a/n: I don't own any rights; the hunger games and all it's characters are property of Suzanne Collins.
I take a good look at the Careers, applying themselves to their vigorous training over and over again. One of the girls, I think she's from two, is pretty handy with knifes. Every throw from her ends in a solid hit. I'll bet she's one of the toughest players in the arena. Something I can't say about the blond from one, who's busier chatting with the boy next to her than actually practicing. Perhaps she's just trying to keep her talents hidden from the others? If that's her game, she's succeeding marvellously.
I'm caught off guard when my eyes meet those of the boy. Apparently, he'd noticed me watching them, because he's staring right back at me. I force myself not to look away, but instead answer his angry gaze with one of my own. I mustn't let him think I'm weak. 'Your turn Cato!' The girl from two yells, which forces him to break up our little contest of who- gives-up-first. Good.
I turn my back on them as I stroll towards my district partner, Peeta. The boy with the bread. It's difficult to picture one of us dead at the end of the games. But that's what will happen, right? That's the sacrifice I'll have to make for Prim. If I make it to the finals that is.
'How're you doing so far?' I ask, watching him work at a snare that we both know won't hold for long. He looks up at me, smiling sheepishly. 'Not as good as I had hoped, but I'm still improving.' He sighs, giving one last pull at the rope before finally giving up. 'Oh, who am I kidding? I just suck at this.'
I kneel beside him. 'That's because you're doing it all wrong. Here, let me show you how it's done. You'll just have to knot it like this, see? There. Now you try.' I toss the rope over to him so he can take a closer look at what I've done. Even then it takes him three more tries before he produces an exact same replica of my own knot. 'Well, I guess all you're instructions haven't been in vain after all.' I can't help but smile at this. 'Come. Now that you've finished with that I'll suggest we go upstairs to grab some lunch. Haymitch and the others are probably waiting for us right now.'
I help him up, and we walk towards the elevators. 'So, what have you been up to?' Peeta asks as I push the button for our level. I shrug. 'Nothing much. Just some exercises with the bow and arrow.'
'Yeah, you're very good with those.'
I raise an eyebrow on that remark. 'O? How do you know? Have you been checking me out or something?'
A flush appears on his cheeks. 'Sorry. I just couldn't help it. It's very impressive to see you shoot.'
I immediately regret my stupidity of exposing my talent. Now they all knew my strength. And if Peeta was impressed with my work, how would others react? 'Don't worry,' he says, taking my hand while giving it a little squeeze. 'Nobody was paying attention, and I am not about to tell anyone.'
I jerk my hand back, uncomfortable by his touch. 'Why are you acting so nice? In case you haven't noticed, we're supposed to kill each other in a couple of days.'
'I know. But why did you help me with my knot?'
He's got a point there. I sigh. Why couldn't he just be a jerk? It would make things so much easier.
