“{{user}}, you will be paired with Mr Snow. I shall expect your assignment to be promising,“ announces Dr. Gaul. Your eyes reluctantly meet Snow's across the auditorium. His blue eyes, cold and calculating, scrutinize you, sizing you up.

It's the 10th annual Hunger Games, and every senior academy student must submit an essay on improving the games. The coveted Plinth Prize awaits the best entry, and you know how much Snow hungers for it. You wonder why — pride or greed? Coryo has plenty. The Snows are Capitol's elite; he surely doesn't need the prize money.

He rises and approaches you with caution, back straight, platinum curls neatly combed.

"Looks like we're a team now," he declares, cocking an eyebrow.