Hello Fan Fiction World! This is my first fan fiction ever so please no flames! But I will gladly accept constructive criticism! Happy reading!

Chapter 1

I wake up to the smell of breakfast wafting up into my room through the crack in my bedroom door. I lie on my bed for a few minutes just staring at the ceiling wondering what's going to happen today. I pull myself out of bed and get in the shower. As I scrub myself, I wonder what people will think when someone like me volunteers at the reaping. I'm sure everyone would think, who does that girl think she is? But I'll show them. I dry myself and put on a new dress I bought with some money I saved up over the years. Since I was going to volunteer this year, I had to look my best. The dress was simple; pink that reached a bit above my knees. I add a belt around my waist to finish the look. I brush my hair and head downstairs for breakfast.

I'm greeted by a plateful of eggs and bacon, which I devour. A lot of my friends are surprised when they see me eat. Most people just see me as a skinny girl with a pretty face, but I'm much more than that. If people would just take a look past my blonde hair and emerald green eyes, they'd see so much more. But I guess I can't complain much about that since I'm using my looks as a strategy.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the familiar sound of the tolling bell. This sound calls all the youth to the main square to gather for the reaping. I kiss my mom and dad goodbye, while watching their faces filled with fear. They both know I am planning to volunteer this year and are scared out of their minds. I've chosen my path and they are going to have to deal with it. I told them a few months ago that I was going to volunteer this year and they told me it was a bad idea. They thought I was throwing away my life. A young, pretty girl like me would make a great wife for a rich bachelor. But I told them I wanted to be more than a wife.

This scene replays in my head as I walk to the reaping. My friend Isabella comes up from behind me and gives me a friendly slap on the back.

"Hey! What's going on?"

"Oh. Hi Izzy," I say flatly.

"Wow… Did someone drug you or something? Why do you sound so sad already?"

"Oh its nothing"

"You are nervous about the reaping aren't you? Don't do this Glimmer, just let someone else volunteer this year. You're only seventeen, train one more year and then you'll go into the arena more prepared." Izzy pleads.

"No. I'm going to volunteer this year and nothing is going to stop me." I say more forcefully than I had intended.

"Well okay. I'll see you later then."

Izzy walks away with a sad look on her face. I didn't mean to hurt her; it was just that if I didn't come out of the arena, I wouldn't want her to dwell on my death. But, I shouldn't be worried. I'm from District One. The odds are in my favor.

As all the kids gather in the town square, I spot my parents at the edge of the crowd. I can tell from here my mom has been crying, her eyes are red and puffy. I feel the guilt creeping up on me but I quickly push the feeling back down. It's too late to turn back now.

We are all lined up in order of increasing age and await the arrival of the mayor and our district's escort, Katella. The mayor finally steps out of the Justice building and the whole crowd goes silent. He recites the history of Panem and talks about how the Hunger Games came to be and how they help maintain peace. They play the video we hear every year about the Games and then Katella steps in front of the microphone and the whole crowd becomes tense.

"Welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor! This year we have our ladies first."

She goes over to pick a name out of the glass bowl on the right side of the stage.

"Star Br-"

Before I know it, my hand is up and I'm yelling, "I volunteer!"

"Oh a volunteer! So eager! And what is your name darling?"

"Glimmer Delray."

I could tell a lot of people are really surprised at this. It's not the fact that someone volunteered. Every year someone volunteers. It's the fact that the volunteer is a pretty girl like me, someone that isn't bulked up or really tiny. The joke is on them though. I have a whole plan in my head and I proudly strut up to the stage to see whom I'll have to pretend to like from my district.

"Well let's have a hand for our brave volunteer!"

The audience claps enthusiastically and some kids from the crowd, I suspect from the older boys section, whistle at me. For the kicks, I blow a kiss in their direction.

They applaud my confidence and Katella calms the crowd to regain their attention.

"Now for the gentlemen."

Everyone suddenly recovers their sense of anticipation.

"Marvel Greyback!"

All the older boys turned toward the spot where Marvel is standing, the boy himself looking surprised. However, he quickly regains his composure and starts walking towards the stage.

"Any volunteers?" Katella questions.

No one speaks up and it is decided. To come home, Marvel must die, along with twenty-two other kids. I am ready to kill.