Chapter 10: Interviews

Katniss' POV

The interviews are tonight, we are supposed to learn from our mentors and escorts. Haymitch and Effie aren't exactly in the mood to deal with me. Lucky for them I'm still cleaning out the aftertaste of last night.

Cato must've had to get something off his mind because dummies weren't shown any mercy.

"Cato. Calm down and tell me what happened."

He starts shaking his head and muttering incoherent words.

"Cato! What the hell happened?"
"You wouldn't understand. From the moment you saw me I was help to save Gale in the end. Right? Answer me Katniss!"

How did he figure it out-no he couldn't have figure it out? If I tell him now I would be dead before I step foot in the arena. No, he would drag my death out right after he tortured and killed Gale before my eyes. That isn't happening if I can do something about it.

"No, h-how can you think that? The Gale I knew back in 12 is gone and he has already moved on anyway… Pearl. So no that isn't my plan. My plan is to live my last days with you."

"Don't say that. Ever again."

"Say what again?"

"Your 'last days' you're not dying in the games I will protect you. Just try to remember me before the games. My switch, the one that turns me from human to savage. If it gets stuck in place don't try to switch off, please?"

Now I'm not sure if I can place my life in his hands with his switch off. Reasonable Gale is the best choice for everything except the toll killing would have on him.

"I won't try anything?"

"Sweetheart, where were you? I almost got worried. Now we have work to do."

"Now we have to find an angle for you."

Innocence

I'm not that innocent Haymitch and I both know that.

Sexy

I can't be flirtatious and tempting and Haymitch laughed immediately at that one.

Intimidating

This could work but then I'd be up against Clove in that department.

So really nothing worked in the end we just went with secretive and joking about you beating the Careers while they trained for this moment. Haymitch was confident so I had to be too.

In the hallway as me Gale switched teachers he coughed and kept walking.

"Hey. Wait, Gale. What the fuck was that? You volunteer for me to save me as you said, you risk both of our families and you can't even say hi? Look at me! Don't treat me like this, d-don't push me away. The more you push the more I get pulled to him."

"No, no Katniss you don't get to say that you played me saying you would die for me. All you're doing is fucking Cato and then getting mad when I kissed Pearl. A kiss. And before any of this you didn't care about the slag heap girls. You didn't care about me.

I don't want to be in your web of false hope. I would ask you to choose but you already choose him. Just let me grieve the Katniss I fell in love with."

I want to convince him none of that is true but he is right. I never I admitted my feelings before and I am sleeping with a Career. Damn I need help.

"No, no your steps are all lopsided. Proper you must be proper. Back straight, feet pointed ahead, head raised, eyebrows lifted, and arch your back the slightest. We want to highlight every single thing. Again."

Effie's session was worse than anything I've ever experienced. It felt I died then came back and repeated the cycle over and over again. And better have paid off or it won't be pretty for anyone near me.

Now I get to be Cinna's doll for two hours. With Cinna in it, it makes up for the torture of Effie and Haymitch.

The dress is beautiful instead of just a black dress. It has an ombre effect that goes from black to lavender (at least that is what Cinna said). The material has sparkle to it that reflects the light. I don't fully know why but it is long-sleeved and forms a triangle over the back of my hand. All I'm saying is it is beautiful. I walk out and Gale is already finished and waiting on me so we can get into the car that takes us to where the interviews are being held.

"You look nice enough."

"I'm pretty sure Cato wouldn't like that."

Gale clenches and freezes at his name but remains silent for a minute.

"Good thing I don't give a flying shit about Cato then."

I leave at that and just sit in the love/hate atmosphere. 1 minute. 5 minutes. 10 minutes go by without him acknowledging my presence. I know I have to keep my distance but I can't let him move on without a sign.

I rest my hand over his and clutch onto him like Prim's life depends on it. Gale soften a little and takes a glance at me. And that one glance is enough to understand he knows.

Caesar Flickerman Hunger Games host is always on time, never late and always a different color. This years' color is blue from head to toe. He also never misses a beat so when I say and listen closely you know what let's just rewind.

It is Cato's turn now we didn't have a chance to talk before because we were the last ones to arrive. I don't know what we would talk about just for the cameras, I guess.

"Capitol please welcome…from District 2…Cato Alexander!"

Caesar really loves suspense and drama all the intros before Cato didn't start the same or had different pronunciation.

Now here is where it gets really interesting.

"So, Cato is there anyone at home waiting for you?"

"Other my mother and younger sister Caesar, no."

"Such a shame especially with looks such as yours. But I do need to confirm if what we found in your trash."

"Well I don't know exactly what you found but please do share…"

"It was a pregnancy test that tested positive and it was one of the Capitol's best tester. Who did you test and is she here today because we want to know who stole your heart? Right Capitol?"

Screams and shouts come out as one loud roar.

"So who is this mystery lady?"

"You caught us. We didn't want to get caught at first it started off as fun but I couldn't resist her. One look and she was burned into my heart. The mother of my child and the girl who stole my heart is the Girl on Fire. Goodnight everyone."

If I thought before was loud the sound doubled and they demanded more. Some were too shocked to comprehend that they fainted.

I wanted to kill Cato but he went the opposite direction. But I have to do my interview before I can go back to the penthouse.

"Now this is the interview we have all been waiting for…ladies and gentlemen welcome Katniss Everdeen from District 12."

Buzz. Loud buzz surrounds me but I focus on where I need to go then find Cinna and pretend I'm talking to him.

He asks me questions about District 12, my training score, why I volunteered but we all know where it is building up to.

"Now let's bite into this plum while it is ripe. You and Cato lovers from another district, what brought you together might rip you apart. Care to explain more on the matter?"

"Yes, Cato and I slept together and yes the test is mine. That is all I wish to say."

I walk off before the timer goes off and squeeze Gale's hand. He didn't squeeze back like in the car. There wasn't any form that he understands.

I'm broken out of my thoughts when I hear.

"Katniss or as I call her Catnip, I used to love her in fact a lot of guys did but they were scared I would fight them or she would hurt them. Back home everyone thought we were together…I hoped that we were…Catnip was as clueless as ever. Do you know she never wanted to get married or have kids? At least that is what she told me. In all of our days here I try to say 'she doesn't love me…she never did'. But I still love her and I will always love her."1427

A/N Wow that was long 1,427 words but it was overdue. I felt you needed a special treat for Halloween a very long chapter. Happy Halloween to all. Review or PM if you want to share any ideas or requests with me. I have two endings that I want you all to vote on for the end.

Choice A:

This one is sad and one character die (won't say who but they are important) and the story goes on without them.

Choice B:

The winning couple that you also vote for gets together and that is all you get for now.

Vote quickly and please give all of your opinions.