Chapter 3
"In two weeks, 23 of you will be dead. One of you will be alive. Who that is depends on how well you pay attention over the next four days, particularly to what I'm about to say. First, no fighting with the other tributes. You'll have plenty of time for that in the Arena. There are four compulsory exercises, and then then rest will be individual training. My advice is don't ignore the survival skills. Everybody wants to grab a sword, but most of you will die from natural causes. 10% from infection, 20% from dehydration. Exposure can kill as easily as a knife." Atala explains. She finishes her speech she dismisses us.
I turn toward the careers to see where to go first but they are already spread out. Clove is throwing knives, Marvel is throwing spears, Cato is slicing dummies with swords and Glimmer is epically failing at shooting arrows. I laugh at her pathetic attempt and walk over and grab a bow and put a quiver of arrows on my back. Glimmer glares at me. The other careers stop to look at us. She shoots an arrow and it doesn't hit the dummy. I laugh with the other careers.
"Ya will let's see you do better!" She huffs. I don't reply instead I stand in front of the dummies there are 5 in total. I load my bow and pull the string back. Breath. Release. Bullseye. I quickly do this again with the other dummies. 5 dummies with arrows in bullseye. I turn around and Glimmer is staring at me with pure rage. Marvel, Cato and Clove walk over to me and give me high fives and say how cool that was and how I showed Glimmer up.
"Hey Katniss come on I gotta show you how throw knives!" Clove grabs my hand and tugs me toward the knife throwing station.
"Ok spread your legs like this," Clove says and shows me the leg stance, "then relax your shoulders, have your hand around the knife like this and throw." She realizes the knife and she gets bullseye.
"Your turn Kat." Clove says. I smile at my friend and her nickname for me. I grab a knife I copy her stance, hold the knife like she showed me relaxed my shoulders and released the knife.
"Not bad Kat!" Clove congratulates me. Not bullseye but in the inner ring next to bullseye. After a few more times I get it in bullseye almost everytime. But not even close at how good Clove is. Then Atala calls for lunch. I grab my food and sit at a table and wait for the careers. Then I hear that whiny voice.
"Katniss! You still haven't introduced me to the careers!" Gillian whines. I took everything in my not to knock the cry baby out. I turn around a take a few deep breaths before I speak,
"Listen Gillian I am not your friend. I don't introduce you to people you had all morning to introduce your self! Grow a pair and do it yourself! Urg! Don't you understand only one person comes out! I'm not going to help you out!" I yell. He storms off and I turn around and see the careers smirking at me. They sit down at my table. Cato on my right and Clove on my left and Glimmer and Marvel across from me.
"He is whiny! How do you stand him?" Clove asks. I laugh and shrug my shoulders.
"I would have killed him by now!" Cato says.
"Believe me there have been times when I wanted too." I say.
The careers laugh even Glimmer. I smile at Cato.
"Clove you better watch out I saw you have some competition at the knife throwing station." Marvel says.
"Ya watch out Clove!" Cato smirks. Clove glares at him. I just chuckle and laugh with my friends.
Then I stop and think to what I told Gillian. 'Don't you understand only one person comes out!' What am I doing? Calling them friends! I'm getting close to people who I have to kill or watch get killed! God! What am I doing! I stand up and jog out of the room. The careers are calling my name. I hop on an elevator and press 13. Finnick showed me the rafter the ceremonies. It was beautiful with flowers and a great view of the Capitol. The elevator stops at the roof and I climb out of it curl into a ball and cry. I cry my eyes out. I cry for Finnick for Clove, Cato, Mom, Dad all the fallen tributes but mostly for me. I hear the elevator ding and strong arms hold me. I cry into the persons chest not caring that I'm so vulnerable so weak. When I look up I meet the eyes of none other then Cato.
"Cato? What are you doing?" I ask him. He is still holding me and I don't try to get out of them either. He takes one hand and wipes the remaining tears.
"You left so abruptly I wanted to see if you were alright." He says. I look up at him and stare into his eyes.
"Aren't you supposed to be a heartless career or something?" I say laughing. He chuckles.
"Yeah I usually am. Enough about me why did you leave and why are you crying?" He asks. I take a deep breath and answer him.
"I told Gillian that only one person comes out! And yet here I am sitting at the table joking with Clove who I could consider to be not only my friend but my best friend! And you who...who..." I don't know what to say. He pulls me up so we are both standing and puts his hand under my chin so I'm looking in his eyes.
"And I'm what?" He asks.
"Your a boy who I'm falling for...hard." I say. Cato doesn't say anything instead he kisses me. When our lips touch sparks fly. Heat is running through my veins. I put my hands around his neck and he deepens the kiss. That's when I hear the elevator ding. Before I can pull away it's too late the person has already saw us. When I turn to see who it is I know I'm in trouble.
"What the hell are you thinking Katniss!" Finnick screams. I step away from Cato and try to go to him but he just backs away.
"Finnick I-" I start but he cuts me of.
"No Katniss say nothing it's you who is going to get hurt! There is only one victor and if you make it to the end with him I'm sure he will stab you in the back and when he does there is nothing I can do." Then he turns around and leaves leaving me alone with Cato.
"Katniss I wouldn't do that! You make me feel emotions if never felt in my life." Cato pleads.
"No Cato, Finnick is right your a career you've trained for this your whole life. Let's face it if it came down to you and me you would kill me with no hesitation." I say.
"No Katniss please!" He begs. But it's to late I'm already gone. I climb in the elevator and look at the clock it reads. 4:36pm. I missed the rest of training. Great. I go to push the 4 button but end up pushing 2 instead. The elevator stops on the second floor and I climb out of the elevator. I don't see anyone in the living or dining area so I head to Cloves room. I don't knock I just open the door and walk right in. Clove is sitting on her bed and looks up she smiles when she sees me. I sit on the bed next to her.
"What are ya doing here Kat?" She asks and turns to face me.
"We are having a damn sleepover!" I say and she cracks a devilish smile.
This night is gonna be interesting.
A/N: What do you guys think? Like or not! Review! Read!