I Well I decided to continue with this story! I hope you all enjoy it! All credit goes to the lovely Suzanne Collins of course.

Surprisingly, the girl's competition is a nail-biter. I thought that stocky, broad Archa was a shoe-in, but a smaller blonde girl named Saylee ended up beating her with a cleverly placed bat-to-the-boob. Some girls around me murmured about how it was a cheap shot, but hey, once you're in the games, anything goes. There is no such thing as cheating in the arena.

As Saylee pinned down the last girl, I let out a sigh of relief. Cato could take her down with his eyes closed. Especially if they fought at a distance. Everyone in the training center knows she has terrible aim.

The 50-something man who makes the tribute selections nods in approval as Saylee's friends congratulate her. While he won't announce the volunteers chosen until later this evening, the boy and girl who win the fights almost always get picked to represent District 2.

I steal another glance at Cato and can tell by the glint in his eyes that he is ready to go. I want to wish him luck as Lawrence calls him up to compete in the first fight, but I know better than to talk to him when he is in the zone.

He easily pins down all 5 other boys, with the longest fight only lasting three and a half minutes. I'm the first on my feet to congratulate him. As I hug him, a feeling of mixed emotions washes over me. Obviously I am proud of him. I mean, he has worked hard for this, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that a little part of me was hoping that he would lose. No one wants to see their boyfriend go to the games, even if they are a career. As we break apart I see him grinning cockily down at me. "Oh please," I tease him, "you weren't that great." "Oh, yeah?" he replies, still wearing that stupid grin. "Yeah. Those boys weren't real competition. I could take then down, no problem." "Sure you could, Clove" he replies mockingly. "Hell, I could take you down." I say, knowing I'm pushing it just a bit. "I'd like to see you try." He smirks back at me. We both know its just playful banter, but being trained, neither of us can back down from a challenge. So, next thing I know Cato is on top of me and I am reaching for my knife, while I attempt to flip him over.

We roll around on the floor of the training room as a crowd gathers around us. While Cato has the obvious physical advantage of about 90 pounds on me, I pride myself on being the best at handling weapons in the entire gym. While he fights with brute force, I use strategy, cunning skill, and speed.

I break free of one of Cato's famous headlocks and run over to hide behind a pole so I can grab a new weapon. I catch my breath and recognize how long we have been fighting. I estimate around 20 minutes, longer than any fight I've ever witnessed in the training center. I realize that this is the first time Cato and I have actually fought each other. I mean we have faced each other in hand-to-hand combat drills or some other practice demonstration, and I will admit it, we have gotten into some frisky little fake fights in my bedroom, but for the first time we are both using all of our skills and are going full out.

Cato sneaks around to the side of the pillar I have been hiding behind and I grab his left arm and push him up against the pole while twisting his arm back at an odd angle. I see the power shining viciously in his eyes and the next thing I know, he has overpowered me and I am lying underneath him on the floor. He holds me down for 10 seconds and declares me 'dead.'

I shoot him a glare as he helps me up to my feet. He eyes me as if to ask if I'm okay. Of course I am. I have been training for 9 years. I have had way worse things happen to me then being beat by my boyfriend. Although, my right hip does feel like its going to bruise... Then I hear a slow clap coming from the back of the crowd of spectators. "Well done." I hear a deep voice state. The crowd parts and I see the man who chooses the tributes smiling at me in a wicked, satisfied way. "It seems," he continues, "That we have found our two tributes."

I would love any suggestions, corrections, or comments! Reviews would be greatly appreciated. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving!