A/N: (2013) Hey kids! Okay, so I am going through and editing these old authors notes because I feel bad that I haven't uploaded yet! You guys are still great, as always, and are letting me take my time. Or are going to stop reading. What-eves. So, I got a great suggestion from FredNeverDied to recap each character at the end of the chapters to help you remember who you are rooting for, and I find it brilliant Okay, so before you read, let me explain something. This is the first ever chapter I have ever written for FanFiction, and as my time on this website progressed, so did my writing If you read this chapter and think 'Man, is there even a plot? Probably not.' please have faith. The first two chapters aren't the most developed, and the third is a little lengthy but I PROMISE IT GETS BETTER! Actually, once this story is over or almost over, I will probably go back and re-write the first few chapters! So please, wait til about Chapter 4 to give up!

And by the way, I will not be using cuss words in the Reapings, but in the Capitol I have no rules. And later on there will be slight adult themes. You have been warned.

I'm unfortunately not Suzanne Collins. This would be a book, not a FanFic.

On with the story...

District 1 Reaping:

Gold Safire (District 1) POV:

I awake with a smile on my face. This time tomorrow, I'll be on my way to the Capitol, and on my way to winning the Hunger Games. Yes, I'm going to win. No one doubts it. When I look at the clock, it says I have 3 hours before the reaping. Perfect.

I jump out of bed and do 50 push-ups, followed by 50 sit-ups. After this very easy work-out, I start to get ready. I see that my mother has already laid out my clothes for me this morning. Her and my father are very proud of me going into the Games, they know I'll win.

After slipping into a black suit with a red tie, I go into the bathroom to get my hair camera ready. When my auburn hair is gelled just perfectly, I head down stairs. My mother is preparing breakfast and my father is silently reading a Capitol magazine. When my father sees me, he smiles.

"Hey winner, ready to show Panem what you are made of?" he asks me.

"Of course!" I exclaim, taking a dramatic bow.

My mother applauds, "Welcome, the winner of the 52nd Annual Hunger Games, Gold Safire!" shouts my father, impersonating Caesar Flickerman.

"Thank you! Thank you!" I say, waving all around the kitchen.

Soon we are all laughing and hugging. After we all recover, I set down to a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, topped off with syrup and fresh blueberries. When I finish eating, my mother pulls me into yet another hug.

"Go," she whispers, "you don't want to be late."

I hug her and my father, give a dazzling smile, and push my way out the door. After jogging my way to the reaping, I sign in and get into the group of 18-year-old boys. When I find spot, I sit back and relax. I've got this in the bag.

Ruby Shimmer (District 1) POV:

I'm already out of the bed before sunrise. You don't think I just look like this when I wake up, do you? Well, if you do, then you would be sadly mistaken. The first thing I do is 20 crunches, 10 sit-ups, and lift weights for about 30 minutes. Can't win the Games with only beauty, can we? Next I shower, making sure to cover myself head to toe in scented soaps and body-washes.

When the shower ends I cover myself in the new bottle of Shimmer Spray I bought yesterday. My mother always says, 'One must always live up to their namesake.' And trust me, I will. These Games are going to be a piece of cake.

Not only am I drop dead gorgeous, I'm also stronger than I appear to be. This will win me sponsors and the Games. I smirk while I raid my closet, looking for the perfect reaping outfit. After all, all Panem is going to get their first impressions of me in this outfit.

Soon I come the perfect outfit, something that people will remember. A sparkling, pink, knee-length dress with matching pink heels. After jumping into the outfit, I go to bathroom to start a masterpiece called my hair.

I curl the platinum blonde hair into waves. Again, applying the Shimmer Spray. Next, I clip in a pink, bejeweled pin in my hair, pulling my bangs to the side. Soon I apply a thin layer of foundation. Then comes the black mascara and pink eyeliner. The pink to match my outfit, of course.

I add some pale blue eyeshadow & matching lip gloss. This helps bring out my blue eyes. I open my mouth and attach the White-O-Matic, which will turn your teeth from drab to fab in one easy minute! I hum through an old nursery song about a lamb my father taught me years ago until I hear the 'Ding!' This signals that my teeth are complete.

White is not even compared to the amazing way my teeth are sparkling. My reflection smiles back at me and I check the time. One hour until the reaping begins. I slowly make my way down the stairs.

Maria, the housemaid, has made buttered croissants and hot chocolate, one of my favorite breakfasts. But today life doesn't apply. I can't risk getting my clothes or face messy. So when I sit down beside my parents, I only ask for a cup of almonds, blueberries and a bottle of water. I read somewhere that eating almonds and blueberries help you live longer, and I'm going to need all the help I can get.

"Mr. Mayor?" calls Alfred, the butler, coming through the door from the sitting room.

"Yes?" answers my father.

"The limousine has arrived, sir," says the butler.

"Thank you, Alfred," smiles my father.

Every year, my parents and I take a limo to my reaping. As soon as my parents finish their croissants and hot chocolate, I my small portion of nuts and berries, we head out to the driveway where the limo is parked. Lined on the sidewalk are photographers, trying to catch a glimpse of the Mayor and his family. We pose for a few shots and then hop into the limo.

"Those pictures are going to be worth millions when I win," I think to myself.

My mother smiles while my father pats my shoulder. We stay like this until we reach the Justice Building. My father heads to the stage while my mother heads backstage. I move to the front of the line, perks of being the mayor's child, and soon I'm standing in the 17-year-old female section. I'm one step closer to winning.

Gold Safire (District 1) POV:

"Welcome to the District 1 reaping for the 52nd Annual Hunger Games!" bounces Dream Garret, District 1 escort. This year she is sporting a flowing orange dress with a blue, curly, shoulder length wig. How this is supposed to look good is beyond me. Not like it matters what Dream wore, all eyes will be on me anyway.

"Happy Hunger Games!" exclaims Dream, "I always love visiting District 1!"

I roll my eyes, I swear she is the most annoying person in Panem.

"First, let's hear a speech from the one, the only, Mayor Shimmer!" Dream ushers to the mayor and he smiles while he takes his place at the podium.

Ruby Shimmer (District 1) POV:

I applaud when my father is introduced. We make eye contact and he smiles. I try to pay attention, but soon my interest is lacking. I have already memorized his speech, I am forced to listen to my father at least 5 times each year practice this speech to me and my mother. I look around at the rest of the 17 year olds, and they seem to be paying as much attention as much as I am.

I tune back in when Dream comes back center stage.

"Now, let us pick our District 1 tributes for the 52nd Annual Hunger Games!" Dream walks over to the two reaping balls on the right of the stage.

"Ladies first!" Dream reaches into the girls reaping ball and waddle back to the podium.

"Diamond Ann!" she exclaims. A twelve-year girls pales and steps out of the crowd. This is my chance.

"I Volunteer as Tribute!" I scream.

Gold Safire (District 1) POV:

The girl walks up to the stage, smiling like she just killed a tribute.

"Whats your name, dear?" asks Dream.

"Ruby Shimmer," she gives a wink at random to the audience. She has some guts.

"I bet my buttons, your Mayor Shimmer's daughter, aren't you?" questions Dream.

"Yes," Ruby explains, "and I am also your next Victor."

Ok, now I'm starting to get annoyed. Who does she think she is, acting like she is going to win over me. That's too funny. She'll probably think twice when I'm on that stage.

"Next, let us chose our male tribute!" Dream makes her way back to the podium, a little white slip in hand.

"Harr-" she starts.

"I Volunteer As Tribute!" I yell, not even waiting or caring if Dream finished the name. I walk on stage. The girl, Ruby, gives me a dazzling smile. I examine her more closely, and I can already tell that all the guys from the Capitol are going to sponsor her. This makes her very valuable. Too bad I'll have to kill her.

"And what's your name?" Dream says, slipping a hand on my shoulder. I lean over and say,

"Gold Safire, your real victor."

I hear Ruby whisper, "Don't be so sure of that."

"Let me introduce you to this years District 1 tributes, Ruby Shimmer & Gold Safire!"

We shake hands and give her a swift wink. I can tell she is caught off guard, her smile falters. Soon it returns, and the anthem starts. I smile and keep a hint of mystery in my eyes. Afterward, we are herded into separate rooms of the Justice Building.

Ruby Shimmer (District 1) POV:

My parents enter first. We exchange hugs and a few words, but before they leave me mother slips behind me.

"Close you eyes," she says. I obey and she puts something around my neck. I open my eyes to find a ruby heart hanging just below my collar-bone. "I was going to save it for your victory tour, but... Just try to remember us in the arena. Okay?"

"Of course I will!" I exclaim, throwing my arms around my parents.

"Mr. and Mrs. Shimmer, your time is up," says a peacekeeper just outside the door.

After my parents leave, a steady stream of friends and people who think that we are friends enter and exit my room. The whole time I only think of one thing, the wink I received from Gold. He thinks he can just make me look weak in front of the entire country? We will just have to see about that.

Gold Safire (District 1) POV:

My mother cries when she and my father come and visit me. I don't know why, we have already discussed this, I'm going to win. I guess she is just going to miss me.

"I just want you to remember," my father starts, "kill or be killed." That's all he says, or can say, before the peacekeepers escorts them out. My next visitor shocks me. It's Dream Garret.

She just stands there for a moment, examining me. Then she says, "Your definitely more attractive than that idiotic 17-year-old from last year. And remember, I'm the one that gets you all your sponsors."

The next thing I know, she has jumped on top of me. She suddenly starts to kiss me. I'm confused, but soon I push away.

"Don't be stupid, I can make it or break it for you in the arena," she whispers. I have no other option but let her continue to kiss me. It seems like we are like this for hours. But then a peacekeeper knocks and she hops from me.

"See you tonight," she says with a wink. I guess it is time to board the train, but I'm surprised I had no other visitors. I have a funny feeling Dream had something to do with that.

When me and Ruby stand together at the train station, she is still wearing a smile. When I'm confused, I notice small details all around me. Such as the fact that Ruby now has a necklace around her neck, and that when Dream brushes past us, her wig is crooked.

Ruby Shimmer (District 1) POV:

When we are standing right outside the train, I take a glance at Gold. He looks super confused about something. Time to start my master plan.

Gold Safire (District 1) POV:

I barely notice when Ruby slips her hand into mine. I stop and look at her. She still has a smile plastered to her face. She looks me straight in the eye and winks. Soon after comes the feeling of her lips against mine. Unlike Dream, she doesn't mash my lips against hers, it's just a subtle kiss. When she pulls away, we get many 'ohhs' from the audience. She blushes. Now I understand what she is doing.

Let the Games begin.

I am so sorry about that. Now, for the recap. I'm going to do this chapter, even though these are the only tributes so far. Its going to be like a puzzle, riddle, mysterious kinda thingy so... yeah.

Tribute Recaps:

Gold Safire.

The boy who practices his interviews with Caesar. He volunteered, knowing he has what it takes to win it all. But, after locking lips with two on one very special day, it could leave anyone a little shaken. Does this District One wannabee know how to take the crown, or will the locking of lips be his downfall?

Ruby Shimmer.

The girl who should not be underestimated. She is the Mayor's daughter, living a life of luxury. Winning the Games is what she wants, and will stop at nothing to win. Will she prove that she is more than just another pretty face, or will the guilty get to her head?

Please Review, Favorite, and Alert!

-M