I remember the first thing my mother had told me before I left, after the reaping. "Do what ever it takes to win. Be ruthless." These words echoed around my head, haunted me in my nightmares. I had been trained from a young age for this, yet somehow I don't feel ready. But I cant show the audience that. That wont get me sponsors. Instead I have to transform into a blood thirsty girl, to be brutal and to do anything it takes to get back home. I promised my mother she would see me again. I didn't feel like training today, but with the games drawing closer I have no choice. There's a silent knock on my door.
"We're training in ten minutes." Called Cato. Great, no time for breakfast then. Pulling on my training outfit, I met up with Cato and headed to the elevator. "Hey, you alright?" He asked, pulling me aside and studying my face.
"Yeah, just tired." I replied, showing no emotion so I wouldn't be interrogated with more questions.
"It isn't because the Games is in two days?"
"No, no of course not." I tried to smile, but my face ached and fell weak a moment later. He subtly grabbed my hand and led me to the elevator.
"Have fun training." He smiled, almost too cheerily. I don't understand how he can be so easy going when the Games are so close. Im worried that his over-confidence might foreshadow some of his actions in the game.
The days have gone by almost too quickly. I cant help but feel sick as I watch the party going on outside. People in bright, extravagant outfits dance and sing, their brightly coloured hair and whitened teeth painting the street. This could be my last nights sleep in a proper bed. I could have just eaten my proper meal. Everything I do seems to have this atmosphere to it, seems to have a final feeling to it. I stand in the shower and press all the buttons, just to maybe feel that last night of pleasure. Fragrances and spurts of water shoot at me from all directions, but don't clear the thoughts that are buzzing around my head. I should be thinking like a winner, I should be seeing things as my mother wants me to see them. I am going to win, and it doesn't matter who I will have to kill. Then all of a sudden, Cato's smile shoots into my mind. Im lost for a moment, in the memory of his embrace, before jets of cool air bring me back to reality as I am dried. I seat myself again at the large, glass window. It never ceases to amaze me the Capitol, especially the people.
"Knock knock." Smile's Cato, as he breezily strides across the room. His eyes show no signs of fear, his expressions no dread of anticipation. It almost agitates me that he is so calm.
"Hey." I smile, as I watch him sit next to me, him also mesmerized by the carnival outside. There is a long, tense silent that I fear may last, before he turns to face me. He brushes a strand of my dark hair away from my face, before staring deep into my eyes.
"Are you scared?" He asks, his voice now full of concern. My facial expression says more than words, as he pulls me into a tight embrace. "Don't be."
"But what if I di-" But before I can end the sentence he has placed his fingers on my lips. There is a slight moment that goes by, before slowly and ever so slightly, Cato begins to lean in for a kiss. His head lowers and eases to the same level as mine, before pushing softly forward. Our lips connect for a long, passionate moment, and his soft lips caress mine. When he pulls away, we both look at each other, studying each others reactions. Then, quicker and more eagerly this time, Cato pulls me in closer and we are lost in each other. Our lips barely part and we loose complete track of time as he holds me and I run my fingers through his hair. I don't want to let him go, I don't want to go to the Games tomorrow. I want to spend eternity in his arms. But then there is a knock on the door as our mentor enters and takes him away. I watch him leave the room, craving, yearning for him once again. I feel empty without his warmth, and scared about tomorrows events. I must be the brutal girl, I whisper to myself. I must win.