CHAPTER ONE: AT FIRST SIGHT

Katniss POV

On the floor. That's where I had found myself ending up at the end of this sparing session. Let's get real. Defeat was inevitable. Especially for someone like me. A weak, underfed girl from the slums of Panem. That's not what I called it of course. District Twelve was home. Not the nicest. Not the wealthiest. Just home. According to all the other districts, however, like One and Two, the outlying districts consisted of nothing but unworthy scum. I'm not going to lie. It wasn't completely false. Most of our tributes were the first to die in the Games.

But not me.

No, I'm not just saying that. No, I am not praying that I'm right. I will make it farther than the others. Possibly even win. Because I will not give up on my sister. I made a promise to Prim that I would make it home. And I intend to keep that promise.

Another fist was buried deep into my stomach just then, the wind being knocked out of me. The black-haired boy from District Five could pack in quite a punch. I believe I heard his district partner calling him Mihno. He was nicely built, but not the strongest. Not even close. Mihno pulled his arm back once more, this time aiming for my face, when his forearm was caught by one of the instructors. The middle aged man glared at Mihno warningly, pulling him off me. We were not allowed to harm the other tributes before the Games. It was grounds for disqualification. Thank the Lord for that.

I get to my feet, rubbing my stomach in pain as I walk towards where Peeta is bent over the camouflage station, painting his arm. I had seen his work in the window of the bakery back home. It was amazing how detailed it was. Not one flaw. The way he stroked his skin with the bristles of the paintbrush was intriguing. I could help but watch him in curiosity as he continues without taking notice to me.

Soon, I decide it would be best to announce my presence, not wanting to seem stalkerish. "Peeta."

His head snapped up, startled. I could see a glimpse of fear, as if the sound of my voice was not familiar, and he thought I was someone else. But as his warm blue eyes found mine, a smile spread widely across his face in recognition. "Katniss, you scared me."

"Sorry..." I bit my lip, looking at the ground in embarrassment.

Peeta laughed lightly, straightening up so he didn't seem as short. Even still, I was almost a whole head taller than him. "Don't be sorry, it's okay."

I sigh lightly, shifting my gaze back to his eyes, "Alright. So, how's training going?"

"Rather well." He slips past me, walking to the sinks to wash off his painted arms. I watch him closely, not realizing how interested I am in how he moves. Smoothly. So light it seems as though nothing bad is happening to him at this very moment. That we aren't in the Capitol. That we aren't going to be locking in an arena with 22 other kids to fight to the death. It amazed me.

I was so lost in thought that I hadn't realized he had asked me a question. "Katniss?"

"What? Huh?" I flushed, embarrassed.

He only chuckled, shaking his head. "I asked you if you've picked up that bow yet." He gestures to the metallic silver bow and rack of arrows on the far side of the training hall. I shake my head no, looking at it longingly.

"Haymitch told us we weren't supposed to."

AS I glance over at him, I see Peeta roll his eyes as he makes his way to the weight lifting station. Guess he doesn't care what our mentor has to say, I thought briefly. Should I follow his lead and show my skills off the rest of the tributes? Maybe if I did, they would be too scared to mess with me in the Games. That would get me a whole lot farther.

After much evaluations on the outcome of my actions, I walk confidently over to the archery section of the training hall. On my way, many pairs of eyes lift up to see me, and I am unsure why. Is it because the scum of the Games is actually going to pick up a weapon? I could see some of the Careers laughing, shaking their heads, and mumbling jokes to one another while occasionally peering my way. Presumably about yours truly. Well, I'm going to make them eat their words.

The bow was in the hands of another. A blonde girl with two fishtail braids stands poised to shoot at the target. Her fit body and healthy stature suggests that she is from a wealthier district. A Career, no doubt. Despite her look of health, her arms looked weaker than mine, suggesting that she was not fit to hold a bow. My suspicions were only confirmed when she released the arrow forward towards the awaiting target.

Missed.

I let out a brief chuckle, shaking my head. Quickly, before the girl had time to react, I snatched the bow from her unworthy hands. She let out an infuriated growl, narrowing her eyes at me. I could see a look of hatred in her emerald eyes, something that I assume was supposed to scare me. Instead, I smirked, brushing past her to pick up an arrow.

Stringing the arrow, I glance over at the blonde. "Watch and learn...bitch."

I hear a small gasp before I haphazardly launch the arrow full speed at the target. Not thinking twice about where it goes. Why? Because as expected, it hits the target with a thud, right in the center. I smirk as the girl is heard stomping off. It wasn't long before the girl was complaining to her allies of my skills. I guess they will be coming after me now. But I don't know if I should be terrified or unaffected. Who cares anyways? I'm sure I can handle a bunch of airheads on my own.

Bring it on.

Glimmer POV

Missed.

I just can't seem to get it right! I'm not strong enough. My aim is hopeless. Maybe I wasn't as ready as I thought I was. My father had told me to volunteer when I hit eighteen. He told me I wouldn't be prepared. Why hadn't I listened to him then? I'm only seventeen for crying out loud! The lessons this year would have helped me be more ready for the Games. I'm a fool for not listening.

But I do have one thing going for me. I was absolutely gorgeous. No doubt about it. Not to mention my threatening glares that always manage to scare people off. Surely this will get me through just fine. The Capitol people always sponsors the better looking tributes anyways, right? And, some of my allies will come in handy with getting me sponsors.

What person wouldn't want to see an amazing love story in the midst of the Hunger Games.

My thoughts were interrupted when a hand wraps around the silver bow and yanks it sharply away from me. I hoped it was the District 2 tributes messing around with me. I couldn't have been more wrong.

It was the female tribute from Twelve who took it. She wore a confident smirk of dominance across her features; her seam grey eyes boring into mine. Katniss Everdeen. The Girl on Fire.

I let out a huff of annoyance and disgust, stepping back as Katniss raises the arrow in alignment with the target nearly 30 feet in front of her. She glances over at me, her eyes watching mine as she releases the arrow, hitting the bullseye easily. How was this possible? Tributes from the outlying districts were never this skilled! Never! It didn't make sense.

You would think that someone training their entire lives for this moment would have better aim than someone from the poorest districts in Panem. Filthy mongrels who mine coal and work in fields. It just didn't make any sense to me. Sure, my weapon of choice was not included here in the Capitol, but the bow and arrow shouldn't be as difficult.

Infuriated, I swivel around, storming back to the tributes from two, four, and my district partner. They were all standing in a circle, talking about tactics for the Games. Apparently, they hadn't noticed what had happened while I was trying to train. I walk over and push the girl from 2, Clove, out of the way, moving so that I stand next to Cato, her partner. He was the leader of the Career pack this year, and I was drawn to him almost immediately. He looks over at me, his icy blue eyes peircing mine effectively.

"What?" He demands. I have to stand there for a second to gather myself as all eyes turn to me.

I take a deep breath, glancing sideways at the Girl on Fire. Who, by the way, was still shooting arrows at the targets. "It's her. That fire girl. She isn't like the rest of them."

Cato's eyes shoot up, searching the room for the girl. He looked like a hunter, stalking his prey. Dangerous and unrelenting. It took everything in me not to pounce on him and take his lips with mine. Control, Glimmer.

It was obvious when his eyes settled on her, but his reaction wasn't as I thought. I expected anger, hate in his eyes. But I didn't see that. It softened for a moment as he watched her, almost with curiousity and amusement. His lips turned up into a smirk as his eyes stayed locked on Katniss.

It wasn't until Clove struck Cato across the cheek that he snapped out of it. "Cato, what the hell?"

He shook his head, furrowing his brows as he looked down at Clove. Again, Cato shook his head as he replied in an even tone. "Sorry, I was just...thinking."

"Of what? How we're going to drain the life from her?" Barked Marvel, laughing lightly. I couldn't help but laugh with him. Although, Cato didn't seem as amused. I didn't know what was going on with him.

He nods slightly, then he was gone.

Cato POV

I'm going to kill her.

Katniss Everdeen. Volunteer. Girl on Fire.

She was perfect, and I am going to kill her.

And no one will get in my way.

A/N

Hey! Thanks for reading my first chapter! I know it kinda sucks, but this is my first story and I'm still trying to get the hang of it. Also, I might have named the chapter what I was going to name the story, so disregard that. The title of this chapter is 'At First Sight'. I am working on chapters everyday after school, so the next chapter should be coming soon!

- Charlotte :)