Lance Wolff

The room in the Justice Building was quite, so quite that I could hear my own heartbeat. I wasn't complaining though. I liked the quite. It gave me time to think.

And boy, did I have a lot to think about.

Truth be told, I was not expecting my name to come out of the reaping bowl today. I wasn't even paying attention, so lost in my own thoughts that it took a few pushes to get me to leave the line of seventeen-year-olds and walk up to the stage. Like every other year, the reaping had been a complete bore. Not even the escort's ridiculous outfit made an impression on me. I just wanted to go home, back to my peace and quiet. The only thing that actually interested me was the comments my fellow district members had to offer as I walked to the stage.

Such a good-looking boy. He'll have no trouble pulling in some sponsors.

Strong kid. He will go far in the Games.

Such a pity. He held so much promise for the district.

It's a shame he has to go. Everyone always speaks so highly of him.

These comments were quite surprising. I had no idea I was perceived this way. Especially the good-looking part.

I've always thought I looked quite average. I mean, there were loads more better looking guys in the district. Yeah, I guess I'm pretty tall, 5'11 to be precise, and I like to keep in shape, so I can see why people thing I'm strong and a good contender for the Games. In my opinion, I'm a bit pale for a typical District 4 boy, but that's only because I spend so much time inside helping my father with whatever experiment he wanted to try next. My eyes were another feature that wasn't typical of District 4. They were a golden yellow colour, almost hazel, with small flakes of green around the iris. Very different to the sea green eyes of the rest of the District. But even so, girls still seem to like me. Not to sound cocky, but I really had no trouble finding a girl. Except I haven't found her yet.

My hands flew up to touch the ring hanging around my neck. It was a delicate thing, made entirely out of silver with a small peal set into its centre. It belonged to my mother. Before she died.

I was only four when it happened, and honestly I don't remember much about my mother from before then. But I can remember her death like it was just yesterday.

She's been sick for a long time. My scientist father had done everything he could, but it was still not enough. On the night she died, I was sitting besides her bed, holding her frail hands and telling her a story. She cut me off in the middle of my story and asked me to take her ring off her hand. The ring I now wear around my neck on a leather chord. She told me to keep the ring somewhere safe and give it to the girl I loved when I found her. That's how she'd got the ring in the first place. From my dad.

She died a few hours later. And now the ring would die with me.

My blood ran cold as I thought of what I would eventually have to face. Even though I came from a Career district, I didn't want to go into the arena. I guess everyone else assumed I did since no one bothered to volunteer for me. Sure, I had a pretty good chance of winning, but the Hunger Games really wasn't something I was interested in. Unlike my district partner.

Naomi Sakura. That's her name, and basically the only thing I actually know about her, even though she's in my class at school. She's one of those stupid blond girls who sit at the back of the class, always worrying about their appearances and who's currently dating who. One of those girls who were always fist in line in Town Square to watch the Games every year. The total opposite of me.

I did feel I bit sorry for her though. Even though she would be welcomed into the Career pack with open arms, she had no chance of winning the Games. The winner needs to be strong and smart and a ditzy little girl didn't quite make the cut. She's a pretty fast runner though, I'll give her that. Maybe she could just outrun the competition and wait until we all starved. I knew for a fact that she had no problem with not eating. How else could she and all her friends stay so perfectly thin?

At least she had her looks going for her, but that only gets you so far in the Hunger Games.

I sighed and lend my head against the window. I wonder how far I'd get in the Hunger Games? Hopefully further then the boy who was reaped last year. He died in the bloodbath on the first day. Well that was his mistake. He chose not to ally himself with the other Careers, a mistake which I definitely won't make. As much as I hate to admit it, they're my ticket for survival.

I jumped as the door creaked open. More visitors? I had no idea I was so popular. Usually I just kept to myself.

This time it was a group of girls from my class. Usually I'd be pleased to see a bunch of girls giving me attention, but these ones were part of the group that make up the blond idiots at the back of my class. Naomi's friends. Great.

"We just wanted to wish you luck, Lance," sniffed Ula, the ringleader. She looked like she's been crying, her sea green eyes all red and puffy. "We were just saying goodbye to Naomi. Thought we should pop in here too."

"Uh, thanks?" I said, not really sure how else to reply. "I appreciate it."

The other girls just nodded, their silent way of agreeing with what Ula just said. Not like they ever disagreed with her anyway.

Ula smiled sadly and left the room without even a goodbye. The other girls filed out after her.

That was honestly one of the weirdest things that's ever happened to me. But then again, today was a pretty weird day.

Many more visitors shuffled into the room after the blonds left. Some of them I barely knew, I just recognised their faces. It was actually quite awkward for me. I prefer to spend my time alone.

My dad came in after a while. His visit was brief, wishing me luck and telling me he loved me. Typical things for a father to say.

I had no more visitors after he left. The next time the door opened, it was the Peacekeepers, ready to march me off to the train station. By morning, I'd be in the Capitol.

I know it's been a while since I've updated, but I've been really busy. Updates should be coming daily now. Thanks to all my reviewers. You guys make me want to keep writing