I waited patiently. The sun was setting. He should be here by now. He should be in my arms. I began to fidget nervously, without noticing I began to run my fingers through my hair.
"Hey. He'll be here. Calm down." my mother said wrapping her arms around me, pulling me into a soft embrace. The comforting smell of vanilla and lavender filled my nostrils: soothing me. It was the same smell that had comforted me for the past two weeks. My mind began to wander back to the day of the "The Reaping."
"Come on sleepy head, you don't want the Panem seeing you looking like you've been dragged through a bush" he said poking me in the ribs.
I grunted- he knew fine well what the day entailed and he expected me to get all dolled up. This was possibly the last day we would be together. He must of read my mind as next thing I knew his arms pulled me on to his knee, he head nuzzled in to mine. I fought back the tears that were threatening to come as I inhaled his scent. Cinnamon, with a dash of mint. I felt his warm breath on the top of my head. It was steady, suggesting he was not taking this as badly as I was.
"Lilly, I don't want the full of Panem thinking I go out with some form of dog who can't control it's emotions, get your act together."
His harsh words stung: I knew he was just protecting himself. I looked up at him tracing the outline of his jaw with my finger. I crashed my lips against his forcefully. I stood. I didn't speak: not wanting to disappoint him with the waver of my voice. I pulled my dress out the cupboard and went to the bathroom.
I showered quickly, letting the warm water mix with my tears. I had to get them out now, if Cato saw them he'd be so pissed. He kept telling me that this wasn't about me. That I had no right to be upset. If anything I should be proud. I allowed one more tear to slide down my cheek before stepping out the shower.
"Time to look pretty" I said to myself looking in the mirror. I began to blow-dry my long brown locks in to gentle waves. It wasn't perfect like Mum could get it but it would do. I quickly pulled my new dress for reaping day over my head. The pale pink of the dress brought out the blueness of my eyes making me resemble somewhat of a baby doll. I left the bathroom and made my way back to my room.
"There you are. I was beginning to the think the drain had sucked you away from me. You look stunning" Cato said wrapping his arms around my waist. "What time is it?"
"We have half an hour before we need to make our way down to the square" I said unable to hold eye contact.
"Plenty of time." He scooped me up bridal style, dumping me on the bed, before lying beside me. His warm lips brushed against mine. His arms pulling me closer to him. I draped my arms tightly around his neck afraid to let go. He made his way to my neck, his hand sliding up my thigh.
"No" the whimper was out my mouth before I had time to stop it. "No. Not today. If I make you wait, you have more to come home for"
He sat up looking at me. "You drive a hard bargain Lilly." He leaned down kissing my forehead before once again brushing his lips against mine.
That had been the last time I'd kissed him. The last time I'd felt his warm breath against my skin. I thought it would be the last ever. He had forbid me from coming to see him in the Justice Building. Forbid me to cry when he went on stage. Forbid me to so much as whimper. As his hand was raised I could feel all the Districts eyes on me. Waiting for a reaction. I had kept his promise, I had done him proud. Well at least until I had gotten home. I can't remember how many days had passed before I emerged from my room. In there his memory was safe. We were safe. My hear sunk as I remembered the reaping.
"Welcome to the reaping for the 73rd annual hunger games."
Spark stood there, her stupid hair bobbing up and down every time she moved her head. Her stupid shrill voice ringing like an alarm that would never just shut-the-hell-up. Her stupid face which was about to take my boy away from me. Stupid. My eyes focused forward refusing to even so much glance over at Cato's section.
"Now before we begin, lets remind ourselves why we are here. A video, all the way from the lucky lot"
"War, terrible war. Widows, orphans, a motherless child. This was the uprising that rocked our land. Thirteen districts rebelled against the country that fed them, loved them, protected them. Brother turned on brother until nothing remained. And then came the peace, hard fought, sorely won. A people rose up from the ashes and a new era was born. But freedom has a cost. When the traitors were defeated, we swore as a nation we would never know this treason again. And so it was decreed, that each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up in tribute, one young man and woman, to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice. The lone victor, bathed in riches, would serve as a reminder of our generosity and our forgiveness. This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future."
God I could practically recite the thing after six years of having to watch it over and over again. Each time Spark getting sickly happy at the sight of the wreck and destruction left. That woman really had to get her head seen to.
"Now let us start with the girls." I had no idea why the even bothered picking the piece of paper out of those bowls in this district. Every year the academy picked a boy and girl who were told to volunteer. Believing they could win. It was meant to have been me, but after the trauma of the past two years the academy took an unlikely sympathetic view on me and allowed me this year.
"And district two's female tribute is Hawaitte…"
The name was barely out sparks mouth when another voice rang through the air
"I volunteer as a female tribute." The girls said making her way towards the path.
I recognised her. She hadn't been the one the academy selected. Christ, was she going to get in trouble for this. She was maybe only about 14, her older brother had been the year above me at school. She was tiny but it gave her the same advantage it gave me. She could move fast and was misjudged, I'd seen her fight. As she reached the stage Spark seemed to be misjudging her for herself her eyes taking in the girls height.
"Of course you do dear. And your name please, nice and loud so everyone can here"
"Crystal Mortemier"
"Lovely, now shall we move on the gentlemen? I think so" Her hand fished around for a name, before she finally selected one, she was just opening the paper when Cato made his way forwards. I chanced a sideway glance
"I volunteer as a tribute"
He made his way up to the stage, Sparks face seemed furious that he hadn't even allowed her time to read the chosen name- "Yes. And your name is?"
"Cato. Cato Hardy"
I had never wanted him to go. We'd trained together and yeah sure he stood a good chance of winning. But he was cocky when fighting, and misjudged his competition. I didn't want to loose him. We'd been partners for years.
"You two pair up" the instructor yelled, causing me to flinch slightly.
"If that scared you , Shorty, then this will be more like a warm up" he drawled in my ear
I was small for my age, luckily for me this meant many of my competitors misjudged my ability. I grabbed the wooden sword from the side, taking my stance to fight.
"Ok, Pretty Boy, lets see what you got" I said mimicking the tone he had used.
My face lit up at his expression. It was mixed with pure anger and amusement. Clearly this boy was not used to being challenged in such a manner. He grabbed his weapon, and did a slight bow. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my throat. This boy was stupid enough to bow! If this was the games his head would be off by now. I arched an eyebrow, daring him to make the first move. He came charging at me, his sword swinging.
I stepped quickly to the left, ducking behind him.
"Over here silly" I said in the most girly voice I could. "You wouldn't have had that problem if you could remove your eyes from my chest."
The boys jaw dropped open, I took my chance using his surprise to my benefit. I swung my sword swiping at his feet. He fell to the ground. I pointed my sword at his throat.
"And boom, there goes the cannon" I smiled, leaning down and extending a hand the stricken boy.
"My name is Lilly. And in the arena I'll be you're biggest nightmare"
We'd be inseparable ever since that day five years ago. I don't know why he found me after that day. He said it was to, and I quote, teach me a lesson. But that was just him, until you got through the tough outer. Inside he was a big marshmallow. Or he had been. The soft rumbling began to fill my ears, snapping me out of my peaceful memories.
"Are you ready Lilly?" my mum asked resting her hand on my shoulder
I nodded silently. The train halted in front of me. I felt my heart beating faster. I felt the air leave my lungs. Why was I this scared? The doors opened. That's when I saw him. About three feet away from me. Neither of us moved. We just stood there looking into each others eyes.
"Hey" he murmured finally breaking eye contact.
"Hey Cato" I said.