I awoke to the sound of chaos.
"Shine, wake up!" my mother shrieked, her words invading my exhausted mind like a swarm of ferocious wasps.
I groaned, wiggling my toes to feel the expensive satin beneath them. I inhaled, and a rich, heavenly aroma instantly broke me from my drowsy state.
"She's alive!" my mother declared, raising her arms in exasperation. I sat up, blinking rapidly to clear my vision.
"What time is it?" I demanded. It was Reaping Day, and I had to be ready. This day would change my life forever.
"Don't panic, you've plenty of time to prepare," my mother replied shortly, laying out a pristine, flowing sun-dress with diamonds encrusted into the bodice.
"Where's Father?" I snapped, leaping out of bed and over to my antique mirror, that'd belonged in the family for generations, my mother never tired of reminding me.
"He's already at the Square, you know how he is!" my mother complained, cursing as she stormed out.
I grinned; I'd hold that against her. She'd die if I informed anyone of her foul language, as she was relentless when it came to manners. Once, I'd made a rude gesture at one of my father's repulsive friends who'd tried to grope me at a restaurant, and she'd hauled me into the restroom and screamed bloody murder. It was a fucking surprise that she'd been there at all. My mother, the fabulous, the fantastic Rose Onyx-Platinum, a blue-eyed blonde who spent most of her time in the Capitol due to her acting career. I gazed at my reflection. As usual, I wasn't disappointed. It was rare to find an ugly person in District 1, but not impossible, as I'd seen my fair share of hopeless cases. I, however, was something to marvel upon.
I had long, luscious raven hair, and it cascaded down to my waist like an ebony blanket. I'd earned my father's glorious, sparkling emerald eyes. In my father's time, when he'd competed in the Hunger Games, his eyes had been his greatest strength. The Capitol had adored him, with his supreme fighting ability and impossible beauty. My father always told me that my looks would get me far in the Games, but I wasn't to give them the wrong impression. He'd never explained that warning, and to be honest, he didn't need to, for I'd gathered that the Capitol whored out their desirable Victors. It was no fucking secret. I dropped my provocative, revealing night-gown, unashamed. The citizens of District 1 could ogle outside my window if they wished; they'd be seeing me naked in the Arena, no doubt.
I admired my striking, flawless figure. I was vain, and I could admit that, but I had good reason. My skin was golden from long hours of training outside in the summer heat. My body was toned from endless days spent at the Training Academy. I'd earned my right to volunteer today, and it was my right, my right alone. I'd had to participate in several gruesome tasks in order to prove that I was to bring glory home to District 1, and I'd won. I'd beaten everyone else. If anyone else dared fucking try volunteer, I'd mutilate them. I'd seen it done before.
"Shine, hurry up!" my mother exclaimed, becoming truly frantic now.
I bit my lip in order to suppress a smile, and tugged on the outfit my mother had chosen for me. I had to admit, although she was a demonic bitch, she had wonderful taste. The dress clung to my curves, enhancing my perfection. The Capitol would love me. How could they not?
I raked a comb through my wild, unruly locks until they were as soft as silk. I didn't require make-up, I never did. I was ready. It was my time to shine.


I felt my blood pulse excitedly through my veins, refusing to calm. I was early; therefore my row was fairly empty. I sighed, already impatient, and admired my perfectly manicured nails, sad at the fact that they'd become grimy once in the Arena.
More citizens arrived, filing into the rows that were categorized according to age. I was sixteen- a disastrous age, my mother always complained. Just because you have more wrinkles than a fucking saggy apricot, I'd always thought snidely.
"Welcome, welcome!" our escort, Penelope, cried as she stumbled across the stage in her ridiculous shoes, seeming out of place beside our magnificent Justice Building. The prim, prissy Capitolite reminded me of the mother, which caused me to detest her even more.
District 1 silenced, many trembling with anticipation. Penelope played the same, boring video and gushed about how fantastic it was.
Bitch, you haven't seen fantastic, I thought.
"As usual, ladies first!" Penelope continued, dipping her hand into the large bowl. She selected a name, and before the words had even escaped her scarlet lips, I raced into the aisle.
"I volunteer as tribute!" I cried.
Many sighed with relief, many glared with hatred and envy, but I ignored them and focused intently on the cameras, giving them a mischievous wink. That's right, Shine, show them who's going to own this. I pranced over to the stage, radiating confidence in every stride, my smile provocative.
Penelope beamed, an uncanny impression of a split melon. "How delightful, but expected here in District One, we have a beautiful volunteer! What's your name, dear?"
"Shine Onyx-Platinum," I purred. I swear some of the males in the audience almost melted. Not a bad fucking start.
"Oh!" Penelope gasped, her surgical alterations causing me to feel nauseous. "Iron Onyx-Platinum's daughter, am I correct?"
"Indeed," I replied, anticipating this question. "I expect to continue my legendary name, and return home to District One as your victor."
The crowd erupted into ecstatic applause.
I grinned, adoring the attention. It was my turn to be noticed, to change Hunger Games history, as my mentors proclaimed. I didn't think I could smile any wider.
Penelope regained her composure, and wiped a solitary tear from her porcelain cheek. I fought the urge to sneer; I'd forgotten what cry-babies Capitol citizens could be.
"Now, for the gentlemen," said Penelope brightly, reaching in the males bowl and selecting a card.
"Tibe-" she began to announce, but she was interrupted.
"I volunteer!" a male voice exclaimed. I wasn't surprised to see Dazzle Argentum emerge from his row, wearing the biggest shit-eating grin I'd ever seen, as if he'd just been laid or something. Wait, had he been laid?
I knew Dazzle from the Training Academy, and even though he was an arrogant bastard, he was amazing with weaponry, and he was hot. He'd expressed interest in me, as most boys did, but I was too preoccupied with training at that point. Last I'd heard, he was banging Diamond from the archery class, but it was hard to keep track of who Dazzle was fucking.
I returned to reality as Dazzle bounded onto the stage, not bothering to neaten his auburn just-fucked hair, so he must've known it looked incredibly sexy. Honestly, he'd managed to get a quickie in before the Reaping? Even I wasn't as insatiable!
"I-I believe we have another volunteer!" Penelope stammered.
"Dazzle Argentum, and I'm certain the pleasure is all yours," Dazzle chuckled, earning laughter and several whistles from the citizens of District 1.
I cast him a suggestive smile as he stepped beside me. I may as well get him on my side now.
"I didn't know you were volunteering this year," I whispered. It was true, my father hadn't cared to mention it and to be truthful, I hadn't cared to ask.
"Once I learned a piece of ass as hot as yourself was going to, how could I not?" Dazzle countered, winking mischeviously. His piercing aqua-blue orbs glimmered with desire, humor and pride, a clear indication of his intentions.
"Smooth," I giggled, because with that initial sentence, I knew we'd be having fun on the train. I repeat, not a bad fucking start!
"People of District One, I give you Dazzle and Shine, the tributes of the 38th annual Hunger Games!" Penelope declared.
The cheers were deafening, and at that moment, I was the proudest girl alive.