REVIEW! Check out something on my profile about reviewing. I am doing this in the first person but sometimes I might just do it as a voice over. I meant to update this yesterday but it wouldn't let me login.

Nick diLaurentis D1 17

Today I was in a bad mood. People say I'm in a bad mood to often but today I was in an exceptional mad mood. The answer to why I was in a bad mood is simple. It was Reaping day. Most of kids in District 1 would happily participate in the Games for a chance if honour and Glory. Well I did want a chance in the Hunger Games but not for that reason.

I got dressed ate some toast for breakfast and made my way down to the basement of the house for a training session. Ever since I was twelve my dad had trained me for five hours a day and sometimes more. And ever since my brother Tyler had died during the final two in the Games those training sessions had become more intense.

I suspected that dad was going to make me volunteer this year. Mum would be against it but I didn't care. I was determined to do whatever necessary to get a shot at Aurora. Aurora Williams. She was the one that had killed my brother in the Games last year. She would now be the mentor of District 3 and this was my only chance for revenge. Even though he was sad at his son's death Peter diLaurentis said that he was weak to lose to a girl that was three years younger than him at the time, completely ignoring the fact that Tyler had been missing a leg.

When I got to the basement dad was already get the equipment ready.

'You're late, again.' He grumbled.

'Sorry dad I over slept a bit.'

'If you were in the Games and overslept a bit then someone could have crept up on you and slit your throat (he's a real charmer isn't he?) You need to always focus and plan ahead.'

I sighed, tired of hearing the same lecture over and over again, but quickly disguised my sigh as a cough when he glanced sharply in my direction. Dad tossed me a wooden staff and I caught it expertly and readied myself into a combat stance. We went over the basic swipes, dodges and blocks talking as we went.

'Nick I need you to listen to me.' He said as he sidestepped a strike I aimed at his ribs. 'If you're not picked for the Reapings then I want you to volunteer. When Tyler died he shamed this family and I need you to help bring back the honour that he lost. Can you do that?'

I felt anger boil inside of me, like I do every time he talks about Tyler like he was nothing but a waist of space. Did dad even care that his own flesh and blood had died.

I swallowed the anger and said. 'Of course dad I'll have won the Games before I reach the Cornucopia.'

'Good, that's what I like to hear.'

We trained for several more hours, covering the basic skills like knife throwing, hand-to-hand-combat, survival, hunting and poisonous plants.

Finally after much more training I was allowed to go and rest. After thinking what to do I decided to use the time wisely. So I threw darts at Aurora's picture (which included a drawn on moustache and devil horns). I was aware that I might possibly not make it into this room again so I wrote a letter. It was like a will except for the fact that didn't own anything that by law my farther couldn't sell or give away. The thought that I might actually enter the arena hadn't occurred to him. All this training and lessons hadn't been so I could win the Hunger Games. It was so he could kill Aurora.

When the Peacekeepers found out she was dead they would make the link that I had avenged my brother's death. I would then hide at my aunts at District 4. She was on my mother's side of the family and would look after me. If that failed then I would go to District 12 and get a job there. There was no way that they would suspect someone from the wealthiest Districts to go to the poorest one.

I looked at his watch and realised that the Reapings would start soon. Quickly I put on my best clothes and went to the city centre. It was obvious to me that I would have to be quick in volunteering, nearly all the kids wanted to go to the arena and like me each one had used the Tessera as many times as possibly. It was also obvious to me that the others would know that they needed to volunteer quick as well.

But I did have one advantage. I had got his friends Johnny Odair, Finely Walters and several others to keep an eye on the ones most likely to volunteer. It had taken a lot of convincing but eventually I had managed to persuade them that I needed this revenge.

Even on bad days the city centre looked amazing and twice as better than District 12's ever looked. But today it looked exceptionally amazing. Banners and lights had been set up everywhere in honour of the Capitol. The place was packed with people from all over the District and several Peacekeepers had surrounded the crowd. There were more in other Districts to stop the Tributes running away but here there were only a few because the Capitol didn't want to waste their guards, considering that most of us wanted to be in the Games.

I saw Johnny take station himself behind Cameron a serious opponent and clear candidate for a Tribute. He saw me and nodded, pointing at Cameron and running his finger across his throat. He's a really good friend.

Tony Ray, the person who chooses who will go into the arena made his way to the stage and put his hand in the boys Reaping pool and pulled a name out. Now it had finally begun to start.

Estella Crowning D1 16

I hated the Reapings. My mum and dad agree with me but don't say anything because they know that the Capitol will come after them if they do.

Oh well. I thought. Let's get it over and done with for another year.

Unlike my parents I had never been particularly worried about getting Reaped. I never used the Tessera and even if I did get Reaped another girl was likely to volunteer so they could bring honour and glory to their family. What a bunch of suicidal pychos.

Honestly though. She thought. They all think they're going to win but the chances are usually against them. Thankfully the odds of me not getting anywhere near the Cornucopia are in my favour. I really do pity the person who gets Reaped.

I had been so occupied in my thoughts that I didn't realise that I was late. And if you are late for the Reapings you could be charged with trying to avoid the Games. And get shot. The Capitol really are a cheery bunch aren't they?

I charged to city centre just as a Peacekeeper took up his position blocking off any means of escape. I pushed past him but felt something grip my shoulder and was yanked back.

'What's your name?' The Peacekeepers asked with their usual lack of manners.

'I'm Estella Crowning.'

'Well then you're in a bit of trouble, trying to miss the Reapings and assaulting a Peacekeeper. Those are some serious charges. You could be shot.'

'What!' I yelled in protest. 'I was late. If I did want to miss the Reapings then I wouldn't have come would I? And only pushed past you so I wouldn't be counted as late.'

The Peacekeeper smiled smugly. 'Well I will let you off with a warning on one condition. You apologise to me.'

I snorted. Normally I wouldn't say sorry to him out of dignity but this was different. If he did report these false charges then I definitely would be shot. My family might as well.

'I'm sorry for pushing you out of the way. It won't happen again.' Every single one of these words was tinted with poison.

'Good now run along.'

I saw that the Reapings had already begun and Tony Ray had already picked out the boy's name. 'Connor Whitle.' He announced. I knew him as the local bully from school.

Next to me someone began to call out but the person behind him squeezed a pressure point in his neck and he fell to the flaw. No one but me had noticed this and the attacker but his fingers to his lips as a sign for her to stay quiet.

In the distance someone else volunteered, this time without getting knocked unconscious. The crowd turned their heads as Nick diLaurentis walked onto the stage. Connor Whitle looked disappointed that someone else had taken his place and went back to the crowd.

I was so lost in my train of thoughts, thinking about what I was going to do that after the Reapings and when to do my homework (the answer to that would be never) that I didn't notice my name being called out until it was right down her ear.

The entire crowd was looking at me and at once she realised that she had been Reaped. Very slowly I made my way to the stage not being able to comprehend any of it. I had been Reaped. I had been Reaped. It just wasn't possibly, the law of averages was on my side.

Tony Ray asked me what my name was and I answered automatically not really listening to him. I looked over to my parents and noticed that my mother was crying and my farther was getting one of his friends to take her home. I immediately changed my face from a look of worry into a smile, making sure people didn't think I was weak. I found it strange that no one had volunteered to get a shot at the arena but brushed the thought aside.

Tony Ray spoke into the microphone. 'Well there you have it ladies and gentlemen, our Tributes from District 1.' The crowd began clapping as we were lead away to our doom.

The Peacekeepers escorted us to the Justice building. I recognised the one I had pushed into area and he was grinning like he had just won the games himself. If die then I am so going to come back as a ghost and haunt him.

The building was amazing with first class velvet carpets and jewels that we make. I was left in a room on my own that was practically a prison cell. They had put me in here so I could say my goodbyes hopefully give something good for the cameras.

My dad came first. He was a doctor like my mum and they were both quite wealthy. I presumed my mum was at home, trying to recover.

'Estella are you alright?' He said. You could tell he was trying to keep the worry from his voice.

'Oh I'm fine. I'm only going to fight to the death against twenty three others but apart from that I've never been better.' The comment was supposed to cheer him up but I think it made him more worried.

'Dad I'm joking I'll be fine. It's not like I don't have any skills and I could join the Careers. They almost always win.' After a moment of silence he said. 'You're mother wanted to come but she started crying as soon as you're name was read. I got a friend from work to take her home.'

'I know I saw her in the crowds.'

'Estella your mom wants you to have something that belonged to her when she was a little girl.' He took a small eagle shaped pendant out of his pocket and put it around my neck.

'Good luck Estella, I know that you'll win.'

He left the room and I waited to be taken to the Capitol and meet the people who want to see me die.

I only have one Tribute from District 2 so them Reapings might take a while.