AUTHOR'S NOTE: This Chapter was co-written by @TheSillyCoWriter

Chapter One: Reaping Day

Reaping day. 

It's the day that almost everyone dreads in the Districts. 

It depends on what District you're from if you have to worry or not, if you're 12 and are from a poorer District, you're dreading it. If you're from District's 1, 2 or 4 you're not dreading it in the slightest and are fearless. You've had training, illegal training and you're more ready than ever. You're going to steal the title of being a victor from the other 23 tributes that you're fighting against. Even if it means killing your district partner you want the victor title. If you want to be pardoned from the reaping for the rest of your life and your District showered with gifts, you have to show no remorse in The Hunger Games. 

But even sometimes it can be tough in the richer Districts, especially for a certain female from District 1 and though it's highly publicised in her District to go and volunteer for people who have been chosen, even if the chosen person wants to go in. Lucy could never bring herself to volunteer. 

Lucy had never thought much of the games, she had simply enjoyed reading and drawing, when she was not enduring school with her older friend Glimmer. The Hunger Games were completely from her notice even though she was the Mayor's daughter who absolutely loved the games. 

But there was one thing that she couldn't escape, and that was the reaping.

She woke abruptly one morning to the sound of lorries driving past her house, no doubt carrying all the equipment for the reaping, including the large television screens which would show the reaping to the parents surrounding the town square as they watched anxiously, either hoping their child would be picked or hoping their child would volunteer. 

Attendance to the reaping was mandatory.

Lucy hated that people were expected to volunteer in District 1 and it's not un-heard of at all. It's something that you simply must do, rather than let the person whom has been chosen steal the victors title.

Lucy sat bolt upright and clutched her forehead, she had a splitting headache and it didn't help with the lights of the lorries shining through her blinds and blinding her in the almost darkness. Like a wild animal frozen in fright, her ears seemed to be the only things working. 

Slowly, the lights began to die down and Lucy could finally see properly. She breathed a sigh of relief, briefly, before dragging her brain to focus on what was going on in the present. She perched on the edge of her bed and blinked a couple of times so her eyes adjusted to her clock which said the time proudly: 7:30 am. She shrugged and then looked at the piece of paper placed next to the clock, written in her own neat handwriting: Reaping day. 

Great. Lucy thought then collapsed back on her bed, placing her head back on the pillow as she sighed in exhaustion. Days like this made life awkward.

Despite the fact she really wanted to lay in bed, she dragged herself up on her two feet and drew back the posh curtains. She gazed over the foggy haze that surrounded her family's house in the mornings which hid the other extortionate houses in her neighbourhood. Even though she was the Mayor's daughter, her house was still amongst others. But undoubtedly it was the largest and most grand.

She stared into the distance and saw the enormous television screen that was being assembled in the town square. This was going to be where two unfortunate children would learn their fate today in the first District of Panem. 

Feeling a little down to earth, Lucy slowly peeped her head out the door to make sure her parents were not awake. Hesitantly she crept downstairs and avoided the sight of the servant's headquarters who she regularly took pity on.

She noticed Gaze, a servant girl, and her mum curled inside what they called their home, but what Lucy's parents called the shoe cupboard. As Lucy crept over in her pyjamas, she helped Gaze's mum curl into a comfy sleeping position after her late shift before running into one of the three living rooms.

She sped to the phone and quickly dialed the number boiled into her brain. She knew it so well...she would never forget it. As the caller perked up, Lucy heard the groans of a boy as he seemed to awake from a pleasant sleep.

"Hello?" It groaned in a drowsy tone. Lucy babbled quickly and it seemed to confuse the boy on the other end of the phone. He just happened to be her other friend and she counted him her favourite out of her only two friends. 

"Marvel!" She hissed down the phone in desperate attempt to wake him. "Today's the day, I can't believe it's come again! You're not going to volunteer are you?" Lucy hung on her own words as the silence down the phone made her perch on the balls of her feet. 

"I dunno, Lucy..." he yawned. Lucy's body automatically slumped and her bottom lip fell out. This 'I don't know' always meant 'yes' with Marvel. 

"Can't you wait another year?" Lucy trembled as the sounds of more lorry drivers streaming by her window rumbled through the house. She kicked some confetti off the bottom of her foot as she waited for a reply. 

As she picked at the confetti angrily, Marvel yawned into the phone rudely and Lucy could hear the creak of his bed as he moved. She knew he hadn't been partying for the games; he was just born lazy. 

"You'll be fine, Lucy. You've never been chosen before, and you don't want to. You don't need tesserae or anything. There are poorer people who work in the factories who will be chosen." 

"Don't lie to me! I know you'll volunteer with Glimmer!" Lucy muffled as she tried to hold the phone between her head and shoulder. Marvel sighed and clicked his lips which made Lucy flinch. 

"Hey! No worries! You won't be going in. A promise made is a promise kept. Besides, if you are chosen someone will volunteer for you, you're the Mayor's daughter for crying out loud!" He told her as he placed the phone down on her. Lucy shrieked in annoyance which awoke several of the workers sleeping around her. 

"Sorry," she grumbled as the butler resumed snoring on the couch. Lucy peered around as she placed the diamond phone down, shaking her head at the party mess. 

Her family loved The Hunger Games. Lucy's parents both were rich and proud of their only daughter. Life was simple. Party, sleep, get adored and party even more. Lucy was sure her parents only stayed together because of her. If they hadn't had had her, they would have separated so quickly and partied in other places. 

As she stared out of the long rectangular windows of the room admiring the scenery, a girl ran in quicker than lightning. She sped round another corner as Lucy droned. 

"Mum isn't awake yet, lay in some more." The girl slowly walked back in her job clothes and looked relieved. Lucy smiled and Gaze smiled gratefully back and straightened then brushed the clothing she had only put on only seconds ago.

"So, Miss, are you looking forward to today?" She asked politely.

Gaze had to be careful if she wasn’t punished. Last time Lucy recalled when Gaze had spoken to a higher occupant she had been whipped by the butler. Lucy's father had ordered it. The butler had cried hard. Gaze did too. The butler, Tom, was Gaze’s father.

"You know I hate The Hunger Games," Lucy sighed as the girls sat down on one of the leather chairs. "How can anybody bear to watch young innocent lives slaughter one another?"

"If I may be so bold to say this, Miss, but they are not cruel. They are manipulated...the children, that is." She spoke more confidently. Lucy smiled. Gaze was a lot smarter than she let show.

"Your opinion is safe with me," Lucy smiled as a bang erupted from upstairs. Gaze sped out again as Lucy eyed her mother, cat walking down the hallway.

"LACE!" She cried and went to give her a deep fake hug. Lucy didn’t hug back but smiled awkwardly. Lucy hated that name. Her mother was still smothered in makeup from last night and her red gown was spotless. Her blond hair fell down in waves on her back and swished when she walked, her green eyes were the only thing that made it evident that the two were related. Even so, most people in District 1 had green eyes; it was a trait."Now dear, eat up and get ready! Today is the day of the Reaping!"

Lucy couldn’t smile at this as her mum squealed in excitement. Her mother pulled a funny face but Lucy didn’t smile back as she looked at the ground. 

"Cheer up, Lace, its not a bad thing! You’d like it if you didn’t lock yourself up every year! Its so...exhilarating!" She said in a very posh manner as Lucy rolled her eyes.

Gaze walked in with Lucy's breakfast and placed it down before shuffling out quickly. Her mother pouted and showed off her beauty mark on her lip before turning.

"Get changed into that lovely outfit now! You’ll want to see Marvel, won’t you?"

Lucy stared at her.

"I don’t fancy Marvel! He is my friend!"

Her mum disagreed. "He’s a top boy from a good school! He’d do you good and keep you proper!"

Lucy wasn’t impressed.

"He’s two years older than me! And besides he promised me he's going to volunteer next year, as next year is the last time he's eligible." Lucy said stiffly and looked like her mother for just a moment with her stuck up nose. 

"Nevertheless, hurry up you won't want to be late for the reaping. Best event of the year in my opinion, Lace." Her mum giggled and walked out.

"My names Lucy..." she whispered as the house burst to life. Marvel had helped her change her name on her birth certificate. No one knew but them, it was their little secret.

Lucy avoided the servants as they began sweeping up the mess from last night's party and glanced at the phone, if her mother said she should see Marvel. She would see Marvel. 

She dashed up the stairs and slipped into some jeans, a white shirt and expensive shoes before running out the house, her mother wouldn't notice. She'd be a little while but her mother still wouldn't notice. 

"Morning!" A neighbour called from out their window. 

"Morning," Lucy called gingerly back. 

Marvel didn't live on this side of town, he might be a little poorer than Lucy but he still lived further away. Yet, Lucy was determined to see him before the reaping, he could just break his promise and go into The Hunger Games this year, so Lucy wasn't taking any chances. 

"Lace!" Someone yelled, Lucy whipped around and saw Glimmer. She beared her teeth as Glimmer laughed. "Just kidding! Marvel told me he'd helped you change your name to Lucy. I don't know why you've done that though, Lace is so unique!" 

"And it's also something my mother named me and I don't like it," Lucy spat. "I don't know why my parents even had me, the only thing they're bothered about is The Hunger Games." Lucy was about to speak ill about The Hunger Games when she saw some Peacekeepers parading the street and a few even greeted her. 

"Oh cheer up! I might volunteer this year — " 

"No! You can't! Why would you do such a thing?" 

"Like Marvel I've only got this year and next year, life's too short to ponder." 

"You're going to die faster if you go into the games..." Lucy muttered so only she could hear.

Lucy stood there and resembled her mother as she sneered at what Glimmer had said. Wouldn't her friend rather live than die? 

"Well, I best be off. Mother needs help. See you at the reaping!" Glimmer waved and before Lucy could reply, she was off.

Lucy set off again, running as fast as she could to Marvel's house, the clock was ticking away and the faster she got there the more time she'd get to spend with him. But when she had run up the path to his door, it opened and she ran straight into him. 

"Woah brake!" Marvel laughed as Lucy groaned in a dazed manner. She looked at him and saw he was already in his reaping clothes, a shirt, trousers and the finest shoes, just as ready as everyone else...but her. "What are you in a hurry for?" 

"I came...t-to see...you..." she stuttered. 

"I spoke to you this morning on the phone, I think you're taking advantage of that phone, you don't have to ring me up daily you know." 

"It's like a prison in my house! I want someone to speak to rather than Gaze, even though she's such a lovely girl I just really feel trapped. And my mother is doing my head in..." 

"I know she does your head in but at least you can say you've got a place to call home, look at those District 12 people! They barely have home's, it's no wonder they're always killed first!" Marvel shook his head but Lucy really knew he was fantasising over killing a faceless tribute from the weaker districts with his trusty spears. Lucy knew he had been training with his spears since he had first found the training centre down town. "Speaking of our luxuries, why aren't you in your reaping clothes?" 

"Because it's not time for me to get in them yet, we've got hours to waste." 

"Not really, it's 8:30 now. The reaping starts at 9:00, lets get you to the Mayor's house, besides, we've got to head that way anyway for the reaping." 

"Alright fine, but you musn't laugh at my reaping dress, it's terrible." 

"I won't laugh, I promise." 

The two headed back to the Mayor's house and Marvel waited outside patiently as Lucy slouched inside and walked up to her room.

There her dress was, on her now made bed, she slipped it on then looked in her mirror. She wished she hadn't. The dress was purple and had pleats that seemed to make it flow, but Lucy hated it. She was going to stand out in front of everyone else with their simple but fancy reaping clothes. She placed a bow in her hair for good measure, it was something she had begged for. She slipped on some ballet flats then stepped out of her room and advanced on the stairs.

Her mother and father applauded her as she made her way down the stairs, they both looked impressive themselves. Lucy noticed her dad had shaved for once. Her mum had slapped more makeup on her eyelids. Lucy glanced out the window and saw Marvel but then he ducked as soon as he saw her looking

Lucy shuffled past them and stepped out of the house self-consciously and looked at the stream of children as they made their way into the town square, where the reaping would begin. It sickened her as a group of boys raced each other to get to the square. They were laughing and shoving each other, it was as though they were about to attend a concert rather than a televised death sentence. 

"Why?" Lucy asked her herself and shook her head in disapproval. 

"Come on, Lace!" Lucy's mother pouted her roughed lips and puffed out her chest. 

"But, mother — "

"No, no, come along!" Lucy's mother crept around her in ridiculous high heels, that made her tower over the Mayor, who followed behind proudly. 

"But I don't want to..." she whispered to herself and straightened out a pleat on her dress.

"Attendance is Mandatory," Marvel winked as he revealed himself from under the window ledge. He walked towards her and she smoothed down a bit of his hair that had got a bit out of hand. She gave him a look and he took her hand, helping her down the stairs that her mother had struggled to in her heels. 

"Marvel, please don't volunteer this year. Please. For me." She begged as she let go of his hand and they walked alongside each other. 

"Alright, I won't. If it pleases you. Another year of training won't kill me." 

"You're really good with spears, I'm not good at anything..." 

"You're good with knives! Remember that time I taught you how to throw a spear? That was excellent." 

"Marvel, the last time I threw I knife it landed in my mother's hair and I got grounded for six months. If that's talent, you have low expectations, my friend." 

"Well at least you hit a target!" 

The two laughed as they joined the queue and as it shuffled forward they spoke to each other as the girl's eyed them with envy but the two ignored them as they voiced in whispers their opinions about the games, of course Marvel's opinions weren't bad but was playing along with Lucy so she wouldn't stand out and be punished by a nearby Peacekeeper. 

When Lucy reached the front of the queue, she held out her index finger to the Capitol man behind the desk pricked it (Lucy winced) and bloted the blood on a ledger. He scanned the blood and Lucy saw her name on scanner along with '15 y/o.' 

He shooed her off and Lucy took one more glance at Marvel as the Capitol assistant requested that he held out his finger, he waved her forward and she did so, making her way into the roped off area for female's who were fifteen years old, some eyed her and other's looked away. 

"Hello, Miss," Gaze smiled and Lucy nodded at her meekly. It was strange. She had all the money she could have wanted, her parents rich and famous, she was destined to be too. Lucy had slaves, a mansion to her name and a fantastic school. But she only had three friends, Marvel, Gaze and Glimmer, and felt out of place. Lucy never felt like laughing at District 12 when a mining accident happened. She cried for the souls lost in that District. She felt a bit nauseous and didn't want to risk her breakfast. 

Lucy glanced up at the stage and saw her father sitting down on a chair next to District 1's Capitol escort, Kathleen, preparing for his speech that he always gave to the citizens of District 1. Lucy used to watch with awe in her mother's arms when she was five years old as her father gave his speech, it fascinated her...but now, she couldn't care less, she knew The Hunger Games made the District's helpless and could crush them all like a Butterfly.

The clock struck nine and the Mayor stepped up to the microphone and began his speech, everyone else switched off and indulged in almost silent conversation with the people around them, discussing who they think will go in. Whether it will be a twelve year old and someone will volunteer or an eighteen year old and no volunteer, because they're so strong. 

"It is both a time for repentance and a time for thanks," the Mayor beams then begins on all of District 1's past victors, there are so many of them that only two sink in: Cashmere and Gloss, the brother and sister. Lucy looked up on the stage and saw them both sitting there, listening to Lucy's fathers speech with awe. 

The Mayor finished his speech and sat down and is replaced by Kathleen. "Happy Hunger Games!" She beams.

Lucy stared into the reaping balls which held the names. One for the girls, the other held the fate for the boys. She watched as Kathleen who cheaply smiled and gawped on how lovely it is to be in District 1. Lucy knew she was lying. The Capitol people never told the truth.

As she twirled her hand over the girls reaping ball. Lucy turned her head over to notice Marvel standing not so far away. He smiled smoothly and gave her a thumbs up. Lucy smiled to him as well. He had more chance of being picked than her. 

I'm not a fighter, I'm a side liner she told herself coolly before breathing in a cool sigh of air.

Kathleen hummed to herself as her hand dipped into the bowl, she rummaged through the name's. She picked up a name then stupidly dropped it back in the bowl. "Oh dear, silly me!" She giggled, a few people rolled their eyes as she reached back for the same name, but then changed her mind. 

Lucy glanced nervously at Marvel who mouthed reassuring words and they all seemed so true until she heard the one thing that she had been dreading for five years: 

"Lace Dime!"