Chester Garfield POV

Miffline Corket explained the whole stupid thing. Go into the arena, blah blah blah, win don't die, blah blah blah, what EVER. I snickered. My parents always thought of me as a "bad boy," but that's just how I roll. That's right ladies. This guy's single.
"The tribute from District 11 is..." Miffline said dramatically. "Rose Gandy!" Rose stepped up onto the stage. I remember her from school. Probably the only girl I remember, besides my girlfriend, because she's always the kid who sneezes when she gets nervous during a test. What a loser. Maybe these games aren't so bad after all.
"The boy tribute from District 11 is... Chester Garfield!" Now, the first thing you'd expect from a person is fear. Going to probably die? Scary. But I feel embarrassed. Only my parents knew my last name, and I told everyone at school my last name was Coolman. Now the secret is out. Just great. What will the guys think?
Two Peacekeepers guide me onto the stage next to Rose. She's sneezing like crazy she's so nervous. The first thing I'm thinking is when we're in the arena, I defiantly don't want to have Rose as an ally. She's just sneeze loudly and the others will find us. Hopefully someone else will have the honor to kill her.
"Our tributes, Rose Gandy and Chester Barfield-"
"My name is Garfield, get that right." Laughter erupted from the audience. I was ready to have a total smack down with this Capitol woman.
"-Garfield," she corrected. "Will enter the first annual Hunger Games together!" Ugh. I almost barfed. She made it sound like me and Rose were a... thing. I was going to say 'I'm not her boyfriend' when she continued. "Now, you two will be issued into the Justice Building to say your good-byes. Please do not try to leave or escape."
The Peacekeepers behind us forced us into the rich building. Plenty to steal in here, I thought. Too bad I've never been here before. It's only be a white room by now. I took a seat in a soft, velvet chair. An exact replica of the chair was across from me. I looked outside the window. The Justice Building was completely surrounded with Peacekeepers. I saw my parents huddling next to each other while a Peacekeeper guided them to the steps. We've been living here for 14 years. I think they know where the huge Justice Building is by now.
I watched them walk in. There were tears in their eyes. Babies. "We... love you," they said, choking on their sobs. "Just, we know you can... do this." My dad burst into tears and literally fell on the floor. "We believe in you. All of 11 does. Win this for all of us." For some reason this touches me. My eyes start to water. I wipe them on my sleeve. What am I thinking? Crying like a baby.
"Thanks Mom, I will." Was all I could say before some Peacekeepers hauled them outside.
"We love you!" My dad yelled over their shoulder. He blew his nose on one of the Peacekeeper's uniform. I'd hate to be that guy. The door closed and I sat quietly, not knowing what to expect. Then my old gang from school showed up. They must have seen my red nose and sort-of watery eyes.
"Look who's here! The tribute boy from District 11." One teased. There was a hint of sadness in his voice. He slugged me in the arm. "We'll miss you." 'We'll miss you.' Did they have no faith in me? I am defiantly going to win now. I'll show them.

The other guys slugged me in the arm, too. It hurt, but I guess that was our way of saying good-bye. Being the strongest of the pack, I slugged them all back, harder. That should leave a don't-forget-me bruise. "I'll miss you guys too. But I'm coming back, by the way." I managed a smile. The Peacekeepers didn't show up yet so we decided to play Assassin. Assassin is where you have an assassin and three cops. The point is for the assassin is to get the cop into one area, like "killing" them, I guess. Once the cop is in the area, he can't leave until the game is over. The cops have to avoid getting caught and force the assassin into "jail," or another space. I was, as always, the assassin. I already "killed" half of the guys when a Peacekeeper showed up to take them away.

"Remember, you can play Assassin any time at all," a guy called out. "Remember!" I had no idea what he meant. What a stupid thing to say, though. I was expecting a 'Don't forget us,' or 'We believe you,' or at least a 'Don't die.' Not something stupid like that.

In the middle of my thoughts the door opened and yet another person walked in. This time it was my girlfriend.

"Hey, baby," she said in a soothing voice. "I'm sorry about you... going into the Games." She kissed me full on the lips. I fell backward, stunned. Not that a girl never kissed me on the lips. It came so suddenly. But her lips were warm and soft, so I kissed them back. And it went on like that until a Peacekeeper literally had to pry her off from me.

"I love you," I called out weakly.

"Love you too," she said as the door shut behind her. I sat there on the chair with my head down. Knowing my chances are slim, I am most likely to die.

For the first time I started to cry.