So here's chapter two! Personally, I think it's the worst chapter I've ever written. But I'm on my lunch break and don't really have time to think of an epic chapter lol. So please, feel free to review after reading it! And give thanks to my Beta!
Cato's POV
It's like a bucket of ice water had just been dumped on me. I was so shocked that only the sound of Peeta leaving and the banging door shutting shocked me out of my daze-like-state. The moment I am, I find myself running towards the door. It wasn't far away, but at the time it felt like miles. When I finally get to the door, I yank it open and see that Peeta is about halfway down the hallway. "Peeta! Come back!" I yell.
I can tell that Peeta was surprised by the shocked look on his face as he turned around. However, he managed to cover it up quickly before walking back to me. "What?" He asks icily, trying his best to get his heart to stop racing a mile per hour.
"Why are you breaking up with me? If you're breaking up with me, I deserve to know why." I say, my eyes narrowing. I didn't like this. I have never, ever, been dumped before. And I didn't want to start now. Plus, everyone else I dumped...none of them were like Peeta. Peeta is...special.
"Are you really asking me that?" He asked bitterly, and he gave me a look as if I was supposed to know what was wrong. "You practically hardly ever talk to me! Only when it's completely necessary! Tell me, Cato, what was the last thing that we talked about? Hell, when was the last time we talked period?" He yells, and I try to rack my brain for an answer. Only to find that I actually couldn't even remember. "It's over Cato. Let it go."
And with that, he walks into the next cart, making sure to slam the door shut. I try to keep my temper in check, but I feel it building. My hands are fisted by my side and I shout as I take a vase from one of the tables and fling it at the door that Peeta had just walked through. And the worst thing about this is that I have no one to blame but myself. If I had showed Peeta that I actually did love him, instead of pushing him away, then none of this would be happening. I sigh as I run my hand through my hair.
I will get the boy I love back.
It's only a matter of when.
Peeta's POV
I wince as I hear something smash against the door; leaning against it I can even feel the vibration of the impact. I stand there for a moment, just taking some breaths and trying to calm myself down. What I just did was for the best. Cato won't have to feel like he has to date me, and I can move on with my life. It's for the best...
Right?
I push my thoughts away as I navigate towards my room. I wonder if Gale is still there. As I go through Cart after Cart, I see Gale sitting on the couch watching the rerun of the Games. I shudder as I see the Bloodbath take place through the camera's point of view. It's so different, through the safety of a TV set. You don't feel the fear that travels through every inch of your body.
I turn away just as I see Clove try to throw a knife at Katniss, the girl from Twelve, before she ran off. I frown as I continue walking, thinking of the girl from 2 and Foxface. I wonder how they even got together. They seemed like total opposites. Clove seemed colder and threatening, then again so was Cato in the public's eye, and Foxface was smart and sly. They were polar opposites.
As I get to my room, I try to push back all of the memories I have of the Games. I already have to deal with the nightmares, there's no need to have to deal with memories of past events also. As I open the door, I see that a letter has been placed on my bed. I frown as I walk towards the blue covered bed and sit on it, taking the letter softly in my hands. It has the Capital stamp on it, meaning someone from the Capitol sent it. I furrow my eyes and rip it open, and start reading.
Dear Mr. Mellark,
There are rumors of the Games not being over for the Victors. People in the Capitol are saying that this year's Quarter Quell will involve Victors from previous Games. I'd suggest that you and the others train a lot more, for if these words are true, your competitors will know what they're doing and will have less of an emotional hold back killing you. Don't try to figure out who I am. If this is true, we will meet in person one day and I'll tell you then.
And remember, a raging fire may be deadly.
But a silent one can be disastrous.
The letter leaves me shocked and confused. And for a moment, I want to just see who sent this to me. However, there is no name or anything to identify that person, so I have to do the next thing on the list.
Tell Cato and Gale.
I walk back to the cart where I had saw Gale on the couch watching the Games, and I walk in just on time to see my very own bloodbath start. I take a deep breath as I remember all the faces, and say, "Gale?" He turns towards me surprised and he quickly turns off the TV; which I'm grateful for. "Come with me, please." I turn towards the door that would lead me the way to the balcony that Cato was at. I quickly walked through it and see him in the, previously, empty cart instead with his head in his hands. He sees us walk in and groans.
"What now?" His voice is rough, and some part of me wants to go over and try to help him and comfort him. I hold that part back.
"We have a problem." I say as I hold the envelope. I tell them what the letter inside of it says, and I can see the color draining from all of their faces. Emotions flicker on both Gale's and Cato's. Emotions from anger, to fear, to protectiveness. And it shocks me that both of their faces show that. Didn't I just break up with Cato? He shouldn't, couldn't, still care about me.
Right?
I push those thoughts away. This was not the time to be worried about something as petty as my love life. Not when I've been told that my actual life could be in danger. That can wait for later.
"Can we really trust this person?" Gale asks as he looks at the handwriting. "I mean, what's to say this isn't some joke to get us all worked up and scared for nothing?" He says as he looks at both of us.
Normal POV
"Even if that's the case, I think it'd be best if we stayed in shape and maybe even tried to learn a few skills. If what this person writes is true, then we might be going up against people who actually know what they're doing this year." Cato said, and Peeta nodded his head in agreement.
"Cato's right. And if it turns out to be a joke, then what's the harm? But look at it this way, if this is true we won't have to worry about trying to win over sponsors." At the blank looks he was getting, Peeta figured he might want to explain it a little more. "Well, think about it. We were only in there last year and we just got done visiting Districts. We are bound to win over some people's hearts." He could tell the other two guys understood now.
"That is true. And we all do have something to teach each other. I can teach how to hunt and use a bow and arrow, Cato how to fight, and Peeta how to be stealthy." Peeta and Gale both nodded at Cato's words. It did sound reasonable.
"There's only one problem." Peeta spoke out. "The other Tributes will all be after us, because we don't have that big of an emotional attachment. Sure, they'll probably kill others but if they had to choose it'd probably be us." Peeta said.
"That's right. And it's for that reason, why all three of us are going to stick together." This caused both of Peeta's eyebrows to rise, and one of Gale's to rise.
"No offense all mighty alpha, but you and me aren't really the best of friends." Gale said in response to Cato's offer.
"Well we better become friends fast then. Because right now, all we have right now are each other...pal." Cato said and he let a giant grin slide onto his face. Peeta couldn't help but feel one come on his face, along with seeing the corner of Gale's lips twitch upwards.
"So this is it? A Career, an ex-Avox, and a District 12 Tribute all on one team?" Gale said and Peeta couldn't help but laugh.
"It sounds ridiculous. But it sounds just about right to. We should call ourselves the Pack." Peeta said with a smile and Cato and Gale looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"And why should we call ourselves that, pray tell?" Cato asked and Peeta just chuckled in return.
"Because," He said, "That's what we're going to have to be if all three of us want to survive. A pack. And not only that, but we can't really call ourselves the Careers since I'm pretty sure the Careers are going to want to have me and Gale in the group. Plus, like we said, they'd probably kill us." Peeta said and Gale just shook his head.
"Well, how about we just wait and see if whoever told us this was actually speaking the truth?" Gale said and the other two nodded.
"Victors, we are now approaching the Capitol. Please, get ready to get off board." The voice from a speaker said and all three of them nodded, before remembering that no one could see them.
"Well guys, ready to see what our fate is?" Cato asked with a grin, and Peeta and Gale smile back.
Yes, Peeta thought, love can wait. My life, however, can't.
I'm not even going to lie. This was more of a filler chapter more than anything. I just wanted you guys to know that I'm still alive and working lol. Tell you the truth, I hated writing this. I can't wait till the Quarter Quell actually begins though; those are so much easier to write. Anyways, please, review!
ALSO, do me a favor and look at the poll on my profile?
Beta'd By: Through Darkness and Light
Beta Notes: I myself, find this a pretty good transition chapter. It isn't really a filler because it does kind of add to the plot. Gives Jay love and praise by REVIEWING 8D He deserves it so!