Chapter 1

District 7 is... ok, I guess. I mean, compared to District 12, it would be like, what, heaven with angels blowing some stupid trumpets. My life isn't too bad either. I got a caring and loving mom, a dad who spends almost every seconds in his life working, and an older brother who appears to be the most annoying person in the world. They always care about me and love me more than themselves. But every year, there is a certain occasion that makes me want to die. And that certain occasion is called the Huger Games.

The Hunger Games are like big survival games that are broadcasted nationwide. Twenty four tributes and only one victor. And today, my friend, is the Reaping day.

I'm getting ready for the huge gathering, picking my clothes. I decide on a simple purple dress that reaches just above my knees. Fidgeting with the dress, I look in the mirror. To be honest, I actually look pretty good. Not pretty or beautiful... but striking. Not that I would get to be excused from being chosen just because I am looking good.

Okay, put yourself together, Johanna. You won't get picked. Only one piece of paper in thousands of others. But the terrifying fact is that someone will get picked.

"you ready, Johanna?" My brother, Jace asks.

"Yup."

"Oh, come on. That possibly can't be fear I see in your eyes, right?"

"Shut up," I reply simply, because I am not in the mood for fight with Jace right now.

"Just relax, okay?" Jace says, chuckling.

"I'm more relaxed than you are right now."

"We'll have to see about that. Come on, let's go. We don't want peacekeepers kicking our ass, do we?"

When we gather ourselves in the City Hall, I have to be seperated from Jace. Whatever. It's not like it's my first time. They extract our blood and let me go inside. It's very crowded and not being able to see the stage well is making me more nervous.

Trey Dencher, the guy who would be announcing the honorable tributes is straightening his extravagant suit, preparing for the Reaping. He has this wierd tri-color hair(fiery red, dark green, and gold with sprinkles all over) with matching suit(do I have to explain the suit? I don't think so.) He is a very lazy guy, never doing so much speech unlike Effie Trinket from District 12, so yeah, we don't suffer too much at the Reaping.

"Attention, ladies and gentlemen. I believe that it's finally time to..." *sigh* "Announce the tributes.. Okay. Ladies first, of course."

He picks any scrap paper on the top layer. Like I said, he doesn't like too mich suspense. He opens up the piece of paper, his two pair of green eyes scanning the name.

"The female tribute of the 71st Hunger Games is Johanna Mason. Come up, Johanna."

What? No. There must be another Johanna Mason. I mean, there's only one name of mine. But then again, most of the people in District 7 has only one name. This is too fast. I need a pause button in my life so I can think about this for a few minutes. Or more like years would be nice.

I feel a drop of cold sweat rolling down my forehead underneath my bangs just when Trey says my name again.

"Johanna Mason? What are you waiting for? Chop chop. We gotta announce the male tribute too, you know."

People starts scattering away, clearing my way toward the stage. Traitors. Though I know I would have to go anyways, I suddenly feel mad at him.

"There she is. Hurry up."

I can see my brother's face from distant. He's biting his lips, but he nods toward the stage. Nodding back, I make my way toward the stage. Slowly. Yes, very slowly. Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot. Shaking off the feeling that I'm gonna fall down, I concentrate on walking.

A tribute. For the Hunger Games. Meaning I'll be the first one to die. Scratch that. Probably not the first, because I'll chicken out and run away from the Cornucopia as fast as I can.

I climb on stage, feeling everyone's gaze gathering on me.

"Well, finally. Okay, anything to say?"

Instead of answering, I swallow really hard.

"I'll take that as a no," Trey says, looking bored. Yeah, bored. While I'm about to die in days.

"Time for our male tribute. And that lucky guy would be... Lucas Parker!"

Then the crowd reveal a guy with black jet hair and piercing blue eyes. He does look mascular, but he probably wouldn't stand a chance against the career pack. The career pack. Oh god. The fear is ming my head spin again.

Lucas looks surprised, but I can't detect any fear in his eyes. So he's either a really good actor, or just a stupid guy. He makes his way toward me and Trey with long, confident strides, keeping his face straight.

"Hello, Lucas. Anything to say?"

"Nope."

"Okay. Then happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor. Yeah, you can follow thr peacekeepers. Good luck."

Yeah, luck wouldn't help me much right now. Frankly, nothing can.