This is a story I've been writing mostly for my own ammusement, but at the prompting of a friend, I've decided to post it here. I have several chapters already written, so updates should be steady.

This story is basically a SYOT but filled with characters of my own creation. I havent decided who will win yet, so if you are interested, make your thoughts known!

I do not own the hunger games, etc. Enjoy!

Chapter 1 - District 1 Reapings

District 1 F - Jules Marcus (18)

The sun shined softly through the gossamer curtains that framed the large bay window. Jules smiled softly as she watched the sun rise. She had hardly slept the night before. Today was the most important day of her life. The day she had been waiting and training for years. Today was the reaping, and she had been selected to volunteer.

Jules carefully untangled herself from her sparkly, purple bed spread and began to dress. Jules was tall, about 5'9", and had long blonde hair that rested just below her shoulders. It used to be longer, down to her legs, but after a mishap in training when an opponent was able to trap her by her braid, she decided to keep it at a more reasonable length. Her parents were disappointed of course. They had hoped she would become a model, like her older sister, Crystal, but Jules's ambitions lay elsewhere. From the moment she understood what the Hunger Games were, she knew she wanted to participate. She would watch obsessively every year, taking notes, critiquing strategies. In her opinion, most of the tributes who had come before her were idiots who ended up getting killed due to avoidable mistakes. But not her. No, she would be perfect. She would win. She was already the best in training. Her spear throwing was some of the best her instructors had ever seen - she could consistently hit the center of a moving target. Not like the girl last year who got herself killed because she couldn't hit a 13-year-old standing frozen five feet away.

She reflected on this as she pulled on a rich, flowing, purple skirt, and a bright white blouse. A diamond encrusted locket resting right above her cleavage. Her reaping outfit had been picked out for months, everything planned perfectly to give her the best odds. She would not be underestimated. Pinning the last of her hair in place, Jules turned to survey her room. It was immaculate, as usual. Everything in its place - good. It would make moving to the Victor's village that much easier.

"Jules!" Her mother called from below, "breakfast is ready! Hurry up!"

Jules sighed as she made her way downstairs. Her parents had never understood her love of the games. They wanted her to sit and be pretty and make a lot of money modeling jewels from their company. But being pretty wasn't enough. She needed to be the best. Show that she was more than just looks. As she joined her parents for breakfast, she thought to herself, soon everything would be perfect.

District 1 M Sterling Silverton (17)

Across the district, Sterling was finishing breakfast with his own family. As the youngest of four boys, mealtimes were always loud and fast. Living in District One meant that their family had plenty of food, but it still took a lot to make sure four growing boys were fed. Sterling's parents owned and operated a fine china business, selling decadent place settings and silverware to rich capitolites. Sterling's two oldest brothers, Gold and Silver worked for their parents, learning the ropes so they could take over the company one day. His other brother, Bronze, was betrothed to the daughter of a diamond mine owner, and would be running that business eventually. Everyone had a role, a pre-determined fate within the family. Except Sterling. His role was to die. Well not quite. When he was born his parents realized that with four boys there would be very little inheritance if they had to divide it four ways. So Gold and Silver got company roles, Bronze was planned to be married off, and Sterling would go to the Academy. He would train and volunteer for the Hunger Games. He would either win, and be set for life, or die and not need any inheritance.

Of course, his parents never said that. They didn't have to. Sterling knew. At first he trained as hard as he could, trying desperately to make his parents proud. It was right around 14 he started to realize that nothing he did would ever be good enough. He got angry. He was angry now just thinking about it. His knuckles clenched around the fork as he stabbed at his last bit of omelet. He took a deep breath. In. Out. He learned from his anger, began to channel it in his training. He got better. He did better than ever before, and now it was his turn to volunteer.

He stood up from the table, his 6ft 3in frame made him the tallest of his brothers. His muscles were strong but lean. Swift but powerful. He swept his dirty blonde hair back, out of his blue eyes. He looked down and swiftly half untucked his clean white shirt. He didn't want to look perfect today. He didn't want to give his parents the satisfaction. Ignoring his mother's pleas for him to wait for the family, Sterling quickly walked to the square, eager for the reaping to begin.

Jules D1F (18)

The square was packed by the time Jules and her family arrived, but there was still a space left for her, right at the front of the 18-year-old section. This way the cameras could clearly see her volunteer. Slowly Jules repeated her lines in her mind. Everything must be perfect today. The children around her talked and joked. Some discussing the dance that would be held later for all the 18-year old's who survived their last reaping. Not that anyone was in any danger. It was very rare District One didn't have two strong volunteers, ready and willing. Jules glanced over at the boy's section, wondering where Sterling was. He wasn't in front of his age group like they had discussed. Jules flipped her hair and tried not to worry about it. Sterling wasn't the worse partner she could have. Much better than that one boy, Jenkins, who stabbed himself with a spear, twice.

Finally, the square began to quiet as their escort stepped up to the mic. This year's escort was a short man, no more than 5 feet tall, with a large magenta afro and a metallic gold suit.

"Good morning District 1!" he called to the crowd, "who's ready for this year's reaping!"

The crowd cheered their response. Jules clapped politely, trying to stifle her nerves.

"Ladies first!" The escort moved dramatically over to the girl's ball and after a moment's deliberation, plucked out a slip. Moving quickly back to the microphone he read "Gembear Addison,"

Jules saw a short, average-looking girl calmly step out of the 14-year-old section. Jules waited three beats - just enough to build up suspense - and then "I volunteer!" she called, her voice carrying across the lawn.

The girl, Gembear, unable to hide a relived sigh, stepped back into place, leaving the aisle clear for Jules, who confidently stepped up to the stage.

"Welcome, welcome" cried out the escort, "and what's your name?"

Another deep breath, "My name is Jules Marcus, District 1's next victor!"

The crowd cheered wildly at her pronouncement. Just as she expected. Yes, everything was going perfectly, she thought to herself as the escort moved along to the boys orb. With the same level of fake drama, the escort dug deep into the ball coming up with a single slip.

"Sunlight Robinson"

This time a sixteen-year-old boy stepped out, waving gladly at those around him. Enjoying his moment until another voice rang across the square.

"I volunteer"

Jules watched as Sterling gradually made his way up to the stage from the back of his group. His shirt was untucked, his pants wrinkly, and his expression was almost bored. Jules wanted to shake her head. What was he doing? He was supposed to be presentable. Sterling arrived at the stage taking the mic from the escort before being offered.

"Sterling Silverton" he said, not elaborating.

The escort took the mic back after a moment. He shrugged and then announced, "THE TRIBUTES FOR DISTRICT ONE!" and gestured for them to shake hands.

Sterling took her hand without looking at her. Perhaps he knew she was upset with him. It didn't matter right now. Jules turned back to the crowd and waved until they were escorted into the justice building. This Hunger Games would be perfect.

Sterling D1M (17)

Sterling's rage bubbled gently beneath the surface as the reaping commenced. It bubbled as Jules, his partner this year, volunteered and stepped up to the stage. His mind was running wild, thinking of all the options in front of him. To volunteer or not volunteer, that was the question. He chuckled mentally. That was no choice at all. He'd show them all, he thought.

The boy's name was called, Sterling didn't even register which name it was, he simply waited a moment and then, "I volunteer" he called out, none of his underlying rage showing in his voice. To most he appeared laid back, almost bored with the proceedings.

Sterling walked up to the stage, noticing a slight twitch in Jules's eye. Of course she'd be annoyed at him, he was disregarding everything they'd planned for today. But he didn't care. He couldn't muster up even a slight feeling of regret. He shook her hand automatically, ignoring the roar of the crowd around them. When they were escorted into the Justice Building to say their goodbyes, he told the peacekeepers to not let anyone in. He didn't want to see his family. The next time they would see him he would be the victor, not because of them, but in spite of them. Or he'd be dead. Yeah, probably the second option.

Please let me know what you think of Jules and Sterling! What are their chances?