There I sit. The obstructive screams and hollering makes it impossible to even hear my thoughts. It's the choosing ceremony for the 69th annual Hunger Games. Tonight we will find out who's going into the deathmatch this year and I'm proud to say I'll be one of them.

I sit in the eighteens section, with the other Academy children of my age. Other than Garnet, Travis, or myself, I don't see anyone else who deserves a shot. I can't get over how boisterous it is in the usually barren auditorium. I sit in the first row observing everything, from the Snakes skin shoes Travis is wearing to the two girls making out in the sixteen section. The sound dies down as the Headmaster nears the part everyone's been waiting for.

"I'm proud to announce that District one has had an abundance of victors this decade, and it would be more than impressive if we add one more!" The crowd screams in admiration and lust for victory.

"But now to the part we've all been waiting for! We will choose who will represent District One in the 69th Hunger Games! But remember, if the odds are in our favor, only one tribute will meet their demise. The winner shall be remembered for overcoming the odds, but the fallen tribute's name will be added to the wall of martyrs. There and forever more shall the fallen tribute will be remembered for their courage and sacrifice!" The crowd goes wild. The headmaster signals us to be quiet before he continues. It's weird in District One, they name the tributes for a certain game a month before reaping it's Headmasters strategy for making his tributes prepared. This decade it proved successful.

"Now for our girl, Emily Hills!" We stand up and applaud her. She's been a close friend of mine since I've started school. Unless the choosing is rigged I'm going to the games with her.

"Now for the boys. Through close examination and vigorous studying and debating with the fellow victors. We unfortunately have a draw!"

I stand up in disgust and surprise "Well who the hell is it!"

He sneers as I sit back down. "Garnet St. James, Julian Malone, Travis Grey, and Chandler Trip!"

Travis looks at me with big shocked eyes, "What in Panem?"

I smirk "We're bout to find out." Garnet stretches and gives us all uneasy stares.

The headmaster finishes up his speech. "You all have proved yourselves in the various trials, tests, and assessments. And we couldn't make a decision."

Chandler gives Headmaster an annoyed glare "Why me, ugh?"

"May the best man make it to the reaping stage first" I shrug and sit back down feeling as if I'm a victor already.

"Remember, Go to the dining hall for the feast. The staff down at culinary prepared some old school comfort food. You've been dismissed!"

The anthem plays as I rush to the Dining hall. The other potential tributes have already received their meals and are eating at the reserved table. The caterers were eager to serve me their delicious cuisine. I'm served steak and rice, with a yeast roll. I take a seat beside Travis and dig in.

Travis gives a leering smile to Garnet. "You're not volunteering this year ok!"

"And if I don't" Garnet barks.

Travis leans over the table and stabs his finger into Garnet's cheek. "I'm warning you! Matter fact I'm warning all of you! This is my year and I'll end each and every one of you to get to the games. Are we clear?"

Garnet stands swiftly. "I'm above your irrelevant advances. If you have a problem with me I'm not hard to find! And damn show some class Jeez!" He storms through the door with a thud.

Chandler stabs his steak knife into the table "I'm not volunteering! The only reason I went to this academy was to get a good look on my peacekeepers form and you must be talking to them. Hell, you don't even know if you're going to win and already threatening people!" he soon follows Garnet

"I guess you pissed him off," I blabber.

"Not now Julian, You how much this means to me. I don't have nothing to look forward to, but the games and I don't even know if I'll win that."

I understand what he means partially. His family owns a string of Jewelry stores and that seems very boring. But I don't understand what he means by having nothing to look forward to. He's one of the great families of District One. If that wasn't the case our parents would't have even arranged play dates between us when we were kids. Also he's from a wealthy family in District One, that adds points alone.

"Julian, for me could you refrain from volunteering?" I look into his eyes to see a desperate non brash Travis. To be honest I don't know what to do. If I don't volunteer I would be heavy into politics like my father and Travis will own several Jewelry shops. I got an amazing way to escape this. I'll just let Garnet beat him and run to the stage.

"I'll keep that in mind Travis." I stand to move, but he grab my wrist.

"Promise me that you'll refrain, please!" His grip tightens with every second I take to think.

My mouth answered before my mind did. "Man I promised Hale, not only that I need this! I've trained for years and I can't give this up. Lets just do what headmaster said. Get to the reaping stage first. I promise that I'll still support you if you make it to the stage.

He shrugs his shoulders. "I figured something like this will happen, when I finish with Garnet you're not going to want to!"

He heads back to the Auditorium. I stroll outside and stare into the stars thinking of purpose and guidance. You'd think I get more support from my parents, but they don't see the reason for me wanting to volunteer. My dad is probably up arranging meetings or doing other mayor stuff, while my mom is probably tired from dealing with obnoxious capitolites all day. I wish my parents were like Travis's at least. They didn't care for all the sports and training for the brutal Hunger Games, but they made it to every event I could think of. Mine usually told me they'll make the next one, but they aren't to bad I guess. I've never gone hungry and they were always there when I needed them, this I only want. I think of going back inside to change my mind when Emily walks over and whispers something that bounces my ego. "Travis doesn't want you to volunteer but he'll rather you than Tripp or St. James."

I give a small sigh of relief. "We don't have to worry about Chandler anymore. He said he doesn't want to volunteer. She smiles slightly and places a hand on my shoulder "If you and I go to the arena together can we make a pact to keep each other alive no matter wha-" I raise an eyebrow and interrupt.

"Isn't that what allies usually do?" I say.

She rolls her eyes and stares into the sky as well. "Like we should stay together the duration of the games so when there's only us left. We'll have a one more victor from One. I gaze at her, my eyes read disagreement, but not total dismissal.

"The other Career districts think of that too! And what tells you we'll be together that long?"

I sense her resentment but she still says something. "Like I said before we won't use each other. We'll keep each other alive and hope for the best outcome."

"But that will only make seeing each other die harder" I debate.

She shrugs and holds her head down. "I know, I Know! Every decision you make in the games could be life or death, especially the little things. But you'll eventually die just standing and waiting for something to happen!"

"Yes that's true" I say. "But when the twos and fours betray us you'll be wishing you would've listened to the conservative one!" She grits her teeth yet still remains passive "Lets talk more about this at my house tomorrow and tell your mother I said hey."

I make my way home shortly after our chat. On the southern areas of District One walking at night was seen as dangerous, due to all those muggers. But, On the northern area it was common. The streets still smelled of fresh pastry dishes and perfume of all kinds. It's literally breathtaking, the several shops and stores are just around closing hour and the hookers are posted on the corners looking for naive boys to seduce. When I was around 15 my friends scraped up enough money to invite some of the hookers to his kick-back. I got the flu and my friend Augustus got suspended from the academy for a week so he couldn't come either. I was angry at first but I then learned 3 kids got syphillis and was never so thankful to be sick. After a couple minutes of getting lost and backtracking I reach my neighborhood. When I reach my house I finger through my pocket hoping I didn't lose my key again and I'm absurdly proud when I find it.

I enter my fairly large home. Everything is pitch black but upstairs, probably my dad. I'm going to go tell him I made the cut and goodnight. If he's angry he shouldn't be. I spent several years training to become a tribute, so he shouldn't get angry when I'm finally acknowledged. He doesn't expect me and jumps as I enter his office. He takes off his reading glasses and starts blinking violently trying to return his vision. "Hey Julian how did the ceremony go?"

I stand with my chest poked out with pure ambition. "Headmaster Luxe chose me for the games."

My father tugs his beard "I'll have to speak to him about this!"

"No dad, please don't tell him to withdraw me!"

"No,no,No, son I wouldn't do that to you. It's more of a personal thing with your headmaster." I yawn and wonder what he means by personal if he isn't trying to screw me over with my eligibility. My father adds in, "It doesn't even matter if he withdrew you! It doesn't make it impossible to volunteer."

"But dad, there's no honor in that!"

He says one more thing about this before changing the subject. "There's no honor in killing kids period." My dad's pupils dart around as if he's wondering did he say anything treasonous. "Look son, I just want you to make the right choices. But I'm not going to say much. I lived my life, I'll be a hypocrite if I told you otherwise. I'm not a mentor, but I've been around many years and can pull some strings for some extra training before the reapings."

"Thanks dad and goodnight!"

He nods his head while grinning slightly "Likewise. Be up early to walk Mr. Oliver's dog tomorrow!"

I run to my room as if I didn't hear him and flop onto the bed. I have an Enobaria poster plastered on my wall and despite that intense District One and Two rivalry shown this decade, she's one of my favorites. and several other autobiographies of victors and different Hunger Games collectibles. I give a quick cough,snap, and clap to signal my T.V to turn on. I see Caesar Flickerman interviewing a young man no older than 22.

"People are interested to see your creativity and inner spunk in this years arena," Caesar shouts. The man gives a single nod of agreement "So Seneca what is your approach on these arenas?" The odds are not in my favor, new Gamemakers feel as if they have something to prove. By that they make an impossible arena and some outlier wins.

Seneca smiles "I won't spoil it, but this arena will be harsh!" The crowd gawk at the Head Gamemaker's remark. My stomach drops to my pelvis and my palms begin to sweat.

Caesar asks a final question "Will it be like the 59th?" Those were the most boring games I've ever seen. 17 people died in the first day and the victor wasn't much to brag about.

"Ohh not at all," says Seneca. "The arena's terrain will fit the kind of mutts that roam it. Also, when the games are over feel free to take a day off to this glorious arena."

That's all I wanted to know! But it's too many terrains that could be harsh and be a great tourist attractions. A desert, a city, rainforest, and a wooded area is all I can think of. I sleep that night having nightmares of each terrain.

A/N: I know this is early, but what did you think of the characters so far?

Thanks for reading and please review if you want!

Until next time.