Author's Note: Here's a bit of Cato/Katniss action for you ... can I just clarify, Gale and Katniss are only friends in this and they have no feelings for each other, except ones of friendship, sorry Galeniss fans! Also, Peeta will be introduced (finally!) in the next chapter. Anyways, enjoy my beauties :)

Chapter Three

Katniss POV

"Cato," I said in surprise. "Hey."

Cato smiled. "Hey. I was just checking that you were alright."

"Uhh, yeah," I said fumbling with my science book in my arms. "Just a little bit tired, you know ... it's not like my family is making anything better."

Cato shrugged. "Pregnancy can take it out of people. And your family ... well, that's just takes time."

"I sure hope so," I smiled. "I'd best be going."

"You wanna go for a coffee?" Cato asked suddenly before I could walk away. "After school, I'm free." His hand made their way down to my waist, making me jump as his other hand grazed my baby bump.

I frowned nervously. "Cato, you're dating Clove."

He snorted and moved his hands up to the sides of my breasts. How had things escalated so quickly? "It's hardly dating, just hooking up," he said. My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. He sure could be a jerk.

"Well, you know Clove thinks it's something more than that," I replied. "She told me she loved you the other day. And you have no right to kiss her or hold her if you don't love her. You need to start respecting the fact that you're in a perfectly decent relationship or you can get out off her life. And mine."

I found myself shouting at him, my anger dragging me closer to him, no matter where his hands were. He looked pretty angry himself, but he didn't faze me until I'd tried to leave and he'd grabbed my arm. What was with boys this morning?

"Don't talk to me like that, you little brat!" Cato yelled, shocked. Unlike Peeta, his tone didn't soften when he realised he'd said something hurtful. Instead, the cold eyes continued to bury into my soul. He was squeezing my wrist, harder than Haymitch was.

"Get off me, Cato!" I yelped, trying to shrug him away.

"Catnip?"

"Gale!" I sighed in relief as he rounded the corner.

Gale frowned as Cato reluctantly released me. "Everything alright?" he asked, worriedly.

Cato brushed off my shoulders. "Just having a friendly conversation, right Katniss?"

Not wanting to hurt Clove (Gale could be a right blabber-mouth), I smiled and nodded.

"We still on for that pizza after school?" Gale asked.

Before I could reply, Cato cut in. "Actually, Katniss promised me a coffee after school, right Kitty-Kat?" he poked me cheekily. I swatted his hand away.

"Come on, Cato, I told you I was going with Gale," I said, pointedly, but still trying to keep a friendly tone. Cato glared at me, completely forgetting Gale was there. I returned this with a dazzling smile and turned back to a patient Gale.

"Pick me up at 5:00," I told him. "I've got some homework to do."

"Sure thing," Gale smiled, but he knew something was up between me and Cato. He turned to go before remembering something. He reached into his bag and pulled out a fresh green apple. He tossed it to me and I caught it easily. "Just in case you get peckish," he winked. I winked back and he walked away.

I walked after him, leaving a snarling Cato behind me.