One week and two days before the Reaping-District 2

Julian Grayson's POV

"Remember Julian, you need to make an injury shot, not a killing one," The lead trainer, Kaysie Rawlins, said for the umpteenth time.

"I know, I know," I mumbled. Hey, not my fault I can even see weaknesses in a dummy. I just want to go for it.

I took a deep breath, and stared at the stitching along the sides of the dummy. Not a death shot, I reminded myself. I gripped the knife hilt in my hand, and focused on the knee. There was a weak spot, but not bad enough to kill. One...Two...swing!

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again I made a nice cut against the tough leather. The food-colored water seeped out, showing the impact the slash would have on a real human being. I smiled to myself, brains triumphing over brute strength once again. I suddenly heard cheering behind me, and turned. The few normal fangirls, and my best friend, Marc Bell. I ran up to him, and we high-fived.

"Nice!" He exclaimed. "You're really good at this!"

"Okay, that's a wrap!" Trainer Rawlins called, scribbling a few noted on her clipboard. "Tomorrow I'll announce the volunteers, and we'll send everyone home to prepare for The Reaping."

"How do you do that?" Marc asked as I slipped on my tennis shoes, breaking free of the training boots.

"I dunno," I responded. "I just use my brain."

"Can you teach me?"

"Sure," I responded. "I'll teach you how to use your brain after the Reaping."

"Why after?" He asked.

"Cuz who knows what the fate of humanity will be if I taught you before-hand."

"Is that supposed to be an insult?"

I smirked, "Maybe."

The next Morning-One week and one day before the Reaping

"Everyone listen up!" Kaysie called. "I have officially chosen this year's tributes! If I call your name, please walk up to the stage! As in The Reaping, ladies first. The female tribute for District 2 is Zara Unova!"'

I watched as a girl, looking only around 16, walked up to the stage. She looked pained, and I felt sorry for her.

"And the male tribute for District 2 is..." Kaysie paused. "Julian Grayson!"

I was shocked at first, then I realized I should have known. Everyone knows how good I am. As I hopped onto the stage, the clock struck 11.

"You guys can head to lunch," Kaysie told us. "Then be ready to leave!"

"Hey, Zara!" I called, running up to her. "Can I join you at lunch today?"

She looked shocked, but nodded. I followed her to the cafeteria, and sat across from her.

"So, don't you have any friends?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said softly. "But they don't go to the Academy. They're lucky." She kept quiet for a moment, then her face twisted into fury. "I HATE THE GAMES! WHAT WAS THE CAPITOL THINKING? SENDING CHILDREN TO A DEATH TRAP TO KILL EACH OTHER FOR SPORT! IT'S LIKE..LIKE..!"

"Zara!" I exclaimed, putting my hand on her shoulder. "Calm down."

"Sorry," She whispered, sitting back down.

"Why didn't you seem surprised when Kaysie called your name?" I asked, pushing a dirty blond curl out of my eye.

"My mom forced Kaysie," she whispered. "She wants me to bring glory to the family-I never even wanted to go to the Academy in the first place."