair before going downstairs to my dining room.

My house is quite large, but then again. It's common for someone living in District 2. I walk down the marble steps and am greeted by my mom.

"Clove, you look tired. That won't be good for the cameras when you're chosen as a tribute." My mom shakes her head. My mom is a skinny woman who has gorgeous, voluminous brunette hair and bright green eyes. She works as a model for some of District 2's products. Too bad I wasn't blessed with her looks.

"I'll look fine. I just woke up." I reassure her. The reason she knows that I'll be chosen is because it was already decided. I would volunteer as tribute if I wasn't reaped. But it'll probably be my name that they pull out anyways. My name is in there 149 times. I volunteered as much as I could before the peace keepers got angry with me and told me to leave. I didn't take any of the tessera. Please. My family is rich enough to feed everyone in the other Districts.

I hear my dad's footsteps as he comes down the stairs. He beams. "There's my future Hunger Games winner!" My dad is a strong, muscular guy for someone in his 40s and has a short beard. His brown eyes are sparkling.

I fake a laugh. "Dad. Stop." I plop down in a chair and pick up a bright red apple.

"Some of my friends are betting on that Cato kid to win this year, but you know what?" My dad asks. "I know that you're a lot more clever. You, Clove. You're a survivor."

"Thanks, dad." I half-heartedly smile. I know I shouldn't be doubting myself but what if I don't survive? How are my parents so fine with sending me off into a killing spree? Of course, if I said this out loud, I would probably be disowned.

"Go put on the dress after you're finished eating." My mom orders.

"Eat up! You'll need your energy!" My dad booms.

I suddenly don't feel hungry anymore. "Um... I'm not that hungry today. I'll finish this apple in my room." I head up the stairs, rushing to get away. As soon as I close the door to my bedroom, I throw the apple into the garbage can. I walk to my closet and delicately pull out the coral red dress that my mom picked out. I gently run my fingers over the fabric. It's a spaghetti strap dress. The bubble skirt is made of a sparkly pinkish orange chiffon. There's a black ribbon that acts as a belt and has a cute little bow. I laugh because I know that my mom is trying to make me look cute and innocent.

The more cute and innocent I look, the less I'll be targeted. The Johanna strategy, she says. I roll my eyes and bring it to the bathroom to wear. I carefully put the dress on and then do my hair. I put my hair into a low bun and pull out a few strands to make it look less put together. When I'm finished, I go sit on my bed and wait for Reaping time. I ponder about who the other tributes will be. Will they all be strong? Then I think about Cato.

I was introduced to Cato in the beginning of the year and I was told that we would be the two tributes from District 2. My teeth clench at the memory.

"Cato, this is Clove." The man says. He's the director of the future tributes in District 2. "Clove, this is Cato."

"Hello." I solemnly say.

Cato nods in answer. His coach is a male and he glares at me with his amber eyes as if I'm a threat. I nervously face my coach who is standing next to me. She's a strict woman with her blond hair always pulled into a tight bun and her dark eyes always monotone. Neither of our coaches have been in the Hunger Games but they've been training kids for as long as I can remember.

"We read everyone's data and have determined that you two will be the tributes this year! You two are very compatible with each other and we expect to see great results!" The director says enthusiastically. "You two will have such fun!"

How about I throw you into an arena with 24 other people and tell you to kill them or die? Would that be fun to you? I think to myself.

"How old are you?" Cato asks.

"I'm 16." I answer.

"Well, I'm 17."

"Oh."

We stand in awkward silence for a moment before Cato says, "No offense, but out of us two... I'm more likely to win."

My jaw drops. "Excuse me?"

"All I'm saying is that I don't mind being in the Career pack with you, but just don't bring me down." Cato snorts and turns on his heels. I gasp as he walks away. His coach trails behind as if Cato is the instructor and his coach is the student.

My fists ball up. How dare he? Just because he's older. And more popular. And yes, he is popular with the girls. But that does NOT mean that he'll be the winner. I'm the clever one. I'm the fast one. I'm the agile one. The bell rings to indicate time for the Reaping. I stand up with my jaw stiff and fists clenched. I have been training my entire life for this. I won't lose. Especially not to Cato. I'm not going down without a fight.

Author's Note: Chapter 1! Yay! Sorry that it's so short... It'll get longer! I promise! Hope you guys liked it! I would love if you guys could review! Thanks so much! :D