Chapter 1

Tomorrow's the day. I had been waiting and training my whole life for this. Being an only child, being what's considered wealthy, and living in District Two gives you a lot of attention, unlike those gross, poor outliers like Districts Ten, Eleven, and Twelve. They almost never win the Hunger Games, and with me in the arena this year, they haven't got a chance.

Last year I was twelve, just old enough to be entered in the Games, but a girl volunteered before I opened my mouth, and she died in the arena that year. Serves her right. But no matter, I will get in the Games this year, and I will win.

I heard a knock at the door, then the dainty voice of my mother.

"Koite, dear, time for breakfast!"

"Coming," I replied. My mother is nothing like me, she never went into the Games, never wanted to, and was never a fan of fighting. She hates that she is forced to watch a show where fighting is all that happens.

"Koite, tomorrow is the Reaping, and I want you to know that whatever happens, I'll be there—"

"Yeah I know. I'm going into games this time, I can't wait another year! I'm ready," I interrupted, a bit frustrated with her. She's just so soft and sensitive, I just wanted her to leave me alone and let me go into the games like so many other parents in District Two. She placed eggs and bacon in front of me, the usual. I always have to slaughter the pigs and work with meat because she can't stand it. She sews and works with fabric for a living. Ridiculous.

I quickly ate my breakfast and walked down to best and only friend, Citick Threed's house. I'm not very friendly, and most people are afraid of me, and I don't care. I don't like them, either. But, Citick's different, and I don't know how, but I guess I'm a bit nicer around him.

I saw him peek out of the window, then about two minutes later, he walked out and greeted me.

"Hey, Lifek, excited for tomorrow? I'm thinking yes." Citick never calls me by my first name, though I never knew why. He has the same sandy blonde hair, same prominent jaw bone, and same sea green eyes as I do. People always mistake us for brother and sister, which we might as well be, we're exactly the same, except he's not as aggressive as I am.

"Of course, I've been waiting my whole life for this! I'm so ready, and you know how good I am with knives and swords!"

"I know, I'm kind of worried about you, though. I mean, yeah you're good with that, but out of twenty four tributes…" He stopped and got all choked up. But I knew exactly what he was trying to say. He doesn't think I'm able to win. I get offended easily, and I usually get physical, but not with Citick, I could never hurt him.

"So, you don't think I can win?"

"That's not what I'm saying," he protested. But I know it's what he means; I know him too well. "I'm just worried about your survival skills, that's all. You should try to learn as much survival as you can for the rest of the day, okay? Please, for me?" He smiled sheepishly.

"Fine," I growled, and stomped off to go learn my stupid new "survival skills". "I can't believe he doubts me," I grumbled. I knew where he wanted me to go to learn these skills. Raffella Thimble, owner of The Green Thumb. She sells seeds and other items to put in your garden, but mostly just fruits and vegetables. The woman is so obsessed with nature and everything outside, she'd be perfect for survival lessons if you need to learn in one day.

On my way to the Thumb, I stopped in front of the Justice Building to admire its beauty and daydream about how I'd be walking in there tomorrow, saying goodbye to my mother before I left for the 88th Annual Hunger Games. I kept walking and finally reached the shop, all the way at the edge of the District and walked in. I immediately spotted Raffella behind the counter, she's quite large, and walked up to her.

"Well, hello there, Koite! Haven't seen you around in a while, how ya been?" she said cheerfully. I just ignored her question.

"Raffella, I need you to teach me as much survival skills as you can today, right now. I'm going into the Games tomorrow and Citick wants you to teach me."

"Whoah, whoah, whoah, slow down there. How do you know you're going to get Reaped this year? "

I started to get frustrated with her. "I'm going to volunteer if I don't get Reaped! Now if you would teach me survival skills, that'd be perfect!"

"Alright, now the first thing you need to know is finding shelter…" Raffella went on for a couple of the longest minutes of my life about survival advice and finally said, "Now how about we go outside and try some of these techniques?" But I couldn't, I just couldn't. I already felt like I was about to punch her. I decided that I'd be fine without these wretched "skills", so I just walked out the door and went home.

I felt so tired from sitting there and listening to her drone on, so I just went straight to bed, even though it's too early and still light outside. I wanted to get to the Reaping, so I fell asleep, anxious and excited for the next day.