A/N: Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I am very stressed right now and my writing feels, and probably reads to, like poo. Remember to vote; the poll is on my profile!

District 8

Riley

Getting Prepared for Training

"So. Would you like to train separately or together?" says our mentor. He's a scraggly guy, and his name is Jack. He won by hiding out and picking off his victims with well-aimed rocks. In the final battle he rolled down a hill, came up on one knee, and thrusted his knife in the gut. I find that funny.

Refer starts to say something, but I interrupted.

"Of course we will train together! He's my brother." I said "enthusiastically." Refer sent me a glare, but he hided it with his fake sneeze. I looked at Jack and he was staring at us, very confused.

"Usually siblings aren't…like this."

"Like what?" I asked, batting my eyes innocently.

"Like…never mind." His face was a series of emotion, then he finally settled on one.

"First day of training today." He announced. Refer burst out in "crying." He blabbed out his words.

"Riley and I…can't stand it!" He scrunched up his face and bawled.

"Oh it's okay." I told him. I kissed him on bruise on his cheek. That stopped him and he glared furiously at me.

"Refer…?" Jack began. Suddenly realizing what he was doing with a jolt, he bawled again. Then I saw Jack lose it. "Refer! Get a hold of yourself! You are fifteen years old! I will not allow babies that I mentored to go in the Hunger Games, you hear?" Refer stared in shock at Jack, and subconsciously closed my mouth.

"Okay. We are ready to go to training, aren't we?"

District 1

Tux

First Training Day

I surveyed the group of tributes and almost laughed. The other career guys were pretty pathetic. Samuel was the typical nerd (what is this, District 3?) but Scott was okay, I guess. He had big biceps and a six-pack, so I know he must be worth something, but he bounced on his toes like he couldn't stop moving. Most of the tributes were wiry girls, since the boys kind of faded into the background, but one caught my attention.

Refer, was it?

I heard he was a big crybaby, but his muscles were so big,( almost as big as mine!) that no way did I believe that. No one was born with those kinds of muscles.

Except me.

His sister, Riley, was just another wiry girl that looked fast but that I could so overpower. I glanced to the right to see another thin girl staring at me.

She was about five foot, thin, and she gathered herself up to full height instead of slouching. She held her chin up in pride and met my gaze with no hesitation. I finally had to look away. Pretty sure she was the girl from eleven.

I scanned yet again. The girl from seven looked like she was about to cry, and I easily dismissed her. Not a target to the end. The girl from nine was the pretty girl some of the Capital guys were fawning over, but she appeared shy, frightened, and uncertain among all of these people out for blood.

Then there was Nate. I didn't like the look in his eyes. The gleam, like he was mad or he always had a plan. He didn't look like much, but I suspected he had a brain behind that head.

Jack, too. You know the guy from ten? He was big and burly, quiet but not afraid. His eyes bored into you and made me uneasy, but it was a completely different feel from Nate. God that Nate freaks me out. He has got to go.

After the middle-aged lady stopped droning, Atala Jr., I walked to the deadly weapons section. All of the careers met there. I scanned the lot of us.

Sparkle, me, Elise, Samuel, Aurora, and Scott.

Elise came up to me.

"In the bloodbath we're going to accidently shoot Samuel. He is such a downer." That made me uneasy. If she turned on that person from her District so fast, who says she will like my muscles?

"Hey guys. I am going to sword. You want to come with?" Aurora asked me and Elise.

"Sure."

District 3

Nate

First Training Day

I glared at Tux. He was a guy of magnitude, tougher to take down. He looked stupid, but I was doubtless overvaluing him.

I strolled over to the wires. I am captivated by an elder named Beetee. He electrocuted all of his victims and came out victor. I plan to do the same thing. I already asked my mentor for wire. She stared at me confusedly, but I dismissed it with a glare.

I have everyone wrapped around my finger.

District 10

Bryn

First Training Day

I strolled over to the knives. After discovering that I was no good at knives, the person said I was hopeless ("Horrible stupidness!") I moved on to spear. At that I got the ("You are not supposed to be aiming for my head!"). Then I went to sword where I got ("Keep your guard up!" Wack! "Now feign to the side!" Slam! "Lower your sword!" Bam!). At least that instructor liked me. Finally after trying slingshot, nunchuks, staff, guns, and a mace, I tried the bow and arrow. No one else was there and the instructor watched me warily. Oh no. Did he see the episode with the axe? I wasn't trying to hit the explosives….

"Not many people excel in this weapon. You have to be one of the best." He told me as he looked at the scorch mark on the floor I had left.

"Which bow would be best for me?" He eyed everything about me. My frame, my posture, and the way my arms are shaped. Finally he picked a small, slim bow. He handed it to me (I had to tug it out of his arms) and I put an arrow in.

Aim. Breathe. Pull Back. Breathe. Let it fly. All of these came naturally to me, and when the arrow landed in the middle of the target, I looked in amazement.

"Get another one."

I tried it again. I hit the middle.

I might be dangerous.

Besides hitting explosives with axes.

District 9

Primrose

First Training Day

"Forget it. I'm no good at swords." I told Rye. The whole time we've been practicing together. I've gotten to know him better, too.

"Nonsense." His eye twitched though. "You just got to keep your guard up." He reached out and lifted my elbow and inch or to. A spark courageously went through my body and I shuddered.

"Are you cold?" He asked.

"Yeah." I relented. I saw a determination flash in his eyes. "Oh Rye, don't. I'm fine, really-" Rye walked over to an instructor and started motioning wildly with his hands. Pointing to me, making a cold motion. I smiled at his effort. About five minutes later, Rye came back with a pretty jacket, a triumphant smile on his face. Scratch that, it was heaven. It was that material called denim and had stitched pearls for buttons.

"Here, let me put it on." I put my hands as far backwards as I could, and he walked over behind me. He slipped on the jacket for me.

"You're too nice."

"Don't forget charming."

"I suppose you will be my prince now." He walked away, to a station where they had armor. I stifled a laugh as Rye struggled to put it on and he clanked up to me.

"At your service."

"Shut up." I said through bursts of laughter. Then I paused. The words didn't feel right out of my mouth. I was always the shy one, always the one that blended in the background. As Rye put the armor up, the realization hit me. Rye changed me, probably for the better too. I had a new admiration for him, an ache in my heart. I owed him.

And I was going to pay him back by going into the Hunger Games.

The dream hit me again. The one where I felt his pain, where I was a…. I turned away.

"What?" he asked, touching my shoulder. I shrugged him off. He grabbed my shoulders and made me turn to face him. "What's wrong?" I broke down crying.

"I- I can't do this Rye!"

"Do what?"

"This! You understand we are going to have to kill each other!?"

He started to say something, but I stopped him.

"No Rye! This- this friendship- it is not going to work." I looked at him and faced the truth. He pulled back and looked hurt. But it was the truth. It just couldn't happen. No doubt we'll be an alliance, but I can't make it more than that.

"LUNCH!" The instructor called. The crowd of tributes came and pushed us apart.

Rye reached for me.

When I was in the crowd, I was separated from Rye.

District 2

Samuel

I feel separated from the careers. I was sitting on the edge of the table, the lot of them talking.

Elise, Aurora, Tux, Sparkle, and Scott.

"Hey guys." No answer.

"Hey guys." No answer.

"Hey guys."

"What?" Elise looked at me exasperatedly.

"You interrupted our conversation on the best way to jump a person." Tux complained.

"Just go back to eating." Sparkle told me.

"I will tell you about it later." Aurora says. I hear her turn away and whisper "Not." The whole group erupts into laughter.

"You're right. I should just enjoy my food." I relented.

District 7

Jordan

First Training Day

Refer was so stealing my strategy. I was obviously better at it; he had such big muscles he couldn't possibly downplay that. Like not possible.

I timidly walked over to the knife section. It was hard to make a complete mess of myself; I was really good with a knife. In the end I ended up tripping and stabbing myself in the nose, only lightly. I wasn't going to gush blood because of a strategy. Everyone laughed at me and I ran to the knot section, which I pretended to like but was really boring. Like really boring.

The instructor was delighted to see me there. I had to make a mess there too, but it was hard. I had to get tangled up in rope and start crying to make enough of a diversion. I don't know if I have all the careers wrapped around my finger, but I have Tux, Sparkle, Elise, and Aurora. Probably Scott, too, nut he was more aware. Then Samuel- that guy was smart. Like District Three Nate smart.

A lot of the girl tributes were girls like me; they are wiry girls that can get overlooked but are strong. I was lucky so many of them were going strong. Like you can't steal my strategy!

One of the bad things about playing weak though was no alliances. If I could make an alliance, I would choose Myra. She was strong, and even though she had that untrustworthy look about her, based on her character, she might be trustworthy. But I can't believe I can't have alliance. Like no alliances!

I was mad, but I was smart.

Like so mad!

District 10

Jack

First Training Day

I watched Bryn carefully. I stifled a laugh when she almost stabbed herself. The girl didn't know how to use a knife. Meanwhile I was taking the stage at the axe station. The careers stared at me enviously as I stole the instructor's attention. Soon they left. I felt a spark of pride race through my chest, even though I know they will be back and out to get me in the arena. No matter.

I looked at Bryn again. She was talking to the instructor at the bow and arrow station. The instructor was staring at her warily, and he had the right to, too. She was going to demolish the station and manage to nail him in the nose with her arrow. A hint of a smile showed on my face plainly as I stared at her. She was small and short, but stubborn determination played on her face. She brushed back her shoulder-length brown hair and blew her bangs away from her face.

This will be fun to watch.

Then the first arrow was launched. It flew surprisingly fast and silent. It landed in the smack- dab middle of the target. I heard myself take in a breath. I knew that it must be a fluke and I saw her put in another arrow. She shot this one and it landed less than an inch apart from the other one. Her bangs were in her face again, but confidence, victory, and pride put a show on her face as she smiled cockily. I found myself smiling cockily too and turned away.

No attaching.

No alliances.

No love.

No time.

No Bryn.

District 9

Rye

First Training Day

What Prim said hurt me, but inside I knew it was true. I had to wake up and smell the roses. Were there any roses in the arena last time? Who knows?

I bet the dead tributes know.

I mentally kicked the voice. I didn't want to self-argue.

I bet Primrose will soon know.

That one shocked me. It jarred me and it suddenly occurred to me where we were and the reality of the situation. Prim could be killed, or worse.

You won't be able to protect her. Not if you die. She'll still have to fight on her own.

Then I responded with my own little annoying comment.

If you dare speak to me of this situation again my sword will be in your throat.

Then I heard familiar, soft, and faraway laughter fading. I felt like curling up and crying.

District 11

Myra

First Training Day

I was still looking for an alliance partner when I stumbled across Katie and Hailey. Well, we all kind of bumped into each other and fell.

"Hey…watch it." I heard myself saying, rubbing my head.

"I'm so, so sorry!" The girl named Hailey said. My heart softened.

"It's okay." I said. Katie rubbed her elbow and as she got up she helped both of us up. The trio of us just stayed there for a moment, looking at each other, sizing each other up. Hailey was an inch shorter than Katie, and Katie was an inch shorter than me. We were all skinny, but Katie had muscles for a short, skinny girl. Hailey, not so much, but she looked strong. I extended my hand.

"Myra."

"I know," said Katie softly.

"You know?" I asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"I have been looking for allies." Katie told me. Hailey nodded.

"Me too," she added.

"Maybe we all have found them." I replied. The trio of us broke out in grins.

District 8

Refer

After First Training Day

My insides were white- hot and filled with anger. Anger at my sister, for outsmarting me, anger at myself, for ever even choosing this weakness gig, anger at the instructors, who said I was hopeless at the only thing I could do well (and I had to pretend to be scared of them and not gut them), and anger at the entire thing, for putting me under this stress.

So naturally I struck out.

My sister was the best option, and after she played me once again, I excused myself.

"I need to go to bed." I walked down the hallway and opened my door. I closed it without going in and opened my sister's instead. I slipped inside quietly.

I waited.

And waited.

When she finally did come in, her shock was easy to see. It was written all over her face. I pinned her against the wall. She struggled, but my strength dwarfed her.

"You will not ever make an idiot of me again." Riley sneered.

"I don't need to. You are already one." I slammed her against the wall and she winced in pain as her shoulder took some of the impact. Remembering her injury, I repositioned her until her shoulder was against the wall. She gasped and tears were brought to her eyes. I let her go and she crumpled at the base of the wall, looking up at me.

I swiftly walked from the room and felt her eyes following me.