Hi everyone! This is a new story for me and an entirely new experience, since its a co write with my new internet friend misslincolngrimes. She's really talented. Please go check out her other stories and this one will also be posted on her account. This chapter will be up on hers sometime tomorrow! :D love you all and read on!

Chapter One

Kai PoV

My names Kai Miller, I'm a member of district four, and I'm sixteen. I'm not the tallest, maybe five foot nine at most, my hair is a bleach blonde color, and my eyes are an almost black, dark brown. My best friend Marina is sixteen too. I've known her since we were eight, we always joked about how we might get chosen to be our district's tributes in that T.V. Show, The Hunger Games. It sounded so cool to us, until we learned how it all happened, and what happens to most of the tributes. Then when we reached the age of being able to be reaped we dreaded every year when the reaping came. Both of our fathers are commercial fisherman, so we were both well fed, our moms co owned a fish restaurant; it was always really good there. Last hunger games, my sister was chosen as our district's female tribute, in the first night, she was killed, it threw me and my family in a spiral of despair. But Marina helped me through, I think it brought us even closer than we ever were. To be honest, I think I love her, but I'm positive she doesn't even like me that way.

Today was the reaping for the seventy-fourth annual Hunger Games. Marina wanted to go for a swim before the games to release any worries or stress about being chosen, because there is little to no chance we'll get picked, yet we still are pretty sure we will. This was our way of getting rid of any worries. I'm actually waiting for her now.

I heard a bush rustle behind me, and turned to see Marina in a light blue bathing suit that matched her bright blue eyes. Her dark brown hair tied behind her head, and the form of her body plainly visible, I had to mentally slap myself to stop me from staring.

"Hey Kai," she said.

"Hi, shall we swim?"

She nodded her head happily. "Are you ready for the reaping?"

"Not in the slightest. But we have such a slim chance of being nominated. Isn't this your younger brothers first year in the draw?"

"Yeah, I'm really worried about him." She looked down at her feet.

"Not allowed. Buuut you should worry about what I'm about to do."

"What your about to-" I dove, picking her up and ran towards the dock on the water. "No! Kai put me down!" She screamed laughing.

"Nope." I stopped at the edge, holding her just above the water.

"Let go!" She screamed.

"Let go?"

"Yes, please let go." She told me.

"Okay, my pleasure." I smirk as I let her go, she instantly screamed as her body hit the water.

"What the hell Kai!?"

"That's what you get for thinking about that." I told her, smirking.

"Oh really?" I nodded, and her hand darted out from the water. It gripped my ankle, making a quick motion and I fell in, almost on top of her.

"Gah! Its so cold!"

"Its called revenge." I scowled.

"Humph."

"Don't dish what you can't serve." She laughed.

"Hey!"

"Race you to the reef?" She asked, beginning to kick herself away from me.

"Cheater!" I called, quickly paddling after her.

"Ha, last one there volunteers to be a replacement tribute!"

"Oh, hell no!"

"You are such a girl sometimes!" She said laughing; we were now swimming beside each other.

"Says the girl. Though, I have to agree with you, I look hot in a bikini."

"uh, no." She says grimacing. "Ugh, can't even imagine you in one!"

We swam for a little longer before we decided to go get ready. We'd meet up again when we got there.

"Mom, I'm home!"

"Alright, be ready quick, or we'll be late."

"Alright." I mumbled, running into my room. I pulled on dry clothes, then ran downstairs to find my mom at the door.

"Come on lets go!" We walked quickly down to the harbor, where they normally drew the names. Marina was waiting for me by the entrance. We'd be as close as we could be inside.

"Alright. No speech this year. We'll just get right to the reaping. Ladies first." The announcer said. She swished her hand around the massive glass bowl. She opened it and clears her throat before saying the name. "Marina Mel.." She paused waiting for someone to step forward "Where are you?"

My heart dropped when her name slipped from the announcers lips. Marina was chosen, I looked over at her, her eyes were wide, filled with fear, she shakily took a step out into the pathway up to the stage. Her gaze anxiously reached mine, and I saw the tears in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

'Its okay.' I mouthed, 'everything will be okay.'

'I'm scared.' was all she mouthed back, before the guards moved her towards the front.

"Hello sweetie." The announcer said, shaking Marina's hand. "Now for the boys." She said with a tight smile, Her hand glided into the other glass jar. "Wow, another Mel. Dylan Mel." She said. I saw him near the front, start to shake as he moved.

I shook with anger. He was too young. I couldn't let them make him do this. Their mom cried out loudly. "I volunteer!" I screamed.

"What's this?" The announcer said, looking for the one who said that.

I stepped out into the path. "I said, I volunteer as tribute." I told her confidently.

"Our first volunteer, anyone else?"

I saw a few of my friends start to speak, and look over at me. I shook my head. No way am I letting anyone I care about die. What are the chances even, that someone would be chosen in their first year? I walked up to the stage, shaking her hand. I guess we'll be fighting for our lives soon. And I cringed at the thought that only one of us could win. This will be a hard few months.

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