This is my first story, so please bear with me on this…. And reviews are very much appreciated.
May the Odds be in Our Favor
Chapter One
"Katniss! Get your lazy butt up or we will be late for our first day of training!" I hear my little sister, Primrose, yell down to me as I finish my stretching. Prim is only 13, but you would never guess she was so young if you met her. After our father died in a car wreck five years ago and our mother went into a deep state of immediate depression, we both had to grow up real quick in order to pay the bills, keep food on the table, and not be taken from our mother and put into foster care. Prim, being the caring, intelligent person she is, was quickly able to bring in some business to her make-shift healing center. I, on the other hand, had to remember who my father used to trade his game with. After a while, I got the hang of it. Greasy Sae will take most any wild game. Reba, the butcher, prefers deer and turkey, but will take the occasional wild dog and boar. Mayor Undersea has a sweet spot for strawberries, and pays me a healthy amount to keep him stocked up with the things. But my favorite customer is the baker. I never bothered to remember his name since everyone always just calls him the baker, but he always has some sweet treats or warm bread for me to take home to my sister whenever I bring him his share of strawberries and whatever other edible berry I happen to run across.
Because we only have two bedrooms, I suggested that I turn the basement into my own domain when Prim started to complain about how little space we had in our little room. It really helped with the space issue. And I, being the sole provider for our family after our father passed and our mother finally checked herself into therapy for her depression, was able to choose exactly what I wanted to do.
"I'm coming Prim! Give me a minute to stretch." I yelled up. Today was our first day of training. We both were recruited by the District 12 Gymnastics, Dance, Color Guard, and Cheer Olympics team. Being that we are both from the Seam, the poorest part of our district, it was a great honor for us to be invited to join. With the 75th tri-annual Panem Olympics in just two years, we both have to train really hard. We only have one living victor from this specific team, Haymitch Abernathy, the whole district is really counting on our team to pull at least a bronze medal.
"Don't forget your cheerleading shoes and practice uniform little duck." I remind Prim as I pack our lunch and snacks for training, even though they told us that it will be provided. Being the only two 'Seam trash', as I heard a mother call us when we first came to meet with the coaches and, I'd rather not take any chances.
"I've got it Kat, and I thought I told you that I don't want you to use my nickname anymore." She says.
"Well maybe if you tuck in your tail, I won't use it anymore." I reply with a laugh as I tuck in the back of her shirt and grab my guard and dance bags. I may be from the Seam, but I am one of the only four people from our district who have two different talents on the team. I heard that the only other person who does both color guard and dance is someone named Peeta Mellark. 'Strange name for a girl' I thought to myself.
"Hurry up, my little duckling, or we will be late for our first day of training." I say with mock impatience.
"I'm coming, don't nag me." She says as we walk out the door.
And we are off!
How was it? Please review. I will get the next chapter up as soon as I can. This summer will be kind of busy for me, but I promise not to forget about you guys!
-Lots of Love!
lildancer