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Opal began to wake slowly an irritated yawn left her cracked lips, the other side of her bed is cold the girl's fingers stretch out hoping to seek warmth from Pearl a stray dog she had taken in many years ago, but instead she only found the rough canvas cover of the mattress. Opal propped herself up on one elbow rubbing the sleep from her eyes, in truth the girl hadn't got much sleep, todays reaping plagued her mind. She swung her feet out from under the covers the floorboards being a stark contrast in temperate, Opal finds herself almost avoiding walking to her wardrobe but atlas she gets over her stubbornness and opens the wooden doors. A pale purple dress hangs neatly like it had never been touched, it had been her mother's dress one of the few things her father didn't sell. The young girl carefully slips the fabric on, it's too big for her small frame the fish in the pond hadn't been biting as much, as usual, leaving Opal without a source of income or food, she did attempt to spear fish but was left unsuccessful.

Her brunette hair was pulled back into a half up half down style, while her dress hung slightly above her knee a pair of white flats decorated her feet they were miles too big and often fell over every other step but Opal wanted to at least look presentable if her name was pulled from the bowl. Opal's doe-like eyes found the clock, it was almost one in the evening meaning she had to leave soon with a small sigh she grabbed a mouldy piece of bread off the counter, she had watched the baker throw it out the previous day although it wasn't the most luxurious meal Opal didn't complain she would simply just eat around the mould. Attendance is mandatory unless you are on death's door, peacekeepers will come around to check your home and if you are found, prison will be your new home. As she reached the town square camera crews were scattered around only adding more drama to the effect, it was truly a shame that the reaping's was held in the town square Opal often found the place quite cheerful with all the colourful banners that lined the walls but now a solemn tone was held in the air.

Opal soon finds herself being pricked on the finger by a sharp needle making her hiss with pain, roughly the peacekeeper slams her finger onto a piece of paper before shouting at her to get into a group. She soon finds herself in a clump with other fourteen to fifteen-year-olds, some crying while others exchanging stern nods secretly hoping that they do not get picked. The justice building stands tall in front of her decorated with three chairs, a podium and two large glass balls, one for girls and one for boys. Nerves began to race through the teen's veins as she stared at the slips of paper ten of them have Opal West written on them, in desperate times she would exchange her name for food. Elizabeth Bell, the escort for district four makes eye contact with Opal for a split second only for the girl to change glances almost instantly finding her white smile and bright blue hair creepy. A loud ring sounds out making Opal cover her ears not being one to like loud sounds, this marks that the time is two o'clock, the major soon stepped up to the podium and begins to repeat the same speech he does every year Opal was sure that she could say the speech word for word herself now. He began to tell the members of district four the history of Panem, the country that rose out of the ashes of a place that was once called North America. He begins to speak of the disasters that happened the fires, the droughts, the storms and most of all the brutal war.

He then begins to read out the past victors of district four, only two are alive. Mags Flanagan, the victor of the eleventh hunger games she was an older woman seventy-two to be exact. Opal had looked up to Mags a lot, the woman had resilience like no other. The next tribute was Finnick Odair, the youngest ever victor and the victor of the sixty-fifth hunger games, he was known for his extraodinary skills with a trident. Opal found herself staring at the boy praying to the old gods and the new that she would not be in his place one day,  although he presented himself as cocky and arrogant Opal could see straight through him.  The attention soon switched to Elizabeth Bell who rises from her seat her heels clicking against the floor as she draws closer to the podium.

"Happy hunger games! And may the odds ever be in your favour!" her high-pitched voice makes Opal cringe, the odds are not in her favour. She goes on for a little bit on how much of an honour it is to be in district four, although everyone can see through her false persona. Soon comes the time for the drawings and as always she shouts "Ladies first!" and slowly makes her way over to the big glass ball, with a steady hand she reaches in, digging around deep into the ball with a smile she pulls out a slip of paper. Opal pulls in a sharp breath feeling sweat beads beginning to form on her forehead she begins to feel nauseous like the whole world is spinning around her, and all Opal can do is hope and pray that it is not her. Elizabeth soon makes her way back to the podium carefully unfolding the piece of paper and reads out the name in a clear voice "Opal West!"

Opal stood there for a moment trying to think if what Elizabeth said was true or if it was just her mind playing small but cruel jokes on her, the girl was stunned as her own names bounced around inside of her skull. "Well come up then dear," Elizabeth calls out in her high-pitched voice, Opal could only describe her voice as being like a fork scratching a plate. Opal swallows hard feeling a burning sensation she knows all too well, tears, but she would not cry if the reapings were played back in the capitol people would see her as being a weakling and Opal would give no one the satisfaction of labelling her like that. The world seemed to be spinning, the walk to the justice building seemed to take hours when in reality it was less than a thirty-second walk, making her way up the stairs Opal lost her footing almost stumbling however a larger hand was offered out to her which she took with a small amount of resistance, the hand belonged to Finnick who gave her a nod of comfort which only settled the girl slightly.

"How exciting!" Elizabeth beams "Now for the male tribute," she once again skips over to the large glass bowl this time only placing her hand in it for a split second pulling out the first name she finds "Matt Dontry!" Opal finds herself looking down at the floor below her fighting back tears, the odds truly aren't in her favour she had recognised Matt from the docks he often worked there with his father, he was seventeen and well built and had a lot of height to back up his strength. While Opal was the polar opposite only standing at five foot two and barely weighing one hundred pounds. His face soon registered that his name has been called and a smirk soon finds its way onto the boy's face as he steadily makes his way to the stage, no glint of fear was apparent in his eyes or facial expression. "Any volunteers?"

Opal feels like she has been frozen in place as her eyes desperately scan the crowd praying for someone to take her place but alas no one raises their hand, a wave of defeat washes over her "Now why don't you two shake hands?" Elizabeth questioned but her tone was more demanding, Opal gripped hold of the older boy's hand lightly giving it a small shake.

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Okay chapter one is finally done, woohoo! I'm liking this story so far, what are your opinions?