Matt Dresdon

The square of District 1 was crowded as it always was on this day—Reaping Day. And being my last eligible year, it will be my last Reaping Day. I'll either be sent to the great games and win and then go home and spend the rest of my life doing whatever I want, or skip the games all together and spend the rest of my life doing whatever I want. The second is more likely and that's fine with me. I don't really give a damn about the games. I know I'd take all the other tributes down in less than a few days, so why should I care?

My mother and father usher me into my age group, hugging me and waving at me wildly with intense pride. I grin back and as my mother blows me a kiss. Then I face front and snicker, pushing my way through the large group of roped in eighteen year olds until I reach my best mate, Parker, who acknowledges me with a punch on the shoulder.

"Hey man, ready for another fan-tastic games?" He asks as officials begin to make their way onstage. The escort is a rich looking capitol man with vibrant red hair. "Of course!" I agree after a moment, and clear my throat so that when I speak, my voice comes out a high-pitched mocking tone "Let thee gaaaaaaaames begin!"

Cree Sooke

They've already began talking and I haven't been paying the least bit of attention until Caddish Lance, our district's escort begins to spin the giant glass ball containing all the names of every girl in District 1. I flash a quick glance at my younger sister Yakama, who stands out in the crowd of thirteen year olds. She looks so similar to me—copper skin, black hair. It's like spotting a black rock in a field of white grass. Nearly every girl from District 1 is blond, blue eyed and gorgeous. We're different. I mean, we're not devastatingly ugly, but my look is unique. Yakama catches my eye and gives me a reassuring smile. It's not likely she'd get reaped, I mean, considering there's all these girls and most of them if not chosen would volunteer anyway. I scan the people nearest to me, the majority of which are peering curiously as Caddish retrieves a slip of paper and begins to smooth it out and approach the podium. They don't accept me for who I am and I don't care. I know I'm better than them anyway. Caddish reaches the podium and leans into the microphone with a radiant grin. You can tell he's enjoying this because he's just been moved up to District 1 from District 3 last year. Here the tributes actually have a shot, been training for this as soon as they could stand on two feet—

"Cree Sooke!"

It's like I suddenly screamed very loudly or grew another set of ears. All eyes were on me, drilling into my head. I did not think as I made my way to the stage, but I remember the eyes, the ones that belonged to the blond girls some who stared with jealously, some with cruelty. I remember the eyes that belonged to the teenage boys who looked as if this was no big loss. I remember the loud hiccup that must belong to my sister. Before I knew it I was on that stage, the one I'd seen for nearly my whole life, but never set foot on until now.

"Hm, do we have any volunteers?" Caddish inquired. He made an over dramatic gasp when the crowd continued to be silent. "How strange!" He concluded before grinning sideways at me and hopping over to the boys' raffle. My hands were clutched in fists. This wasn't bad. I was shocked, but not scared. This was a chance to prove myself. I could return as a victor, respected and liked. I could make it in the Hunger Games—but what about Yakama? How was she going to make it here? I spotted her in the crowd, staring silently at me with huge dark eyes. If I was going to be in these games I was going to win, and I'd return a hero and be there for Yakama. We'd be rich. We'd be happy. I could do this. I know I have it in me.

Caddish had returned, he leaned in on the microphone again and held the strip of paper high in the air. "Matt Dresdon!"

This time there was a loud, animated "Yes!" in response, and a fist pumped in the air. Typical. I knew Matt Dresdon; we were the same age. At least District 1 would be happy to have two eighteen year olds. The odds were certainly in our favor. Matt quickly made it to the stage, where he and I were presented to the expectant crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen of District 1, I give you your champions: Cree Sooke and Matt Dresdon!"

The crowd exploded in applause. I shook Dresdon's hand and photographers snapped photos of us at the speed of light, a humorless smile spreading over my face. Caddish's last comment had made me laugh on the inside. After all, there could only be one champion.