Gabrielle Dictatrix – District 2

I've been training for the Hunger Games ever since I can remember. My parents were killed by Peacekeepers when I was younger and so, my uncle took me in. He won his Games a long time ago and then he trained me. I can lift over a hundred pounds, run faster than anyone in my class, and use virtually any weapon. I'm fearless and the best at what I do.

For the last two years, girls have beaten me at volunteering. And both of them were killed in the final six. They were weak. This year, I will volunteer for the Games and I will win. Like I said, I'm the best.

My uncle leaves me with some of my friends and we head for the District Square. Because we're early, it leaves some time to mess around. I twirl around in my short white dress for my friends. My uncle bought it for me. I've practically got him wrapped around my finger.

"So, last night, I heard that Sabina slept with Emmett and that she's pregnant. How crazy is that?" my friend, Ramona, says.

"Someone say slut," I reply, laughing.

"I never knew she could be so sleazy." We laugh even louder. I flip my strawberry blonde hair back over my shoulder. I give a cute boy a little wave, batting my eyelashes at him. He gawks at me, almost falling over his own feet. I have that kind of effect on boys. A guy would do anything just to get me to say hello, even just acknowledge them. After I get the guy I want, I use them, and when I'm done, I just toss them aside. Guys are disposable. Period.

"I hope she doesn't get Reaped or volunteer."

"Yeah, don't count on that. I'm volunteering, remember?"

When that one boy is out of sight, I glance at another guy, named Garrick. I've met him two or three times and he's totally in love with me. "Hey there, superstar," I say in a husky tone. I smile slyly and touch his arm. He runs a hand through his ash blonde hair, grinning at me. "I'll see you in the Justice Building."

"Wait, you're volunteering?" he asks stupidly. I mean really, who doesn't know that I'm volunteering? Being in the Games and winning is a great honor. And I want it. I want victory. I want to hear all of Panem chanting my name. I'll be the greatest victor of them all. No one will ever compare to me.

"Of course. Are you?" I say, matter-of-factly.

"I wasn't planning on it," he replies. I roll my eyes, leaving him behind. Ramona and I push through the crowd of seventeen year olds. We meet up with two of our other friends, Enyo and Io. Personally, I think Io is the most ridiculous name ever and I will admit I've stolen Enyo's boyfriend. Twice. Three times. I spend half of my time screwing with them and picking on them. But, they're only hanging with me because I boost their social status.

"Did you hear about Sabina and Emmett?" Enyo says excitedly.

"Course I did. And I knew about it five minutes ago. Where were you when Ramona told me?" I raise an eyebrow at her, smirking.

"Well I was with…" her voice trails off as I turn to Ramona and start a new conversation with her.

"So, who's the new escort? I heard we get a new one," I say.

"I don't know, but I heard he's cute!" she replies.

If he's cute, and if I can volunteer, there's no telling what will go down. "Hm, it'd be a bonus if he's hot and mysterious." My smirk widens as thoughts pop up in my head.

After another fifteen minutes, which is too long for me, our escort comes to the stage. Finally! I was getting bored. He presents himself and I can't help but think about how hot he is. His name is Nox Inferos. Sweeter than heaven and hotter than hell. He has hair black as midnight and a wonderful bone structure that looks like his face has been carved by the gods.

He cracks lame jokes in attempt to liven the crowd. Eventually, he gives up and starts on the history of Panem. Blah, blah, blah. There was a rebellion. Blah. It failed. Blah, blah, blah. Capitol made the Hunger Games. Blah. Whoo-hoo.

"Um…being the gentleman I am," Nox says, fixing his tie, "let's start with the ladies." He smiles, going for the glass bowl with slips of paper.

I chuckle to myself and move towards the front, pushing people to the side. "I volunteer," I say nonchalantly. Next thing I know, I'm on the stage with Nox, telling everyone my name. "Gabrielle Dictatrix." I smirk and wait to see who the male tribute is going to be. I sit next to our last victor, Leo Hasan. He won after District Ten and District Five boy were fighting and killed each other in the 32nd Hunger Games. Last year, some bitch from District Four won. She killed our girl tribute. I was glad when her ally, the boy from Nine, died. He killed our last male tribute. I cheered when Caedis of Two stabbed him with his sword. This year, I'm going to make sure District Four and Nine pay for betraying the Careers and killing our tributes.

"The gentlemen next!" Nox announces. He grins, reaching his hand inside the glass bowl. Surprisingly, no one has volunteered yet. He looks at the paper to read the name, but someone interrupts him.

"I volunteer," a guy says. I search for the person the voice belongs to. I see a boy, a tall and handsome boy, strolling to the stage. He smiles confidently and shakes Nox's hand. Then, he shakes mine.

"What's your name?" Nox asks him.

"Avtlift. Conrad Avtlift," he replies, eyeing me. He looks interested in me, like I have something he doesn't. Oh right, I have skills and a higher chance at winning. Conrad straightens his shirt and messes with his chestnut colored hair. We sit with Leo Hasan, who looks bored and depressed. I don't know why though because the Games are the most exciting thing that happens all year.

"There you have it!" Nox exclaims. "Our tributes for the 35th Hunger Games: Gabrielle Dictatrix and Conrad Avtlift."

"You get in my way and I will take you down," I whisper harshly to Conrad. He chuckles at me and I send him a glare. There's no doubt that this will be an interesting game to play and I think I know who I'm going to kill first.