AN: Suzanne Collins owns the Hunger Games and a few characters that are briefly mentioned in this story. All tributes are my original characters. I have also created the arena and the events of the games. Thank you for reading my story, and I hope you enjoy it! Also, I would really appreciate anybody who takes the time to leave a review

Ciara's POV

I wake up, stretch my legs, and get out of bed. Today is the day of the reaping. I'm not nervous today. I don't want to be called, but I know that if I do get called, somebody should volunteer for me.

Actually, someone will volunteer for me. Every year, the 18 year olds compete in various challenges, trying to determine the male and female best fit to enter the games. The two that are most ready get the honor of fighting for our district. This year, the girl is Emma Peterson. I know who she is, but I've never talked to her. She seems pretty ruthless, a perfect characteristic for a tribute.

But I can't say that I envy her. I don't want to kill other children or die at such a young age.

Since my parents are on the poorer side, they chose not to sign me up for training. Although I'm different from the other kids at school, I'm glad. I don't want to spend hours a day finding the best ways to kill and torture people.

And even though we're poor, we still get through. We're one of the poorest families in district one, but I think we have more than almost all of the families in district twelve.

I walk downstairs and grab a bowl of cereal. It's still early and my parents are still sleeping, so I try to be as quiet as possible.

I then notice my little sister, Eloise, coming down the stairs. Although she knows that she will be safe, she still looks a little nervous. But I can't blame her. She's twelve and this is her first reaping day.

"Hi Eloise," I say encouragingly. "You don't need to worry about the reaping. Somebody volunteers every year."

"I know, but I can't not feel nervous today. You know how it is."

"You're right, but let's try to forget about it now. Do you want some cereal?"

She nods, so I pour her a bowl. I watch her as she eats her cereal because neither of us have anything to talk about.

Finally my parents wake up. After they finish breakfast, we walk to the square as a family. They reassure us that everything will be fine and that we won't need to worry.

When we finally reach the town square, we check in by getting our arm pricked. Eloise winces as the needle goes into her arm, but she is strong and doesn't cry. I drop her off in the twelve year old section, telling her that everything will be fine. I then go over to the section for girls my age.

I can't find any of my friends there. I don't have very many because I only hang out with the girls that don't train. The ones that do think they are superior and won't hang out with us wimpy kids. I don't really care because I wouldn't want to be friends with them anyway.

Billiam, our escort, walks onto the stage. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor."

I can't help but feel a little bit nervous. I do have my fate in his hands after all.

"As always ladies first," Billiam says as he puts his hand into the bowl of girls. "Our female tribute from district one is… Ciara Miller!"

Oh no! He called my name. But then I realize that it will be okay. I know that Emma will volunteer.

She never does.

As I wonder what happened to Emma, I am whisked onto the stage. I ask myself how this happened. I try to be strong, but I can see the tears in my eyes, blurring my vision.

Buck's POV

When I wake up, I am energized to start the day. Today is the day when I will become famous. Today is the day when everybody in Panem will learn my name. Today is the day of the reaping.

Today I will be volunteering. I have trained all my life for this day and I can't wait. Most of the people in the other districts are afraid to be selected, but that's only because they are weak. They know that they won't be able to survive.

I go down to the kitchen and see my parents there. They seem to be just as excited as I am. In just a few weeks time, I will have brought the glory that my parents have been craving.

A few years ago, my sister volunteered for the games. Of course we wanted her to win, but I wasn't surprised when she died. She was good at attacking but couldn't defend herself. When that little girl threw the axe at her, I knew she had no chance.

I wasn't too sad that she died. I know that I should have felt bad, but I wanted to be the one to bring honor to our family. I wanted to be the one in the spotlight.

Anyway, my mom decides to make pancakes for breakfast. We're on the wealthy side, so we can eat pretty much anything we want. Hunger's never been an issue for me, except for the times that they starved us in training.

Needing to survive for three days, we were given no food and a small bottle of water. We also weren't given any weapons. Some people were able to survive by trapping wild animals. Others just starved, painfully waiting until the end. I was brutal, killing whoever got in my way, even though the goal was just to stay alive.

My parents wish me luck as we walk down to the town square. I say bye to my parents as I walk over to my friend, Jaymes.

"What's up," I say coolly.

"Not much," he answers.

He knows that I'm volunteering today. Actually, everybody does. We had to fight for it at school, and I won, of course. Nobody else stood a chance against me. I'm well over 6 feet tall and I've got tons of muscle. I guess you could say that I'm well built.

"Try to have fun without me, but I'm not sure if that's possible."

He laughs. "I know that you're gonna win, but just remember that we'll all be very disappointed in you if you die."

"I know," I reply. "But thanks for the extra encouragement. I'll be sure to remember that as I'm killing tributes left and right."

"See you in a few weeks."

"Yeah. See you then."

I walk over to the 18 year old section. Jaymes is still 17, so he has another year before he can volunteer. He's pretty strong, but I heard that I guy named Marvel is some pretty stiff competition. Maybe we could have two victors from district one in a row

Our escort, whose name I don't bother to learn, struts over to the bowl of tributes. We all know that it won't be necessary. There are always volunteers in district one.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor. As always, ladies first!"

As he fishes for a name, I try to remember who will be volunteering for the girls this year. Boys and girls train separately, but we have some time to hang out afterwards. However, I cannot remember her name. I'll find out in two seconds anyway.

"Our female tribute from district one is… Ciara Miller!"

I see a weak looking girl come out of the 16 year old section, as I wait for somebody to volunteer. But nobody does.

I can't worry about that, however, because the escort is now choosing a male tribute. I need to be ready to volunteer

"Our male tribute is… Mit—

"I volunteer," I shout as I stroll towards the stage. I can't make it seem like I'm desperate to participate in the games. I need to act cool and confident.

"What's your name?" the escort asks me.

"Buck Quinlan, the next victor of the Hunger Games"

"Our two tributes from district one, Ciara Miller and Buck Quinlan!"