This is my first fanfic so sorry if its bad. Please read and review! Thanks a bunch!

-Katie Lynn

Chapter 1 Reaping Day
I wake up early this morning only to find that my sibllings are still asleep, and they will be because they have nothing to worry about. But I do. This year is my first Reaping. At least I will be safe, I think
Trying my best not to wake them, I slowly crawl out of my bed to go get dressed.
"Rue? Where are you going?" says my sister, Lilac, tiredly.
"I'm just going to go get dressed. Go back to sleep," I say softly to her.
"Are you nervous about today?" asks Lilac.
"Yeah, a little. But don't worry, my name's in the jar once. They won't pick me. And if they do, someone will volunteer," I reply.
I look into Lilac's big brown eyes and I know she won't go back to sleep. I walk over to her bed. "What's it gonna take for you to go back to sleep?" I ask Lilac softly.
"A song," she replies
"Which song?"
"Any."
I close my eyes and think of what song to sing. I decide to sing a song that my mother would always sing to me. I start:
Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe...and...sound...

When, I finish, I look at Lilac. She's sound asleep. I get up and start to leave. I look at Lilac before I go, then at Cherry, then Kai, then Marcus, and finally little Marigold. They all look smaller than ever sound asleep in their beds. Everyone in my family looks similar. We all have thick brown hair, big brown eyes, and tan skin. We all have the same face structure so it's kinda hard not to say we're related.

I take a peek in my dresser and take out a blue shirt and black pants. After I'm done changing, I quickly comb my hair, slip on my boots, and head out to the market. As I'm walking there, I can't help but notice the starving kids. I'd help them all if i could but my family can barely keep us going.

I finally reach the market and start heading towards the Justice Building. There I will get my family's daily food portion. Today I notice that I've gotten more than usual.

"Excuse me sir. Why am I getting more than usual?" I ask a Peacekeeper.
'Mayor Drapon was feeling generous today," the Peacekeeper says flatly. "Oh. Thank you. Goodbye," I say quietly. Man this crate is heavy! I think to myself. Don't drop the crate! Just as these thoughts are coming to my mind, I notice a strong young man at least 6 feet tall and very well built. he couldn't be older than 18. I notice how he carries his crate with ease. He walks over to who I assume is his sister. If he gets reaped this year, I wouldn't want to face him, I think to myself.

As I'm walking home I notice a necklace in the jewelry stand. It's a grass necklace with a wooden flower on it. "How much for the necklace?" I ask the woman.
"Take it for free. Business has been slow lately," the woman replies.
"Thank you," I reply. Wow, I'm getting all these nice things happen to me today! I think to myself. By the time I get home I see that my family surrounds the table, eager for food.
"Mayor drapon was generous today, gave us extra food," I say to them. The minute I say this my family's faces light up with joy. We don't get much food to eat because there's so many of us, so when we get extra food, its a blessing. I hand the crate to my mom, who immediatly starts making breakfast. I take my seat at the table and wait for the food to arrive.

"You nervous Rue?" says my father.
" Why would I be nervous?" I ask confused.
" Today's the Reaping."
"Dad, we all know that I'm not gonna get chosen. My name's in there once."
"Well you never know..." I look at my father and realize he's clearly nervous. By this point breakfast is ready. Two slices of bread and orange slices. Nothing fancy but the orange slices are a real treat. So far today has been great! Nothing bad has occured! I think.
Minutes laterwe all have finished breakfast and sit there quietly. After minutes of silence my mother speaks, breaking it.
"Well, Rue, I better get you dressed. Get you ready for the Reaping!" she says excitedly. If there's one thing my mother likes, its makeovers. SHe loves change. "Change is good!" she'd say.
She leads me to my bedroom and I notice a simple green dress on my bed. "This is what I wore to my first Reaping," my mother says quietly. I'm stunned at the site of it. I've never worn something so beautiful in my life.
"Thank you," I tell her and I start to smile. She returns the smile and I head off to get changed.
_

"Oh Rue, you look SO beautiful," says my mother. All my siblings gasp at the sight of me. I look in the mirror. My mother has neatly combed y hair back. I wear fake pearl earrings, the stunning, yet simple, green dress and white flats. The minute I see me I don't recongnize her. After a minute or so I remember its me. A thought comes to head.
"It's missing one thing," I say as I run to the dining table. My grass necklace. i put it on and walk back to my family.
_

We hear the bells and I know its time for the Reaping. My stomach sinks. What if it's me this year? I think. I won't be chosen. My names only in there once, it'll be OK. We start walking to the 12 year old girls area, right up front. Walking up to the stage is Mayor Drapon. He greets us all and then reads about Panem's history and all. I tune him out.
He finally finishes and outcomes a woman who's name is Penelope. She's a perky woman fromthe Capital and is Reaping for 11 this year. She's wearing a poofy bright yellow dress with butterflies on it, super high high-heels, and her hair is curled and pasted up in a bun. She wears a TON of yellow makeup and has flowers painted on her cheeks.

"Hello, hello! It's about time, once again, to reap one young girl and one young boy to recieve the honor of being a tribute in the 74th annual Hunger Games!" says Penelope in her high ptiched voice. "As always, ladies first!"
It's not gonna be you, its not gonna be you, its not gonna be you... I think in my head.
She unfolds the paper and says in a clear voice:

Rue Shallows

I hope you all like the first chapter of my story! I won't be able to update much because I have to go to school and get awful amounts of homework but I will try to update on weekends. Also, sorry if these chapters seem a little long, i have so much to put in so...enjoy!