I drift out of my restless sleep in my fuzzy, hot bed and glance out the window. Today is the day. The day of of the 68th Hunger Games. I climb out of my bed, knowing I won't get any more sleep, and sit in a large white leather chair next to the window. I see an orange sunrise behind the Capitol skyline and mountains. So peaceful, so quiet.

I feel completely screwed over. I should not be here. Not me. I come from District 4, a career district! Nex Aldren, the chosen male tribute this year. Approved my tons of advisors and trainers to volunteer this year. When my name was called, I was not worried at all. It is fully expected for someone to volunteer in 1, 2, and 4. It's what we do. I know it's a big honor to be a tribute, and an even bigger honor to win, but I still shouldn't be here. Did Nex get cold feet? I know he didn't think, me, Shrey Abruns, a 14 year old boy would ever have a chance. I guess that's why he didn't volunteer. He wasn't ready, he probably said, and he just let me be sent away to my death. They must be throwing him a pity party back in 4.

The time must be around 6:00 in the morning, so my prep team must be coming soon. I think about my family at home, and how they must be feeling. I could easily die today. I didn't get any ally requests from 2, and neither did Conchella, the 17 year old girl from my district. We both got requests from 1 though. I've always been fond of District 1, they weren't so full of themselves and they weren't as judgmental. We didn't get request because of our scores most likely. I got an 8, and so did Conchella. She comforted me on the train here, and she told me that she will stick with me, in the games, in training, in everything until the end. Until I died. If I don't make it out of the arena, I hope she does. She has light brown hair that she usually wears in two pony tails, what my mom would call pig tails, and fair skin. She is quite friendly, and she helped me get through the past week in the Capitol. So today, we will stick together and stay with District 1. When we approached the District 1 tributes, Vicuna and Loro in training, they seemed to have a plan set up. They want to turn on District 2 at the cornucopia. They were very accepting and kind, and Conchella and I both admired them very much.

A knock on the door sends me back to my bed, and my prep team comes flooding in. Avrius, my stylists chants, "almost game time!"