Chapter 10: The deal

Leilani's POV

It's been quite the week after the bombing raid. The war stragedists of District 13 decided it was best to choose the date of the attack sooner than later. Cayden and I, along with Katniss and some others in the A Squad are in a meeting to receive instructions for further training and plans.

Suddenly, I hear a smooth voice behind me. "Hey babe."

Ugh why can't he just go away? I'm past the point of desperation already. "What is it going to take for you to just give up and leave me alone?"

"Go out with me." Pretty Boy gives me his dumb but dazzling smile. I wanted to slam him to the ground again for making me blush.

"Go to hell. I'm not going on a date with anybody." And that is the plain truth. I've never been on an actual date before and probably never will. It's not that I don't want a chance at love and to start a family or anything like that. I just can't have kids and people to worry about at times like these. No one understands that some one even like me needs to be loved, because I push away my happy feelings to replace them with emptiness and hatred. Love is something that just has to wait...

"That's fine. I can wait." He remarks casually as he snakes his arm around my shoulder again and pulls me closer to him. He's so stubborn and relentless I know I can't win. But only part of me wants to push away while another part doesn't really mind dating him. I can't think straight when I'm around Pretty Boy. I like him, but I hate him. This guy has more of an effect on me than I let him on to believe.

"Fine, one date. Happy now?" He shakes his head and wags a finger at me.

"Make it five dates and I get to pick the place and activities." He twirls one of my curls and I slap his hand away brusquely.

Five? I don't think so Pretty Boy.

"Two."

"Three. Take it or we go higher." He smirks because he knows I can't argue with that. Damn Pretty Boy.

"Fine three, but it can only be half an hour each." I try to speak firmly but it's obvious he won't give in that easily.

"Nah, that's too short. An hour is the minimum." Cayden's jaw clenches even tighter. I feel guilty for making a "date" with a guy he hates, but I don't really have a choice. Either violence or a compromise and violence doesn't seem to work. That just leaves me to form a compromise.

"An hour then. Once we finish those dates, do you promise not to violate me anymore with your flirting and stupid nicknames?" I ask bitterly.

His lips curl up into another devilish grin. "Nicknames yes. Flirting...maybe."

I glower menacingly at his face; his perfect, attractive face. "No. You can not flirt with me anymore. No more funny business."

"You can't really make a deal with me then, babe. You better just accept. Besides, you like it anyway." I punch him hard on the shoulder for calling me that. He just chuckles and pretends to be hurt.

"You are so immature." I murmur harshly. "Fine. I go on three dates, the nicknames stop, and the flirting is kept to a minimum. Deal?"

"Deal."

I swear to make his life a living hell on the first date.

Next up...the first date! It'll be a chaotic one though...