An automated voice wakes me up, declaring that we will be in the capitol in 15 minutes. I decide to pull out a marled turquoise jumper and loose cream trousers for my arrival. Minutes after I scent myself of pine again, and finish dressing, Spennyth knocks on my door telling me to wake up. He gets a pleasant surprise when I open the door fully clothed and ready to eat.
Bavair seems awkward with me after last night, and falters in his speech,
"Um, the, er, Hot chocolate-brown stuff is really good with bread." He says slowly, avoiding my eyes. I smile at him,
"You know, I would have said it's fine if you'd have actually looked at me, Bavair" I say slowly, as I expected, his head whips up, face reddening,
"I'm really sorry, Vixen, I over-reacted and I'm really, truly sorry-"he apologises and I chuckle at him,
"And, that jumper looks nice with your eyes, as well," He finishes quietly, while I start laughing out loud,
"Oh, Bavair, your way with the Ladies is really on fire!" I mock him, which brings a smile to his face.
"Thanks, Vixen," he says (normally this time),"Now that this is over with, would you like any Bacon? Eggs? Sausage?" I smile politely, while accepting a small helping of bacon and sausage, Spennyth is just saying how glad he is that Bavair and I are talking again, when the room goes silent. Humberford makes a small whining noise, and I look up to see Cato standing at the head of our table.
"Cato, " I say," Shall we go somewhere private?"
He starts to stutter something about protecting me, when I silence him with a cool finger on his lips.
"Cato," I hush him," Even If you died for me, I probably wouldn't win unless it was the final two, and I couldn't live with it after woods," I explain.
"You think I could? Huh? I'm meant to be the heartless killer from district two! You have no idea what that feels like! You've completely unhinged me! Everyone can see that I love you!" he shouts,
A small moment of hope flutters inside me, he loves me!
"Yes, but how many other siblings have we lost? You remember Enbric, and Annaleise. I never knew Katerina, but surely you remember Isla?" I feel a pang as I say each of my daed sibling's names, but I have to do it.
"Yes, but, you're not just a sibling to me! After last night, I remembered how kind you are, how friendly. Hell, you even made an impression on Clove! And... you're so pretty, and-"
"Really? "I ask, looking up into his eyes. He nods, and starts mumbling again. This time, it isn't my finger on his lips to silence him, it's my own. I run my hands through his soft platinum hair, and I realise I need more of this, I press closer to him, and feel his lips against mine harder than ever. Suddenly he pulls away.
"What's wrong?" I ask,
"We can't do this," he says, clearly tormented by the kiss,
"What's the worst that could happen?" I beg,
"It could hurt!"
"It already does," I whisper, but feeling his blue eyes upon me, I turn around, walking away slowly. I keep expecting to feel his hand on my shoulder, or catching my swinging wrist, but it never does. Cato never comes after me.
I don't cry, but I feel beyond crying, I manage to put on a brave face for the capitol crowds, but when I'm in private with the stylist's assistants in the Remake centre, I let it out. A small pinch on my face of a woman named Vindria starts me bursting into tears. I sob, and sob and sob on the kindly woman's shoulders, my whole body wracked with tears.
"He said... he...loved me!" I cry, "But then he-he told me... we couldn't love each...other. And I've only j-just... realised that... how much... I love him... and...he says n-not to... do it..."
"Who is this, dear?" she asks,
"C-Cato... from district...two!" I tell her,
"Oh,"she says, and I can tell she is worried," well, pull yourself together, and I'll show you your dress. Spartan, your stylist is drunk, so I will most probably be acting in his position for the week, unfortunately, I couldn't negotiate with Dart's" I flinch at the name,"Stylist... Silly old trout. So unfortunately, you'll have to wear this..." she whips the cover off a sparkly dress with a ridiculous headdress which looks like an electricity pylon.
"Fuck."
