Against All Odds

First Impressions

"Hey sweetheart...." slurs my supposed mentor, Haymitch.

This is great. Just great. The one person who may be able to get me out alive... Just happens to be drunk off his rockers. I scowl unpleasantly and ignor him, causing Effie to immediately reprimand me for my "rude facial expressions and lack of mannerisms" towards people who I should respect. I snort, she obviously does not know Haymitch very well yet.

Despite having already upset her, I can't resist muttering, "Oh so now he suddenly has manners..."

This causes Effie to fly into a flurry, trying to explain how I need to learn the art of keeping my mouth shut, and learning what to say at what time. I manage to tune her out after the first few words. I decide to watch this years reapings, to see who I will be up against this year, and I know that it is rather hospitable to invite Peeta as well. However, I really need to be alone, and if I am actually going to win this thing, I know that Peeta will have to die.

I walk into another compartment, where the reapings are playing. The reapings are playing backwards (since we're district 12 I guess), starting with district 11. There is a little girl, who looks about Prim's age, and I feel a pang of sadness, as well as pity, for her. Someone so young shouldn't have to deal with things like the games. Her district partner is a large boy, who seems like he doesn't talk much.

The rest of the reapings go by pretty fast, and I really don't notice too many unusual tributes this year. A crippled boy from 10, a red-haired, fox-faced girl from 5, and a vicious looking girl from 2. And then... Him. He is, admittedly, kinda scary but hot (not that I would ever give anyone the satisfaction of knowing that), and his gorgeous blonde hair tells me that girls in his district are all probably head-over-heels for him. His ice blue eyes, when he looks straight at the camera, makes it seem like he is staring into your soul.

I involuntarily shiver. But what I find most disturbing is the cocky, arrogant, cold smirk he wears. It's like a mask, except there doesn't seem to be anything under the mask. He's trouble, I need to watch out for him in the arena....I think to myself as i watched the last reaping, which was district one. There is a tall, lanky boy named Marvel, who seems to be overdoing the 'funny & humourous, nice guy' image, and a glittery, falsely sweet girl who's name is Glimmer. Perfect; girly names for girly girls. How suiting. I make a mental note that her nails are really sharp, and may cause some serious injury if I "accidentally" call her sparkle during training.

It isn't until then do I realise that I haven't caught the name of the arrogant career boy from 2.

A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter, I might switch to Cato's POV within the next three chapters, any thoughts or oppositions on that?