The live interviews of all the tributes were the night before, and all of ours went smoothly, without any flaws. The next couple of days after the interviews were filled with non-stop training. The gamemakers wanted to make sure we were all up to our best so we'd be able to put up a fight and not die the first day. Everyone noticeably put on a few pounds, except for Alice, Edward, Jasper and I, of course. Speculation soon began over how much we all looked alike, but they all assumed it was some odd family that was split up at birth or something. Luckily the talk died down, and today was the day we each performed in front of the judges by ourselves.

For my session, I shot some arrows perfectly into the hardest targets ever, and I also threw a couple spears and stones that a regular girl my age and stature could not even lift off the ground by an inch. Needless to say, I could feel their shocked stares as I sauntered out of the room satisfied. Maybe I was a little too much, and I began hoping that they would just let my unbelievable performance slide.

The energy was high as we all gathered around our dinner tables, waiting for our scores to be announced. Alice got a ten! That's the second highest score! Cato got an eight, and he spit out his food when they announced my eleven. I got the highest score! I was even shocked myself, but I guess my over-performance paid off! Not that it would do me any good, since I was indestructible anyways.

"What the hell!" Cato exclaimed. "What did you do?" His gaze locked with mine, and I could see the jealousy and confusion all swarmed into his eyes. I could almost guess our little bonding night was shattered with the hatred he most likely held for me now. I smiled, letting my own shock show, while shrugging my discrete little shoulders.

Edward got a nine, and I couldn't help but cackle a bit in pride that I got higher than my pig of a husband. The only other elevens were Jasper and Katniss. I was glad I wasn't the only highest score, because I didn't want anymore of an enemy base than I probably already have, not that they could hurt me though.

"The Games start at ten o'clock tomorrow." Carrie's shrill voice broke through my smug thoughts. "You both need lots of rest. Off to bed you go." Cato stalked off to his room without another word to me. I rolled my eyes- men could be so competitive. And being beaten by a girl probably isn't the best way to keep up your macho-man regime. It was now, with games only mere hours away, that I really noticed how much I would miss Carrie and her bubbliness. Before going to my own room, I gave her a firm hug.

"I'm really going to miss you, Carrie. And I appreciate everything you've done. And I know Cato does too. Thank you." I could tell my expressiveness came as a shock to her, because I felt her stiffen and heard he breathing catch.

"W-well you're quite welcome Bella. It's my pleasure. I wish you both the best of luck." I could have sworn I smelt the faintest bit of salt in the air, signaling a few tears were being shed as I walked from the room. I smiled the teeniest bit, not even caring how much tomorrow would change, and how much difficulty and stress it would bring...

"Rise and shine!" Carrie's voice trilled from my doorway, "waking" me up. I rubbed my eyes and stretched before opening my eyes, squinting, pretending to adjust to the sudden brightness of the light she'd just turned on. I groaned, rolling out of the bed and mumbling as I got to my feet.

"That's the spirit! Now come on down and treat yourself to a big, nourishing breakfast!" We both knew this would be the last big meal anyone would have for a long while. And for twenty-three of us, it would be our last. Theoretically speaking of course, because Edward, Alice, Jasper and I would have to somehow find a way to stop this madness and get ourselves out of the arena before exposing what we truly were.

"Are you now hungry?" Cato asked, bringing me from my thoughts. I looked down at my still-full plate, and over to his now-empty one. I poked at the honey-glazed ham in front of me, shaking my head.

"Not really. Just nervousness I guess." I noticed the way he was eyeing my food hungrily, so I pushed it his way. "You can have it." He looked unsure for a moment, but then shrugged and picked up the plate, scooping my former food onto his vacant plate. He would need the food more than I would. I became sick watching Cato scarf down the food, so I quietly scooted my chair away from the table and went into my bathroom to take a shower.

I stayed in as long as I could before the shower cut off by itself. It must be getting close to the Games. I reluctantly stepped from the steamy shower, and onto the cool tile bathroom floor. The automatic dryers kicked in, drying me off in a record of ten seconds flat. I bet Alice really enjoyed that, seeing as it took her about ten minutes to dry her hair with a regular human hair dryer.

I wrapped myself in a fluffy white towel and marched into the bedroom to get dressed. A pair of cargos were laid out on my bed, along with a thin, but sturdy looking jacket, a black, long-sleeved shirt, and some lace-up running boots. Oh, Alice was going to have a fit. I would have loved to see her expression and the fit she had against wearing something so unfashionable. A knock on my door sent shivers down my lifeless spine. I looked at the door for a minute like it was foreign. I really did not want to do this, but I'd already committed. I now wish that Emmett got his wish to compete in the games except me. He would've killed to be able to show up some idiotic minded humans.

"Bella, it's time." Carrie's voice drifted from the other side of the door. I heard her place her hand on the doorway, and saw it begin to turn. I was across the room opening the door in half a second. She jumped from my suddenness, her hand still on the doorknob, the other over her heart in exasperation.

"Oh my, dear Bella, you scared me!" She took a couple deep breaths to steady herself, before swallowing and speaking again. "The Games start in thirty minutes. We must get both of you in your correct shuttles." Shuttles?

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Shuttles. What they transport you in from here to the sight of the arena." Oh. That made sense. They must not be far, since they were waiting so long to move us. I walked through the door, and Carrie placed her hand on the small of my back, comforting me as she guided me to the shuttle I would be riding in.

Apparently they separated the boys and girls, because I was ordered into a shuttle with eleven other girls. As soon as I spotted Alice, I beamed. She patted the seat next to her, that she was obviously saving for me. I walked over and sat next to her eagerly.

"Alice, I'm so glad to see you." I gushed, keeping my voice at a level only she and I could hear.

"Oh I know Bella. And have you seen what they're making us wear? I swear, as soon as I get a chance I'm making this into something more fashionable." I chuckled.

"I'm sure your advanced fashion sense is a sure-fire way to get you sponsors." I joked. She made a face but blew off my comment. I then spotted the girl tribute from district four. Alice noticed my change in demeanor and followed my gaze. She placed her hand softly on mine.

"About that, Bella. Their mentor thought it would be best to present them as lovers, to bring pity upon them and make them more appealing to sponsors." That brought me up short. "Bella, how could you even think for one second that Edward would cheat on you, after all you've been through together?" I did feel guilty, I must admit. But I wasn't letting her off the hook so easily.

"Oh, come on, you believed it too!" She scowled, hating being proven wrong. "And how did you find this out anyway?" She perked right up, straightening her posture before answering me proudly.

"I overheard their mentor talking to Edwards stylist. Apparently Edward had talked to his stylist, and wasn't very happy with arrangement. He'd asked his stylist to talk to his mentor about possibly changing their tactic- no such luck. But in the arena, their mentor wont be there to direct them, so we should be good from here on out." I couldn't help the smile that spread on my face, but the guilt wasn't too far behind it.

"I love you, Alice. Thank you." I wanted to hug my sister-in-law right then and there, but I knew it would cause much speculation. And we didn't need anymore attention drawn to us then there already was.

The ride to the arena was about twenty minutes, leaving us with ten minutes to finish our last-minute preparations before we were sent out to fend for ourselves against twenty-three other tributes.

I needing no other preparation, just stood on my designated launch pad. Since my stylist was not able to make it, I was all alone. I pretended for one moment to be human. I tried to make myself feel as a human would in this situation. I closed my eyes, willing fear and doubt to seep into my dead body, wanting my limbs, so strong and sure, to become weak and feeble, wishing my perfect vision to cloud over with the stress every human teenager was feeling at this moment.

The bell dinged, and a voice over the intercom announced the Games would begin in twenty seconds. I counted each passing second out loud, willing them to go slower and slower the closer the number got to one. Fifteen seconds. Fourteen seconds. Thirteen seconds. Twelve. As the automated voice reached ten seconds, the metal plate under me began to rise. I was emerged with a light so bright as I was pushed up into the blazing realm of the arena. I looked all around, seeing the nervous and ready faces of my fellow tributes.

There was a huge screen above the Cornucopia, counting down the remaining seconds in big yellow glowing digital letters. Five. Four. Three. I heard every single breath from every single tribute. Two. The smell of sweat engulfed my senses, and the anticipation in the air was sharp. One. The horn sounded just as soon as the head game-makers voice rang out from the speakers hidden somewhere in this big dome of doom.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, let the 74th Hunger Games begin!"

Well hey there. Long time no see. But I guess that's my fault (love you). You see, I have been veeery stressed about school. I have two college tests in two weeks, I'm a junior in high school btw, and we've been studying non-stop these past few weeks. I mean I love you guys so much, and honestly your reviews made me tear up because you enjoy this story so much. So now, it's 1:30 am, on a Friday night, well, Saturday morning now, and here I am, writing this chapter for you guys. I tried to make it worth the wait. I love you guys, I really do. But, good news! Schools out in about three weeks! Then I'll be stress-free and ready to crack down on some writing! So, thank you for sticking with me, and thank you for your kind reviews.

xoxo, Sarah.