(Cassidy Charme D2)

Today is my day.

As I walk through the nicely paved street approaching the town square, my short yellow dress swishing along my thighs, I can almost smell the arena air, encasing me in my fantasy. The town square practically swimming with people, a good ninety percent of them filthy rich. I am certainly no exception, with my family known for it's victors and former dead tributes of the Hunger Games.

In my family, we are no strangers to training for the Games. I can't remember how many months old I was when I first picked up a bow.

Finding my way to the crowd of seventeen's, I try my best to stay away from any people I know, so that I can volunteer in peace and not listen to the pointless jabber of 'who's dress looks the greatest'. I need every waking moment I have to strategize, because as much as I hate to admit it, I'm not smart. Just manipulative.

At least I have more of a chance than the Ones. They will have sponsors, but behind that confidence they are presenting, they don't look able to do much.

I spend the next ten waiting minutes deciding how to act when I volunteer. Intimidating? As much as it mirrors my personality, it's too typical Career. Intelligent and Shy? No and no. Flirty and Charming? My name is fucking Cassidy Charme, for God's sake. It fits perfectly. Why didn't I think of this before? I could pull it off, as I am no stranger to acting in such a way, even if it is far from my real personality.

Mayor Pine, a young woman with auburn hair pulled back in a tight bun makes her way onto the stage, heels clacking against the sleek black floor.

She clears her throat and begins her speech clearly and enthusiastically. "When Panem first rose from the ashes…"

I want to go rip the microphone from her blazer and scream that we all don't give a shit. But I can't if I don't want a bullet to my head, so I just stare at my yellow four inch heels with anticipation. This is my day, I repeat to myself for the twelfth time.

I almost feel myself closing my eyes when a newer, more shrill voice rings in my ears. The District Two escort, Aristo, takes the stage. This year he is dressed in a shimmering green and blue tux, with the seal of Panem tattooed around his eyes and on his forehead.

As always, his speech is full of cheerful pep talks, fists pumping in the air, and high fives. When he is done being an absolute freak, Aristo bounces over to girls' reaping bowl.

Ruffling through the bowl, he finally grabs a slip of paper.

"Cala-"

"I volunteer for tribute!" I shriek, allowing this one time to appear frightening before striding up on the stage smiling and giggling, like that Sage girl. Ugh.

From the stage, I can see every expression on every face. Some are furious. A girl a year older than me, Stella Zane, who's only chance to volunteer for the games was this year, has had her time snatched from her. It almost makes me smirk.

I shake hands with Aristo as gently as possible, as his flesh is so saggy and delicate compared to mine. He smiles, and then walks to the boy's bowl. He digs around for a while, then picks a name.

"I volunteer!" Aristo doesn't even have time to say the name of the chosen tribute before Berrin Mercer, an eighteen, is walking to the stage, his muscled figure towering over the escort and I. He doesn't scare me, although I'm positive he'll scare a good half of most tributes.

When Berrin and I reach the Justice Building, we are seated in posh black leather matching loveseats. We both refuse visitors. I said my goodbyes( hardly goodbyes, as I will certainly be back) before I left for the square.

We sit in silence, both with racing thoughts to fill the awkwardness that would be present if we weren't both busy strategizing. A piece of gold catches my eye, and I can barely see a golden ring on Berrin's finger, which reads, 'We will be victorious.'

We'll see about that Berrin, we'll see.

(Berrin Mercer D2)

I make the walk to the town square with my father, Calix. We review everything from my interview angle to my token, and I know I should still be listening intently. My father is a former Hunger Games winner, after all. But the information has been hard-set into my brain since I was twelve and I decided I would train for the Games.

Personally, I've always hated the Reaping Ceremony. Too much repeated rambling, I suppose. But by now I could already have volunteered and be on the train to the Capitol, and finally getting into the arena to make my father proud. I know I can win, and when I do I'll be skyrocketed to a place of honour and respect.

The fools from One make me laugh. Where they keep their egos is beyond me, and hopefully I'll have the chance to kill at least one of them.

When my father and I reach the square, he gently puts his hands on my shoulders.

"You have skill, Berrin. Don't loose that in allies or anything that arena throws at you. You can win. Hell, you will win." he smiles, but his voice is serious. I genuinely wish to have my father as my mentor in the Capitol, but it became forbidden when former winners became biased and helped their tribute offspring and completely neglected the other tribute. No matter, though, as my father has already trained me for six years.

As for Calix's remark, it was all but obvious. I will win, even if it takes obliterating every tribute. And I can do that without blinking.

My father leaves to meet my sister and mother in the crowd, who I already said goodbye to. I search through the crowd of eighteen's and eventually find my best friend, Ender and girlfriend Corinne.

We all make small talk for a few minutes, knowing the ceremony is going to start soon.

"Make sure you kick ass for me in that arena, alright?" Corinne says affectionately.

"I think that can be arranged." I smile, and our lips meet quickly before damn Mayor Pine takes the stage and begins to speak. Corinne and I pull away from each other and turn to face the front.

While Mayor Pine drones on and on about shit nobody cares about, I wonder who will be my District partner this year. Hopefully someone who brings in some competition. I also have the Quell to think about, which should certainly be interesting, but I hope no one forgets what traditional killing is. If they do, I'll just have to remind them.

When the fucking Mayor Pine finishes, I can see everyone perking up again when a new freak of nature shows up. Aristo, or something. Either way, he looks like someone ate blue and green candy-canes and threw up on him.

Aristo, at least makes the citizens of District Two laugh because of how pitifully stupid he is. Whereas Mayor Pine is simply downright boring and uncharismatic.

His speech lasts about ten minutes of the worst, most depressing pep-talk I've ever heard. Even counting the times he almost passed out from physical exertion. In other words, pumping his fists in the air too rapidly.

He finally goes over to the girls' bowl, and I hear Corinne catch her breath. I put my arm around her shoulder, and fathom why she would be nervous. Corinne has never taken tessarae in her life, and the number of female Careers in our District this year are high.

The freak grabs a slip and gets halfway through the name when a seventeen, Cassidy Charme has volunteered and is smiling widely, as she strides up onto the stage.

I'd seen her around school before, with a pack of friends who all train every free moment of their lives. Good, I can have at least a little fun fighting her.

I'm trying to strain a psychotic smile as Aristo walks to the boy's reaping bowl and grabs a piece of paper, pulling it closer to eye level. Before the name is even uttered in the slightest, my voice is ringing throughout the square.

"I volunteer!"

I feel like I am walking on clouds. When Cassidy and I make it to the Justice Building, we hardly acknowledge each other's presence, or even speak for that matter, as we both have refused visitors. The competition between us is just blossoming.

I'll make sure I put on a good show when I kill her.

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