Chapter 4 Cato's Best Freind

"Come on, Faye. You're a Career!" says Enaboria. She's been prepping me for the interview tonight. "Be tough and arrogant!"

"But that's not me," I protest. She's been trying to get me to be tough and ruthless but it's just not happening. She sighs but continues to coach me. After another hour it's time for me to get ready. Scile brings in the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen. It's pearly white and puffs out at the waist and hits me just above the knee. He twists my hair up on my head with intricate braids and designs. My shoes are the same white as my dress and sparkle with every step I take.

We make our way down to the stage where the interviews will take place. Cato holds my hand the whole way there. He can't take his eyes off me. I see Finnick and wave at him. He makes his way over and looks me up and down.

"You look great, Faye!" He exclaims. "You too, Cato." Cato even cracks a smile. The Peacekeepers herd us into line and the interviews begin. Ceaser Flickerman interviews Gloss first. He acts brutal and barely says anything. The girl form 1 is arrogant and uptight. I already don't like her. And then it's Cato's turn. At the edge of the stage he gives me a hug and a kiss on the forehead, then walks out. The crowd goes wild, especially the girls. Being a victor and as handsome as he is, he has almost as many Capitol girls as Finnick.

"Well hello, Cato," greets Ceaser excitedly. "It seems like just yesterday when I was interviewing you before the victory tour."

"Well it practically was, Ceaser," laughs Cato and the crowd joins in.

"What's it like to be back so soon?" asks Ceaser.

"Well I didn't think I'd be back so soon, that's for sure."

Through the whole interview Cato is charming and not at all like a Career. When it's over he gets a plethora of applauds.

"And from District 2, Faye Evans!" I walk out on sage trying to keep my balance in my heels and take my seat.

"Well, welcome, Faye," greets Ceaser.

"Hello," I say politely. "Its nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine," says Ceaser, smiling. "Well, we are all impressed with that eleven you got. Would you tell us about it?"

"Actually, I don't think I'm allowed to, I'm sorry," I say, directing my apology to the audience.

"Oh that's okay," Ceaser chuckles. "It's quite a fantastic score."

"Don't forget that Cato and Finnick got elevens too," I say smiling.

"Speaking of Cato," says Ceaser. "I've been meaning to ask you about him. We all saw you two at the parade and that little hug just now...I get the feeling you two knew each other before this."

I looked down at my hands in my lap. "He's my best friend," I say quietly. The whole audience has gone silent so I know they can hear me. "We've been best friends for as long as I can remember." And suddenly, I can't stop talking about us. "He's the only one that got me through my parent's death. I almost lost it last year. I was so scared I was going to lose him."

Everything was silent for a moment until Ceaser spoke. "Well, you two seem very close. It has been a pleasure talking to you but we are out of time."

I thank him and make my way over to Cato. He hugs me again and takes my hand. The rest of the interviews are interesting. Finnick recites a poem for his one true love in the Capitol. All the girls go wild, but I know it's not about any of them. The way he says it, I can tell it's about Annie. Johannah makes snarky, rude remarks through her whole interview and Haymitch does the same. Prim talks about her sister and how she is fighting for her. It almost brings tears to my eyes.

We watch the recap and I can tell, Cato and I are going to be in everyone's mind. The best friends, forced to kill each other. Tomorrow we will enter the arena. Together. Only one of us will come out.

The door to my room creaks open and in walks Cato. I don't say anything, I just run into his arms. He holds me tightly and kisses me. For what seems like forever we don't pull apart. But when we do the only thing we say is I love you. Then we fall asleep in each other's arms for what could be the last time.

I wake up to Albany shaking me awake. "Come on you too, get up. You have to go to the hovercraft." She isn't yelling at us for sleeping in the same bed again. Actually, there is something that looks like pity in her eyes. We get up and try to eat breakfast, but I can barely get anything down. When it's time to go, Brutus and Enaboria wish us luck and promise us sponsors. Then Albany leads us to the roof. The rope to the hovercraft hangs about two feet off the ground and we climb it. We sit down next to each other and he takes my hand. Finnick sits next to me but doesn't say anything. Just him sitting here gives me a tiny bit of comfort. All three of us are silent while they put in out trackers. And then, the hovercraft begins to move. The ride feels like forever.

When we get there, Cato gives me a hug and kiss before leaving and whisper, "I'll protect you. And I love you."

Scile is waiting for me in the launch room. He hugs me tight. Then he pulls out my clothes and begins to dress me for the final time. I have thick socks and thick stretchy pants that seal in all my body heat, an undershirt made of the same material and a red cotton shirt, a thick, slick jacket, and lastly, a pair of black combat boots that reach up to my knees. Just by the clothes, I can tell it's going to be cold in the arena.

Scile hugs me again and whispers in my ear, "I believe in you."

"Thank you," I choke out. I will myself not to cry.

A voice comes over and tells me I have 60 seconds to launch. I step in the tube and Scile gives me a kiss on the forehead. The plate begins to move up and I start to shake. The 75th Hunger Games are about to begin.

I am spamming you with chapters because I'm bored! Please review or I will give you more frowny faces! :( Merry Christmas! :)

Love,

Audrey