Here's the first real chapter! Let it begin.

Valencia POV:

It was Reaping Day. Finally- I'd been waiting for this day for ages. Not that I intended to volunteer. The Hunger Games were not for me. They were dirty and gross and I was already rich and beautiful. Why would I need that?

The reason I loved Reaping Day was that it was a perfect excuse for everyone in District 1 to see me, and I didn't intend to disappoint. In honor of this most glorious occasion, I was wearing a blood-red dress that hugged all the right curves and included a high slit to expose my slender legs. Shiny black leather stilettos turned my feet into deadly knives, and dramatic black eyeliner framed my piercing green eyes. This was District 1, after all- the luxury district. I planned to be the most luxurious of all.

I took my place with the other seventeen-year-olds just as the speech was drawing to a close. A lady had to be fashionably late, after all. I was careful to stand at the end of a row so all the passers could enjoy the view. Some bimbo I couldn't care enough about to recognize walked onto the stage. She was wearing a bombastic orange ball gown. It was eye-catching, but it couldn't hold a candle to me.

"Ladies first! And may the odds be ever in your favor," she said as she approached the name bowl. She dipped her hand in.

"Valencia Widad!" she read.

Oh, I thought. I checked my nails and walked to the stage.

Someone would volunteer anyway. That group of nuts that called themselves the "Careers" were probably chomping at the bits.

"Do we have any volunteers?" the escort called.

No one answered.

That was unexpected, I thought. Guess I'd better come up with a strategy.

The escort dipped her hand into the ball with the boys' names.

"Chisel Amaranth!"

A pudgy boy walked onstage and took his place next to me.

Ick, I thought. I have to associate with that?

"Do we have any volunteers?" the escort asked.

"I volunteer!" a deep voice answered. A tall, tightly muscular boy strode onto the stage. He was a much better view than the last doughball.

Now that's what I'm talking about. I can work with this, I thought.

"Let's have your name," the escort asked him.

"Royal Spinel," he replied.

I waited until he glanced my way, then smiled shyly and looked away, fluttering my eyelashes slightly. What was a poor little girl like me going to do against such a big handsome man?

Well, well, well, Royal. I think we're going to be very good friends.

Royal POV

I was a little surprised when none of the girls volunteered. There were a handful from the new training academy I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. It would only make it easier for me to win, though.

I took a glance at the girl who stood beside me on the stage. She whipped aside like I'd caught her drooling over me.

You think I'm that easy? Girl, I have more important things to do than neck.

I was one of the top students at the new Academy in District 1. I figured if we were stuck fighting each other like animals, we might as well win. Survival of the fittest. Nothing personal. I knew how to use everything from a mace to a rapier. I preferred the spear most of all. It was short enough to retain control and long enough to keep my enemy at a safe distance. Once the Games began, I'd find myself a spear and that would be that. I'd head back home and enjoy the booty.

Our escort, Philomena Puff, grabbed our hands and hoisted them up in the air.

"Let's have a big round of applause for Valencia Widad and Royal Spinel!"

The crowd applauded. I went over my plan.

Outlast everyone, win the Games, go home, I thought. Oh, I suppose the other Careers will want an alliance. Yeah, with Valencia on my side I'll be unstoppable, I thought sarcastically.

At least she wasn't a threat. I wasn't about to dismiss the other tributes as nothing but spear fodder, but Valencia would probably faint if she broke a nail.

Although… there might be some upsides. If I kept her around she'd be the easier target, and I could either retreat or attack while her assailant was occupied. And she wasn't hard on the eyes. Might as well improve the scenery a bit.

I looked over at her again and smiled slightly.

All right, Valencia. Let's see what you got. This is the Hunger Games. What's wrong with a couple of rides?