I slowly step out of the elevator in my costume. I'm dressed in a stunning golden suit of roman-like armor. My stylist sure knew what they were doing. I think to myself.
Clove, standing beside me, beams, "We look great!" I glance at her and nod, stretching. Walking over to our chariot, I cross my arms. Looking around, I spot the duo from 1, both dressed in fluffy magenta fabric. I do my best not to laugh, avoiding looking towards them.
That's when I spot her.
The girl from 12.
Biting my lip, I find myself staring at her. She's wearing a shiny black costume, which confuses me. Where is her stylist going with this?
Clove's voice breaks my thoughts, "Cato."
"Hmm? Oh, sorry. What was that?" I say, curiously. I hope she didn't catch me staring at her.
She simply giggles, "It's time to get on the chariot, silly." I nod and open the door.
"Ladies first." I say, dipping my head. My parents always taught me to be a gentleman.
Clove steps up into the chariot, "Thank you, Cato." She straightens the crown on my head, making me laugh, "There. Now you don't look as stupid." She playfully hits me on the arm and I snort, smiling. Her and I have a brother-sister relationship and neither of us want it any more than that.
And, to be honest, I'm fine with that.
"No problem." With that said, our chariot is pulled forward, following the two pink fuzzballs in front of us. I know it's not right to laugh at them, since they will be our allies, but I absolutely find it hysterical. As soon as we can see the crowd, however, I straighten up. Waving at the crowd, I recieve eager looks, stupid smiles, and girls fawning over me. I seem to keep these stares until half-way down the track. Everyone's attention is to someone behind me and I turn around.
It's her.
Katniss Everdeen.
The Girl on Fire.
I find myself in a trance as I look at them. None of the other tributes noticed them yet until I turned around with my eyes as big as bowling balls.
Clove turns, but isn't as surprised as I am. She merely snarls under her breath and turns around.
I, however, am fixiated on Katniss. Wow... What an amazing costume for an amazing girl...
Wait.
Did I just think that to myself?
Shaking my head, I go to look away when she locks eyes with me. Her expression is shocked...
And that's when I realize why.
I'm smiling, but it's not one of those cute little faint smiles.
It's a full-blown grin.
Clove, once again, is the one to snap me out of it, "Cato..."
I straighten up, standing tall, and spin around, "What?"
"Were you... staring at them?"
"Well... It's not every day you see two people on fire."
She raises her eyebrows, "Or maybe one in particular."
I tilt my head, "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing." She giggles and looks away, nudging me on the arm.
I blink before looking at the crowd, waving again, but everyone is still staring at Katniss and Mellark. I sneak a quick look over my shoulder to see them holding their hands up in the air and my heart sinks.
Finally, the chariot comes to a stop and President Snow welcomes all the tributes. I try to keep my eyes on him, but they keep wandering to 12's cart. Luckily, I get the most of it and he sends us off. Our horses come to a hault and I jump off, snorting at Clove with a red face.
She smirks, "What?"
"You know what... What were you talking abo-"
"Hey, look it's the Girl on Fire!" She whispers quickly. I, of course, spin around to find them. Her mentor, Haymitch, I believe, spots me glaring and soon, Katniss turns around.
"Why don't you go talk to her?" Clove asks.
I snort, "No..."
"Oh, come on, Cato."
"What?"
Clove encourages me, "You've got to go talk with her- Too late, now."
I looked back to watch Haymitch, Katniss, Mellark, their stylists, and their escort walking away. Sighing, I look back at Clove, "I don't know what it is, Clove. She's bugging me... Like some parasite."
She pats me on the shoulder, "She'll either go away, or it will get worse..."
"I know." I mumble.
Suddenly, our mentors come over to us, looking proud. Brutus looks around before speaking, "Hey! Are you two ready to go see your rooms?"
Clove nods, "Yeah."
"Well, follow us." Enobaria says and leads the way back to the elevators.
After getting shown around and getting out of my parade uniform, I collapse onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. The TV is on and is replaying the parade and, of course, Katniss. Why does she have to be so intriguing and attention-grabbing? Covering my face with a pillow, I sigh. I wish I knew why she's stuck in my head. I look at the doorway to find Clove.
"Hey, are you okay?" She says, walking in and sitting down on my bed.
I shrug, "I'm fine..."
She grabs the pillow and tosses it, "What's on your mind?"
I peer at the television, "Her."
"Cato, I'm sure it must be hatred... Anger... Jealousy... Something like that. I'm jealous and mad at her, too." Clove says, turning off the TV with a growl. "She volunteers, upstages us at the parade... She could just be a useless windbag."
Looking back at the ceiling, I grunt, "I doubt it, Clove. She has to have something. She's not like everyone else."
She stays silent for a few moments before nodding and walking out, "I'm going to bed. See you in the morning."
Just as she shuts the door, I wave, "Alright. Night, Clove."
Katniss Everdeen, what are you doing to my brain?
Closing my eyes and dozing off, I dream of a girl covered in flames.
