Starkids in the hunger games, you know the drill, it has been done before.

Place our bets! Place your bets!

24 go in only 1 comes out may the odds be ever in their favor

Reaping day.

District 1.

Everyone was talking, everyone between the age of 16 to 18 talked about volunteering. I wanted to do it too, I am only fifteen but I am going to be in this years hunger games and I am going to win!

A girl walked past me towards the square where the reaping took place. She was older but shorter than me. On her face was a look determination mirroring my own. She looked like no other girl should get in her way.

I walked into the ranks and waited.

The mayor said a few words before the escort from the capitol stepped up. He said a few words then the video from the capitol was shown.

"May the odds be ever in your favor, Ladies first," the escort said after the video was done his name was Fenton. I tripped back and forth. I want this to be over and my turn soon but also I kind of want to know whom I am going to work with.

Whomevers name was picked didn't get the chance. As soon he had said the name screams of volunteering went through girls.

In the end it was that girl who had caught my interest earlier that won the spot and she walked up like a queen walking to a throne.

"And what is your name then?" Fenton asked.

"Devin Lytle," she said in a sugar sweet voice and with a stare that could scare even the wildest beast.

"All right boys then," Fenton said and went over to the other bowl. He put his hand down going over the slips and I ready myself.

"I volunteer!" I yelled as soon he had said the name of some seventeen-year-old guy. I started walking up trough the mess. I must get this!

Thankfully the peacemakers let me pass as the only one and I proudly took my place on stage.

"Well hello and who might you be?" Fenton asked.

"Tyler Brunsman," I said and gave a smile.

District 2.

There's something about reaping day that's just irresistible. I do love it, the excitement, the fight for the spot and the look of disappointment of those whom didn't make it. Now I have been on the short end of stick three years in a row. Just because you volunteer those not mean you get it. I am seventeen now I want my time in the light. I've been drumming my fingers on my thigh while our capitol escort Zeus is talking. Get to the point already! He always uses so long damn time.

"All right but enough chit chat, time to find our tributes, ladies first as always," he went over to the bowl were all the girl names were.

"Jill Valentine," Zeus said.

"I volunteer!" I screamed so loud it drowned out a few of the other girls whom volunteered as well.

Zeus pointed at me, he pointed at me! I am a tribute!

I walked up trough the crowd every girl starring daggers at me.

"This comes as no surprise a volunteer, what is your name miss?" Zeus asked.

"Denise Donovan," I told him, I told everyone.

I stood smiling starring out into the crowd while Zeus walked over and picked a boy. I couldn't believe it! I am really here! I didn't hear the name of our male tribute but I shook his hand and pretended like nothing. We walked off stage with Zeus and our mentor.

"So Denise Donovan and Joseph Walker was it?" The mentor asked.

"Just Joe please," The guy said.

"All right Joe, Denise get ready, you are going to return in victory," The mentor said and lead us on our way.

District 3.

Reaping day, I never really liked this day, but not many did.

"Hey you ready?" my brother asks as he walks past my room.

"Yeah let's get this over with," I reply.

"It's gonna be all right, we made it this far, two more reaping's and we are done, well make it," Matt told me.

"Yeah sure," I nodded but I just couldn't be as positive as him.

We gave our parents a hug before going to the main square.

I looked around to see the faces of everyone and I didn't even notice Iris had picked a slip from the girls until she said the name.

"Lauren Lopez,"

NO! Not her, anyone but her, I wanted to scream, to tell someone to volunteer. Lauren was 17 like me but tiny and delicate and beautiful. I had been crushing on her for years, my brother teasing me constantly to tell her and now I would never have the chance. I felt a hand squeezing my shoulder as I watched her walk up on stage

"I'm sorry," my brother's voice said in my ear. I heard one of my brother's friends' whispered I looked like a ghost.

Iris walked over to the boys getting ready to pick a name. Please let it be someone whom can help her.

"Nicholas Lang," Iris said. If I were pale before I wouldn't have any color left now.

Everyone was looking at me. How can I be so unlucky, how?

I started walking forwards when I felt my brother's hand on my shoulder again.

"Don't!" I hissed more forcefully than expected and kept walking. Up to the stage were the tributes shook hands.

While walking away from the stage a caught a glimpse of what I think was a tear on Lauren's cheek. The odds have never been so badly in favor.

District 4.

Walking towards the court building where the reaping was talking place I made sure to walk calmly and confidant. I was Smiling at the girls and padding my friends on the back when I passed them. I didn't really see what there was to worry about, we were good fighters so if we got caught it was bad for those meeting us and if we weren't chosen we could take a breather. Some people worried too much, not just about getting picked but if they made it, some people and glory.

We all lined up like we were supposed too. Our capitol escort was a new one, a woman with blue long hair name Aqua. Well that's cliché but fine.

"And our female tribute is… Sango Tajima," Aqua said with as much pizazz as she could muster. Looking at the girl she didn't like one I recognized.

"And now for the boys," Aqua smiled and went over to the other bowl.

"Dylan Saunders," she said.

"What?" I said before catching myself but then I quickly shook off the surprise and walked up in the same manner as I walked down the courthouse. I might not feel it but at least I looked like I was in control.

District 5.

Reaping day, the most dreaded day every year. I woke up late which is a surprise I usually never sleep the day before reaping day. I basically just ran down trying to make it but still looking presentable as it was expected from us. I was one of the last ones at the check in. and therefor got a place in the edge of the crowd.

I looked around for my parents and caught their eyes just as they found me. Then the music began and the ceremony began.

It wasn't before long that it was time too pick the names. It was always girls first.

"Julia Albain," was called out. I didn't know her but I had run into her once or twice and she seem friendly.

Then the boys I could feel the lump in throat return as it did every year. I swallowed.

Just relax and it will be over soon.

"Joseph Richter,"

While I walked the long way up I made sure not to look towards my parents. I was sure they were crying and if I looked I would as well. I was sure I was going to fall on the way but I didn't in magical way I managed to stay on my feet all the way into the rooms where we were going to say goodbye. I sat down on a sofa shaking.

District 6.

You know it's getting harder and harder too seem like the laid back type when you're so scared you're shaking on the inside.

I have seen so many good people leave and never come back, it's got nothing to do with odds it's just sad.

I've been standing here for a while waiting for it to begin. I hope it's not anyone I know today.

There was more and more people arriving but you wouldn't guess since it was so quiet.

I kept changing my weight from one foot to the other.

"Let's get to the fun part," Harley said. She was the person whom picked the names of those we would not see again. her idea of fun meant death to us other.

"From the lovely ladies… Lily Marks," She said. I had heard Harley wasn't so bad but her sugar sweet smile she had on her face while taking Lily's hand was just a bit much.

"And from the handsome boys… Darren Criss," Harley said happily and I almost threw up.

Slowly walking up taking my spot. I didn't feel scared or afraid, I just felt empty.

District 7.

One good thing about reaping day was work finished early. After chomping wood for a couple of hours the whistle signaling quitting time sounded. Giving us time to look presentable for the reaping. I was instructed to take a shower and put on my nicest pair of clothes. Now I was on my way down to the mayor's house. Our square wasn't big enough so the reaping took place behind the mayor's building.

"Hey buddy, last reaping, feeling lucky?" my friend Chris asked as he caught up to me.

"Well we made it this far, we should be able to make it, what you say?" I replied. Chris and I was the same age.

"Just my thoughts," Chris said.

We got up and stood in line. Not soon after it all began.

After today I would be free. No more reaping days for me. I heard our escort's squeaking voice go through the microphone and I snapped back to the current scene.

The girl who was picked had dark skin and black Afro like curls. Her name was Britney Coleman but I had to ask Chris since I didn't catch it.

"When this is over, I could use a beer," Chris whispered from my left and I gave I slight chuckle.

"Jeff Blim," and suddenly my chuckle got stuck in my throat.

But I was going to make it without getting reaped! I think Chris might have said something but I'm not entirely sure. The world around me seemed to slowly disappear.

I started walking all the way from the back row too the stage. I shook hands with Britney and while I was smiling I was cussing the odds to hell and beyond.

District 8.

It's amazing to see the statics. Only two are reaped every year but still every one of us eligible, who is over thousands are scared to death of getting picked. Not to mention it might be our death.

I saw my brother leave and not come back a few years ago. Somehow that hardened me. Now I just take things as they come along the way. I just signed up and went in line without saying a word.

People here and there were whispering voices talking about fears. All hoping it wouldn't be them but it had to someone.

I could only see those younger than me taking place in the rank in front of me. It would be sad for some, but if it's not me I'm happy. It might sound cruel but it's just how it is.

Finally they made it too the picking off names. The girl was a little 14 year old named June Saito. She kept hesitating on the way up.

Then it was time for the male tribute to be chosen.

"Nicholas Strauss-Matathia,"

Even in my state of mind I was surprised to find that they picked me.

District 9.

I was walking hand in hand with Brian on the way to the reaping grounds. To be fair I was clinging to him so scared to loose him. When we made it down he turned to look at me.

"Hey it's going to be all right," he told me.

"But what if it's not?" I ask.

"You always say that but we do always make it right, I promise you when this is over I'm going to be waiting right here for you," Brian told me and gave me a kiss.

"I love you," I told him and even though he played though I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"I love you too," He told me and after another kiss we went to each other's places.

I stood with my hands folded into of me and silently wished it all to be over.

"As always Ladies first," Vain said and walked over in her life threating tall shoes.

"Meredith Stepien," she said out loud and a whimper escaped but only one. I could feel the tears forming as I walked up. Now I was wishing for the next name not to be Brian's. I looked down in the ground after I took my place on stage afraid to find a pair of blue eyes and then start to really cry.

"Brant Cox," was the male tribute and there were no volunteers.

We walked back and people broke off going home. A quick look over my shoulder and I saw Brian standing like a statue watching me disappear.

District 10.

I always left at the last possible minute. Waiting down there with all the other for longer than necessary seemed too make the experience more dreadful than it already was. I was the last to sign in and find my spot with those in the same age as me. I'm not sure if I liked or disliked that the girls was picked first. I did have my heart beating at a pace that might give me a heart attack but at least it was over quicker and I didn't have to wait too long. I saw that our previous victor was seated nice and calmly next to the mayor. Somehow they managed to look completely indifferent to what was happening around them.

Then the usual booming voice of Burnie went trough the microphone. For a capitol person he didn't seem to bad but maybe that was just a persona.

"Your female tribute will be," He said before taking the slip from the bowl.

"Jaime Lyn Beatty,"

No, what, me? NO!

Everyone around was looking at me and stepping back so I stood in a hole in the crowd by myself.

"Come on up dear," a voice called from stage and I felt myself start to move but it didn't feel like me.

I'm glad the tributes aren't asked any questions 'cause I don't think I could say anything. The male tribute was a year older than me, two heads higher and with a voice deeper than Burnie's. His name was Jim Povolo, he was known as a bit of a joker but there was no smile on his face today and with where we were going it might not come back.

District 11.

We had been working all morning, then there was the reaping and then back to work, even if your child had been reaped you had to go back to work after saying goodbye. It's terrible how little they care about us. I was walking along with everyone else. Peacekeepers walking around next to us making sure we don't do anything they don't like. My stomach rumbled. I had taken terrace a couple of times and I was sixteen so my odds weren't the best but a lot of others had it worse. We all stood perfectly in line.

I looked around wondering which two it would be this year.

Our escort from the capitol came up and started speaking. The way she was talking it sounded like we were her old friends.

She picked from the girls first.

"Bonnie Gruesen,"

I knew her, we was the same age and had went to school together. She was a nice girl so I felt sorry for her.

Then it was time for the boys.

"Joseph Moses,"

I looked up into the sky before going up next to Bonnie. It might be the last time I saw the sky in the place I grew up.

District 12.

Reaping day was always grim. I always hated it but I don't think anyone in district 12 liked it. We didn't have a chance, we were sent into certain death.

We all got into place. The mayor and our only victor to date sat down.

The contrast to our cheery and colorful capitol escort Darion to the gloomy dusty streets of the Seam was incredible. He stood out so violently that he almost seemed fake.

I just wanted this to be over fast and go home to help my father work.

Everyone must be in place now since Darion now was walking over to the girl bowl.

"Alle-Faye Monka," he called out. For the first time probably everyone's eyes was not on the girl that got reaped but her parents sitting on stage. She was the mayor's daughter but that was no indication of safety.

Darion quickly moved on so the Mayor and his wife didn't have to sit there for too long. He walked over to bowl, picked a card and back without his usual jibber jabber.

"Ahem, Brian Rosenthal,"

I sighed deeply knowing what was going to come now.

I walked up to a frightening looking Alle-Faye and shook her hand.

This was not going to end well.

The Capitol

On their TV screens had the reaping's been shown with Caesar and Clavius was commentating.

"Well Caesar? What do you say about this years tributes?" Clavius asked.

"It's a very interesting bunch lets have a look at the list," Caesar replied.

District 1: Tyler Brunsman – 15 and Devin Lytle– 17

District 2: Joseph Walker – 16 and Denise Donovan – 17

District 3: Nicolas Lang – 17 and Lauren Lopez – 17

District 4: Dylan Saunders – 17 and Sango Tajima – 15

District 5: Joseph Richter – 15 and Julia Albain -17

District 6: Darren Criss – 16 and Lily Marks – 14

District 7: Jeff Blim – 18 and Britney Coleman – 15

District 8: Nicholas Strauss-Matathia – 16 and June Saito – 13

District 9: Brant Cox – 18 and Meredith Stepien – 17

District 10: Jim Povolo – 17 and Jaime Lyn Beatty – 16

District 11: Joseph Moses – 16 and Bonnie Gruesen – 16

District 12: Brian Rosenthal – 15 and Alle-Faye Monka – 14

"Well I think must noticeably they youngest there is one 13 year old so this years games are going to be more level, I'll tell you what this year is going to be interesting," Caesar said smiling into the camera.

Chapter one end!

Authors note: next chapter will be the good byes and I would love to hear your feedback this far. I don't know who'll win yet but my idea for the arena is more or less done and if you have ideas for chariot costumes feel free to drop them in, if I like it I'll make you a stylist.

Who will you be betting on?