I am so extremely sorry for the wait. Immensely completely sorry. Trust that I've done everything I could have to ensure I got this done. Been going through a lot. I shortened the pre-games into one document, and this my friends, is the last ones! I wanted to make the games longer, because they're a little more fun to read. Beside the point. Thanks for holding out for this! Appreciate the comments and messages and thanks for the support. Next update is the 67th Hunger Games! (Trying to make the chapters longer and more detailed) Hope you like it!

It had been another long week of anticipation for each of the training tributes. Not much had been said. The mentors had really started giving instruction to ensure nobody did what they weren't told. Not like anybody listened.

After the sun had set in the early evening, the tributes were ushered to a vast open room. The space was filled with a dozen long tables and multiple self serve food displays; the cafeteria of perfection for any of the less fortunate districts. As for the upper and career districts - it was a mild showing; tonight's dinner was one that lacked significance in the game-makers perspective.

The tributes had been instructed to wear something casual - obviously that wasn't what Aqua was planning. Or her intentions.

Strutting into the room before anyone else, in quite a display of confidence, was a thin and curvy, petite young teen in a stunning blue trail of fabric. It clung to her hips as she took long steps in huge bright stiletto heals. Her instructor had really gone all out - the dress was from some fancy designer that had a fetish for the color aqua, and her blonde hair was simple yet elegant. It flowed off her shoulders as she walked, leaving the scent of lavender behind her.

She sat down at a table, crossing her legs under the bench and draping the dress around her legs. Like a supermodel, she looked up and smiled at the guys staggering and stumbling to get through the doorway.

Claire walked in after a few of the guys. She practically gagged at the girl in the dress and the fact that the boys would drool over someone like her! Claire was in low rise sweats and a belly revealing tank from the bottom of her suitcase. She thought it was cute enough to impress, but not if she was going to be compared to people as shallow as Aqua. Pretty, but full of hot air. Claire despised her.

She got some food, far across the way from Aqua. The last thing she needed right now was to put up with people like that.

Ben stood, gaping at Aqua along with Dray. Neither wanted to lose their pride and give into the temptation…but wow. Her.

Ben punched Dray's arm. "Come on man, we can't. This is totally her plan. We need to focus."

Dray rolled him eyes. "What's life without a little fun?"

Ben pulled him to another table and they sat as Dray told a dirty joke. The two had become closer as they trained in swords and hammers, and bonded like any guys could. Unlike girls, guys can put appearance past and personality aside and simply lash out a full on friendship when the going gets rough.

They chatted at their table alone, downing some mashed potatoes and avoiding an heavy subjects. The two put together were the kind of backwards hat, sagging pants kind of guy gang you saw downtown, personality wise. But they were in the Capitol, and there, anything goes.

Adonia took a stride into the room in a flowing cotton white dress that ended above her ankles. She was in nothing but her tattooed bare feet and the v-necked thin strapped garment.

Dray and Ben watched with approving eyes. "Hell, she's something," Dray laughed and winked at his companion.

She turned an ear in his direction subtly.

"Talk to her," Ben suggested.

"What district is she?" he thought aloud.

"If she wants to make it anywhere in the big bad games, she better take one of our arms and hold on for dear life," Ben sneered. "She needs a big guy to protect her."

Dray was ignoring Ben now as he got up and offered to take her tray; she agreed. "I'm Dray."

"That's nice," her voice was like music to his ears.

Ben rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the flirtatious way they talked to each other. He had his eye on the girl from his district. He'd seen her around before. Claire.

Claire was chatting with Richie in line for the food, about this and that. About the colors of the capitol and nothing important. They both realized one another were careers. And the careers always stuck together.

"Yeah," she agreed to whatever he said. They both pick up some food and turned to the maze of tables.

Claire jumped and almost dropped her tray when Ben appeared behind her.

He laughed. "Am I that good looking I'm scary?"

"Save the pick up lines for someone else," she sneered at him with a smile.

"Come on. Remember me? Eighth grade social studies?"

"How could I forget?" she laughed, remembering his outrageous acts to impress the girls.

He led her to his table, patting the seat next to him. "My lady," he grinned.

She sat between Ben and Richie, striking up a yet another pointless conversation.

Kat and Kanina chose a table together, beckoning for Scarlette to join them.

As she sat, she asked "You two were serious…about this?"

Kat nodded as she took on the role of the ring leader. "I figured if the careers can do it, then so can we. And we'll be stronger in numbers."

Scarlette agreed as she added "The careers are strong and they've trained for this," in a Spanish accent. "Muerte!" She shouted in a whisper. The group realized they were all conversing in stern whispers. "You have rightness. We should stick together."

"The games have like, never seen a group of girls together before. It's a good alliance," Kanina brushed the sun red hair out of her face and sat back in her chair.

Kat surveyed the room. "Not to rush this all too quick, but we will need more support if we want to beat the Careers. Who else can we ask?"

"Um hello. I already talked to Gretelda," Kanina waved a hand in front of Kat.

"Go get her."

Kanina rolled her eyes and got up off the bench. She had a few appreciating eyes look her up and down - Kanina appeared to be happy with it. It was like her face was stuck in a happy essence, when in truth, the guys disgusted her. Maybe it was a bad day to be wearing skinny jeans and a strapless yellow shirt. It used to be her favorite sundress, but it'd gotten caught in one of the electric doors and tore at the end. Nonetheless, she still wore it with pride. Trend setter or not, she still wore it.

Her days under the sun were long gone, but she wanted to live out the memories forever.

"Gretelda," Kanina stated.

She turned with her food. "Where to?"

Kanina led her to the table and they talked about the alliance again. Kat decided four was enough. If they stumbled upon anyone else before the games, it would be friendship. And after, it would mean death.

Misson had a scratched and beaten up composition notebook at his fingertips. The words flowed naturally from his mind to his hand to the pen to the paper. This was the fourth notebook he'd brought with him from his stash under his bed at home. They weren't cheap. Especially the antique ones that were once mass produced - not many survived to this day. He had around twenty. He brought eight.

Misson's writing was a way for him to vent. Being naturally quiet, he was quite an observer, noting the world around his and translating everything into words, analyzing and initiating a solution to any problems that occurred.

Lettie sat across from him. "I'm worried," she wasn't eating. She was chewing gum and tapping her fingers across the table. Maybe the untrained eye would call her a slacker. But Misson saw something in her. Something he'd never seen before. Courage, desire. He saw perseverance at its highest, and he wanted a part of that.

He had already finished a balanced dinner. Better to be in shape then to be overweight, he'd discovered. Surely the extra overweight pounds would help in the hungry days in the arena, but speed, strength, and skill didn't come with them.

"Eat something," he told her absent mindedly.

"Put away the damn notebook and listen," she retorted, crossing her arms. Lettie wasn't one to be told what to do.

He sighed.

"So I've been thinking. I'm from district three, right? Not exactly a career district, but better off than the others."

He set his notebook down. "Why does that matter. I'm telling you, you're better off in smaller numbers. And the careers are all action. They have no game plan. Trust me," he looked her in the eye, reading her like a book. "If you want to be part of the careers, then go."

She slammed her fist down on the table. "I think you're just trying to get rid of me, Misson. Aren't you!"

"No, that's not it at all," he assured. He had no way of explaining this feeling, this connection he felt to her.

She ignored him, continuing on with her rant. "I'm a threat to you, that's it! You want me alone, so at night you can kill me! You pig!"

"Lettie," he tried to calm her down.

"Fine, bitch. You know what, forget about it!" She stormed out of the room.

What the hell…? He thought to himself. Misson didn't know what he'd done. He'd suspected she was one to have a temper. But what had he done to set it off? He suspected the games were taking a stressing toll on her, and she'd just cracked. He went with that conclusion, shaking his head, made his way to his room and crawled into bed.

Back in the illuminated cafeteria, Maya contemplated just sitting alone. She'd decided from the start what she'd wanted to do. And what she could do. She would bend the rules in the Hunger Games' history books. She would make an impression on every Capitol game watcher.

She supposed her parents she had to thank for that. Being from district seven and all, it was unheard of that a girl of that status would ever join up with the careers - not without skill of course.

Maya's parents were retired capitol officials, that had moved because they were sick of the Capitol. They were unique, and not entirely brainwashed. They'd trained Maya in fear that she would ever be reaped. Little did they know that she would volunteer for tribute, having a Capitol rule changing plan she wanted to execute. She knew she could win - her rebellious side whispered the dream in her ear. Maya would join the Careers.

Walking up in a jean skirt and red tank, she took a seat next to Richie. "I'm Maya. We'll be seeing a lot of each other."

Across the room, Mollie and Leah were huddled together, laughing. "Have you ever heard the fairytale about the princess?"

"Eh, they're not really my thing," Leah replied.

"Your culture, your family and stuff? Is it not um, dedicated to…" she giggled. "I can't talk today, gosh. But really, have you never heard of Cinderella?"

"Nah. I'm not one for kiddy stuff. I like feeling grown up, you know," she nudged her arm.

"Yeah. Nowadays, everyone has to," Mollie paused. "About the games…They're so close. I'm really worried, Lee," she put her head on Leah's shoulder. The pair had nicknames and inside jokes from the time they spent together. You'd think they had always been the best of friends.

"Four days," Leah whispered.

How the time had flown by. How close they were to the fate of their lives.

Cormac and Sissy sat together at the back of the cafateria. What an unlikely alliance - a _ year old guy, and an eighteen year old mother. But by talking it through, they'd learned they had a lot more in common than they'd expected.

Cormac was looking out for two little girls as his home life demanded. He was their provider, the one they would always rely on. More often than not, he'd realized they thought of him as their fatherly figure. It was something he'd laughed upon realizing with Sissy. Cormac never imagined himself to be a single father of two young girls as a teenager, but hey. Life is cruel, life rains on parades. But only after rain, can there be a rainbow. His motto, his way of thinking. Sissy agreed.

She was pregnant and had a little girl at home. She had a husband that would work and provide for her and her children. Sissy was undoubtedly a mother, and the two could relate.

"She's so wonderful," Sissy continued on about Lexi.

"Doesn't your district enforce the adult pregnancy rule? Ours does."

"But there's nothing they can do to stop me. And I kept a low profile, not going out into the district. That was always Harrisons job."

Cormac all of a sudden looked worried. "Sissy, are you ok?"

"I'm fine," she took inventory of her body. She felt normal. Did something look weird? Was her nose running. She checked with the back of her hand - nothing.

"It's just…you're speaking like everything you ever had with him, with your family is over. You're talking in past tense," he looked genuinely worried.

"Cormac," she smiled with her eyes of wisdom. "Because it is."

"Sissy, no."

She shook her head. She was much too nice to raise her voice and hated to argue.

"Sissy. Don't think like that," he said sternly, taking her arm with a look of passion in his eyes. He didn't know why, but he suddenly realized cared about her. She brought out the true him. Being with her, he was finding himself.

"Cormac, no. It's inevitable. I'm not fast or strong or smart. I'm not a career, I'm not outrageously beautiful, I don't know anybody higher up in the games. I'm not tied to anybody rich. Look at me. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to win the Games," a tear streaked down her face.

"Don't cry," he wiped it away without romance. "And don't doubt yourself," his mood was suddenly grim.

"I'm sorry," she sniffed, and sighed. "The nerves are getting to me."

"Let's change the subject," he suggested, seeing how the thought of being back home, and the thought of her death made her cry. He'd been avoiding those thoughts of his own, knowing it was what was keeping him tied together.

Leah was suddenly yawning, and she blinked away the tired sensation for the moment. "I'm going to bed. No sense in staying up late. We can talk all night in the arena," she winked. "Won't be able to sleep there anyways."

"Night!" Mollie called, gathering her food and planning to throw it away. She followed the path Leah had taken out of the winding tables and dumped her excess in the trash.

"Mollie," Blake grabbed her arm. She screamed, but caught her mouth with her hand in time.

"Wait," he didn't know what to say.

"I was thinking about what you said, Blake."

He swallowed, speechless in the presence of her.

She whispered. "And your right."

He gaped at her.

She led him around the corner where they could have more privacy. "About Ethan. He did save my life. I feel like I should explain what we have together to you, but in a way, I also feel like you already know. The thing is, do you understand?"

"Mollie, I'm not a creep. This is going to sound creepy. But I've watched you guys through the years…"

Her eyebrows shot up.

"No. I mean I know people. And from seeing you two, I know what's going on."

"I know that you're deluded to believe you think what's going on."

"I'm so confused."

"Look, I like you, ok?"

"Like…Like, like?"

"As in I have a crush on you and I'm not ashamed of it."

"Well, at least now I know you wont be the one to kill me in the arena," she smirked at him.

"I have a preposition," he took her hand.

"I'm not sure…"

"We could have an alliance. It'd be perfect. You and I."

"I promised Leah…And what do you have to offer?" she asked rhetorically.

"I see it in your eyes, that you like me too."

"I don't know think anymore Blake. I realized after thinking about it that I don't love Ethan. That what you said is right. But that doesn't mean I like you like that."

"But if I was right about Ethan," he suggested.

She sighed.

He kissed her cheek in a friendly way, and grinned. "Think about it?"

"Honestly," she called after him. "I'd be better off with you. But Leah doesn't like you," Mollie was beginning to be persuaded.

Blake walked back slowly. "Then leave her. Don't tell her. And we'll kill her first."

"She's my friend."

"There are no friendships in the arena. Only alliances or enemies," he stated coldly.

"Then I'll come with you," she smiled, not knowing what she'd thrown herself into, but knowing she liked it.

"Keep it a secret," he whispered. "And when the gong sounds, tell Leah you'll meet her due south. And follow me north."

"Something like that," she smiled, and retreated to her room where her dreams were ones of making it out alive.

The remaining tributes talking over the dinner tables were only the Careers. Today really only had been the existing day that determined them. That group always happened one way or another.

Two romances were sparked over the three hours they spent in the room. Claire and Ben had a relationship that stretched far back into the past. And Dray and Adonia - who both honestly believed they each were going to win.

Claire, Ben, Adonia, Dray, Maya, Aqua and Richie each had an extreme drive to win.

Adonia had trained her entire life for a chance like this. One of fame and fortune, one that would define her life of success. She could even be a mentor in the future. Adonia was dedicated to the games.

She spoke up. "So what's our strategy? In case we can't all meet again," she asked strategically.

"Who's fighting the cornucopia?" Aqua flirted. "Guys. You, Richie, you're strong, and capable of it."

"Of course I will," Richie smiled at her.

"Rich, my man. We don't know if we can or can't now here and all," Ben told him.

Dray looked at him questioningly, Adonia on his arm. Little did he know that she was simply using him. Wanting him to do everything for her and protect her so she would have better odds of winning. Unlike Claire and Ben, Adonia's relationship was purely strategic. Everything she did was for the games. She wanted to win, and she wanted it with her life.

"Richie, he's right. We should have a team captain of sorts," she smiled. "Because we all know we won't all agree once in the arena," she gestured with her hands.

"True," Aqua mused. Her flirting with Richie was purely strategic as well. Her and Adonia would get along, she could sense it.

As for Claire - she hated girls like that. They abused other people to get what they wanted. They were selfish and arrogant, and Claire despised the way they flipped their hated and giggled at everything. If they wanted true friends, this was not the place.

Maybe Claire would befriend Maya, she seemed alright. Claire thought about this. Surely she needed some others to back her up if they were separated. It sounded like a good idea, but they had more important things to worry about.

Maya pitched in. "I'm for a captain."

Murmurs of agreement were heard.

"So who's it gonna be?" Ben asked impatiently.

Aqua giggled. "Someone handsome and strong," she ran a finger down Richie's arm.

Claire and Maya exchanged glances and gagged.

"Who wants to be it?" Dray demonstrated by raising his hand.

He was accompanied by Ben, Adonia, Richie, and Maya.

"No offense, Maya babe, but maybe a real Career should be in charge."

Maya clenched a fist under the table, but kept her tone light. "Let's get things straight. Who actually has some outside training?"

Adonia and Richie piped up. "I do," they both spoke.

"The district one's," Claire laughed.

Richie looked at Adonia. "Sweets, I mean, I'm sure you're a great gal but I'm a gu-"

"Boys don't win every year," she raised her voice in volume, mad he could be so sexist. "And I don't want a sexist pig as my captain."

"Cool it!" Claire raised her eyebrows.

"Who's ok with Adonia as the leader of sorts?"

Everyone but Richie raised his hand. \

"Come on man," Dray said. "I'll spare you some food if we ever go hungry, or something."

"You can be the co-leader," Aqua giggled.

"Yeah, if she's dead, your next to the throne," Maya added.

"Just let her," Ben shrugged. "If she gets too bossy…"

Adonia hit his arm and he laughed.

"Whatever," he agreed.

Through the remaining hours before they were ushered to their rooms, they talked strategy and skills, who would be on look out, defense, and offense. Who was in charge of the food and the shifts so that they had everything planned. Everyone knew the plan would not go as they wanted it to, but it was flexible. They chatted up weapons and camouflage, who could climb, shoot, throw. Everything. They knew each other and who to toss the knife to when the going got rough.

This year they didn't have many bulky guys to defend their supplies, or some muscular girls to fend off whatever was coming their way. And this was a year of wits and brains.

May the odds be forever in your favor.

Hope you liked it, and if I didn't feature your character as much as another, you'll be featured more the games, I'll try! If anyone has any suggestions, ideas, or something they want changed, comment or message! Thanks!