Hello again! Chapter 3, I really appreciate all the reviews and PM's! They are what keep me going in my time of need...Again, any suggestions or comments. I am ALL ears!
Katniss POV
Today was the day of the Private Sessions with the Gamemakers, I severely messed up...As I was shooting, some of the Gamemakers gave me a look of approval...Others were staring at a Roast Pig that was brought to their banquet table. I was so filled with anger that, without thinking, I drew an arrow and fired it towards the table, hitting the apple in the pigs mouth, shouts and gasps of alarm filled the room and everyone looked at me in disbelief, I gave them the smirk I learned from Cato, "Thank you for your consideration..." I say giving a bow before leaving the room.
Cato POV
I smile sitting in the living room of the Penthouse watching television, waiting for the scores to come up. "Cato! Cato! The scores are coming up turn to channel 1!" Clove yells jumping on the couch next to me, I turn the channel, leaning up leaning up to watch it. 'I obviously have the highest score...' I say grinning to myself, the scores come down the screen, it got to District 2 "Cato Larek...10" My grin widens as I lean back, my arms stretching across the back of the couch, I wait to see what Katniss's score was. It finally reached District 12, "Katniss Everdeen...11" I wanted to jump and smile, excited for her, wanting to hold her tightly and tell her congratulations, but knew that would be out of character for me...So I fake a temper tantrum, even ripping the head off of a nearby dummy that Clove had brought up to the Penthouse.
Later on, I see her before Caesar's Interview, I walk over to her, she was going over what to say with her mentor Haymitch. He looked up at me, with a questioning look. "Hey there hot shot...I thought there was going to be no violence before the Games..." I could smell the liquor from his breath. "Oh no violence...Just a little trash talk for the cameras..." I state with a smirk, he looks around for cameras before giving a 'Whatever...' look walking away. I take his seat, looking at her. "Congratulations Kitty Kat..." I say with a smile, she giggles a little, "Thank you..." I look around, Peeta left the room, probably not wanting to be around me. I take her hands softly, kissing both of them. Smiling up at her, "Katniss..." I say looking her in her beautiful gray eyes. "I...I think I'm in-" I was interrupted by Peeta's interview coming on, 'Hmm...Must have decided to save the best for last...' We start listening when Caesar asks "Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what's her name?" Peeta sighed, "Well, there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her ever since I can remember...But I'm pretty sure she didn't even know I was alive until the reaping..."
Caesar smiled "So, here's what you do...You win, you go home. She can't turn you down then, eh?" he said encouragingly. "That...Won't help my case?" Peeta said looking at Caesar, "And why ever not?" Peeta blushed, "Because...Because...She came here with me..." I look over at Katniss, I could see the anger build up in her eyes...It actually scared me for a moment...
Katniss POV
I was absolutely, FURIOUS...Peeta had went in front of the world, and told him his feelings for me...I walked away from Cato, going to Haymitch. Who told me to "Go along with it..." And before I could react, the Stage-Directors found me, pulling me on stage. I give the best smile I can trying to hide my anger...I was doing good so far since Caesars first words were "Well you look like you just received some EXCELLENT news!" I take my seat, and cross my legs. Caesar asked basic questions like "What will keep you going?" and "What do you think of your score? E-lev-en?" Theeeen...He got down to the serious question, "Before you came out...Peeta gave us the news that he held a strong affection for you...Do you like him back?" He asked leaning forward, interested. I could feel the eyes of everyone in Panem looking at me, waiting for the answer, I take a deep breath. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Cato standing off stage, watching me. "I...Peeta, is a nice, handsome guy and all...But my heart, is already promised to another..." I say with a smile, looking at Cato, Caesar followed my gaze, connecting the dots. His jaw dropped, seeing who I was looking at. "Well...That is very interesting..." Cato put his finger over his lips, giving Caesar a 'Shhhh...' then mouthed 'Save it for the Games...' Caesar smiled laughing as If to a joke, "Well...It looks like we are all out of time!" He outstretched his hand to me, "It was a pleasure talking with you.." I shook it and we stood, and lifted my arm "Best of luck to Katniss Everdeen, Tribute of District 12!" I smile at the crowd, I could see Cato clapping along with them, Caesar pulled me into a hug. "Make it good..." He whispered with a smile before turning me to face off stage towards Cato, I smile at him, walking into his embrace. We hugged in a spot where you could see my back, leaving the one I was hugging, a mystery...Caesar gives an Awwwww, winking to the audience who still can't see who I'm embracing, teasing them before giving them a bow, "That is all we have for tonight, tune in tomorrow. For the Games will begin..." He said in a devilish way before the lights went out...
Cato POV
...I smile embracing Katniss, "I love you too..." I whisper, holding her tightly, feeling her bury her blushing face into my chest. I hear someone clear their throat and turn around 'Oooohhh crap...' I think, seeing her mentor Haymitch standing in front of me..."So...This is who you are 'inlove' with? This is who caused you to lose sponsors?" He demanded, I held Katniss's hand tightly, feeling how upset she was, "Haymitch..." I begin, I learned his name from our conversations, "...I genuinely care for Katniss" He scoffed at me, "You just want to kill her!". Katniss stared back at him, holding onto my arm. "Shut up Hamitch! At least he didn't try to USE me!" She yelled, I look down at her. "Haymitch, I promise you, I won't let any harm to come to her. Even if it costs me my life..." Haymitch looked at me with an intense stare, as if trying to find some shade of deceit. He mumbled something under his breath before walking away. Katniss looked up at me her eyes watering slightly, I kissed her lips softly before hugging her, "I swear...I will protect you...I won't allow anything to harm you...I love you Katniss..." She held me tighter, "As long as you are near, I will feel safe..."
Katniss POV
...My face turns red, wanting to cry from happiness. I have never felt this way about anyone before, but I don't know how to feel about Cato. I don't know if he's just getting in my head, or he is absolutely genuine...All I know, is that I want to be by his side...I want to love him...We went back to the training center, reminiscing memories here. From when our eyes first met, to last night...It was all amazing, every second of it. Then we went to the elevator, dreading the next day. We stopped inside the elevator, not pressing a button, he stepped closer to me, locking our lips. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me even closer. I felt his hands roam up and down my back before grabbing my butt. I squeak, giggling, giving him another kiss. "This could be our last night together..." I whisper looking into his beautiful blue eyes, he looked back into mine, "...We should make it count.." I state giggling a little, I just realized I never giggled before I met him. "Y'know...Peeta is probably out of the Penthouse doing something for Haymitch, we could go there.." I saw his face turn crimson red, nervous. He just pressed the '12' button and we were off...We wasted no time, heading straight to my room, closing and locking the door...
Prepare yourself...It's about to get Rated M in this Story!