Mars Ryker, District Two Male (Age 18)

I tugged at my shirt, my heart pounding. Come on, I just needed to get this over with.

The training academy's graduating class was seated around the tiny room, boys and girls separated into two round tables. Most of the girls were talking amongst themselves but we were silent. Tensions were high, since after all, this was literally what we'd trained our whole lives for.

For many of us, it wasn't by choice. When I was six, I wanted to go into the Games and be a hero before I even understood the concept of death. I wasn't the brightest kid, so by the time I learned what I was actually training to do, there was no backing out. Besides, going to train every day made my parents beyond proud and that was a good feeling.

I thought about my odds of being selected. Ten boys and ten girls were in the running 'til the end, two of whom would go into the arena. The others usually became Peacekeepers. We started out with hundreds, but every year a few were cut until it was just us left

Gladius Lye, the head trainer and the Victor of the very first Games, entered the room, giving us a nasty look. It was just the way he was and he used to terrify me when I was little but not anymore.

His eyes were narrowed and his lips were curled in a sneer, and although he was silent, his mere presence brought every eighteen-year-old in the room to his attention, which was quite a feat.

"So you all have made it, huh?" He snickered, making eye contact with each one of us. His eyes pierced into mine and I felt a twang of that old fear in my heart, but I forced it down. It was stupid and irrational.

"Could've been anyone in the District and they chose you? How disappointing." His voice was slow and oily, and even though he was only thirty-eight he seemed too creepy to be that young.

"But regardless. I have a guest here to help me announce who will represent our District in this year's Hunger Games. Last year she rose above you mediocre dunces and came home victorious, accomplishing more than you probably will. Here is Rhea Storme."

I knew her, sort of. We sparred against each other while she was still training and she usually won.

Rhea opened the door and stood next to Gladius. Her gaze was softer and I sensed a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Hello." Her voice was eerily calm. "So it's down to you twenty. I expect you have all trained impossibly hard and pushed yourself to your limits, and you all probably are worthy of going into the Hunger Games. However, only two may receive that honor. The Games are brutal and it isn't easy to make it out alive, but I believe two of you, the two we've chosen, have a great chance of becoming a Victor. Greater than the others. Fight until the end and don't let us down. Don't make a fool of Panem's strongest District."

The announcement was Reaping-style, and even though my parents would be disappointed I was glad to be done with all this Hunger Games stuff. The training will have been useful, and I wouldn't have to die or kill anyone innocent. I wasn't brave, I wasn't Victor material, it wouldn't be me.

"Indeed, Rhea." Winning the Games was likely the only way to earn Gladius' respect, as he looked at her like an actual person. "Now. Which lady will be our first tribute?"

Some of the girls were shaking, while others looked at him head-on, unafraid.

Rhea pulled an envelope out of her bag, opened it, and pulled a paper out, then handed it to Gladius.

"The girl who will represent District Two in the 20th Annual Hunger Games is…" He unfolded the paper and read, "Jade Halite!"

"Yes!" Jade pumped her fist and her friends clapped her on the back. The other girls were either fuming, stoic, or on the verge of tears.

"Congrats, Jade." He rolled his eyes. Jade stood up, and shook his hand with a big grin plastered across her face, batting her green eyes. I always found her rude and irritating.

"Thank you!" She turned towards Rhea, whose mellow nature seemed to be replaced with mild annoyance, and pumped her hand up and down. Whichever guy was sent off was certainly in for a hell of a ride.

She stood by Rhea's side and sneered at the rest of us. I wasn't one to wish bad things on people but I hoped she wouldn't make it.

Jade Halite, District Two Female (Age 18)

I wasn't surprised it was me. I had a sneaking suspicion I was always Gladius' favorite, and even if I wasn't I was still a better fighter than all the other girls. If I wasn't the tribute, it would be an outrage. The news outlets in Two would've thrown a fit.

I didn't see the nine girls I was competing against as anything but inferior. They were okay, I was Victor material. There wasn't a weapon I didn't excel at (besides maybe swords) and a skill I didn't master before I was ten. I couldn't imagine a single way I might die in the arena.

I was beaming at my friend Darla, who had jealousy written across her face like my name on the future Victor announcement. She was a nice girl, almost as good at me in training. But did she really expect to be chosen over me? I almost felt bad. Besides, Peacekeepers were paid well.

Rhea handed a second envelope over to Gladius, who opened it and dramatically unfolded the paper.

"Mars Ryker!"

Mars? That little crybaby? Surely there was some sort of mistake.

Quincy and Lance, the two toughest boys in the class, gave him a death glare. Mars' eyes widened in surprise but he toughened up and shook Gladius and Rhea's hands. He then stood in front of me, and I gripped his hand very tightly.

"These two are our final choices. No changes will be made, and if any of you attempt to sabotage them as they volunteer this afternoon, we will make sure you'll regret it." Rhea recited, looking at the two of us with… pity? Why? She got everything because she won. All my friends were doomed to a life of physical labor while I'd just sit on my big fat pile of money.

"You are dismissed."

Everyone immediately stood up and began to swarm Mars and I.

"Oh my God, Jade, you made it! I'm so happy for you!" Angelina, who probably slept with Gladius to stay in training, babbled.

"Jade, you're gonna win!"

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks!" I played up the sweetness because most of their families were loaded and could sponsor me. Not like I'd need it.

I eventually slipped out of the room and met Darla outside. She was checking her manicured nails.

"Oh, good job." She wasn't very enthusiastic. At all. Come on, was she really that surprised?

"You're finally gonna avenge Luke." She didn't look at me. "Yay."

"Considering an actual Victor thought I was cut out to win, I'd say I have a pretty good chance." I replied smoothly, putting my hands on my hips. What a little bitch, I bet she only liked me because she was so far up her own ass she thought I wasn't a threat.

My brother Luke trained just like I did and snagged the spot in the 14th Games, but the Twelve girl snuck up on him in the night. He was the predicted winner but he placed fifth.

Darla walked off, visibly fuming. She couldn't answer because I was right. What a weakling. No wonder I was chosen.

Mars Ryker, District Two Male (Age 18)

Two was one of the most southern Districts in Panem, located in a hot, dry area that used to be known as New Mexico. So in the summer, of course it was boiling and disgusting outside.

I was in a simple white shirt with gray shorts. It was airy to prevent the heat from getting to me, but still, my face felt pink and was covered in sweat.

Quincy and Lance were standing oddly close to me, close enough to make it difficult to get past them but not too close that Gladius would lose his shit. The two of them hadn't cared about me before I beat them, but now if they could they'd kill me. I still couldn't believe my stupid six-year-old dream took me to the fucking Hunger Games. I wish I could've gotten out of it. I was gonna die now and there was nothing I could do. If I didn't volunteer, the entire District would laugh at me and that humiliation would hit deeper than any knife.

Our escort, Lush, stood up and announced, "Good afternoon, District Two!" The audience cheered and I was frightened like a fool.

"Welcome, welcome! Today we are gathered to choose our two tributes to represent our District in the 20th Annual Hunger Games! This is history being made, ladies and gentlemen."

He took a few moments to gaze at the square. I tapped my foot. Why couldn't he hurry? It was hot as Hell and I was anxious.

"Let's shake things up and start with the boy." Shit, I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready. They're supposed to choose the girl first, why did it have to be changed now?

My District chose me, I had to stop acting like a child.

Lush chose a paper without hesitation and yelled, "Orion Jasper!"

"I volunteer!" I raised my hand and gave Quincy and Lance a snarky look, pushing my way past them and the other boys to the podium.

"A volunteer!" Lush exclaimed, an expression of mock surprise on his face. I forced a smile and tried to seem happy with my lot, and not scared out of my mind. It was official now.

I did what they said, and now there was no going back.

Jade Halite, District Two Female (Age 18)

I had the tea on this one. I knew what I was up against. He was no threat, he was a big softie who looked tough but I'd bet he wouldn't hurt a fly. When we were nine he cried almost every day in training and the only reason he wasn't kicked out was that he understood weapons quicker than most of the others.

Still, he sort of seemed like a good guy so I wouldn't actively try to sabotage him. I'd leave that to some basic bitch from One or Four. He wasn't worth my time.

I was wearing a tight blue dress and dark heels, since I wouldn't need to worry about fighting my way up to the podium. Every year there were a dozen One kids trying to make it to the stage and the fastest one made it, regardless of who was selected.

We, on the other hand, had honor, class and a civilized way of going about things. And the ones who weren't picked acted like bloody adults about it. The spoiled luxury brats always whined like babies. Since their childhood they always got everything handed to them on a silver platter. We had to fight for what we got.

Lush placed his hand on Mars' shoulder. He seemed uncomfortable. "Hello Mars, so do tell me, why did you decide to volunteer?" Oh come on, everyone knew it was because we all trained. The escorts were just paid to ask the same stupid questions to each year's volunteers.

He took a deep breath. "I want to honor my District and make them proud." Nice! That totally wasn't a carbon copy of what literally every Career said! Yeah, we were gonna kill people, but at least I didn't pretend I was some sort of hero!

"Good for you, boy. I wish you the best of luck." Lush smiled. "Let us pick the young lady."

I felt very light and euphoric. Finally, after all these years, my time to shine.

Lush unfolded a slip from the top of the bowl and called, "Nadia Anvil!"

"I VOLUNTEER!" I shouted, my heels clicking as I walked towards the stage. I grinned and waved at the people I passed, winking at a few of the boys.

Lush was thrilled to have two volunteers, even though that happened every goddamn time. "Lovely to see a volunteer, ma'am, what is your name?"

"Jade Halite. You'll know me as Two's second Victor in a row." I played up the confidence, even though I already had plenty. For good reason.

"We've got a fighter here, folks!" He chuckled. "Now, shake hands."

I turned towards Mars. It was ridiculous how I was in the same competition as this big, blundering idiot but whatever.

For the second time today, I shook his hand and glared, just to get the message across: nobody would get in my way.

AN: Did any of you guys get the My Immortal reference? No? I'll give you a hint: Gladius said it. Sorry it's been a few days, school started and I've been busy. Fun fact: this is the first chapter where I started with the guy's POV, just because it fit the story better. And also, I received a lot of sarcastic, manipulative tributes (especially girls) so I'm going to dial that down for some of them and let their other traits shine more. Just for variety. Thanks for submitting these two and reading! Questions:

What do you think of Mars and Jade?

How long do you think they'll survive?

I sound like a bloody YouTuber but don't forget to follow, favorite, and review!