Prologue:

I do not own the Hunger Games!

Also, this chapter has been revised!

I'm a man

That's what you raised me to be

I'm not an identity crisis

This was planned

Revenge. That's all I need. Revenge on Katniss Everdeen. I want the bittersweet taste of revenge on my tongue. I want to bathe in the glory of others' defeat.
Oh, I mean both metaphorically and literally speaking. I'm also talking about blood.

I am Aqua, the much-forgotten sister of Cato; and probably the winner of the 80th annual Hunger Games. Right from the start, I've been deemed egotistical.

Truthfully? I am.

"You need to make sure you get up to the stand before anyone else," explains the head trainer, Emberlynn. "You all know that you're the strongest and most fearless of your districts. Do not allow intimidation in numbers to conflict with reaction time." I nod dutifully like the perfect killer I'm to be. I stand with Stingra, Hunter, Parker, Rosie, and Jack, the other trainees planning on representing their Districts. We are all at the Career Training Center in my home District, Two, where a special lot of Careers are trained before going into the Games. Tomorrow is Reaping Day.

"Make a show out of it if you can, push anyone else out of the way. Make yourself look better than everyone else." Emberlynn charmingly strikes her knee between the legs of a dummy. What a wonderful person. "That's how you get sponsors; they want a tribute with confidence and cunning. Whatever happens, just make sure you get up there. You may leave now."

We all have been training together for years, and tomorrow it will pay off. We will be the greatest alliance in Hunger Games history.

Chapter One:

I couldn't sleep last night. The excitement was building up, ready to burst. I can let it out today, because today seals my fate: Reaping Day. Waking up is easy, and instead of moping around because I had to wake up at least two hours early, I get straight to work.

When people watch the Reaping, they pay close attention to the tributes, so I know I have to make an impression in not only what I do, but also how I look. For less than a second I think about dressing in something nice, but that's all. I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that I started my Hunger Games journey looking like a normal teenage girl. I am more than an average teenage girl. I am a proud Career tribute from District Two.

So I put on a plain teal t-shirt, (my favorite color), black jeans, and sleek black combat boots. I pull my hair back into a ponytail, hating that it was naturally pretty and wavy and blonde, of all colors. Innocent. I am not innocent! I am vicious and fearless and deserve to be feared.

There's nothing left for me to do. Any normal person should realize that a girl who doesn't wear a fancy dress to the Reaping is worth their time. I eat a simple breakfast consisting of a piece of toast, milk, and an egg. Waiting for the Reaping is definitely the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life.

When my parents finally wake up and get ready as well, we set off for the center of the town for the Reaping. It's the only place that can hold everyone in the District. When I get there the Peacekeepers take my blood sample, and I am free to go stand with the other eighteen year olds. For years I've watched them in envy, hoping that one day that would be me volunteering.

My time has finally come.

On the other side of the square I see Parker, the other Career representing District Two. We exchange a glance, but nothing more. No one needs to know we're volunteering this year. My parents don't even know. You see, they've become overly protective of me ever since Cato died. I've made countless excuses to attend the training session, including studying, feeding the poor, and others. We stand here for a while waiting for the rest of the District to come. Every minute feels like an unbearable hour.

At last I see Emberlynn walk onto the stage. She's also District Two's escort, thankfully.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment I'm sure you've been waiting for all year: Reaping Day! It's time to pick our two tributes…" I appreciate how Emberlynn isn't like a typical escort. Those are frilly and giggly and optimistic. She dresses in dark clothes and minimal makeup.

Emberlynn puts her hand in the boys' jar first. She opens up the card, and clears her throat. "The male tribute is… Jordan Orville!"

As soon as she says the name, at least ten boys shout "I volunteer as tribute!" including Parker. Luckily, Parker is faster than the rest of them. He sprints to stage, already in front of the devastated teens. Emberlynn smiles as he leaps up the stairs.

"Please tell us your name." Emberlynn clasps her hands.

"Parker Brown," he smirks.

"Congratulations on being District Two's male tribute, Parker! And now for the girls."

My heart races as she dips her hand in the jar. All too slowly she lets her fingers swirl around the countless names. Finally Emberlynn snatches a strip, and a horrifying thought clings to my mind. What if that's my name? I won't be able to volunteer, and common sense will tell you several others want the coveted spot.

I throw the idea aside. I have to concentrate on being the first volunteer. Everything I am depends on this moment.

"Myleena Ganum!"

I scream into the air, along with a few others, "I volunteer as tribute!"

A girl standing two rows in front of me jumps out at the same time as I do, along with some others behind me. I catch up to her quickly, and push her to ground. I run past her and get up on the stage. Emberlynn looks pleased to see me.

"What is your name?" she asks me, even though she knows the answer.

"Aqua Pyrette," I boast, knowing that this is the name to stick for generations to come.

"Congratulations on being District Two's male and female tributes. Now shake hands," she says.

We do. This is my time to show the world that my family never stops trying. I wave to my District as Emberlynn escorts us off of the stage.

"I'm so glad both of you made it!" she exclaims. "Aqua, I think you just gained some sponsors; Parker, too. Now each of you will have a few minutes to say goodbye to insignificant others. Then you will board the train. After the departure of the train, know that there is no turning back. Not there is now, of course."

Parker and I each go into separate rooms where we would meet relatives saying goodbye. The door bursts open seconds later, and I see my parents. They were crying. Well, that would be an understatement. My parents were bawling and clinging to each other for support.

"How could you?!" My mother spits with venom. "After what happened to your brother I would've thought you would have the sense to stay back! I can't believe you did this to us!"

I'm shocked. I truly thought that they were crying happy tears, and congratulated me with fervor. I was about to say something back to them, but they had left. I was alone.

The next people to arrive are my best friends, Cat, Scarlett, Hestia, and Peri. They have the polar opposite reaction as my parents. My friends high-five me and tell me how awesome I am. Not that I didn't know that already.

"I can't believe you knocked Chelsea over!" Cat happily exclaims.

It never occurred to me that it was my worst enemy that I pushed down. All I knew is that I was in control; I was the one that crushed someone's dreams. That alone was exhilarating.

"I hadn't even noticed it was her!" My face is hot with pride, warm as the fire I plan to burn my enemies with. "I just don't understand why she would even think about volunteering. She's such a useless weakling." It's a shame Chelsea is in my District. She would've been a nice kill in the arena.

"I know!" agrees Peri, "She was the weakest person in the Career Training Center. What a loser."

"Probably because she was so full of herself," pondered Hestia. "She thought she was this perfect little prodigy, but she totally wasn't." After considering her statement for a moment, she frowned. "Oh, well, you're pretty stuck up, too. But Aqua, you actually have skill!" I chuckled. Most people would be offended by something so bold, but Hestia only boosted my ego.

"Good luck Aqua," chatters Scarlett, standing up. "I hope you kill everyone! We'll be cheering for you back home!"

They all said goodbye and left. The next person in is Chelsea, ironically. She has a gash on her face, presumably from the pavement. It was difficult to tell where the wound and her contorted face separated because she was red-hot in fury and embarrassment.

"I totally hate you, Aqua!" She screams at me. Her voice is scratchy and helpless. "Do you see what you did to me?" Chelsea stamps her foot. "I've always had a better chance at winning than you, and you know it!" Chelsea's features are puffy and ugly, but I don't think that has anything to do with crying.

I bat my eyelashes and pout. "Yeah, you would definitely win the Whiny Games. But I don't think they accept special needs children yet." I smile sweetly.

"Ugh!" she scowls and leaves, slamming the door behind her.

This is officially the best day of my life.

'Cause you didn't know

What a man was

Until I showed you

'Man' by Neko Case

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