District 1
Amethyst's POV
Today is the day. It is time for the reaping for the 67th annual Hunger Games. I've looked forward to this day this entire year. I've always wanted to be a part of the Hunger Games and every year I try to volunteer as tribute, like most people do here and in district 2, and sometimes 3, but other people has always beaten me to it. Last year's victor, Maia, came from this district. She and I had always been rivals. After she won and got moved into the victor's village she has been doing nothing but rubbing it in my face, that she got to be a volunteer that year.
My mother gave me a beautiful dress to wear at the reaping. It is ocean blue and reaches just above my knees. Sleeveless and tight. My mother tried never tried being in the Hunger games. She never tried to volunteer and be a career tribute like most people do here. I see her as weak. She has always been too scared of death. My father, however, volunteered for the Hunger Games when he was 18. I never got to meet him.
Making my way toward the reaping I couldn't help but paying attention to the other girls here. Weak bodies, hides behind makeup. Most of them would even faint at the sight of their own blood.
I'm standing with my age group, almost at the front. On the stage I see the mayor, Maia and this year's capitol escort Roman. He looks ridiculous with his fluffy green hair and red lips. He stands up from his chair and makes the way toward the microphone once everyone was here.
"Welcome!" He said with a thick, capitol accent. "Welcome! To the reaping for the 67th annual Hunger Games!" The crowd broke out into an applause. District 1 are one of those districts who love the hunger games, mostly because we are so loyal to the Capitol. Roman looked very happy to be here. He was last year the escort for District 11. Then the former escort for district 1 retired and Roman asked for this position instead. In my opinion he looks like he begged for this district.
There was a movie on screen, representing what happened before the Hunger Games. The revolution and the destruction of district 13. I don't pay attention. I never did. I just want to be reaped.
The movie stops playing and now is the time. Roman moved to the girl's side. "Ladies first". His hand moving across all the names like a dance before picking one.
"Dia Ruby!" I have no idea who she is but I yell out, before anyone else has the chance "I volunteer as tribute!". I can see that there were a couple of girls ready to volunteer as well. I make my way to the stage and then I see her. Dia. She had stepped out of the lines and was ready to go where I am standing right now. She must be 12 because she stepped out from the back. Even from up here I can see that she is relieved. I might have just saved a girls life, even though I only thought about being in the games.
Roman is standing by my side with a grin on his face. "We have another volunteer this year!" He then turns to me and asks "What might your name be?" I look at him with a triumphant smile. "Amethyst Sterlingshire" I answer. Roman turns back to the crowd. "This years tribute: Amethyst Sterlingshire!" There was an applause reaching across the entire district, except most of the girls. They wanted to stand here instead of me.
"And now the gentlemen". I had almost forgotten that this wasn't over. There was still the boy's tribute. Roman got a piece of paper, even though it doesn't matter. The boys will do exactly like me and volunteer.
I don't pay attention to the name which was called up but all I know is that there was, like I thought, a volunteer. He came to stand on the other side of Roman. Roman asked for the boy's name. "Garnet Rosehearty" he answered confidently.
Next thing I know is that I am being pulled back behind the stage. We needed to prepare for our journey and say our goodbyes. I sat down on a couch in a room that resembles a small living room, nothing compared to the one at home. I don't know why I am so nervous. It isn't like I will die. I am most definitely going to win this year. That would be something to rub in Maia's face.
The door opens in front of me and it's my mother. She has teary eyes when she looks straight at me. Everything I thought of her before - weak, powerless - were suddenly washed away and I hug her. She is still my mother and this might be the last time I will see her. She was the first one to pull away. She held something in her hand and I could see it was a necklace. It had a thin, braided, silver chain with a gemstone dangling from it. An Amethyst. "Your father gave me this necklace before he left". My mother always told me he was a jeweler. Now I know why she named me Amethyst. "I want you to have it".
She goes to strap it around my neck but I step away from her.
"No" is the only thing I say.
She is not giving up. I can see it on her facial expression. "He would have wanted you to have it".
He would have wanted you to have it. He gave it to you.
I give up and took the necklace from her. I don't strap it around my neck. I will save it for later.
"You will win this" says mom. The only thing I could bring myself to do is nodding.
It was time to go. My mom was the only one to say goodbye to me. I don't have any friends so I can't say that I am surprised. I see Garnet when we step out of the building. This is the first good look I get of him. He is tall with a muscular build. I recognize him from somewhere but I do not know where. His blonde hair almost like mine but a little darker. The same as mom.
I can't stop thinking of her. I always thought that if I won the Hunger Games it would be for dad but now I realize it is for mom. To make her proud. To come back and not leave her like my father did.
I hear the train from yards away. Soon I would be on it and travel to the Capitol. In 3 days I will be on the parade making sponsors. In one week I will be in the games. This is really happening. I am going to compete in the games.
Let the Hunger Games begin.
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story. This fanfic will be told from all the tribute's perspective. I am writing it like this because then you won't know who will will and who will die. Honestly, I haven't decided yet on who will win.
This story will also be available on my Wattpad. My username there is "DorkyNanni", like my username here.
Enjoy the rest of the story. I won't be writing any more updates like this unless I really need to.
Let the Hunger Games begin!
