A/N: I'm so excited to start the real story :P These reapings are taking forever and I apologize for that. Only four to go -_-'' Anyway this chapter is a bit short because Cyrah is my OC, which means we don't really want to focus on her right? So this chapter is basically just Ezra's POV. So expect District 11's reaping to be like that because of Ekin Rhodes (Another OC). So here's some news. Harper as I (Alexa) am typing this is pulling out who is dying in the first chapter. Now look we all know that is going to anger some people and you'll all send flames :( But look people have to die! Whether it happens in the first or last people will die. But listen that doesn't mean your character will disapear all together. They could show up as dreams, halucentaions ect. So please don't stop reading just because you're character is dead... Thanks - Alexa (And Harper!)

Ezra McCully sat on the fast moving train next to the other tribute from district eight. Her name was Cyrah Blaine; she had long black hair and piercing green eyes.

"What are you staring at?" She asked at him. Ezra raised his eyebrows and looked straight at her.

"Nothing, nothing," Ezra turned to stare back at the television screen. The current reapings were playing on the screen. Ezra recognized the cloudy district eight. There was Cyrah, standing on the stage looking haughtily at the crowd. Ezra's brother would be called up next. Ezra focused on the television screen as he remembered the reaping.

"Tread McCully!" The escort woman called! Ezra immediately pushed his way up to the stage. "Eager aren't we?" The escort asked.

"I'm not Tread McCully!" Ezra announced. He watched as both Cyrah and the woman stared at him. Cyrah looked familiar, like he recognized her from somewhere "I'm Ezra McCully. I volunteer Tread's my brother." There was a silence in the crowd. People usually didn't volunteer in District Eight, even if it was for family.

"Well then, here are our two lucky tributes!" The woman sing songed as Cyrah and Ezra shook hands. Ezra and Cyrah were both escorted out off the stage and brought over to the old justice building. Ezra watched as Cyrah was escorted further down the hall, while he was sent into a room to the right of the entrance. He didn't have to wait long for his friends and family to come in. His three best friends, Riley, Shiba and Judd came in first. They both stood idly by the door, as if they didn't know what to say.

"It's good to see all of you…" Ezra trailed off as he ran his hands through his dark curly hair.

"…Are you okay with this?" Shiba asked as she walked forward.

"I did volunteer, Shiba. Of course I'm okay with this."

"What she means is you just ran up onto the stage, without a second glance. We thought maybe it was spur of the moment…" Riley trailed off.

"Of course it was spur of the moment, my brother had just been called. What more is there to do but volunteer?"

"…I guess you're right." Judd sighed; he ran his fingers through his black hair then turned to Ezra. "We're gonna get going. Let you see your family you know."

"Right, see you guys…" Shiba walked over and whispered in Ezra's ear,

"Be safe… "

"Don't worry about me…" Ezra smiled. The three took one last look at Ezra before they left. Soon after his seven family members piled into the room. Maria, the youngest and Ezra's favorite walked up to Ezra. It was like staring at a girl version of himself. She had the same curly black hair and hazel eyes.

"Are you going to die?" She asked him concerned. Ezra's eyes opened wide and he looked up at his father who solely pulled Maria back.

"No, of course not," Ezra's father explained. "Your bother is going to be just fine." Ezra gave a weak smile back and straightened out his blue jeans as he stood up. Ezra wished he could reassure his sister, but he honestly didn't know if he was going to make it. He could survive sure, but he only knew his skills, his talents. Sure, Ezra was skilled; he could hunt, run, swim, climb and fight. But he hadn't been trained his skills were strong, but they weren't polished like the career tributes.

"Ezra?" Tread asked as he stepped forward from his spot next to his other brother, Fleek.

"Yeah Tread?"

"You didn't have to volunteer… you know I might have been able to make it…"

"But I did volunteer. And I did it because I love you and you're my brother. You also know I have more experience than you do. I'm 18 Tread, you're 12. Because I'm older I have a better chance of winning. Not to mention after the games, if I win, we'll be living in Victors Village."

"Then you better win fast!" Fleek called from the back. Ezra smiled,

"I'll try." His eldest sister came up to him slowly; her name Erin, behind her was his other sister Dahlia.

"Be safe… really," Erin insisted. And come back home… we'll watch you the whole way." She told him before they were called out. After they left the door was opened again. The girl from before, Cyrah walked in. She smoothed out her green dress before walking away from the door.

"I thought we were only suppose to see each other on the train?" He asked. She shrugged and sat down on a wooden chair across from him.

"Yeah, but by then we'll be swarmed by stylists, mentors and our escort. And I wanted to talk to you before."

"How'd you even get in?"

"My aunts husband is the mayor… so much for family ties right? Nobody volunteered for me, not like what you did for your brother. Which is actually why I wanted to speak with you. You're obviously strong… or stupid for volunteering… but I've seen you around and heard my friends talk of you."

"What do they say?" Ezra asked. Cyrah brushed her long hair back,

"They talk about how handsome you are," it wasn't a secret that Ezra was one of the best-looking boys in the district, "that and they say how strong you are… I'm physically strong, but I sure as hell know how to fight. I've been training since my brother died last year in the games." He knew she looked familiar; she looked just like her brother, the same straight black hair and emerald eyes. "So anyway, I know how to use and knife and a spear… but that's not good enough."

"So let me guess you're proposing we become allies?" Ezra asked. Cyrah smiled, showing off her flashing white teeth, she looked a bit like a wolf.

"Good, caught my drift. So what do you say? Allies for now?" Ezra paused. What did he really know about this girl? Nothing, but she was right about one thing allies were going to be important.

"Yeah, for now." The peacekeepers came in abruptly and escorted the two out. As they walked together to the reporters shouted questions and snapped pictures of them. This was definitely going to be a change.

"You're going to psyche yourself out if you keep staring at the other tributes like that." Cyrah told Ezra, snapping him out of the memory.

"Shouldn't we be prepared?"

"Yeah, but let's wait for the interview recap… then we can decided who to worry about." Cyrah stood up and made her way to leave the TV room, but she turned back. "At dinner, don't eat a lot… they're trying to get us used to the rich food."

"Let me guess, so we panic when there's only rabbit on the field?"

"Exactly!" Cyrah called as she left Ezra.