You could say I was stupid, I suppose, or simply just desperate. Maybe a little bit of both. Either way, there was no way I was backing out of this. The Hunger Games seemed like my last shot at making a life for myself.
I began creating my strategy right away. The first thought to enter my mind was District 12. That's where I needed to go. I would be guaranteed a spot, considering how few volunteers there are. Actually, I might be the very first. Competition would be scarce, if any, and I would have my place without having to fight for it.
Blending in wouldn't be an issue. I could whip up a suitable disguise in minutes. The only issue was my parents. If normal teens think they have trouble sneaking out to go to a party or whatever, try sneaking away from Zeus to enter in a fight to the death on national television!
Whatever happens, I pray that the odds will be ever in my favor.
"Mom, I'm just going out on a walk." I informed her casually, hoping not to attract her attention.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she looked more worried than I expected her to be. "I hope yesterday didn't upset you too much."
Crap. She's unknowingly making me feel guilty about this! I hugged her, knowing I would have to do way more to make up for it, in the event that I should ever return home. "Don't worry. I won't be gone long. There are some friends I'll actually miss a little bit here...you know, Karen and Gretchen. Maybe even Regina. I can't just leave and not say goodbye."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "We don't have a plan yet. Do you have an alibi?"
I gulped. If lies were the only way...I had to say it. "Lima. That's what I want: a new beginning for me, a place where I can start over."
Nothing I said in a million years could have made her happier. "It's a new beginning for all of us. Peyton, I'm so proud of you. This was a though choice for you, and I love you so much."
"I love you too," I ran out before I had the chance to change my mind.