I wake up. Normally I am happy to wake up. happy to start a new day. But not today. Today is the day of the reaping.

I live in district 4, I am 14 years old and I look like any other girl From my district. I have sandy blonde hair and tan skin, just like everyone else.

I walk down the stairs to see my family all sitting around our kitchen table. I have of course, my mother and father, and my two younger sisters, Allison and Kaylee. they are twin 11 year olds. They are lucky, they have one last year before the Capitol can take their lives away, by putting them in a fight to the death. We eat in relative silence, as we always do on reaping day. I have my name in that bowl three times today. My chance is as good as ever. We aren't to head to town square until 12 noon so we have a lot of spare time beforehand. Before we leave my mother leaves my dress on my bed. I really would love this dress, it is a beautiful blue color. The color of the ocean I so love. I would love it if it were for another occasion. But it's not.

As we head to the square, my family goes and stands behind, while I go to sign in. Once everyone is settled, our district escort, Rupalia Keene, starts of with a 'very special film' about the rebellion and all of that that I have learned in school 1,000,000 times. Then, she moves to the reaping ball for the girls.

"Ladies first!" She announces in her very annoying high pitched Capitol accent.

Rupalia does an excellent job at making everyone wait for their tribute, as she slowly circles her perfectly manicured hand around the bowl. Finally, she chooses a white slip of paper. She makes extra precaution to open it just right and to read the name loud and clear into the microphone. I don't think I hear her right when she says the name.

It's Dayna Marshe

I am still in complete shock when the peacekeepers bring me up on stage. I am in shock while Rupalia chooses a boy, I don't have time to wish for any of my friends not to be reaped.

She reads the name.

"Aiden Winters!" She calls in her disgusting Capitol voice.

I scan the crowd for the child and I see the small 12 year old walking toward the stage.

Then, from the 18 year old section, I hear a shout.

"I VOLUNTEER!" Shouts the voice.

I can see the relief fill poor Aiden's face.

As I turn to see who the volenteer is, and i can feel my face turn pale. It is King Rider.

He is the town butcher's son, and he is strong and very muscular. He will make a very big opponent...I can see him as a career. As he makes his way up to the stage, I think of something. Why didn't anyone volunteer for me? Why didn't I get the relief that little Aiden got? Almost EVERY year there is a girl volunteer. But this year, none?

King makes his way up to the stage and Rupalia tells us to shake hands.

We do and King gives me a friendly nod. I wonder if we would of ever been friends.

Probabaly not, but I will never know.

We are going into the arena.

Rupalia shows us into the Justice Building where I sit in a room with a very expensive set of leather chairs. This is where I will wait for my friends and family to visit me for the last time. But I know they won't say that.

Suddenly, my parents and two wailing sisters are pushed into the room. My mother is sobbing but trying to maintain her composure. My father sits on the chair next to me with a hint of urgency in his blue eyes.

"Get to a trident." He tells me.

I try to say something but I only give a faint mumble and give my head a nod of agreement.

You see, my father is one of the main spear-fishers here in the district. So therefore, he is teaching me as well. Ever since Finnick Odair won the 65th Hunger games 7 years ago, they almost always have a few tridents in the cornucopia. They don't want sponsors spending that much on gifts, I guess.

Next my mother comes up to me and let's me sit in her lap, like I did when I was little.

"You need a district token." She states

I nod again.

"Sure I guess.. But I don't have one" I manage to stammer out.

She smiled slightly. The tears not flowing as fast now.

"That's why I will give you this."

I open my mouth in shock when my mother pulls out something I recognize.

It is a beautiful sandy brown leather bracelet with small beads and shells embellished inside.

I know for a fact my grandfather gave this to her before he died. My mother cherishes it and I am still in utter shock when she slips it onto my wrist.

"Ttthank you... Mom" I manage to say before I feel the tears coming. I stop them though. I don't want my opponents to think I'm weak.

My mother smiles and says "your sisters want to tell you something."

My mother stands up to stand with my father as Allison and Kaylee make their way over to me.

"Hey." They say in unison as they do so much.

I smile and say back to them "Hi..."

Allison starts- "I just want you to know..."

"...that we are routing for you" Kaylee finishes.

They do that a lot too.

"I know." I state.

"I just want you to know that I know you can win." Kaylee says matter-of-factly.

Allison nods in a agreement and says "Yes, you can use a trident. And you are ammmmaziiiiing at it too."

I laugh a bit at her still childish words. I feel bad I won't be able to see them grow up.

I know I shouldn't think about that, but really? What tribute doesn't?

Suddenly, the peacekeepers come in to take my family away. I give them all one last hug and my father yells "See you soon, honey!"

I hear my mother and sisters give out one more sob before they are gone.

They didn't say goodbye. They are trying to comfort me, but what's the use.

2 minuites later, my best friend Lizzy Saylor comes running into the room.

She spins me into a hug before I hug her tightly back. You see, she has been my best friend since year one. We have so much in common, and our fathers work together.

She sits me down on the chair and sits next to me.

"Day, you need to get to a trident."

I smile at the similar words that I have only heard moments ago.

"My father told me the same thing."

But, her face remains serious.

"I have seen how you use that trident. You have incredible aim, Dayna."

I look up to face her. "But what If they don't have a tri.."

She interrupts me. "They will. After how Finnick won, they always have one."

"Thanks, Liz." I smile and hug her one last time before the peacekeepers come in to take her away.

"I'm betting on you!" She shouts, and then she is gone.