Chapter 2
Reaping Day: District 2 - Clove
It's reaping day. I'm down in the training centre throwing knives. It may be a quell, but I'm still going to volunteer. It's my last year. I missed out last year, but now I'm ready. My boyfriend, Cato, tried volunteering last year too, but didn't make it in time. We were late for the reapings, so we didn't get to do it. Let's see the events of last year, shall we...
*Flashback*
"Come on, Cato, we're going to be late!"
"No we won't."
We get there, but they have already called the boy.
"Damn it! This was my last year!"
Because we are at the back when the girl's name is called, I'm to far away. I may be the fastest, but the kids at the front are closer.
"Damn! And next year is a quell year!"
"Volunteer anyway. At least one of us will be a victor."
*End flashback*
There's no need for you to know what we we're doing.
I get ready in some comfortable clothes and go to walk out the door to Cato's house. Suddenly, I bump into somebody walking out the door and it's Cato trying to be one step ahead of me. He smiles at me, and I grab him and kiss him.
Didn't expect that, did he? See, I'm good. Who's one step ahead now?. Me. He's still smiling. Damn.
We walk down to the reaping early this year, not wanting to be late again. We are early, hardy anybody is here, so Cato and I just walk around a bit, trying to find a good place. After thirty minutes most people are here and reaping doesn't start for another ten minutes. When it does start, the mayor goes through the speech of the dark days, and how we are merciful to the Capitol and won't survive another rebellion. Maybe somebody should start another rebellion. Then we would have something new to talk about. Then our escort, Artemis starts. God, she's annoying.
"This year's Quell Twist will be the most important boy in a girl's life going with her and vise versa. There can also be eight winners, but these eight winners must be pairs. There are also no volunteers allowed."
What, so I cant volunteer for my last year? I only have one chance,and since Cato isn't legible anymore, what are the odds?
"Ladies first."
Artemis pulls a strip out of the girl's reaping bowl.
"Clove."
Wait. Did she just say my name? I start walking towards the stage then when Cato gets to me from the outskirts of the square. We start running, smiles on our faces.
"What's your name?" she asks Cato.
"Cato, and we are two of the eight victors!" Yep, big ego. Then he kisses me.
I'm not paying much attention to the other tributes, but I think there are twins.
Then we are whisked away to the justice building then to the train to the capitol for the hunger games. The game we have trained for since we were kids.
Let the games begin!