Avalon Gallant, District One, 18 (Europa22):

"What about… this one?" Bliss asked as she flung another dress out of her closet and onto her bed. This one was a beautiful, sky blue, knee-length dress that puffed out a bit at the waist.

"It's really pretty," I began as I filed my nails, "but it's a little too 'bally', don't you think?"

She turned to me and raised her eyebrow, "You mean 'ballsy'?"

"No, I mean like it's what you would wear to a ball. It's not exactly 'first date' appropriate."

She scrunched up her face and tilted her head slightly.

"Yeah… yeah I see what you mean. Good call."

I sent her a small smile before I went back to filing my nails. Bliss had her first date with Arthur, District One's residential hunk, tomorrow. Every girl was practically seething with jealously, including me. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled for my best friend, but I wouldn't mind dating someone that gorgeous.

"I really like this one," Bliss exclaimed. I looked up and saw her holding a short, white, lacey dress up against her body. She twirled a bit in front of her mirror and I smiled.

"It's perfect, Bliss," I agreed.

Ah, Bliss. It only makes sense that District One's hunk would shack up with District One's beauty. Bliss was one of the most beautiful girls in the district. She was a leggy girl with silky blonde hair and bright green eyes. She had an effortless, natural beauty about her. No matter what she wore, she looked great in it.

Then you have me, her best friend. I wouldn't say I'm bitter about her looks, but it does suck that whenever you hang out, guys always go up to her first. I'm usually the runner up if I'm with her. I'm not ugly… I'm just not that noticeable. I have long, curly blonde hair and pretty blue-grey eyes. However, I'm on the short side and I'm extremely skinny.

As in, not a lot of curves, skinny.

"You think so? I hope Arthur will like it…"

"I'm not sure he's really going to care what you're wearing. He might care more about what you look like when you're not wearing it."

"Avalon!" Bliss yelled, admonished, as she threw the dress at me.

"It's true! He's a boy! He can't help it!"

Bliss let out an 'outraged' gasp and leapt at me. I let out a squeal as we both fell off the bed and to the floor with a loud thunk.

"Take it back, Avalon! He's a nice boy and he asked me out because I'm a nice girl!"

By now we were both giggling as she straddled me.

"If you don't get off of me he's going to hear about this and think you're my lesbian lover," I threatened jokingly.

"Shit! Well, I guess I can't let that secret get out. It would ruin my entire plan to marry him and start a family, all the while having an affair with you on the side," she joked as she fell onto the ground next to me.

We both began to laugh and I looked her in the eyes, "Bliss, he asked you out because you're an amazing woman and it definitely had nothing to do with the size of your boobs."

"Thank you," she laughed.

We continued to lay there and just stared at the ceiling.

"What would happen if one of us was in the Hunger Games?" Bliss piped up.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. This was a topic Bliss and I visited frequently. Bliss was absolutely terrified of being reaped and sent into the Hunger Games. They had only started five years ago, and some of us in District One didn't exactly enjoy them.

Mainly the female population.

You see, we're split into two different groups. You have the Careers, who are mostly men and they train day in and day out. They're jerks, to say the least, and are mean to practically everyone. Yet, everyone knows who they are and wants to hang out with them. Then you have the socialites or the 'wannabes', as they call us. We are the people who train, but it's mostly just a social activity. Bliss and I spend more time talking to people during training then actually learning anything useful. Sure, I know how to use a dagger mediocrely, but I think I used it as a mirror more than a weapon.

"Blis-"

"I know, I know. You believe in 'fate' and 'destiny' and you don't like to think about the future. Just humor me. It's our last reaping."

I sucked in deep breath and replied, "Well, you would seduce every male tribute in the arena. Literally, you would just flash them your lady bits and they would fall to the ground in awe."

Bliss laughed and replied, "And you would become friends with every single tribute and convince them to stand around the Cornucopia, hold hands, and sing a song."

I laughed at that and before I could reply, the door flew open. Bliss' mom peaked in and said, "Girls! What are you doing in here! You need to get ready for the reapings!"

"That's my cue to go," I smiled, "Meet me at my house in an hour or so?"

"Totally," Bliss smiled.

She helped me up and I began to walk out the door. Before I could even say thank you to Bliss' mom, she screamed, "This is a disaster! Why are all your clothes on the floor! In fact, why were you on the floor! Your hair is a me-"

The last sentence was cut off as I shut the front door behind me. Bliss' mom was temperamental, to say the least.

As I walked home, several people passed me and said hello. I smiled back and continued on my journey. On any normal day, they would have stopped me and started a conversation. What Bliss said about 'what I would do if I was in the Hunger Games' wasn't totally inaccurate. While Bliss gets all of the boy's attention, I seem to get all of the girls (in a non-sexual way). It seems like most people like me and want to be my friend. I honestly don't know why. It could be because I'm just nice to everyone, which is actually quite uncommon in this district, or maybe it's because I'm a complete people pleaser. Either way, it happened and I accepted it.

The thing that upset me sometimes, though, was that some people thought of me as 'perfect'. Not the typical perfect where I possessed all these great qualities, but perfect where I couldn't do anything wrong. I could see why they would get that impression. I was nice, I didn't drink, I obeyed all the rules, and I was always happy. What they didn't know was that I did have bad thoughts about people. I liked to think of myself as open-minded and non-judgmental, but there were times my first thought was 'God damn, that boy is ugly' or 'Girl, use some deodorant'. Plus, I wasn't always happy. Sure, I was an optimist, but that doesn't mean I thought life was full of rainbows and puppies.

I walked into my house and I could feel my aunt's presence. It was like a toxin in the air.

"Hello, Avalon," my Aunt Giselle spoke coldly.

"Hello, Auntie," I replied quietly.

"You're just in time for breakfast!" my mother exclaimed joyfully.

I nodded and took a seat on the opposite end from my aunt.

To think, I used to be close to her…

My sweet, warm mother took a seat down next to me and handed me a plate of food.

"Thank you."

"How was Bliss this morning?"

"Great, as always," I smiled.

"Is that the girl you're always prancing around the district with?" my aunt asked loudly.

"Yes ma'am," I said quietly as I took a bite of my breakfast.

I ate my food as quickly, but politely, as possible. I made small talk with my mother, all the while ignoring small, passive-aggressive statements from my aunt.

I excused myself as soon as I was done and walked to my room. I hurriedly jumped into the shower and washed my hair. I stepped out into my bedroom and picked up my reaping outfit that I had laid out the night before. It was a knee-length silver dress that had different swirly patterns throughout it. I slipped into it and put on my favorite black stilettos. I walked over to my mirror and dried my hair as best I could. I hurriedly pulled it out of my face and began to apply some mascara, eye shadow, and eye liner. I dabbed some lipstick on and lightly put some shimmery rouge on. It was my skin color but I liked the fact that it glimmered just like my eye shadow. I let my hair down, dried into long curls, and decided I'd put it up in a loose bun. I put some silver hoops on and took a step back.

An outfit any Capitol designer would be proud of.

I heard my aunt's nasally laugh and I cringed. It's almost like she was laughing at my thought.

I imagined myself stomping out of my room, taking her plate of food, and dumping it all over her. Then, before she could say anything, tell her she's a control freak who needs to get a life so she stops meddling in everyone else's.

I giggled at the thought of it and felt slightly calmer.

I walked out of my bedroom and my mother turned around.

"You look great, baby!"

"Thank you, mother," I smiled, "Is father going to be home before the reapings?"

"No, he has a meeting, but he said he would meet me there. I know you're going to offer but, no, you don't need to stay and walk me there. I assume one of your friends is going to be here any moment."

Just as she said that I series of hard knocks came at the door and I laughed. Mother knew me so well.

"Open up! It's the Peacekeepers!"

I walked to the door and opened it wide. Bliss was standing there in a neon yellow dress with her hands on her hips.

"Is there a… problem?" I replied overdramatically as I hugged the doorpost tightly.

"You're being arrested for looking completely fabulous." Bliss said in her most 'manly' voice.

"Oh no!" I cried as whipped my hand to my forehead, "There has to be some misunderstanding!"

"No misunderstanding, ma'am."

"There has to be something I can do?" I asked as seductively as I could.

"Yes, give me a cookie now bitch," Bliss giggled, breaking out of character.

I could hear my mother laughing in the background and she was quickly at my side with a few cookies. I handed one to Bliss and gave my mother a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you!"

"You girls are so odd," mother laughed as she shook her head.

I linked arms with Bliss and we began our walk to the town center. As we passed through the streets, we looked through all the shop's windows and pointed out all of the things we thought were cute.

District One felt like an endless supply of stores. The city was all orbiting the town center. The streets that were directly off of the town center were filled with shops. Then, past the shops you had the residential area and past those you had the different factories and businesses.

"Nice dresses," I heard someone say sarcastically. A group of guys pushed past us and laughed. They were obviously Careers. Another difference between the actual Careers and the socialites was the fact that they tended to dress fairly subdued while we went all out.

"Nice faces," Bliss said just as sarcastically.

"Bliss," I hissed, "be nice!"

A few of them snickered and turned around, but most of them kept walking. I immediately picked out the one who had said the comment and it was Bliss' ex, Henry. You see, although we didn't associate during training we did end up at a lot of the same parties and, at said parties, almost everyone was drinking. Which meant people put away their claws for a while and played nice. On one such evening, Henry and Bliss were both drunk and hooked up. They tried dating, but they just didn't get along. He was a jerk and she didn't put up with his crap.

"I know, I bet you miss it," Henry joked as he kept walking.

"Not as much as you miss your brother," Bliss hissed.

I took in a deep breath and had to stop myself from groaning. Henry's older brother had volunteered for the Hunger Games last year. Suffice to say, he didn't win.

Henry's face completely blanched and he took a step towards us.

"Can we please just calm down. It's the reaping and everyone's stressed." I said as I held Bliss back.

Even though Bliss never wanted to enter the Hunger Games, she had no problem going toe to toe with any person she didn't like.

"Don't. Talk. About. Him." Henry hissed.

Before another insult could come out of Bliss' mouth, I spoke up, "Bliss was just playing around. I promise she'll be sorry tomorrow. Speaking of this, though, how is your family? My mother brought over some baked goods and said your mother wasn't feeling well."

Henry's eyes flickered and I thought I saw some amount of sadness before they went back to being cold and hard, "It's none of your business."

With that, he stomped off with his gang and I let out a deep breath.

"Why did you do that?" I hissed.

"He needed to be put in his place," she said as she began to chomp on her cookie.

I rolled my eyes and began to follow her to the Town Center. I swear, Bliss would have been murdered a long time ago if it wasn't for me.

"Your dress is so pretty!"

"I love your hair!"

"Where did you get those hoops!"

I smiled at all of my friends as we stood in our sections, waiting for the reapings to begin. Any other day I would have loved to talk about my hair, jewelry, and clothes. Right now, however, all I wanted was for them to shut up. Bliss squeezed my hand and smiled at me knowingly.

The other girls continued to talk and giggle while Bliss and I made small talk with them. Finally, Mayor Wershire mounted the stage and smiled. He was always dressed to impress in the latest Capitol Couture. I frankly couldn't focus on him as he made his speech. All I could think about was that bowl. I was worried that I was going to be picked. So far, District One hadn't had a single female volunteer. Maybe this would be the first year, but I wasn't going to hold my breath.

Then our escort took the stage and smiled down at all of us. She seemed nice enough. She had cascading brown hair that she kept in twin braids. She was dressed in a long dress that outlined her figure nicely.

"Hello District One," she chimed, "Sunshine here! Are you excited for the 5th Hunger Games to begin?"

I heard whooping and claps from the men and the boys. The women were mostly silent although I politely clapped along with them.

"Should we just get this underway?" Sunshine smiled.

She daintily picked through the bowl until she found a piece of paper that satisfied her.

She opened it, and with a charming smile said, "Avalon Gallant."

The world began to start spinning slightly. My mind computed that, indeed, that was my name, but not in the fact that I needed to go.

"Avalon," Bliss whispered shakily in my ear, "Go."

I forced one foot in front of the other as I walked out of my section. I could feel everyone's eyes on me and I shivered slightly. I knew most of my friends were thinking "Poor Avalon! Oh, this can't be happening!". As for the actual Careers, I hated to even think what they thought of me. A silly girl in a silver dress.

No, it was probably worse than that.

I took my spot on the stage. I tried my best to smile and look somewhat charming.

"What a lovely tribute," Sunshine said with a small bit of disdain in her voice. She probably thought I was fifteen instead of eighteen.

"Now the men!"

She picked a name out in the same method.

"Leroy Vackum!"

The boy, who appeared to be about sixteen, began walking towards the stage before someone called out, "I volunteer."

The volunteer began to walk towards the stage and I almost groaned.

It just had to be Colby Runaway.

I knew him far too well. We were in the same grade, were always training at the same time, and ended up at the same parties. However, I felt nothing for him except disdain. He spent his life training, drinking, and having sex. From what I've seen, he has sex with at least two different women a week. He is the definition of a manwhore.

"Colby Runaway, at your service," He smiled dashingly.

"Aren't you a keeper," Sunshine cheered.

She presented us to the Districts and we shook hands. His grip was hard and firm. I avoided eye contact with him, afraid of what I might see.

We began to walk towards the Justice Building and I waved at the crowd as we left. How could this be my destiny! Why was I supposed to go into these stupid games! Sure, they were interesting enough, but I never wanted to be a part of them.

We were put into separate rooms and the first people to visit me were my mother and father.

I managed to blink the tears back as I hugged my mother. I was not going to ruin my makeup. I still had cameras to face on the way to the train.

"I can't believe this is happening," my mother sobbed. She rested against my father and I could see tears beginning to form in his eyes. We already had to go through this once. I never thought it would happen again.

"Win for us," my father said.

"You can do it. I believe in you," my mother sniffled.

They were ushered out by the Peacekeepers fairly quickly. That meant that a lot of people were coming to visit me. Really, that's fantastic, except for the fact I wanted to punch something more than I had ever wanted to in my life. This wasn't fair!

A bunch of girls came and went, all crying. I realized I had never once cried when I visited one of the tributes for goodbyes. I wonder if they thought I was a bitch or just being real and not acting like an overdramatic cow.

Finally, Bliss strolled in and I ran to her. I finally felt the tears begin to leak out but I didn't care at this moment in time.

"You have to come back!" Bliss cried, "Who else am I going to stroll through the streets with!"

"Who else are you going to talk to?" I added jokingly.

"Who else am I going to have a lesbian love affair with?" she laughed.

I couldn't help but laugh at this remark as well and we continued to laugh until we cried again.

"You have to come back Avalon. You're my best friend. You can't leave me like this. We were supposed to grow old together with our families and be those ninety year old women who still wear heels."

"I don't think I have a choice in this, Bliss," I sobbed.

I heard the door open and I clung to her tighter.

"Promise!"

"Fine, I'll try my best," I replied weakly as they grabbed her by either arm. I let go and waved one last time before the door slammed shut, knowing that was going to probably be the last time I saw my stunning best friend.

I sat down and placed my face in my hands. Thinking it was my last visitor, I began to cry again. I guess there goes my makeup…

After a minute, the door was thrown open and I jumped in surprise.

My Aunt Giselle walked in and took a seat across from me.

"Hello, Auntie," I said, shocked. She was the last person I expected to visit me.

"Look at you," she growled, "Crying. Grace didn't cry. She had some dignity."

"Too bad I'm not Grace, right Auntie?" I quipped back.

Grace was my cousin. She was my aunt's only child, just like I am my parent's only child. My aunt used to take Grace and me out for treats all the time. I was fairly close with both of them. Grace was reaped for the very first Hunger Games. She was strangled to death by the District Two male, who also turned out to be the victor that year. My aunt was devastated when she died.

Then, our Auntie/Niece outings turned into training. She told me I had to be strong in case I was reaped. I humored her, wanting to help relieve her from some of her grief, for about a year or so. I wouldn't say I tried hard, but I tried harder than I did when I trained with Bliss.

After the first year of training, she told me I had to volunteer. She said I had to go back into the Hunger Game and avenge Grace's death. I told her she was crazy and that I wasn't Grace. I couldn't and wouldn't be part of the Hunger Games. Ever since, she's hated me.

"It is a shame. However, what I find ironic is that fact you so adamantly refused to be a part of it and, yet, you still are," my aunt stated.

"Funny how life works," I agreed.

"Too bad you're going to die," she said nonchalantly, as if we were discussing the weather.

"What?" I gasped, shocked.

"You heard me! You never put your heart and soul into training. The Careers won't accept your scrawny body into their alliance and that means you'll die. It's simple, really."

"You're just awful," I whispered.

"Maybe, but at least I'm being honest. I bet your parents and friends came in here and wished you good luck. I bet my life they said you could do it. They're all liars and you know it."

She slammed something down on the table and stood up, "I'm giving this to you simply because I find it fitting. I expect you to die. I hope you prove me wrong, but I doubt you will."

She strolled out of the room and I stared at the table. She had put down Grace's token, a charm bracelet. I picked it up and I felt the tears begin to well in my eyes again. My aunt was right. I was going to die. Unless I found a way into the Careers, I was going to die.

I took a deep breath and stared out the window. I had to believe that my fate was to be with the Careers. I knew my destiny was to be in these games now. To follow in Grace's footsteps.

I just couldn't figure out why…

Colby Runaway, District One, 18 (ToxicatedRose):

The usual familiarity of bedsheets seemed so cold, so alien. My blue eyes turned to see my latest conquest – Harmony, of course, the biggest slut of all the 'Career socialites.' I groaned a little, my rough hands immediately reaching for my aching head. I knew this was a pretty bad idea, I didn't intend to have a drink the night before the reaping, but Harmony visited, fluttering her blue eyes and showing herself to me in her revealing dress. It was no secret girls liked me, I was an attractive guy – tall, dark and handsome. A lot of girls wanted me, and ever since I lost my virginity at age fourteen I wanted them.

Getting back out into the cold was hard, but I quickly slipped into my reaping outfit while Harmony snoozed. She was my first – as in, the first girl I screwed. We've screwed a couple of times after that, but there's always a time period before we get back to each other. I don't like screwing girls consecutively, I like lots of different girls. Two different ones a week, perhaps. What can I say, I have an insatiable urge for sex, and getting it is pretty easy. Harmony came to me last night with the same intention as me, to get drunk and have sex so she could carry some reputation when I won, because I was prepared to become victor. I complied, as always.

I wasn't like the girls in this District. I got dressed into something chaste, but still revealing enough to get female sponsors as soon as their pretty little eyes spotted me. A navy blue shirt, unbuttoned lightly so my the outline of my pecs were available for all to see, dark jeans and some fancy shoes made out of quality District Eight leather. I admired myself in the mirror, before turning and ripping off the sheets so Harmony's half clad physicality was on show.

"Harmony," I hissed as she groaned. "Time to get up, it's the reaping."

She stretched in a feline-esque manner, before raising a little to observe me. A small grin passed her face. "Nice outfit baby, are you volunteering?"

I really didn't like Harmony, not when she talked anyway. She was better naked. I rolled my eyes, turning and leaving her looking rejected. "I told you last night I was volunteering. Now get dressed, I really don't want you to come along with me at the reaping and ruin my reputation."

Harmony's thin eyebrows raised as she stood to dress, ignoring her, I did something better and hurried down the stairs; there was something delicious cooking, and the smell of bacon invading my nostrils made me think that my mother was cooking the perfect thing that would combat my hangover, bacon. Instead, when I came into the kitchen I was confronted with my austere brother Chris, who acted more like my father than my own dad did.

"It's almost the reaping and you've only just got up?" He said with raised eyebrows. My mother, over at the stove, rolled her eyes. There was some kind of lecture about how I drank too much, parties too much – something about that, but I was more focused on the bacon. My dad had a high-paying job, so bacon isn't a rarity for us, we had it on weekends and special occasions like the reaping.

"He does drink too much," my mother said, sighing as she flipped some bacon over with her spatula. Like my brother, she got on my back too much. Only difference was she's been on my back all her life, Chris only turned into a tight, ostentatious idiot a couple of years ago.

"Way too much," Chris said, dropping her stern façade and smiling a little. "Can I convince you to not volunteer today? You can do it next year."

"There is no next year, jerk."

I moved to the counter and smiled more politely than I usually would when my mother got some bacon onto the plate in a magical flourish. Wanting to wolf it all down desperately, I grabbed the beacon and quickly moved out of the way. Chris followed behind me like a bad smell.

"May I remind you-"

"I've trained for this since I found out the Hunger Games existed," I sighed. "Accept I have my lifestyle, and you have yours. I'm not uptight, deal with it." I turned around and faced my brother, looking into his identical eyes. "Sure, we're well off, but I want something more than being stuck with this silly family."

Melancholia struck Chris' face. "I understand, but that's not why I want you to stray from the stupid Hunger Games. I don't want to lose you."

I sighed, striding past him so I could be in the kitchen with my more tolerable mother (and that was saying something). What was with this dying bullshit? I knew I was going to win, apart from the District Two kids there was never competition in the Games. The One girls were almost as weak as the District kids, because they spent their time doing make-up rather than learning to hold a sword. That said, in recent years they had been steadily growing tougher. I thought of potential volunteers... Harmony, easy. Bliss, easy. Selene, easy. Cordelia, easy. I had little to no worries. I observed my mother with mild amusement as I entered the kitchen. She continued to cook an even larger meal for my dad, watching the bacon fry in the kitchen as she tried multi-tasking with a hair curler. Her eyes met mine for a second, and she smiled dilutely.

"You look very handsome."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know."

My mother chuckled a little. "You were always so self assured..."

"Do people with little confidence win the Games often?" I smirked. Annoying habits aside, I loved my mother. I wasn't a psychopath. "I'm going to win the Games, you know. I'm not going to go into business like Chris is doing, but I know I'll win the Games and get a lot of money. I'll make you so proud."

My mother smiled a little as she overcrowded a large plate in front of her with fried eggs, bacon and an uncountable load of sausages. "I know honey... I am proud of you. I just sometimes fear you're going down the wrong path, with all the parties and nasty friends and drinking..."

"Stop worrying," I chuckled a little nervously. My mother knew I partied a lot, but she was oblivious when it came to the extent of alcohol and women I had. "Wrong path? I do well in school, remember, the teacher said that though my science grades are a little rusty I'm the best student at history in that hell hole-"

Bad timing, Harmony strutted into the kitchen, her face concealed behind a mountain of make-up and her height being increased by about nine inches because of the stilletos. She was even taller than a very unamused Chris, who stood right behind her with arms crossed as he leered behind her, demanding an explanation.

"Hey Colby! Hey Colby's mother!" Her nostrils widened with disgust at the smell of bacon, probably because she was used to the vegetarian organic diet she starved herself with. "Colby, I can't find my bra, so if you find it return it – oh yeah, you're volunteering this year!" A grin crossed her rouged lips.

"Just leave," Chris demanded behind her. She looked a little shocked, then she turned to me and smiled flirtatiously before strutting out of the kitchen and front door. I was left in the most taciturn atmosphere imaginable as my brother and mother both glared at me like no other.

"One of your Jezebels, Colby?" My mother said, tight lipped.

"It wasn't like-"

"Don't lie to me," she snapped as Chris walked out the room tutting. "I'm fed up of you, and your stupid parties, your stupid lifestyle – your stupid life." Her voice cracked as she threatened to cry. "When you win these stupid Games, I'll be glad to have you out my house. I'm fed up of it being filled with whores and empty vodka bottles!"

There was a stiff silence as my mother looked at me, almost wanting to cry, fortunately I was rescued by my father, who came into the room nonchalantly as usual. He was a good father, and the only one who understood me. I valued his optimism and kindness.

"What's happening here?"

My mother scowled. "I just kicked Colby out of the house."

My father laughed, strolling over to the kitchen to retrieve his mountainous breakfast. He quickly devoured a portion of it, before glancing up at the both of us and sighing.

"Colby isn't going to be kicked out Harley. He's just a kid, he's having fun, leave him be." He grinned at me charismatically. "Anyway, we wouldn't want any bad memories before sending him into the Games do we?" He ruffled my blonde hair with a smile. "You look dashing son, the girls are going to love you in the Games."

Defeated, my mother bowed her head and looked at the floor. Or anything but me.

"Sure you don't want a smoke?" Arrow asked next to me as we prepared to get herded into the eighteens section of District One. It was nice walking through the streets and seeing the banners, confetti and festive preparations. Tensions rose high in District One, we knew this year there was a victor who was going to return. District Two had won twice, so why couldn't we?

"You know I hate cigarettes man!"

Arrow took a drag and threw the stupid thing to the floor as we passed through the battalion of people. "Your loss."

"Not really."

If there was one difference between Arrow and I, it was that he enjoyed cigarettes. I had smoked once for social reasons, and found it putrid, and it had bad effects on your skin, teeth and hygiene. For that reason, I veered away from it. But Arrow was more than a best friend, we had hung out since before we could talk – he made a much better brother than Chris ever could. He was my close friend, my confidante and the person I trusted more than anyone.

Soon we got into the middle of the crowd, which was tight, but beginning to reorganise and diffuse itself because of Peacekeepers. To my disdain, one of them ushered Arrow out of the way. Seemed like I was all alone, until I glanced to the guy beside me-

"Hey, Henry!"

"Colby," Henry nodded in acknowledgement.

"Life been alright for you?" I asked.

"Hmm, I guess..." Henry winced a little as the pretty escort took centre stage. "Bliss insulted my brother... She's still pissed I thought she was bad in bed."

I knew Bliss and Henry screwed each other at a party once, you could hear the noise they made from downstairs. I was admittedly jealous, Bliss was easily the most gorgeous girl in the District, and she had tough competition. I hadn't slept with her, mainly because she was so uptight. Henry's secret? I'd never know. At least Henry wasn't going to volunteer this year, seeing as his brother died and stuff.

"Damn, what a bitch," I said, pretending to be concerned. "You should ignore all those wannabe sluts, thinking they're better than us when they'd die in the Games. Screw Bliss!"

I was cut off as the escort, who introduced herself as Sunshine, said something that made the whole District kill all other noise with their cheers and claps. Henry and I immediately decided it was time to be quiet, and we hushed as Sunshine decided to be all boring. I arrived late purposely, to avoid our Mayor's speech, I didn't want this to drag. Fame, money and Capitol girls had to come quickly.

"Should we just get this underway?" She said. Yes, that would be pleasant. I watched her hands fly through the slips of paper, that seemed like fluffy clouds. She finally grabbed the name of the tribute – (because she would be the tribute. Career girls seldom volunteered, as they were scared of breaking a nail or something) – and finally announced:

"Avalon Gallant!"

The girl took a while to get to the stage, she was probably too scared. I had already placed a name to a face. Ironically, she was Bliss' best friend, blonde, chirpy and extremely weak. I had such little competition already. I smirked as she got onto the stage, tremulous whilst trying to remain strong.

"What a lovely tribute," Sunshine commented, her voice on the cusp of sarcasm. "Now the men!"

She went to pick out a name, but it barely mattered now. I watched her hands dip in, my arm prepared to strike before she had called the tributes name-

"Leroy Vackum!"

"I volunteer!" I said, striding towards the stage in all my glory. My soon-to-be adoring fans separated as I neared them, almost as if they were a wave a deity divided with a simple hand gesture. As soon as I got to the stage, I made sure to adopt the most dashing smile possible. "Colby Runaway, at your service."

"Aren't you a keeper?" Sunshine grinned, pleased with having such a great tribute, like me. I grinned back, adding an edge of flirtation.

The rest of the reaping was boring, I turned to Avalon and shook her hand with her while she did all she could to avoid eye contact. I didn't blame her – I was stronger, faster, smarter and better. I was the victor, and she knew it.

I was ready to win.

Sitting in the Justice Building always managed to fill me with awe. It was almost fact that District One was the richest District in Panem, being undermined by the Capitol only. If the poorer District's Justice Building was supposed to be lavishly decorated, this room could impress a Capitolian. Its walls and carpets were saturated in splendour, the ornaments comprised of gold and diamond. This District certainly didn't shy from showing off its wealth – the seat I had on sunk comfortably with my weight, so I could lie back and enjoy this moment of-

"Colby!" I leaned up, glancing at my mother's tear stained face. I hated it when she was upset, it was one of the few things that jabbed me with guilt. Regardless, I seriously didn't understand the pain and upset etched across her face. A little exasperated, I leant up as my mother tackled me with a bone crushing hug.

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed into my chest. Not knowing what do to in such a situation, I patted her back slowly. What else was I to do?

"It's okay mother, I forgive you."

"I've been so terrible, I've neglected you and I haven't showed any leniency," my mother continued sobbing. Behind her shaking body I caught a glimpse of my dad, who was smiling at me nervously. Even someone as nonchalant as him didn't know how to react when his son had volunteered for the Hunger Games. My mother stopped talking for a moment, all air blocked by choked sobs before she continued. "I know I was angry this morning, but you do know I – I thought you were lying when you said you were going to volunteer, that you were just going through a Hunger Games phase..."

"This isn't a phase. It's a drive, a drive to win."

"Please, please, please come home," she looked directly in my eyes. "I know you're capable... I just don't know what I'd do without you..."

I laughed, my voice bordering on supercilious as I spoke. "Have you seen the competition? Weak Districts, and Avalon Gallant is hardly a competitor."

"Time up," a Peacekeeper chimed into the room. I paused, looking at my feet. This wasn't my final goodbye, I knew that, but the slightest hint of sadness still struck me like a slap to the cheek. Though I hated displays of affection, for that one second I decided to hold my mother that bit tighter as she tried to rebel, tried to exceed her time limit.

"Make us proud, son," my dad simply said, forcing my mother off me and walking away with her, tears not being allowed to pass through his eyes. "We love you."

It was something I rarely heard. My parents were polar opposites, one lenient, one constantly breathing down my neck. But a mutual trait they shared was a lack of empathy – they never knew how I was feeling, they seldom displayed their own signs of affection. I was rarely told that I was loved, and that inner feeling, though it sometimes exasperated me, was almost as good as sex.

As soon as my parents left, Chris came into the room. He stood at the doorway for a second, hoping my remote expression would change. It didn't. I sat awkwardly, twiddling my thumbs as he lingered with a hopeful smile. After a period of time, he eventually strode over, looking as serious as ever.

"So you did it, you volunteered."

"I don't have to go into business to be successful," I smirked.

"You're a fool," Chris snapped, throwing some kind of necklace at me. I flinched mildly, expecting a punch, prepared to react. However, what I assumed would be my token landed on my lap. It was some kind of necklace, the cord that held it together strengthened by a core of diamond and valuable gems. I remembered it well – it was Chris' birthday present last year. It was expensive, and he valued it greatly. Now he was giving it to me, hoping that it would be the token I used to remember home. I completely forgot about tokens; they were only introduced last year, but on screen it had blatantly comforted tributes that came into the arena with the tiniest memoir, the tiniest boat that would sail them down the river of sentimentality.

"Thank you," I said.

"I have little to say," Chris admitted earnestly. "I guess sometimes actions say more than words, right? I know you're confident Colby... but if you die... I think you ought to know that though we haven't got on in recent years, it's only been because I cared. I care for you, and I may be harsh in showing it, but sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind."

"Thank you," I said, my voice almost falling into a whisper. I grabbed the necklace, clutching it in my hand.

"You're welcome," my brother replied. Not wanting to show emotion like my father, he simply turned and quitted the room. At that moment, necklace clutched in hand, I felt quite alone. Until a certain someone came in the room – the person who I cared for the most, the only person who could make me elevate from the seat and run over to embrace him (in the most masculine way, of course). My friend, confidante. Arrow.

"Looks like you really needed that smoke after that!" Arrow jested.

"Nah, don't want to lower my life span for when I get home," I mused back. Arrow chuckled, and lead me to the comfy seats, where we both sat. We conversed for a small bit – about girls, about old memories, about times that have made us laugh the most. Despite the inevitable fight for my life, such worrying thoughts of what could be trying to kill me in the future was mitigated by the knowledge I'd be coming back to such a great friend.

"I know you'll come back," Arrow said factually. "You're one of the best in the Career bunch... but... you'll be gone for at least two weeks, right? I'll miss you man."

"Me too... you'll have to go soon."

Arrow frowned. "I know."

"Anyone else out the waiting to me?" I asked, shrouding the expectancy in my voice. "Any girls?"

Arrow chuckled. "Fraid not.

I laughed back, though there was some kind of regret in me. None of the girls had cared enough to visit me? But Harmony seemed so eager to see me only last night, why not now? Were they expecting me to die or something? Or maybe they were confident that I was coming out of the arena alive and victorious? Arrow and I talked a few more minutes, the thoughts in my head distracting me from our conversation. When he left and no-one came, it was apparent that no girls were visiting. I was to them what they were to me – an object to use for... venereal purposes...

Was that all I was, an object? An object to those girls, to the Capitol? I forced myself to stop being so cynical and grinned. Of course I wasn't. I was their victor.

Hey! I've been awfully busy recently due to exams so for the delay in updates I think I ought to take full responsibility. :-) But yes, as this chapter proves, I'm alive and (somewhat well). Those who are following my story should be expecting an update soon, but don't keep your hopes up too long because life is hectic for me and as well as doing a story with Europa I'm kind of starting a first draft to my own novel :)! many thanks!
~Toxic

I'm sorry for such a late start! But, we're finally on our way and the next chapter will be up soon I can promise you that! Please review and tell us what you think of these lovely tributes! I really adore them, along with every other tribute we have received!