Голодные игры
Chapter 1
Shegoesonabitaboutwhatanhonoritistobehere,althougheveryoneknowsshe’sjustachingtogetbumpeduptoabetterdistrictwheretheyhavepropervictors,notdrunkswhomolestyouinfrontoftheentirenation.
Throughthecrowd,IspotGalelookingbackatmewithaghostofasmile.Asreapingsgo,thisoneatleasthasaslightentertainmentfactor.ButsuddenlyIamthinkingofGaleandhisforty-twonamesinthatbigglassballandhowtheoddsarenotinhisfavor.Notcomparedtoalotoftheboys.Andmaybehe’sthinkingthesamethingaboutmebecausehisfacedarkensandheturnsaway."Buttherearestillthousandsofslips,"IwishIcouldwhispertohim.
It’stimeforthedrawing.EffieTrinketsaysasshealwaysdoes,"Ladiesfirst!"andcrossestotheglassballwiththegirls’names.Shereachesin,digsherhanddeepintotheball,andpullsoutaslipofpaper.Thecrowddrawsinacollectivebreathandthenyoucanhearapindrop,andI’mfeelingnauseousandsodesperatelyhopingthatit’snotme,thatit’snotme,thatit’snotme.
EffieTrinketcrossesbacktothepodium,smoothestheslipofpaper,andreadsoutthenameinaclearvoice.Andit’snotme.
It’sPrimroseEverdeen.
