In the shadows : A hunger games story

Chapter 1

It was still dark out when I got up. Sighing I got up out of bed,I tried  to be quiet because everyone was sleeping. Except for my father, he was waiting for me. This was a normal day for me. Wake up early to swim, fish and then in the afternoon,  combat. Despite the rumors there was no academy in district 4, we had to fend for ourselves.

" Good morning Malia" my father says
" Hello Phox" I replied. It was custom to call your parents by their first name because it showed respect.
" Are you ready for today?" he says.

" It's just like any other day right?" you ask.
He looks shocked." Malia this is the day before the reaping, before your destiny" he says.

I felt stupid How could I forget? It was going to be a long day.

After a breakfast of fish and bread (one of the only things I eat) I started my swimming.
After a quick lunch of berries and the fish we caught I sat in the sunshine by the riverbank.

" Well Well if it isn't Malia the fish girl" a voice says.

I role my eyes." And what do they call you Rory the stupid" you say.

Rory laughs." Are ya ready for tomorrow?" he asks.

I sigh." Maybe" you say.

" Why?" Rory asks.

" Because the people only like me because I'm the sister of a victor, because I'm basically the sister of a legend, and if I fail to fight for my brother" people will hate" I say.

" Well you'll be dead so it doesn't matter" Rory says.

I give him the death stare.

" I was kidding Jeez" he says.

" Malia!" It's time for combat!" Stop talking to Rory" my father yells.

Combat was always the hardest. My dad pushed me to my limit which I guess was good. But my muscles always ached afterwards.

Finally after a 8 hour day of non stop training I sat down to eat and my mouth drops open. On the table was fish, chicken, potatoes and curry. I had never had the pleasure of other food, I wasn't exactly poor but growing up in 4, fish was all I ate.

My mother smiles as she notices me face." Thought I'd get a special meal tonight since tomorrow is a big day" she says.

" Yea the day before I am told if I live or die" you say.

My father looks at me." Malia for the last time, you're ready and I know if you get picked you'll make us proud" he says.

" And what if I don't come back!?" I say.

My father and mother are silent." I know you'll go far" my father says.

" C'mon get some sleep I'll clean up" my mom says.
I find it hard to sleep, because of not knowing. It scared me. What if I did die? How would my parents move on. Finally after 3 hours sleep overtook me

I woke up early again, it was the day of the reaping. The day where one female and one male tribute would be picked to fight to the death. I was ready but part of me wished I wasn't.

My mother had laid out a beautiful silky purple dress. I combed my hair in the mirror as she wrapped her arms around me.

" Mom I'm scared, I won't be able to live up to my brothers legacy. What if I don't come back" I say.

" Malia you're ready you've trained for this" she says as she hugs me

I walk to the square and get in line behind the other girls. I can't help but feel sad because some girls who are only 12 are crying.

I get into my section and wait. Finally the capitol theme plays and on walks Roxy Trinket ( the sister of Effie, if she had one)

" Welcome,  welcome to the Hunger Games" she says in a cheerful tone." Now let's get started, a new rule means we have to go quicker.

" As always girls first" she says
She swishes her hand around the big glass bowl. Everyone's eyes are looking at the ground. I sigh and my heart pounds.

She takes out a slip of paper and rolls it out. " The female tribute is....
Malia Hearthstone.

I sighed. Well no use in volunteering. Instantly cheers are heard. It seems as if everyone was praising me. It helped when your brother was so famous. I was helped up on the stage and looked out. I saw my dad with a proud smile and my mom with a look of what could only be described as sympathy.

" And now for the boys" Laverna says. She swirls  her hand into the bowl. The male tribute is....
Miller Fox.

I looked at the boy who was coming up. He was much younger than me, probably 15. He looked scared out of his mind. Meanwhile a piercing scream reverberated throughout the air.
" NO! NOT MY MILLER! NO!" a voice screams. I see a frantic women, who I assume is his mother crying while peacekeepers carry her away. Miller looks at me in fear. I stay silent.

" Well Well lets have a round of a applause for our brave tributes" Laverna says. She politely claps and everyone else chants my name. I see Miller looking at his feet.
" I felt bad for him" He wasn't as popular.

" a Soon I was being ushered into the justice building.

" You have three minutes" the guard says to my father and mother.

This is my first story ever! So it isn't a good, but I am learning so please give it a read and feedback is appreciated!
Xoxo- Athena