AN: Good afternoon everyone and happy Wednesday. I am very sorry for not updating sooner but life gets in the way. Same with writer's block. It comes at the worst times. I hope to update more in the future, all of my stories in fact. Now on a fun little side note I wanted to let you all know: eight weeks until Christmas! Yay! So today is October 26, 2016 and this is the first chapter today. Once again anything you recognize is Suzanne Collins's and anything you don't is mine.
I slowly pulled the perfect golden brown bread from the oven being careful not to burn myself. After years at the oven I had finally perfected the exact art of pulling bread from the oven without burning myself.
My father was bartering with a customer. He agreed for a single squirrel for some bread rolls. I shook my head, my lips curling into a smile. He was such a rebel sometimes. It was a good thing mother didn't know that father all but gave away bread for squirrels she would eviscerate him if she had the chance. And no, I didn't mean verbally.
"Peeta?" Father called from the front of the store.
"Yeah?" I called back, carefully placing the bread on the cooling racks.
"You should head upstairs to get ready. We won't be getting any more business today anyway." I stiffened, dropping one of the pans of bread. The edge of the pan caught my arm and I quickly wrenched it away but it was too late. I had burned myself and had a shiny pink scar to add to my collection.
It took me longer than I expected to get ready. I took a periphery bath every couple of days but on the day of the Reaping I needed to make sure I was clean. On the off chance I was reaped I needed to make sure I was presentable if I was going to go to the Capitol. The last thing I wanted was to make my mother even more ashamed of me than she was.
I pulled on my nicest clothing before making my way slowly down the steps. With each step my heart pounded painfully. Lucian was standing in the kitchen, his lips pressed together in a grim line. Augustin stood next to him, pulling at the collar of his button down shirt. Reaping clothes. My stomach churned nervously and I was afraid I would be sick.
"Is everyone ready?" Mother asked, walking into the room, her greying hair pulled up into a tight bun. She looked all three of us over, her lips pursed, before nodding. "Good, let's go."
I was about to ask where father was when he appeared around the corner, all the light and happiness gone from his eyes. He hated the Games as much, if not more, than I did.
We made our way down the streets and I made sure to keep my eyes on my shoes. I did not want to be sick and vomit on national television. Most sane people would be terrified for their own lives but that was only partially true with myself. Yes, I loathed the idea of getting Reaped, but there was something that scared me even more. The idea of Katniss Everdeen, the girl I all but loved, the girl who sang like a mockingjay, would be Reaped and forced to fight in the Games. I had a feeling I knew exactly what I would do if she was Reaped. And I had a feeling if I did that... she might just kill me herself.
I left my parents and brothers and made my way over to an area that was roped off for the sixteen year olds. I stood next to Cassian and Lauritz. They were talking about the mayor's daughter and how pretty she was. It figured they were talking about girls. They had practically no fear of the reaping. Our names were only in there five times. Katniss on the other hand had her name in there twenty times so that she could have food for herself and her family. Barely enough grain and oil for one person.
"She is absolutely gorgeous!" Cassian said, whispering quickly.
"Oh sure, only if you like an obvious beauty." Lauritz said, shrugging.
"Oh yeah, you must think someone looks better. Who's the girl?" Cassian asked raising an eyebrow. Lauritz's eyes widened and a faint red color crossed his face. He sneaked a look at me before roughly clearing his throat and pulling at his collar.
The mayor quickly crossed the stage and started to read the story of Panem. Lauritz looked grateful while Cassian threw different looks at Lauritz. It was clear what he meant, this conversation isn't over.
The moment the mayor stopped talking and Haymitch, a previous victor, gave Effie Trinket a drunken hug. Cassian hissed, "Who do you like?!"
Lauritz opened his mouth to respond when Effie Trinket, the terrifying woman from the Capitol who read out the names each year, quickly crossed the stage on her pointy shoes. Her hair was a brilliant pink color and her makeup was pure white. It was a wonder the little kids didn't scream when they saw her.
"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" Her pink hair must be a wig because her curls have shifted slightly off-center.
"Ladies first!" Effie Trinket trills and crosses to the glass ball with the girls names. She reaches in, digs her hand deep into the ball, and pulls out a slip of paper. The crowd draws in a collective breath. I can feel Lauritz shaking next to me and I'm terribly nauseous. Please, don't let it be Katniss. Please!
Effie Trinket crossed back to the podium, smoothed the slip of paper, and read out the name in a clear voice. "Primrose Everdeen!"
AN: Please Review! It helps so much more than you realize. Reviews help me create a story that everyone loves. And the only way to make sure I know you all like it is with reviews telling me what you think, what you love and hate about it. Also any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated and I would give you credit if I used your idea in the Author's Note. Seriously guys every little bit helps.