*** Hey everybody! My first real chapter of this story, I'm super psyched! Please review your thoughts or PM me about my writing. I'm always open for suggestions to make my story better and I promise I don't bite ;) This chapter is dedicated to Envious Punk and Raye Vann for submitting their wonderful tributes to be subjected to the crazy world of my imagination. My thanks go out to ALL of you, my faithful readers, for your contributing of ideas and support of my story. Have a great Thanksgiving Break and may the odds be ever in your favors… I heart you! ***

District 1 Reapings (Enter Stephanie Grace POV)

I really, really hate this time of year.

I hate it because it reminds me of my mother, murdered by the capitol, because of her father's unwillingness to submit to their plans. It reminds me of all the people who care for me and how little time I have to be with them.

The capitol has personally threatened me. They have decided that if I choose not to obey their demands, my little brother and my best friends, Liam and Nick, shall die. The demand? That I volunteer for whichever girl is picked in the reaping if I am not picked myself. Why? They really hate my father. His guess is that this is some type of slow torture for him as a reminder of the capitol's dominance. To make sure he remembers what happens when President Fowlson is crossed. Like he'd ever forget; they killed Mom right in front of him. He's not defeated though. In preparation he's taught me the basics of every weapon there is. Also a lot of old moves from his games. His worry for me comes out in his hatred of the capitol.

As I think over my unfair circumstances, I almost run over my little brother. I tower over him being 17 years to his 13. He is all dressed for the reaping in a clean cotton shirt and slacks. His blond hair is slicked back his bright green eyes look at me with concern. He knows all about the threat that lingers over our home.

"Are you all right?" he asks.

"I'm okay, you?" I respond back.

"I'm going to miss my big sister."

"I'll be fine. It's just one big popularity show based on looks. I'm completely gorgeous, so it'll be okay."

He looks at me completely astonished. I meant to be funny, but judging from the incredulous expression on his face I just made one of those comments that make me seem occasionally shallow.

"Just joking kid, relax."

"I'll relax when you come home on both two feet and not in a box."

With this he goes off to the living room to wait as I go and get ready. I slip on a silvery dress that makes my eyes pop and my curves show. While I get ready, I sing. My mother had the most extraordinary voice, which was then passed on to me.

"If I had no more time,

No more time left to be here,

Would you cherish what we had? ...I don't wanna forget the present is a gift.

I don't wanna take for granted the time you may have here with me,

Cause Lord only knows another day is not really guaranteed,

So every time you hold me,

Hold me like this is the last time,

Every time you kiss me,

Kiss me like you'll never see me again…"

There. I've sung loud enough for my brother and father to hear. As I finish the preparations on my hair they both walk in.

"Your voice is amazing, sweetheart. Just like your mother's. No matter what happens in that arena just know I'm proud of you."

My father, with a temper that could rival the devil's, had tears running down his face. My brother too looked as if he would follow our father's lead and begin to cry. They both hugged me, and for a minute I felt as if I was the most important person in the world. We all broke apart and walked out of our house towards the square for the reaping.

The whole of District 1 files into the square. My father gives both my brother and myself parting hugs before making his way up to the stage. As a victor, he will be my mentor as soon as I volunteer for the games. My brother gives me a sad, parting smile and walks off to join the boys his age. I follow suit as I join the group of 17 year olds near the front.

Soon the reaping begins. Lilly Fell, the simply crazy escort for District 1 is being introduced by the mayor. I find her purple hair and pink eyes to be rather disturbing. I guess this is not surprising as I find anything from the capitol somewhat repulsive anyway. She crosses over to the box which holds all the names of possible female tributes.

"Girls first!" she squeaks in her completely nauseating capitol accent. I wait with baited breath to see who will be called.

"Sydney Cain." A small 12 year old begins to walk toward the stage, shaking worse than a tree in a hurricane. This is my moment of truth, Will I-no, can I be brave enough to save my friends and family by taking this young girls place? Yes, I am.

"I volunteer!" I make sure to shout loud enough where I could be heard. Instant silence. The little girl stops in her tracks and looks at me with eyes that hold nothing but shock and relief. I walk past her and up onto the stage.

"Well done. What is your name?" asks Lilly.

"Stephanie. Stephanie Grace."

_Flashback 2 hours_

(Enter Granite Vertice POV)

"Come on Onyx, you know you can lift more than that."

"Bro, all I wanna do is get some sleep."

"You would always rather sleep then train. That's why I could probably win the games with my eyes closed and you can't"

"Ha. Funny." He replies.

Me and my one remaining best friend stood in the training center trying to get in some last minute practice before the reaping. Well at least I was training; Onyx was being a lazy bum as usual.

"Hey I could win these games easily, and you know it"

"Yea well one of us needs to win these games for Glaze."

Both of us went instantly quiet. Glaze had been our best buddy since we were kids. Then 2 years ago he volunteered at age 14. He made it halfway through the games where he was brutally murdered by Axel Marin of District 7. The best part of those games was when Axel then got dispatched by capitol mutts. I let out a cruel laugh. Onyx looked at me warily.

"Just calm it bro. Calm." He's the only person that doesn't completely freak out during my frequent mood swings.

According to the district doctor I went slightly, clinically insane watching my best friend bleeding out the rest of his life on screen. All I knew was that training was my life. And once Glaze died I put so much effort into it. My muscles bulked out even more. My behavior got more and more erratic. People now flinched when I walked by. I liked that. I vowed to myself that when I got my chance in the arena the District 7 tributes would pay for what happened to him. They would only win the Games over my dead body. I laughed at my dark thoughts gleefully. Onyx was still watching me closely.

"Granite…"

"I'm fine let's go get ready."

We walked to town, parting ways at my street. Onyx would have to walk one more block to reach his home. We agreed to meet up at the square. I strode into my house like I owned the place.

As I walked in I saw my mother and step-father sitting in the living room. They barley let me breathe before pouncing on me with questions.

"Did you go work out like I told you too, boy?" barks my step father. He always acts more like a trainer than dad.

"Of course I did I'm not a sissy boy like some of these losers." Was my smart reply back.

"Well I'm glad. This could be your year. If you get chosen there's no better way to prove your worth." My mother sees winning the games to be an ultimate rite of passage and great opportunity.

"Go get ready."

As I walked up the stairs I see my brother Peridot, checking his reflection in the mirror. He can't wait for a chance to volunteer for the games. Our step-dad is making him wait though so he can get stronger. He looks like our mother more than I do. He's an okay kid, but neither of us was the other's biggest fan.

"Hey."

"Hello Granite."

"Ready for the reaping?"

"Of course. You're not however. Go get washed, you smell revolting."

I made a face at the little punk and went to get dressed. As I got ready I gave myself a mental prep talk.

You are the best District 1's got Granite. Nobody else can run like you, and you're bomb at hand to hand combat. You have to win for Glaze. You need to kill both District 7 idiots. They killed Glaze. Took Glaze from you and Onyx. Do this for Glaze. They…Killed Him. Glaze. You can win. You can win…

I walked downstairs to show them I was ready. We hurried down the street to where Onyx stood. Together we made our way to the square. My parents went off to the side, my brother headed for the 13 year olds. Onyx and I headed for the front.

The ever irritating Lilly Fell began the reaping. She said "Girls first!" and went to the girls reaping ball. She pulled out a name.

"Sydney Cain" A tiny girl began to walk to the front. I smiled and though she's dead! and grinned.

"I volunteer."

This came from Stephanie Grace. She was a hot, green eyed beauty in my grade at school. She was a little harder to read then the 12 year old that had previously been called. I knew her dad had been a victor; she might actually have a chance.

"Well on to the boys, shall we?" trills Lilly Fell.

She fumbled around for a name. Finally she grasps a slip and shuffles back over to the podium.

"Granite Vertice."

Everyone turned to look at me. I looked back until I realized she meant me. I began to laugh. A wild, insane laugh ruptured from my throat. I continued to laugh as I mounted the stage. Everyone looked at me as if I lost my mind. I turned to address Lilly Fell.

"Yes that is my name but you can just call me the winner of the 17th Annual Hunger Games. That's perfectly fine too."

Once again I received the Lord he's mental look. Lilly looked at me then blinked and went back to her seat to let the mayor finish his spiel. Mayor Hangar read the rest of his speech. Afterward he motioned for Stephanie and me to grasp hands. We did but I raised our clenched hands over our heads in a sign of victory.

Mayor Hangar cleared his throat and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Stephanie Grace and Granite Vertice. Our tributes for District 1!"

Well now how you like them pineapples? LOL Please read, review. I'm counting on some good feedback. Chapter 2 soon to come, my loves.

EbunyyLove