Clare Reeves – District 9

At breakfast I make sure to eat a lot of meat, training is much harder than I thought it was going to be. Sausage, bacon, ham – even steak! Who knew that people had steak for dinner? Even if I die in the arena at least I know what it's like to feel complete.

Across the table our mentors sit almost uncomfortably. Sometimes it's hard to have faith in the newest victors in the competition. At least they're trying though; at least they get along…

As I add more ham to my plate we all hear the loud slapping of feet on carpet. I lean back in my chair in time to see Hunter walking down the hall in his thin pajamas; his hair sticking up in random angles. He rubs his face and tumbles into his chair beside me. He yawns loudly and grabs at the plate in front of him. "Mornin'," he yawns.

I watch Luna roll her eyes and look down at her food; for a moment I want to laugh. "Uh… good morning…" I whisper and, I too, go back to eating. I don't think I had spoken to him once, even though we spent all day together yesterday. I've never spent so much time with somebody so loud.

"Anything interesting happening in training?" Aric questions, catching me off guard. He hasn't said much the past few days; I guess things are still pretty new to them too.

"Yea! Guess what?" Hunter jumps at the chance to talk, even though he still yawns. He looks at Aric and then at Luna until she meets his gaze.

"Yes?" She presses, slightly impatient.

"You're going to be so proud of us," he beams and actually looks over at me, like I helped. "We are getting the alliance from last year together! Well I mean not exactly cause… you know… but the same districts! Isn't that great?"

Luna stares awe struck.

"You…. You did what?" She drops her fork on her plate and focuses completely on Hunter who is beginning to regret his enthusiasm.

"We've made another large alliance. It worked last year-"

"No, Hunter, I didn't work last year! It did anything but work!" Luna, usually calm, is frantic. I see in her face the memories. Now I understand why Lundi Hui doesn't want to relive that either. "Are you even thinking about what you could be doing right now? How many people you are putting in danger? This will just make you the first target for everyone else!"

"Exactly, we'll be a target because you know it almost worked last year."

"Well there is no way their mentors would let that happen again, even if you were right. You won't last the first night!" Luna pushed off from the table and marched off down the hall.

Luna Night – 89th Hunger Games Victor

The door slides into place behind me. I wish I could be in the tribute room, like I'm used to, but now I have to stay in the even gaudier mentor room. I stop in the middle of the room as images flash in my head – nightmares really. My fingertips dig into my forehead and do nothing to stop my pounding headache.

"Loon, calm down! You are driving yourself crazy." Zia sits patiently – yet concerned - on the bed, waiting for me. When she sees me looking she pats the bed next to her – an invitation. Still tipsy, I collapse into her expecting arms. She rings out in laughter as we tumble backwards, farther onto the bed.

Her hands press my face to the soft space under her collarbone and she laughs again. "Oh Loon, you're getting gray hair already!" She mocks me but I just burrow deeper into her. "You know… I don't think that Hunter boy is that wrong," she whispers, after a moment, patting my hair.

I don't say anything, because secretly I know she's right. There is no way I would tell Hunter he's right though, that would have worse effects. We lay on my bed together with her patting my hair like my dad used to do. Then again, I'm sure most parents do that.

"Plus, he is so cute Luna! So, so, so, cute!" She giggles again and then sighs. "I guess I'm not helping."

"No, you are. You… you're right," I struggle to get the words out; my breathing still comes out too fast. "I just, overreacted I guess…"

Zia jumps up off the bed, throwing her arms in the air triumphantly, sending my head smacking into the mattress. "That's the spirit Loony Goon! Hahaha, don't you like that? I just came up with it." She grins wildly and then runs back to tackle me on the bed. She lands completely on top of my chest and kisses my on the forehead with child-like enthusiasm. Even I can't help but burst out laughing.

"Ok, I guess I'll trust Hunter, but you should know- your cousin is with him."

Zia purses her lips in thought before responding; she giggles again. "Well, if Marcy is going to be with anyone I would prefer it be a cutie like him," she winks.

"Jeez Zia, I can't believe you can go on about one boy for this long," I mockingly roll my eyes at her and she just smiles again before hitting me in the face with my own pillow.

Cetacea "CeCe" Aquos – District 4

As soon as I make it to the gym I go straight for the tridents with Demitri. He picks one up and throws it with natural talent and ease through both of the dummy's legs, severing them completely off. I tighten my pigtails and clear my throat daintily. Demitri turns his head in shock and looks down at me.

"Hey there short stuff," he mocks.

I suck in a breath restraining myself from snapping at him. Snapping would blow my cover and right now I'm supposed to be pathetic – like the others.

"Demitri…" I whisper softly, "I was wondering… I wanted to know- I mean, I would like to ask-"

"CeCe, does it look like I have all day here? Just speak. You do that right, don't you?" Another dummy is knocked over. He aimed to low, that wouldn't kill anyone. Is he even trying to aim right?

I force out a nervous laugh and apologize before starting again. "Will you help me with some of the weapon training? I'm not very good and I know I should have practiced back home but sharp objects scare me, even pins, which is weird because I sew a lot. I made my reaping clothes actually – they weren't that great I guess but anyway. My mom taught me when I was-"

"CeCe!" Demitri steps forward and throws down his remaining trident. "I will help you – as long as you don't mumble, or apologize, or thank me – actually just don't talk to me." He stops a moment and almost smiles to himself. He must think he's so funny.

"Uh… yea, I can do that. Sorry I'm so-"

"And you've already broken three of the expectations: mumbling, apologizing and talking. It's gonna be a long day short stuff." He starts walking off with a smile across his face.

He has the strangest sense of humor.

Krish Malik – District 3

All morning I hopped from station to station completely bored. None of the weapons kept my interest. At. All. There aren't any stations for any of the fun things. I guess traps are pretty entertaining but there aren't any bombs.

Bombs are one of the few things I know how to do that would be useful in these games. I can run, climb, jump… well actually… that doesn't sound so bad. Maybe I can stand a chance.

The tables are mostly full when I finally sit down. To my left I see the careers menacingly digging through their large piles of food. None of them really look at each other even. On my other side the other groups chatters loudly; the boy from 9 laughs loudly. There are only two chairs left in the room – at the table only a few feet from me.

The last person to sit down is the girl from 6. She collapses into her chair and throws a sickened glance at the careers before scooting her chair closer to her solemn table. For an instant she looks up towards me and her face isn't angry still – like I expected. She purses her lips almost apologetically before looking down at her food.

Such a strange girl…

Her deep red hair hangs over her face and it reminds me of Jazz back home. Jazz never really paid much attention to me. I always hoped she was playing hard to get, but I'm not so sure…

I feel so stupid for liking her. She hardly ever talked to me and yet I sacrificed so much for her. A few days ago I volunteered for the Games to impress her. Boy was I stupid. Risking my life for a girl? That's crazy. I'm only 18, why should I give so much up for her?

I guess it wasn't solely for her though; the Games are the biggest thrill around. I need the adrenaline of the ultimate challenge. Life or Death, it doesn't get much riskier than that.

Just as I smile a commotion starts at the career table.

"DEAR GOD CECE!" The blond boy from 4 stands up abruptly. "You are driving me INSANE," he yells grabbing his food tray. "I'm done." He grabs his food tray and circles the room looking for a chair.

The only one open is a few feet away from me – next to the 6 girl.

He doesn't second guess it as he yanks it out and sits down. His tray slaps down on the table sending some of his food flying. "Hey", he says shortly to the girl and takes a bite from his chicken leg.

"Can I help you with something?" She says sarcastically, and a bit shocked. Her blue eyes watch his face expectantly.

After a moment, he sets down the remaining bones from his meal and leans back. "How about you tell me your name?" His voice is suddenly calm and smooth – charismatic.

Lundi Hui – District 6

I scoff lightly and look away. "And why would I ever tell you my name?" I retorts shaking my head as I picks through my food.

"Well, why not?" he leans over the table with unexpected honesty in his question.

I pause and look up at him, directly in the eyes. "Well- you know- because-"

""Because" why?" interrupting my stammering. "It doesn't have anything to do with my district, does it?" Now I see the mocking in his face and she does do. I smirk back agitated.

"In fact it does. You've just proved my point, actually."

His blonde eyebrows rise. "Oh?" he cries falsely concerned, "how so?"

I lean in closer to him and narrow my eyes at him. "You're an arrogant, cruel, meat head. You throw away people as fast as they fall in love with you and you could care less. You love feeling wanted by other people but you'd never have the guts to return the favor. You're manipulative even without meaning to be - maybe that's even worse.

"You're angry and impatient with people and nobody lives up to your standards. You see the worst in everyone,"

I pause but he doesn't respond. "I feel sorry for you. I can only imagine where you picked up such loathing."

When I finish I cross my arms on the table satisfied. For a moment he stares blankly back at me, mouth hanging open, blonde hair whipped softly over his forehead. Then, his lips close and his hands clench. His eyes look somehow softer than before, more exhausted.

"I can say the same about you." He stands slowly and walks away leaving me alone.