AN: So it didn't take me as long to finish this chapter luckily! And I'm getting through the next chapter pretty fast too. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please review!
Preparing for the ball with the mentors is horrid. Between having to dress up, which I hate with a passion, and then my prep team trying to get information out of me about mine and Clove's relationship. I don't answer any of their questions and don't even say one word to them, but they don't seem to notice.
I let my mind wander thinking about which mentors I should talk to and which I should avoid. My mind travels to the thought of Haymitch, and then continues on to Katniss. I think about she is going to wear, no doubt it will be red or black sense she is "the girl on fire". Suddenly excitement fills me. I try to make sure none of it shows threw.
After another 10 minutes my prep team and creepy stylist say, "Okay Cato, you're all done!" I turn to look in the mirror. They have me dressed in a gold dress shirt with a stone gray suit that has small gold details in it and black dress shoes. It's totally district 2! I give them an approving nod and head out to find Clove.
I spot Clove and her black hair is flowing in waves down her back. She wears an elegant strapless gray dress that matches my suit. On her dress there is gold beading, gold high heels and is beautifully accented by gold makeup. I notice that she is staring at me so I say, "You look-"
She cuts me off, "I feel like a fucking Barbie." I can't help but laugh.
"Well, I was going to say that you look nice."
She blushes and looks at the ground, "You don't look too bad either." She looks up at me and I smile thanks, then walk past her to where the mentors are and our escort, Athena, are. Clove follows closely behind me.
"There are the lovebirds." smiles Brutus, and I can't tell if he is joking or not but either way I don't smile, I just look out the window.
I feel the cold eyes of Lyme on me, "Cato." She says coldly.
I turn to her and say with a smile, "Lyme."
"Well, should we get going?" Enobaria says before Lyme and I get into another fight.
Athena said in a hurry, "Yes, yes we should or we will be late." she grabs mine and Clove's arms and pulls us towards the elevator.
I keep my eyes on the door as we descend to the main level. The doors slid open and we walk over to the large ball room where we will all be meeting.
I walk in and see that everyone else is there already. I scan the room looking for the only person who gave me the push to actually come to this. My group scatters as they head over to the food or go talk to someone. I spot someone, not the person who I was initially looking for but they will do.
"Cato, right?" They say as a walk over to them.
"That's me," I smile and the blond in front of me, "I would just like to say, it's amazing to meet you Finnick. I have heard so much about you."
"I hope they are all good things." He leans back on the wall.
"Most of them were." I say jokingly and we both laugh.
"Well, I have heard about you too and I hope that my tributes have a chance to be part of the Careers this year, you know I think they have promise and it would be much appreciated."
"I will let them in but I can't promise anything to special." Finnick laughs and opens his mouth to say something but stops, staring past me.
Not even looking back at me he says, "Nice talking to you Cato." He steps around me and hurries to whatever he was looking at. I turn slowly and see why he was in a rush.
A stunning red dress that fades to black at the bottom radiates against her skin. She wears black high heels but has very little makeup on, everything coming together to show another breathtaking style. Katniss looks around the room in amazement, and smiles as the "Beautiful" Finnick Odair starts to talk to her.
A voice startles me, "She is actually kind of ugly isn't she." I know that was directed at Everdeen and anger fills me. I turn sharply about to blow up at who ever said that but fear immediately takes over as I see who it is.
After studying all the past games and victors there are few who scare the shit out of me; Enobaria, Brutus, and the one standing in front of me; Johanna Mason. Her sexy frame is deceiving because everyone knows she is a ruthless killer and a total bitch.
She raises an eyebrow waiting for me to answer, "We are all entitled to our own opinion."
She laughs, "Cato right? No doubt you know who I am." She says with a wink.
"Yeah," I laugh semi-nervously.
She caught on to my nerves and puts her hand on my shoulder, "No need to be nervous, if anything I should be the scared one." I give her a confused look, "I have heard you're a great fighter."
"Well I am a Career."
She smiles, "Yeah, but don't get cocky. Being cocky can make the games amusing but its just makes you are more likely to lose."
I shrug and change the subject, "You know, I can never say if your games were the most amusing or the most terrifying."
She answers simply, "Catching people off guard and getting them confused can be the best ways to win these damned things."
I look over at Katniss and see she is saying her goodbyes to Finnick, "Yes, it can be." Everdeen catches my eye and smile, I turn back to Johanna and say, "Thanks, I'll talk to you later." Then I turn and walk over to Katniss.
When we meet each other we both say in unison, "have you told anyone?" She blushes and I smile at her. Neither of us answer because we know what the response would be.
"Do you-" she starts but stops when Lyme comes over.
Lyme looks at me and says, "I hope I am not interrupting anything," I shake my head and look at my shoes as she continues, "But I would love to speak to Miss Everdeen, alone."
I shoot Lyme a glare that I know Katniss caught. As I walk past Lyme to go talk to Finnick again I say to Lyme, "I still don't trust you." By the look on Everdeen's face I know she heard too but I continue to walk away and over to Finnick.
"Hey Cato, sorry about that, I just wanted to be the first mentor, other then Haymitch, to talk to her." Finnick tells me with a smile when he sees me.
I nod, "Can I ask you a personal question?"
"Isn't that why we are here." He winks at me.
"Um, yeah, but what's it like to be in love during the Hunger Games?" He looks at me with a slightly confused look on his face but then he goes all serious.
"Honestly, it's the worst thing. When you care for someone and every minute, no, every second that could be taken away from you, the thought is unbearable. Although, for me it's probably the only reason why I won, and totally the only reason why Annie won. But, for you, to have the person in the games with you, and to know only one makes it out alive, it can't be fun. There is only one other person here that has been through that."
"Who?"
"Haymitch," I realize that I should have known that right after Finnick gave me the answer. I simply nod, "But just remember Cato that love can conquer all, even these Games, just keep an open mind and trust your mentors and you and Clove will be just fine."
"What?" I say confused at his last words but I don't look to him, I look to Everdeen.
"You and Clove, that's who we are talking about, right?" He then follows my gaze the Everdeen who is talking the Lyme.
"Oh boy," he continues putting his hand on my shoulder, "Good luck. This is going to be a Game that goes down in history." I shoot him a friendly glare and he just laughs.
"It's been nice meeting you Finnick." We shake hands and walk away from each other.
"So what were you and the Famous Finnick talking about?" With her hand still on my back I turn to face Clove.
"Just about love." She blushes ever so slightly, "So about me?"
I look at her but don't answer, "I...I mean we are supposed to be together Cato." She looks at the ground under her feet.
"Yes, I know." I say then kiss her gently on the cheek. Her eyes widen and I give her a smile. I look past her to Finnick and I see he is shaking his head at me, and pointing to something that's behind me, so I turn around and see Katniss looking at me.
AN: Oh I love Finnick! And this is not going to be the last time you hear from him!