1 - PLAYING WITH FIRE

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Her blonde hair whipped in the air. Leaves thrashed against the long, rough branches. The sky had darkened with a light pink, layered with a sunset orange. Her icy toned eyes stared straight forward at the screen, right in the middle of town square. Her mouth gaped open, her face frowned with perplexity.

It was the 69th Annual Hunger Games. The Games that brought young women and men together to fight to the death, in an all around bloodbath. Teaching children to fight for their lives; it was the battle of the fittest, only the strongest survive.

11 year old, Nova Mae Lambert, would soon have her name entered into the bowl for the very first time. But to many people, your name gets doubled every single time your name gets put into the bowl. Nova's one chance of getting pulled out of the bowl, would be two chances. Even two is a huge number to the children of District 12.

Her backpack hung around her shoulders, as she held her mother's hand. Nova sheepishly looked up at her mother, as a tear had fallen down her sunken in face. Once the middle-aged woman realized her young daughter was looking, she jerked her tear away from her face, plastering a fake smile on. She lead her blonde-haired daughter toward the one school they have in their very poor District.

Nova said goodbye to her mother, as the young girl skipped into the classroom. She took her seat in the back of the room, her blonde hair covered her face, as she began writing in her journal. Footsteps moved closer to her, than to the side of her. The blonde raised her head up, seeing a familiar face, with a blank expression.

Nova had perked her head up, when their teacher, Ms Tully, had began teaching the history of how Panem got created. Her eyes kept darting over towards the young boy, with pale skin, and bright blue eyes. Nova admired his quiet embodiment. She studied his features, noticing how he scrunched his forehead when he was concentrating. How he bit down on his lower lip when he was busy writing something down.

Nova realized the boy knew she was staring at him, she quickly turned her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. An amusing smile made its way to the young boys face. They glanced at each other, before turning their attention back toward the front of the classroom.

The teacher had dismissed the children, as they exited the room. Nova had spotted the boy with the dirty blonde hair with the bright blue eyes, as she hurried over to him. The blonde stood in front of him, as she stuck out her hand.

"Hello, I'm Nova Mae Lambert," she greeted with a wide, toothy grin.

The boy shook her hand, as he smiled back at her. "I'm Peeta Mellark."

The two children pulled their hands away from each other, as they walked together back to their homes.

"Instead of going home, I know where we could go instead," the blonde suggested.

Peeta tilted his head to the side, agreeing to go. They interlocked their hands together, as they headed straight past the town square, near the woods. Just close to the fences, that blocked out residences from leaving the town square, lay a meadow. A meadow filled with daises and tulips, and all kinds of flowers.

"It's amazing," Peeta was speechless, his childish wonders and imagination coming alive. He never been this far out in the District. The kids both laid down in the field of grass, listening to the sound of the wind.

Nova closed her eyes, feeling the breeze brisk across her face, her breath still and calm.The sun beamed down on her, warming her skin.

"I want to leave this place," Nova suddenly embarked. Her answer was dejected; an 11 year old having to experience the dark, daunting times of the ages.

Peeta looked at her. Me too."

Nova sat up, her legs crossed together. "Promise me two things," the blonde persisted.

"What?" Peeta asked, as he sat up also.

"Promise me that we'll be friends forever."

"I promise."

"And promise me, the day we both turn 18, we leave this place," Nova said.

Peeta nodded his head.

Nova held out her pinky finger. "Pinky promise," she laughed lightly.

Peeta and Nova intertwined their fingers together. "I promise," he said.

That was the day Nova Mae and Peeta became best friends.

That was the day Nova Mae and Peeta became the troublemakers and rule breakers of District 12.

That was the day Nova Mae and Peeta started playing with fire-and that fire they were playing with was each other.

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