This tells the Hunger Games in "Foxface" (who I've named Bella) POV. R&R Please And, I've slightly twisted this so she wins instead of Katniss and Peeta. If you don't like it, don't read it. Also, don't read it if you haven't read The Hunger Games, b/c I'm not explaining how the Games began 74 years ago, etc, etc, again.
Chapter One:
On Reaping day, I always slept in. Today, until eleven. When I got up, I bathed myself, towel dried my hair, and twisted it up to the top of my head. This was how I usually wore it. I pulled on a pair of trousers, and a green tunic. After that, I went to find my friend, Annabelle. She's 12 years old and also my next door neighbor. I'm 15.
I knock at the back door of Annabelle's home. She pops up. "Hi, Bella!" she says, her face brightening at my visit.
"Hi, Anna," I say, smiling. "Want to go for a walk before the reaping?"
She nods and pulls on her coat and boots. We decide to head for the town square, which holds all our fancy stores and shops. It takes us 10 minutes to walk around the square. We return to our homes, Annabelle waving at me, calling, "see you soon, Bella!" I look back at her and wave back.
I must admit, I'm nervous for her, as this is her first Reaping, even though she's only entered twice. I remember my first nerve-wracking reaping, and the sigh of relief I breathed when my name was not called. The next year, two slips of paper had Bella Ash written on them. When I was 14, 3 times. And now, when I am 15, I will have my name entered 4 times. I wish the Hunger Games had never existed, but they do, and they always will.
I change into a plain black skirt, white cotton blouse, and black high-heeled shoes. My mother, a silent, almost catatonic woman (she had been ever since my little sister and father were killed), and me go to the square. I say nothing to her, and am returned with equal silence.
After we've signed in, I find myself roped in with a bunch of 15 year old girls. Farilla Fray, District 5's escort, is introduced by our mayor, and she pulls a name out of the girl's glass ball. I could not have predicted the name she'd draw, not in a million years. "Bella Ash."
I stiffen instantly, but force myself to keep calm, and walk to the stage. I'm asked to sit down in a chair. I do, and ignore the hand Farilla's offering me. Yippee. I get to die on live TV.
So, now, Farilla is picking a slip out of the boy's glass ball. "Roan Calding," is the name that's called. He's another 15 year old with ashy black hair.
He walks to the stage, and the anthem plays once again. The second it ends, we're marched into the Justice Center, and led into separate rooms. We're stuck in these rooms for an hour, where family and friends can stop by to say goodbye. I'm betting this is the last time I will see the inside of the Justice Center, the last time I'll ever talk to my friends.
And suddenly, I'm energized by a thought. I tried archery, I fared pretty well with that, and I knew how to fight, and throw knives. While training in the Capitol, for the week of preparation before entering the arena, I'd find my skills and develop them. That's what the heart of the game was, wasn't it? Skill, and luck. And of course, some tributes would have to be outsmarted. Why count me out of the Games? If I had the right tools, I'd have no problem at all becoming victor.
My first visitor, of course, is Annabelle. She's wiping tears from her eyes. She places a notebook and a pen in my hands. I remember, I'd asked her to bring me these if I went to the Capitol. I take them, and embrace the little girl. "Good luck, Bella," she says. "I hope you win."
I smirk at her and reply, "don't worry. I'm going to. Watch me." She giggles, and the Peacekeeper is back at the door, signaling our time is up.
Mom arrives shortly after her. She fastens a golden pin to my blouse and says, "You come back to me." She's off the couch and out the door before I can respond.
No one else comes. We take a short car ride to the train station, where the District bids us farewell. Then, the fancy Capitol train whisks us away. After I eat supper, purred carrots, lamb stew, and chicken, I go to my room and take a shower. And then, I take my notebook and pen to the compartment where the Reaping's across Panem are being shown.
This is where I begin to take notes. The first thing I jot down is: List of Tributes. I start with, of course, District One.
Names: Marvel and Glimmer
Additional: Marvel looks like he could be a potential threat with a spear, Glimmer must excel in hand to hand combat.
District 2:
Names: Cato and Clove
Additional: Cato's a physical wonder. He's very large, and is surely a threat. Clove looks like she's also a fair knife thrower.
District 3:
Names: Jackson and Anita
Additional: Jackson's rather small, Anita looks like a coward. No real threat here.
District 4:
Names: Hunter and Susan
Additional: Hunter is exactly as his name describes him: a hunter,. He's well built, and surely going to roll with the Careers, and Susan looks tough enough. Gotta watch these two.
Of course, I'm going to skip our district, because I know who's drawn from there. I continue to District 6.
Names: Jace and Noelle
Additional: Jace is a "pretty boy," with golden skin, golden hair, and even golden eyes. The "pretty" one s are the ones who turn into the deadly ones. Noelle's only twelve, my bet's that she'll be gone on First Day, she's so small.
District 7:
Names: Noah and Sarah
Additional: Noah's a well built 18 year old. Chances are he'll last a while. Sarah looks tough, but how sturdy is she? Might want to keep track of these guys.
District 8:
Names: Mark and Jessie
Additional: Mark's got a limp, so he probably won't be able to run far. Jessie broke down when her name was called, which is weakness. No challenge here.
District 9:
Names: Kale and Lilly
Additional: Kale is very strong, as I can see the muscles ripple in his arms as he crosses them. Lilly seems very independent, so chances are she's going into this without an ally.
District 10:
Names: Mason and Margaret
Additional: A pair of 13 year olds. It's even more sad because they're brother and sister. But, only one can live. Chances are they won't be finishing each other off.
District 11:
Names: Thresh and Rue
Additional: Thresh is another one of those physical wonders. He may be larger than Cato, and seldom speaks,. Watch out for him. Rue's another tiny twelve year old, who won't make it far, I'm estimating.
District 12:
Names: Peeta and Katniss.
Additional: hello, handsome! Peeta's strong, and tall. Obviously had enough to eat all his life. Katniss is 16 year olds, and is actually a volunteer. She volunteered for her little sister. Looks like she might be a hunter, but more likely a hider. District 12 always are hiders.
As the Reaping's come to an end, I close my notebook. It's only then that I notice Roan, and our mentors, Brock Anieo and Brenna Jacques, and of course, Farilla, staring at me. "What?" I ask. "Is it forbidden to take notes on my fellow tributes?" I shoot them a look of contempt. They look away.
"So, guys," Brock says, breaking the silence. "We have to ask you one thing."
"What is it?" I ask. Brock and Brenna give each other a look.
"Please, just don't complain about whatever the stylists do to you, ok?" Brenna finally says. We nod in unison. Then, I go to bed. Tomorrow afternoon, we'll be reaching the Capitol. I let the train rock me to sleep.
I sleepily open my eyes in the morning sunlight. I get up, stretch my arms, and go to the dining compartment. I'm not the first one there, Roan is already there, dunking a roll into a brown steaming cup of something that I'm guessing is coffee.
I get a plate of waffles, and add some berry sauce to it. Then, I take a roll and sit down. I wash down my breakfast with a glass of milk.