It was early when Hope awoke, her lilac bedroom walls glowing in the early morning sun. Her loose blonde hair fell down her back, she was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a t shirt. The twelve year old sighed as she sat up. It was her first Reaping. Sure she had almost no chance of being picked but that didn't help the nerves. Her hands ran through her blonde hair, pulling it over her shoulder. Her blue eyes staring at the painted picture on the wall. She slid off the bed and walked over to her closet. Living in District Five meant life was easier than it would be if she lived somewhere else but it wasn't completely easy. A small smile crept across her face as she pulled out a lovely outfit for the reaping. A white shirt and light pink skirt that fell to her knees. She pulled on some knee high white socks as well as some pink slip on shoes before walking out her bedroom and down the stairs of the small house.
"Good Morning sweetheart" Sarah, Hopes aunt, smiled at her. Their was a fourteen year age difference between her and her aunt. Her mother had died three years ago.

"Morning Aunt Sarah" she replied and sat at the circular breakfast table.

"You'll be fine darling, it's your first year. They're not going to pick you. Or any of your friends for that matter" she nodded slightly. But she was the child of a victor, two for that matter. Yes next to no one knew she was the child of two victors but she'd bet President Snow did and that made her all the more interesting to put in the Games. Her own father mentoring people to kill her. What a show that would be. "Honey just because your mother was a victor doesn't mean they'll pick you"

"Both my parents were victors Aunt Sarah!" She exclaimed and stopped eating her toast. The blonde haired woman sighed and took the twelve year olds face in her hands.

"Yes but how many people know that?" The twelve year old sighed. "As long as you don't volunteer you will be fine" she nodded and finished her breakfast.

After she did she braided her hair into two braids, adding pink ribbons to it.

As the Aunt and Niece mad their way to the town square the young girl was clearly scared.
"Hey it's going to be okay, their going to take some blood. It will only hurt a little bit. Then you go wait with the little kids and I'll find you as soon as it's done" Hope nodded and walked over the where the Peacekeepers were taking blood. Once she was done she walked over to her best friend. Jayle Underwood. They'd been best friends since they were about two. Jayle looked just like all her family. Brown hair and brown eyes. Her brother had been reaped two years prior, her mother was still recovering from that. He'd been killed during the bloodbath at the cornucopia. Jayles father had died in an explosion four years ago. That left her as the only source of income. She worked at the plants after school. The two twelve year olds gripped onto each other's hands. Soon enough the reaping began, first Lissa, their escort, showed them the annual video on why the Games exist before giving the speech about how it was an honour to be a part of the Games.

"Now for the female tribute is..." Lissa began. She had purple hair that fell to her shoulders. A puffy pink dress and pink heels were all she had on. Bright pink lip stick swept across her lips and she had long deep purple eyelashes. A Capitol Woman through and through. When she'd eventually grabbed a name everyone's ears pricked up. "Jayle Underwood!" Hopes eyes widened as her best friends eyes filled with tears as she made her way to the stage.

"Wait! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!!" Hope shouted pushing her way thorough the crowd. People only volunteered in District Five to protect their friends and family. Jayle and Jayles whole family looked at her with thanks in their eyes.

"It seems we have a volunteer! Come up here dear" Hope made her way up the stage, Peacekeepers surrounding her.
"Can you tell us your name, although I'm sure we all know" Lissa smiled, now standing right next to her Hope noted how Lissa smelled of a mix of strawberries, cotton candy and chemicals.

"Hope Harper" she replied, her eyes looking for her aunt. When they eventually found her she could see the tears pouring down her aunts face.

"Of course, now for the boys!" She reached into the boys pot. "Jake Morgan!" A raven haired and green eyes seventeen year old. He'd been friends with Jayles brother before he was reaped. So Hope had known him for as long as she could remember.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Your District Five tributes!!" Their was a small clap but it wasn't loud.

A few minutes later Hope was sat in a room in the justice building that reminded her of the study in her old house in Victors Village. She'd had to leave it after her mother died.
"Oh baby!" Sarah sighed as she came in, hugging the young girl tight. Hope held back her tears as she hugged her aunt back. "You know how your parents won" Hope nodded slightly. "You know more than most people about how to win these Games, at least try. Just promise me you'll try sweetie"

"I promise" Hope whispered and hugged her aunt back, tears filling her eyes.

Next Jayle and her family came in. Each one of them hugged her tight. Jayles mother gave her some cookies and they all gave her advice before leaving her and Jayle alone.

"You can win right?" Jayle asked as the two best friends hugged.
"I can try" was all Hope could try. By this time it was time to leave.