Chapter 5

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like - Lao Tzu

The month after we started school, the reaping for the 63rd Hunger Games takes place. The ceremony was awful, as it always is and I couldn't help but feel relieved that the people who I am close to weren't eligible for the Reaping.

Of course, that will change as we grow older. And we all know it. Bran only has two years left until he's of Reaping Age, and by the look on his face during the ceremony, the idea of being reaped is all too real for him.

The rest of us all have a bit longer and although we understand the games by this point, our age makes it harder to realise the fact that it could be us getting reaped one day. I think that in my class, the only person other than me that has realised it could be them is Katniss Everdeen, who watches the ceremony with anger and looks like she is going to scream at the Capitol any second. She doesn't though, and instead the two tributes for District 12, a boy of 12 and a girl of 14, are whisked away to the Justice Building, so their families can say their goodbyes.

That night, on my father's television, we watch the reapings of the other tributes. With each tribute that pops up, the chances of twelve's tributes coming home get smaller and smaller, but it's not until District 1's tributes are called that I can say with certainty they aren't getting out.

After all, I doubt there are many men in District 1 called Gloss of all things.

I quickly get into a routine that I doubt will change in the next few years during these games. During the day, Madge and I would attend school and then in the evenings, we would watch a mandatory viewing of something related to the games. I already knowing the winner, would always focus on Gloss.

This started with the Tribute Parade, where, with his golden crown and velvet cape, he stood out like a prince among men. Next, with the training scores, where he scored an impressive 10, and continued with the interviews where, he again stood out with his regal posture and witty comebacks to Ceasar Flickerman's comments.

During those school days, I would sadly listen to Peeta and Madge's unwavering faith in District 12's tributes, knowing that they will be sorely disappointed.

However, I don't discourage them from believing this, as I doubt that it is safe to complain about the Capitol anywhere that is not the Woods. Plus, even if I don't complain about the Capitol and merely state that they won't win, if anyone were to hear, then it would seem strange that a 5 year old girl doesn't believe in her tributes and by extension, her district. Especially when said girl is the Mayor's daughter, who should have the most faith in the district. No, I have more tact than that.

Katniss Everdeen however does not.

"Twelve's not going to win," she states one day at lunch, having been forced to share a table with Peeta, Madge and I due to lack of space in the cafeteria.

It's bad enough that she said that, but what made it worse was the fact that it had gone completely silent when she said this.

Almost immediately the children in our year- Madge and Peeta included, started to defend our district's tributes. Katniss argued with them, undeterred by the fact the majority was against her and so this...argument got louder and louder.

I didn't say anything to begin with, but when the teachers and peacekeepers started to notice that something was going on, I immediately went over to Katniss and loudly announced that she and I were going to the bathroom before making my exit.

Surprisingly, even though I hadn't said a word to her before that, she followed me.

Once we were there, I quickly checked to see if anyone could hear us. When I was convinced no one could, I turned to her with a glare. She, most likely assuming that I was on everyone else's side, glared back, no doubt thinking of a retort to defend her belief.

"What were you thinking?!" I ask, and she opens her mouth to say something, however I don't let her.

"I know they have no chance. You do as well. But what if the Peacekeepers overheard you? What if the teachers?!"

"What?" Is her response. If I wasn't so annoyed, then I probably would have been amused by her confusion at the fact that the Mayor's daughter of all people is agreeing with her.

Or she probably didn't understand all of the words I just said...

I sigh, my anger dissipating.

I really need to remember the age of these children. To be honest, Katniss is probably only repeating words that her father told her about these games because she absolutely adores him. And which child (that is not abused) doesn't adore their parent at 5 years old?

The only reason the other children in our year don't say the same thing is because our parents won't tell them the truth. Not yet as we're still too young to understand in their eyes. Even though some children like Peeta, Madge and myself have had the Reaping system explained to us, our parents, no matter how powerful they may be, would be discouraged from telling us how little of a chance this district has.

However, the Everdeens don't seem to give a shit as to what society deems 'wrong' and 'right.' I can really appreciate that mentality, as in my old world, there have always been huge historical movements that challenge the Status Quo. Yet at the same time, no matter how smart Katniss may seem, she still doesn't understand that she needs to keep her mouth shut. To her, likewise with most kids, her parents are always right, so if someone says something opposite to what her parents have told her, then she will repeat her parents words to defend them. Regardless of whether or not that 'someone' is another kid or the head peacekeeper. She's lucky that it was the former and not the latter she decided to bring up her parents' view.

"I know," I repeat with a bitter smile, "believe me, I know they aren't going to make it. Your parents know too, so do mine and all the other adults in this district. But we aren't supposed to know. If a peacekeeper were to have heard what you just said, then you and your family would get into trouble and you wouldn't want that would you?"

She shakes her head, paling rapidly. Probably at the thought of the peacekeepers finding the herbs and animals her father has accumulated from the woods.

"So," I continue, "be careful with what you say about these games. Okay Katniss?"

"It's the Capitol's fault for them," She retorts with automatically, and I get the sense that she's had this conversation with someone else already. Most likely her parents.

"It is," I agree and I see her eyes widen.

Maybe when telling her off about this, her parents neglected to agree with her in the end? It sounds like a minor thing to do, but in my past life, I know that one of my brothers had a habit of constantly repeating his opinion until someone agreed with him. Maybe Katniss was one of those kids?

"But be careful okay?" I say and she nods with a small smile.

We leave the bathroom then, and it's not until the end of the school day that I realise I talked to the main character of this series, the literal figurehead of the future rebellion.

I laugh to myself then, most likely scaring Madge and Peeta but I didn't care.

The fact that this child becomes such a feared woman in the Capitol is hilarious to me, and I'm sure it would be to them too if they were in my shoes.

I think that the talk in the bathroom was the moment when Katniss Everdeen and I became somewhat friends.

I mean, she still sat alone at lunch, preferring not to talk to anyone, and whenever it was the end of the school day, she would always be the first to leave, most likely eager to go to the woods.

Yet at the same time it was like she acted differently to me. In lessons she would sit next to me and if we ever made eye contact, she would give a small smile before looking away. When the class shared their disappointment at the fact that twelve's tributes died in the bloodbath, Katniss and I shared a look conveying the same emotion.

Even after the games, she continues to sit next to me, and after a month or two, begins to initiate conversations on her own.

Throughout our first year of school, she gets to the stage where she can initiate a conversation with me in the presence of Madge and Peeta, something that I see as a major improvement.

And if I'm honest, I doubt we would improve much more in terms of friendship this year as we were friendly acquaintances at best.

I didn't realise how wrong I was until she and her parents ask my parents if her best friend could have a sleepover at her house.

Victor of the 63rd Hunger Games- Gloss Beckham

11 years until the 74th Hunger Games