Hunger Games Fanfiction

I haven't been updating recently because I was busy and there was another story out there with the same kind of storyline. You just have to believe me that I use my own ideas.(I hate plagiarism and try to avoid that) I own nothing but my imagination. The song for this chapter is 'Take it all away' by Red. Enjoy.

Brief is live, but love is long

Chapter 3: Take it all away

PPOV

Today is the day of the Reaping. As usual I start this day working early at the bakery. The day of the Reaping is a popular day at the bakery for the merchants in my district. They buy their cakes for the evening when they celebrate their relief for not having a family member being picked. Being chosen to be a tribute in our district equals to going to an execution.

The first costumer comes in and when I look up I see it's Delly Cartwright, my best friend. We hug each other and wish each other happy hunger games.

"You feeling lucky today" she asks me.

"I think I will be fine. I don't have many slips in. Even though I do feel like something big is about to happen" I tell her honestly.

"Maybe you will finally give one of those girls who are pining after you a chance and you will fall happily in love" she teases me.

"Ha ha, very funny. You know I'm waiting for the right girl to come along. I know I should give them a chance, but I just don't feel like they are right for me" I tell her.

"Always the hopeless romantic, Peeta. I just want to see you happy. I want you to have someone who can make you forget about your crappy mom and who you can built a future with." Delly tells me.

We have dated before, but it didn't work out because we were just too good of friends to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

"Well, look at the time. I have to get dressed for the Reaping. Happy Hunger Games , Peeta! I will see you at the Reaping!" She says while giving me a hug.

After I finished my work at the bakery I go to my room to get dressed for the Reaping. I don't have much time, so I just put everything I laid out on and go to the living room. My parents and brother are already waiting. My mother looks mad at me for being late, but my dad calms her by putting his hand on her shoulder. When my dad was young he believed in the same things as me; true love. However, he couldn't find his soulmate and ended up in an arranged marriage with my mother. Nowadays he's just a sad old man. Instead of not believing in love, I now try my best to find the one. I don't want to end up like my dad.

We arrived with the last people to come to the square. I follow my brother and we go to the places we are directed to.

Moments later Effie Trinket, the bubbly and mostly annoying escort of our district, walks towards the microphone.

"Welcome! Welcome, welcome! What a lovely day to be having a Reaping! Just as lovely as the wonderful film brought to you all the way from the Capitol! "

We all watch the usual video about peace and war with fear in our hearts. Fear that no person should have. When the video ends Effie bounced back towards the microphone.

"I just love that! Now, the time has come for us to select one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing district 12 in the 74th annual Hunger Games! "

"As usual… Ladies first!"

She walks towards the bowl in which the names are for the girls. I just hope it's not one of my friends. Actually, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

"Madge Undersee!" Effie shrieks and looks up to see what this year's tribute girl will be.

Madge, being the mayor's daughter, didn't have many slips in the bowl, but she still was reaped. Everybody looked shocked that somebody that important could still be reaped. The look on the mayors face was indescribable. Madge was one of the girls in school who didn't care that there was a difference between the Seam and the Merchants. She hung out with everybody.

Madge walked the stage with a terrified look on her face. After Madge was being introduced it was time for the boys.

Effie slowly walked towards the bowl and picked one slip from the bottom of the bowl. My heart stopped like it did every year.

"Peeta Mellark" , her voice echoed on the square. At that moment I didn't know how to move. I remember being pushed slightly by one of my close friends. Then I realized that I should be walking towards the stage. I didn't think about what people in the Capitol might think about me, so I didn't shield my emotions like most tributes do.

I walked towards Effie and introduced myself and shook hands with Madge.

"Lets have a warm applause for our tributes!" Effie smiled.

I looked into the crowd and saw Delly putting her hand towards her lips en putting three fingers up. A sign that means saying goodbye to someone you love. Everybody followed her example and soon the whole square was holding their hands up.

Effie's looked pissed and quickly escorted us out.

For the next half an hour I was being visited by my friends and family. My mother not so subtly told me that she thought I would die. My dad just hugged me and told me everything would be fine. My brothers both felt bad for me, but still joked around about how whole Panem would fall in love with the Mellark charm.

After saying my goodbyes, I joined Madge in the car and we were off to the train station. Realizing how much everything will change upset me a bit and I quickly wiped my tears away.

The reporters were at the train station and took a lot of pictures of us. Then we walked into the train and my journey to the Capitol began.

End of Chapter 3