I can't stop! I'm so addicted to writing this story I literally stay up all night thinking about the plot! Thanks for the views and reviews. It really means so much to me. Enjoy. – Dexter.

/Chapter Four/

My face was bright pink as I walked out of Human Bio. Cluching my sides as I tried to control my laughter.

'You. Set. Yourself. On. Fire' I gasped. Katniss was blushing, smiling slightly. My laughter stopped and I raised an eyebrow, wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes. I couldn't remember a time when I actually laughed last.

'Was that a blush?' I asked. She looked down, cluching her books a little tighter to her chest.

'So what if it was' she said, blushing harder. I beamed.

'Nothing' I said. She embarrasedly walked away, her braid flying behind her. This girl. She was something else.

I spent the rest of the day avoiding Clove. Marvel approached me and offered me a trial as a temporary quaterback for the school team, The Bears. Which I accepted, Anything that would keep me away from the house as long as possible was fine with me. I climbed in my car, exploring my new home. Panem was a very strange place. The south border was the ocean, and the north, east and west was all dence forrest. A forest and ocean this close. For some reason it didn't make sence to me. I sat at the beach, sitting on the rocks that protruded into the ocean, feeling them shake as the waves battered into them, sending a refreshing spray of seawater into my cold, clammy face. The waves roared like thunder as they hit the rocks and I kept my eyes foward, staring at the horizon. My mind full of thoughts that I couldn't shake. How was I going to protect my Family? I had to get my Dad out the house, perminatly. I needed to get money, to pay for Mom's medicine, and treatment. The Twins needed food, we were all getting too skinny. It worried me. What do I do if she dies?

The sound of the shutter of a camera snapping close pulled me from my thoughts, I turned around to see who'd taken my picture. Only to see Katniss Everdeen, lowering the camera, with a weak smile. She moved to sit beside me, laying the camera in her lap. She wore a green t-shirt that outlined her grey eyes and dark hair. I never noticed the small sprinkle of freckles that littered her nose.

'That's illegal you know, taking a photo of someone without their permission'

'I get away with it though, because im cute' she said, with a wink. She moved closer to me, laying her feet across my legs. Her flats laying on top of my red converse all stars.

'I used to come here with my Dad' she said, staring into the rolling waves.

'Used to?' I said.

'He died. A year ago'

I looked down, not knowing what to say. 'I'm really sorry, Katniss'

She laid her head against my shoulder.

'We were in the car, and it just...blew up' she said. I bit my lip. Working up the courage to lift my arm and wrap it around her shoulder. She smiled softly, her head tucking into the crook of my neck, her cheek on the soft grey cotton of my hoodie.

'Thats not right' I said. 'Kids shouldn't have to live a life without a parent'

'You know the feeling?'

'I lied. About myself'

Her grey eyes locked onto mine.

'My Mom, she has a brain tumor. And my Dad. He's a abusive, alcholic jack ass'

Katniss frowned. 'Cato' she said, sadly.

'I don't tell people because I hate people feeling sorry for me, I just want to be treated like everyone else' I said. Her hand moved to my cheek, delicatly touching the adhesive pad, like Clove had. Only, when it was Katniss, I didn't have the urge to slap her hand away.

'He did this to you?'

I nodded.

'Cato. You have to fight back'

'I can't. I'm too afraid' I said, ashamed. Katniss laid her hand softly against my cheek. I'd never felt so close to a person. Everytime she touched me my stomach did a backflip. It was a feeling I could become used to.

'I understand that you're afraid. But you can't just let him hurt you' she said, her grey eyes boring into mine.

'Your right' I said, picking myself up.

'Where are you going?'

'To face my fear'

I sped home, pushing my truck as fast as it would go. I was going to catch my Father before he left to the Bar for the night. I walked in the door and he was instantly attacking me.

'Where the fuck were you, boy!' he snarled, walking up to me, puffing out his chest, I snarled, standing my ground.

'I went to the beach'

'You missed training, you little shit'

We were nose to nose now. My Mother took the twins upstairs, she nodded to me, flashing me her key before she disappeared. She was locking herself and the twins up. Good. One less thing to worry about.

'I don't care' I snarled in reply. He raised his fist, and launched it at me, easily I dodged it, puching him hard in the stomach, he staggered into the armchair by the door, his eyes wide on me.

'Now I have your attention' I spoke, coldy. He chuckled, throwing me that ugly, sadistic smirk.

'I want you out of this house'

'Its my house' he snarled.

'Mom owns it. The deed is in her name. Get. Out' I growl in reply.

'You need me. Who'll pay for your food. Your Mom's medicine'

'I will'

He picked himself up out of the chair. Moving closer to me.

'Your going to make me?'

'Do I have to' I speak, menicingly. I was never like this, I wasn't a monster. But right now, I had to be. He swung his fist quick, it connected with my eye and I threw all my weight behind my punch, imagining the boxing bag. He staggered back as his nose shattered, blood poured from it. I looked at him. And felt sorry for him. How long had there been that tinge of grey to his crew cut?

Shaking, he walked out the door, slamming it behind him. I let out the breath I was holding, and my Mom walked behind me. Placing her hand on my shoulder. I slipped the key out of her hand, and bent it in half.

'You don't need that anymore'

I woke up, groaning. I threw myself into the shower, and wiped the fog off the mirror, letting out a hiss of surprised as I looked at the swollen, purple flesh of my eye. This would be hard to explain. I shook it off. I didn't have to worry about that yet. I had to worry about getting the twins and myself to school on time. I threw on some dark jeans, and a light blue shirt that highlighted the brightness of my eyes. Even though I had a feeling Katniss and I had something going on, I still felt compelled to outshine, Peeta. My competitivity would be the death of me.

'Nice shiner, Cato' Hal chuckled. I raised my fist shakingly.

'Want one of your own?'

He laughed and roared, shaking his toy dinosaur. I fake gasped and stepped back.

'Don't hurt me!'

He laughed, boisterously and I grabbed my car keys from the fruit bowl. The twins grabbed their bags and raced each other to the truck.

'See you later, Mom' I said, smiling. She hugged me, taking my face in my hands.

'What you did last night. It was very brave, Cato. I'm so proud of you'

I beamed.

'I had to do it. I couldn't live with it anymore'

She teared up slightly.

'I know you'll always look after us. Me and the twins. If anything ever happens to me-'

'Mom. You'll be fine' I said, cutting her off. I couldn't imagine her dying.

'I'm late' I said, kissing her cheek quickly before ducking out the door, before she could continue the talk. I helped the twins out the back seat of the truck and knelt down to their level.

'Be good' I said. The pair of them nodded and threw their arms around my neck. I smiled, and hugged them back. They broke away and Hal whispered in Violets ear.

'We made you this' she said, handing me a peice of paper, and holding hands they toddled off through the doors. I walked to the car and climbed in. Unlocking the door and sitting in the drivers seat. I opened up the photo and looked at the picture. A blonde haired stick figure riding a T-rex. Underneath in the teacher's writing it said 'OUR HERO' above the head of the stick figure, in the Violet's messy hand writing its said 'Cato'
. Under neath, in Hal's writing. It said 'Bruvuh'. I smiled softly and laid the picture on the dashboard. Planning on putting it in my locker at school. I drove through the parking lot and was making my way to my usual spot. I began to park when someone's car smashed into the back of mine. I jolted foward, but threw myself back before hitting my head on the wheel. I growled, hitting the wheel with my hands.

"What the hell!' I snarled. I wrenched open the door, and climbed out. The face of the driver of the small, blue mini looked up at me, and my expression softened.

'Katniss?' I said. Her hair was down and messy, here eyes red and puffy. Her cheeks flushed red and tear stained.

'Cato' she choked, moving foward, throwing herself into my arms, her body shaking with heavy sobs. I wrapped my arms around her, protecitvly. Shushing her, stroking her hair from her face.

"What happened?'

She shook as she spoke.

'My little sister. She's in hospital. Some drunk guy attacked her last night' she said.

'What did he look like?'

'Old. Big. He was yelling about his son. She said his nose looked broken'

My heart beat like crazy, and I began shaking. Katniss's sister had discribed my Father perfectly. My Father attacked her sister.

'What condition is she in?'

'Critical'

This can't be happening!