The stage lights burn my cheeks as the boy from 3 passes me by on the way back to his seat. His eyes, like everyone else's, widen when he looks at me. I feel a shot of irritation run through my veins but i don't have much time to think on this however because I am being called.

I trot nervously over and take the seat beside Ceaser Flickerman, renowned Hunger Games presenter. Ceaser's hair and face have been tastefully highlighted in a cheery shade of yellow. How ironic.

His eyes too widen in shock as I sit beside him. I'm getting a little annoyed by the looks I keep receiving. I mean it's not that bad, is it? Ceaser recovers quickly and gives me a winning smile. I'm grateful to him but I still feel alive with nervous energy as I perch on the edge of the chair.

"So, Kaylar, how does it feel to be the youngest tribute this year?" he asks, leaning towards me in a friendly manor.

"Terrifying." I blurt before I slap a hand over my mouth.

The audience loves it. They laugh and clap for me, poor terrified loveable little Kaylar, right? Exactly, I tell myself, take the bait little citizens. I flash an enormous smile.

"Haha, i'm sure it is. Tell me, what do you think inspired this brave costume choice tonight?" he eyes my body suspiciously.

"I don't know Ceaser." I begin, not really sure how to answer. "I guess my amazing stylist Dolor just wanted to show you all how diverse I am. I'm a girl of surprises after all."

I glance briefly up at Dolor in the crowd. He gives and almost imperceptible wink then looks away, continuing to sit casually above me. I breathe a sigh of relief. I was seriously worried about that question coming up.

"Indeed." he nods in approval. "And isn't she beautiful ladies and gentlemen?"

The crowd goes insane. They scream and clap, surging forward to try and get a better look at me. I just grin graciously, fiddling with my hair and doing my best to mask my anger at the Capitol people. Be loveable Kaylar, be loveable. Punching random citizens is not loveable.

"There is one thing I want to know Kaylar. A 13 in training, how did that happen? I don't think I'm alone in saying that I didn't know that was possible."

"Oh. Well I didn't know either. Like I said, i'm full of surprises. What happens in training, stays in training." I say evasively.

"Right. Down to serious business now and the question that's on everyone's lips. What do you think of your district partner, Kesella Shoal?"

I blush furiously at this. Could they have heard about what happened on the train? Surely the cameras have noticed our closeness. Oh no. What to say, what to say? Come on Kaylar, answer.

"I...he is lovely."

Why do I have to be so lame? I blush more at this and the audience seem to find it cute, luckily for me. They cheer and whistle me off as the buzzer goes to indicate the end of my interview.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the lovely Kaylar Abyss from District 4!"

I walk confidently back to my seat, giving Kesella's arm a small squeeze as I pass him on his way out. Inside I am a ball of nerves. My interview is over, hurrah! It went quite well...I think.

The other tributes are barely covering their hostility as they watch me settle in my chair again. I ignore them and turn to watch Kesella's interview on one of the massive screens. He glides effortlessly through the first questions while half the audience swoons over his beauty. They love him. A few small smiles and winks and they are in the palm of his hand.

Knowing him so well, I get the feeling he's about to play a big card. All of this is just to set our little Capitol friends up and will soon give way to his master plan. What will it be? He certainly hasn't divulged it in me.

"So Kesella." begins Ceaser, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "What's it like living with Miss Abyss?"

"Well, to tell you the truth Ceaser, it's been amazing."

The crowd sighs in appreciation and a few of the most enthusiastic women throw me envious glances. To be honest I feel more than a little touched. It's nice to hear it from the man himself that he wants me around, he doesn't just feel obliged to keep me for his father's benefit.

"You seem to know each other very well now, had you met before the Reaping?"

Kesella tenses. A muscle jumps in his jaw. I know this is it, he is about to pull his final card. The audience may not have noticed it but I know him better...

"No we hadn't." he says smoothly. "But it's hard not to get to know someone when you've slept with them for the last 5 nights."

This has the desired effect. It sounds so bad, so out of context. I blush furiously as the cameras draw in on my face. This only seems to confirm the audience's worst suspicions. You can almost feel the shockwaves spreading through the Capitol. They scream at Kes, telling him to get off stage and a variety of other things my father would kill me for repeating.

"And what do you think of her bold outfit choice this evening?" says Ceaser, the edge of disapproval very clear in his voice.

"It was my idea."

And with that one sentence Kesella has done it. He's turned the audience against him, directing their sponsorship on to me. He has made me in to the poor abused little girl from 4. But why? Doesn't he want to survive?

The buzzer must go and Kes struts back to his seat, exuding proud arrogance. For good measure he throws me a cheeky wink as the tears of confusion begin to roll down my cheeks.

The rest of the interviews pass in a blur of racket about Kesella's shock announcement and frilly dresses. As we are led off stage in the darkness, I storm away from Kesella and get in to a lift of my own along with the boy from 7.

He glares at me in silence. I suppose I would be angry too if my interview had been ignored like that. What chance of sponsors do the others have now that we've stolen all of the limelight? We reach my floor and the doors slid open revealing a much harried looking Auris.

"Kaylar!" she calls in relief. "You had me worried. Why aren't you with Kesella? Where are your clothes?"

I make a huffed noise and push past her, locking myself in my room and throwing my body down on the bed. How could Kesella do this? I didn't give him permission. What must my father be thinking? People will be at Kesella's house right now, calling for his blood. Oh god.

I stand and throw off my glistening bikini top in irritation so that the little cluster of tissues Dolor used to stuff it escape on to the floor. I rip my silk shirt from my body and kick off my sandals before grabbing my robe and slipping out of the matching bottoms.

What was Dolor doing, dressing me to look like some sexy 16 year old? I'd bet a good months fishing pay that he was in on this too. Ugh. Why did this all have to happen?

I snatch my old green ribbon from my dresser and tie my beachy curls up in irritation, picking out the tiny gull feathers which have been threaded in to it then I brush off the sticky little pearls that adorn the skin around my eyes.

"Stupid Capitol. Stupid games. Stupid Kesella." I mumble as I pace the room, looking for something to break. "Calm down Kaylar, calm. You can't afford to hurt yourself now; you will be in that arena this time tomorrow!"

I have well and truly lost it now. Talking to myself. I have to get out if this place. I stoop down and grab my sandals from the floor then I sprint from the room, without even putting them on.

Before I know it I am in an empty elevator, shooting upwards towards the 13th and final floor of the Training Centre. I don't know what's up here, since there is no longer a 13th district.

A hear a small click and the doors open. I am on a rooftop, high above the city. The sky is open and I can see the stars above and the tiny, celebrating citizens far below. To my left there is a little enclosed garden. I think hear wind chimes, unsurprising as the wind ruffles my hair.

I step out of the elevator and the doors slide shut again. Slowly, I make my way to the little dome that covers the garden. It's so peaceful and strange here that I hardly notice I am not alone.

"It was amazing, what you did at training before."

I must admit, I jump about 3 foot in the air. I hadn't expected anyone else to be up here, I don't even know if I should be. I whirl around and find my face uncomfortably close to that of the district 8 boy.

"I was third to sit down you know, after your partner." he whispers, his warm breath tickling my cheek. "What does he do to you? He shouldn't use a pretty little thing like you. I think I can help you there."

"I...he..."

"Right." he presses a long finger to my lips. "Come sit Kaylar Abyss, its launch day tomorrow, surely you can grant me that much?"

I follow him to a low wooden bench by a gurgling pond. The bench groans under our weight like it hasn't been used in a long while. I wrack my brains for the boy's name, trying to picture the dummies I painted in my head.

District 8. Flick Trim and...And...Now is not the time to fail brain! Flick Trim and...Alix Dart. Yes, that's right. He's 16. I remember now.

I study his face in the moonlight. He's handsome yes, almost as attractive as Kesella though in an entirely different way. His dark hair is short and textured, his glittering blue eyes are full of mischief and his face is strong but it seems cleaner than Kesella's, less rugged.

He looks up suddenly and catches me staring. I blush and he grins at me, shuffling a little further along the bench towards me and commanding my eye contact.

"An alliance." he says simply. "Lose lover boy and have me, i'm more your age anyway."

His eyes twinkle dangerously as he watches my face, trying to gauge my expression. I know this is all because of my unprecedented 13 in training, why else would anyone want a 12 year old on their team?

I hadn't even thought of that. Now that I can no longer trust Kesella, who have I got to trust? Testa is right about me needing protection, as much as I hate to admit it and Alix seems genuine enough, if a little cheeky.

"Deal." I hear my own voice saying.

He flashes a triumphant smile and leans in close, kissing me softly on the cheek. It's only then I realise i'm only dressed in my robe but I don't care, what difference does it make? I'll most likely be dead tomorrow.

"Well you weren't lying. You are a girl of surprises." he winks cheekily as he leaves the roof. "Catch you later, partner."

Then I am alone again.