I do not own the hunger games, D: Sadly. Boo hoo, btw on any requests I can stop Peeta bread from dying heh.
Chapter 1: The Reaping
Veriska took short, measured steps, matching her best friend's, PrimRose Everdeen, footsteps. Her untameable black hair fell into her face, as she chatted quietly with the blonde hair girl. A small smile quirked upon the corner of her lips as she saw that Prim's shirt was untucked in the back making a duck tail, and the girl's hair was already frizzy. The two filed into the area where all the 12 year olds stood, and any conversation between them stopped as the fear of their first reaping tore through them. Both girls store forward as the video was shown, and then Effie Trinket tapped the microphone. Veriska tuned out most of Effie's speech, only listening again when Effie called out
"Ladies first." Not me, not Prim, not me, not Prim. Veriska chanted in her head, holding her breath as Effie stuck her hand into the crystal ball and moved it around a few times until she grabbed a small piece of paper that held the potential to rip apart families, and cut lives short.
Not us, not us, not us. Effie started to unfold the paper, neatly taking the piece of tape off of it. Not us, not us. The paper was fully opened and Effie took a deep breath. Not us-
"PrimRose Everdeen." Followed by Prim's name being called, there was silence. The only sound heard was the wind, howling like a beast and it whipped around them as the crowd parted like the red sea, allowing Prim, the girl with blonde braids and an untucked shirt, to walk through. Her mind was blank, and before she realizes it she's weaving through the crowd trying to catch up to Prim. When she does, she ducks under the peace keepers' arms and glanced over at her friend of 8 years.
"Hey Prim." She said casually as if they were walking home from school. Prim stopped walking and turned to look at Veriska, shock and surprise written all over her face, just as it was on everyone else's.
"Riska? What are you doing?!" Prim exclaimed looking around feverishly, reminding Veriska of when they'd pick flowers from the meadow and they'd look around thinking they were about to get caught. Veriska gave her a small, sad smile, perhaps the last smile Prim would ever get from her as she looked forward again, towards the stage where Effie stood. Towards the stage that held her invitation to doom.
"I volunteer as tribute." As soon as she spoke those words, pandemonium broke out. Prim began screeching and wrapped her arms around Veriska.
"NO! I DON'T ACCEPT IT! I WON'T LET YOU! NOO! NOOOO!" Her screams continued to echo as Gale, whom Veriska duly noted was Katniss's friend wrapped his arms around Prim, forcing her to let go of Veriska and he hoisted Prim up onto his shoulders and took off walking. Veriska looked away, forcing back the tears that stung her eyes, and she wiped her expression clean. With her head held high, Veriska walked forward, her honey gold eyes glaring at anyone who dared give her a look of pity. She knew her fate, she chose it herself, she didn't need anyone's pity. Walking up the steps, Veriska's eyes scanned the crowd and they landed on Katniss, who had a look of horror and gratitude. Veriska gave her a small smile, knowing that if the older girl could she would take Veriska's place in a heartbeat.
"Well...Here we have it. District Twelve's Female Tribute, Veriska-" Here Effie paused and glanced at Veriska for her last name and Veriska frowned but muttered softly
"Temple."
"Temple! Veriska Temple of District Twelve. Now for the boys." Effie strolled over to the crystal ball that held the boys name and this time she didn't hesitate, plunging her hand right into the ball and pulling out a piece of paper. Veriska looked forward with her arms folded behind her back to keep her from picking at the white long sleeved shirt, and the black skirt she was wearing. As Effie unfolded the paper, Veriska let out a near silent sigh wondering who would have the misfortune of being her partner this year. "Peeta Mellark." Veriska's eyes snapped up and she couldn't help the yelp that escaped her.
"No!" Effie turned towards her with a questioning look, but Veriska's eyes were locked on the boy who walked towards the stage, and her skin went pale. Mounting the stage, Peeta gave Veriska a weak grin.
"Hey, little sister."
"Hey, big brother." Veriska murmured looking away from him.
"Um, well, shake hands." Effie looked deeply confused, as did the mayor and Haymitch, district twelve's only victor. Veriska extended her hand but Peeta yanked her forward and held her to his chest. Wrapping her arms around his torso, Veriska allowed herself to be comforted briefly before she pulled back and stared forward. "How amazing, here we have District Twelve's Tributes, Veriska Temple and Peeta Mellark!" The crowd didn't move, all they did was stare blankly at Effie before Katniss pressed three fingers to her lips and held them up. A wave of sorrow ran through Veriska as she recognized it. It was a goodbye. Veriska turned when she felt a hand on her back and she walked into the Justice Building, only remembering it for the one time she was here. The day her mother and father died. Shoving away the memories, Veriska found herself sitting on a couch made out of what she thought was velvet. She absently smoothed out her skirt, her head snapping up when the door was pushed opened.
"You have three minutes." The peacekeeper said before Peeta's brothers, Rye and Tyree, entered the room along with their father.
"You little crazy girl!" Tyree growled ruffling her already messed up hair while she complained for him to stop. After a minute he did and they all looked at her sadly as Peeta's dad sunk to his knees.
"Listen Princess, you stay alive alright? Peeta will take care of you," The brother's nodded in the background and Veriska sighed
"I make no promises. But I'll try." Rye caressed her face as the peacekeeper pushed the door open.
"Time is up." They all got up and Peeta's dad pressed a kiss to her forehead as they walked out.
"I love you guys!" Veriska called after them. And at their response she smiled. The door opened again and she barely had time to see who was there when she had a face full of blonde hair. "Prim-Can't-Breathe!" She gasped, which was enough for PrimRose to loosen her grip on Veriska.
"I'm sorry!" She muttered tearfully. Katniss stared at her for a few seconds before saying in that calm voice of hers
"Don't forget what I taught you, remember that your greatest chance is getting your hands on some knives alright?" Veriska nodded as Katniss enveloped both of them into a hug and she muttered
"I don't care if Peeta is my boyfriend, you do everything you can to get home alright? Peeta already agrees with me." Veriska nodded again silently, knowing that she was lying the moment Katniss told her that. Thrusting something into Veriska's hand, Katniss gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Stay alive."
"Time's up." The same peacekeeper came back and Katniss pried Prim off of her and they walked out leaving Veriska alone in the room, with the couch she thought was made out of velvet.
L-I-N-E B-R-E-A-K
Compared to the silence of the room with the velvet couch, the train station was loud. A bunch of people were screaming as Veriska walked onto the platform, and she glanced at Peeta noticing that his eyes were red and he had tear tracks running down his cheeks. Walking forward, she wrapped her hand around Peeta's, and together they boarded the train. As soon as she walked on, Veriska thought this was heaven. She had never seen the inside of a train before, and this was simply amazing. It was like a moving house.
"Close your mouth before you catch flies, girl." Haymitch mumbled from his place at the table, drinking a bottle of liquor. Veriska wrinkled her nose but walked forward and sat down next to Peeta, as he had let go of her hand the minute they got on and sat down. Veriska fidgeted around nervously for a few seconds as the train started moving and blurted out.
"How are we suppose to survive?" Haymitch looked her up and down, giving her a sad look as he said simply.
"You don't." For some reason, instead of making Veriska sad, this made her angry. Here this stranger was, telling her that she wouldn't survive. Telling her she had no chance of living.
"What do you mean, we don't?" Peeta placed a hand on Veriska's shoulder, sensing the girl was within seconds of snapping. Haymitch let out a little laugh and Peeta smacked the liquor right out of his hand. "To you that may be funny, but it isn't to us." Haymitch stared at Peeta for a second before his hand shot forward at impossible speeds and hit Peeta right on his jaw, and it sent Peeta to the floor. Veriska reacted on instinct, grabbing the plate that sat in front of her and she chucked it at Haymitch with all her might. He moved at the last second and the plate shattered upon hitting the wall and Haymitch frowned, looking them both over.
"Don't put ice on it." He snapped to Peeta who was raising ice to his jaw. "And both of you, stand up." Veriska stood, crossing her arms to show she didn't like the way he was talking to her as he circled the both of you. "Hmm, did I get a pair of fighters this year?"
"You sure didn't get a pair of toothbrushes." Veriska grumbled, not looking up at Haymitch's laugh and Effie's gasp.
"Manners!" Effie reprimanded Veriska who rolled her eyes, and gave a small apology.
"I like her." Haymitch looked them both over one last time before making a shooing motion.
"Go and get some rest, we'll be in the capital at dawn. And you want to know how you can win?" At both of the tributes' nods he continued. "Don't complain about what your stylist do to you. And final advice: Stay alive." With that he turned on his heel, leaving Veriska and Peeta alone in the room with Effie. Gnawing on her lip, Effie pointed to the tv.
"I suppose you want to see the other reapings?" At Peeta's silent nod, Effie switched on the television where the reapings were airing. They had missed District 1-4, and they were on district 5 where a girl with red hair and looked like a fox, was chosen along with a boy who had black hair and dark brown eyes. Both were 15. Veriska tuned out all other districts, only paying attention when a crippled boy was shown in district 10. A sharp hiss escaped her as a girl, Rue her name was, was chosen and had to be pried away from 5 younger siblings. The girl's brown hair was puffy and her brown eyes were shining with tears. After her, a boy, Thresh, who looked like he could destroy a tank was chosen. Veriska frowned, and then it was onto district 12.
"My, my. District Twelve's first volunteer! What was her name again?" Caesar commented.
"It doesn't matter what her name is, she is one of the only 12 year old. She's not going to make it." Templesmith interrupted, and Veriska growled. She knew at that moment she was going to win those games. She had to, and if she didn't then she wanted Peeta to win, or that girl, Rue.
Well here we go! The first chapter! Hope you enjoyed!
