Chapter 10
I open my eyes to a familiar set of white sheets and soft pillows. I feel something heavy next to my legs. I try moving the covers, and the heaviness is gone. I turn over in my kingdom of comforters. I feel something soft and fuzzy brush my cheek. I pop my eyes open, and I find myself staring into bright grey orbs. Cat's eyes, there's a cat on my bed. I sit up, shocked, and I call for Cato.
He comes rushing in from the bathroom. "What? What's wrong?" he asks frantically.
"What's this cat doing here?" I ask him. It looks at me and then stretches a paw. It circles around until it sits down on my blankets again.
"It's a pet. Don't you have them in District 12?"
I nod. "So…did you pick him off the street somewhere?"
"I went to a shelter and picked it up. We were getting a little lonely in here…"
I sit back and I examine the cat. It wasn't anything like Buttercup; it wasn't ugly with a smashed face and ugly orange fur. It was…extravagant, with gray fur like that of a powdered wig in the 1800s. Its face was long and elegant, complimented my sharp eyes. Its paws were petite, and it looked so…soft. T my surprise, it jumped into my arms and tried to bury its head in the crook of my arm. I smile, and start petting it with my free hand. It was like petting strands of silk.
I look up and see Cato smile. I smile back. And then I realize.
How do I not recall getting this cat? I remember the hillside…the kiss. But not this soft ball of cuddly fur. I must've fallen asleep. It was the only explanation. Did that mean that he carried me home? I wonder if I wrapped my arm around his neck…if he kissed me softly when he tucked me in. suddenly, I started to feel strangely warm.
"What's its name?" I ask, trying to steer my mind off of Cato.
"I don't know. You name it."
I sit there silent for a bit, the gears in my head spinning away. And then I come up with the perfect name.
"I'm going to name it Mellark," I state. I know he won't be too happy about it.
Cato just nods. He doesn't say a word; he just turns around and starts getting dressed.
I look at Mellark. I felt like…I now had a piece of Peeta with me, and that I can rest easy about forgetting Peeta. I stroke the cat again, feeling its warmth and softness. But at the same time, I felt bad for naming it after Peeta's supposed legacy because Cato…took it calmly. He…did something for me. That made me feel all warm and fuzzy, and that I was light and heavy at the same time. I hop out of bed and I begin to approach Cato, who had his back to me. He looked so strong…and big and intimidating. I look at his muscular and back and how he seemed to be thinking, with his head down and his brow furrowed. His hands clenched the edge of the tabletop. Not losing any nerve, I come up behind him and I begin to wrap my arms around him. Just feeling him that close, made me feel so intimate. I thought about our kiss the other night, and I thought about how much he must care for me. In a way, I guess I do to. I've embraced him, but I haven't let him in yet.
Cato seems to jump at the sudden action. He then seems to realize what is happening. He seems to sag a bit in my arms, but he soon straightens up and turns around. Aw, I liked the feeling of his back—so strong and smooth, and warm too. But I get something better. He wraps a dominating arm around me, and pulls me close so our hips are touching. He uses another arm to hold the back of my head. He leans his head down…I close my eyes and I inhale sharply. Then I feel his lips again. I was reliving a moment, and yet it was all so new. I could feel his hands in my hair, his cheek brushing mine. I didn't want him to let go.
I feel his lips part mine, and then I feel his tongue slip in. Jesus, he's good. I make a noise in the back of my throat, almost like a deep growl. And then I pull back from him.
How's he this good? It obviously means that he's had a lot of…experience. I try to think nothing of it, but it keeps on nagging me at the back of my mind. I peck him on the lips, but it feels different now.
Suddenly, I am curious about his background. I first wonder what kind of relationships he's had with his girlfriends…and what his family is like. Is he rich? Or is he living in some run-down shack? What's his family like? So many questions…I wish I could just read him as if he were an open book, with size seventy-two font. But I'm in over my head, I feel like sometimes I wanna tear my brains out because I think too much.
I make a master plan in my head. I'm going to discreetly ask him about his family…maybe I'll wiggle in a visit, or somehow get him to speak words of his past…teeheehee. I slowly think about the words I'm about to use, and then I clear my throat. My plan is in action.
"So, Cato…where do you want to go today? I don't want to sit in this train all day…"
"Well, I remember this place…it's like, a small alley with a really nice restaurant. Let's go there."
I nod, with a slow burning feeling in my stomach. Aw, Cato can be so sweet…
"And after that?" I ask.
"Um, I dunno. Let's go…to the lake?"
"Ugghhh noo, I don't want to spend all day just traveling outside. Let's go to your house!" I bring up with a bright smile. Please say yes, please say yes…
"Well, it's probably a mess right now. Maybe later, after someone cleans it up. I'll hire a servant to clean and then we can go in, okay? I don't think my family is that interesting. So, restaurant and lake?" He quickly tries to change the subject.
I, Katniss Everdeen, am not one to give up so easily. Why isn't he letting me in? I decide to see his family, to see what he grew up with.
"I'm going to your house, no matter what you say. My house is probably a teepee compared to yours."
Cato begins to fidget. He starts stammering. I put an arm on his, and he stops. "I'm going," I declare.
Hey guys! Thank you soo much for the reviews! Can we see if I can get 55 reviews? Thanks! It'll help me update faster, like giving me ideas, etc.