Well, so I have had this chapter done for a while now. It's been a long while since my last update...sorry about that. I have gotten a few people asking for an update. It's been sooooo long and honestly I don't know when the next update will be either, I need to reread my story it's been so long. Anyways I hope you enjoy. I want to finish this story before the end of this summer, because I doubt I will be able to finish it after that. I'll try if you all leave comments yelling at me to update it may help the process. Hope you enjoy!
"Ow" I say as I place the freezing ice pack on my cheek. My training season with Enobaria had been grueling, I realize now that being afraid of her is completely natural. The fear that she induces in people is something that she uses as her sharpest weapon. At the very end of the training she had announced that we were going to fight with a gleaming smile. I was tired and didn't want to spend a single second longer in Enobaria's presence, but I didn't have a choice. That's how I ended up with this ice pack on my face.
"You know Eno, you weren't supposed to beat the kid up." Brutus says trying to be stern about it but a smile is very prominent on his face.
"I didn't mean to," Enobaria smirks, "He just didn't duck."
I jump into the conversation, "You flashed your creepy teeth at me, and you have an unfair advantage." Talking felt uncomfortable and tight.
"No Cato, I have fear on my side which was precisely my lesson." She explains proudly. Brutus chuckles softly whilst shaking his head. I just grown and sink farther into the white leather chair that currently engulfs me.
"Ow, why does this hurt so much?" It didn't really hurt that much I just felt like being an ass and complaining.
"Stop your whining and go down to the medical center and get some cream, we ran out so you actually have to go get it." Brutus shushes me. We both know that we could, and should just send an Avox but neither of the two mentors in the room want to me to be there.
I slowly sit up and throw my ice pack on the table, which makes a louder noise than necessary, "Stop being bitter that I hit you, Cato, and get your sorry ass some cream." Enobaria snaps. Which that I walk over to the elevator and press the "MC," Medical Center, button. The door close quietly and the elevator speedily heads down the levels. The elevator moves smoothly and silently, lulling me into my thoughts.
The nicest thing about being part of the career districts is the supplies and more specifically the medicines. They have a cream that can heal basically any cut, bruise, pimple, rash, and anything else, within 12 hours. If the cream doesn't work within those 12 hours whatever you had on your skin is a lot worse than you thought and you should go right to the emergency room, I've seen it happen.
The doors glide open revealing the MC. It's blindingly white and clean, the only noise is the nurses and doctors hushed chatter. I walk straight ahead to a young girl about my age who's working the front desk.
The girl had white skin, and when I say white I mean that if she backed up to the wall behind her she would disappear. Around her eyes she had tattoos that looked like black vines twisting just above her cheekbones to her hairline. Her hair and her lips were read like the uniform that all the doctors and nurses wore.
I smile at her politely, "Hi, I was wonder-"
"You're Cato, aren't you?" Her black eyes light up and she sends me a smile. "I never thought I would see you down here, my friends won't believe me when I tell them I met you! My friends and I all love you, we all think that you are going to win. I mean you have to no one else is even close to as good as you! Well, there is that one girl, what's her name, the one from twelve, well she sure is something, she seems to be a fan favorite, well other than you, but I don't know if she can fight or anything, I guess we'll find out at the private sessions! Oh my goodness I just can't get past that fact that you are standing right in front of me. Oh I have really funny story. So, two days ago-"
"It's nice to meet you too," I say cutting her off partially because my face kind of hurts and partially because the girl hadn't taken a single breath and I was silently afraid she might pass out. "I really need to get some cream for my face, I got...um, punched during my training session today and I don't want it to bruise."
She giggles, "I can see that. Oh dear Brutus must have accidentally hit you really hard."
"It was Enobaria." I deadpan. Her eyes widen and I can see the faintest, faintest blush on her white skin.
"I'll just go get that cream for you then." She scurries away and I groan while running my hands through my hair. I always forget how much I hate capitol teenagers. The teenagers here are so odd, perky, and chatty. I don't even know how they would manage to talk to one another if they all talk that much.
"Enobaria, huh?" I don't need to look up.
"Don't laugh Everdeen, have you seen that women? Scariest shit in all of Panem."
"I don't know, you're pretty scary." her voice dripping in sarcasm.
"Ha ha very funny," I continue after a short pause of silence, "Why do you always show up where I am?"
"Why do you not like seeing me?" she smirks. I feel my face heating up before I can stop it. "I'm just joking Cato! My escort, Effie, left a note asking me to pick up some 'special makeup' from here, guess she didn't trust the Avoxes of something. So, don't flatter yourself, I don't stalk you."
Johanna's voice rings in my head, "Catching people off guard and getting them confused can be the best ways to win these damned things." Can this all be an act? Is Katniss just trying to throw me off, to play with my emotions because she knows I'm the only threat? No. It can't be, she's kissed me for fucks sake.
"Cato, are you okay?" Katniss' eyes are big and caring as she looks at me.
There's no way in hell, it's all in my mind, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Enobaria must have punched you really hard." She laughs
"It's not funny, I've already told you; she scares me. You try fighting her and not getting the mental image of her teeth on your throat every time she smiles." I defend my honor. However, with Katniss still trying to hold back a laugh I can't help but to laugh a little too.
"Um..." I hear a voice squeak out. I turn to see that the capitol girl is back. She looks shocked, paralyzed even as she holds out the bottle of the cream I need and her eyes darting between Katniss and I.
I grab the bottle and Katniss steps up, catching the girl's attention, "Hi, um Effie sent me down to pick up some makeup she had ordered."
"Uh...y-yeah s-sure." She slowly walks away almost tripping on a chair trying to watch Katniss and I, and not being subtle at all.
Once the girl is out of sight the tension is tangible. I know Katniss isn't going to speak up so I get the misfortune of stating the obvious.
"We are supposed to be killing each other, not laughing together." I whisper loud enough so I know she can hear me clearly. She doesn't answer, but her silence is screaming loud enough for me to be concerned. I look over at her, her eyes are far away and glazed over, "Katniss?"
"I know." Her voice is quiet but hollow, her eyes unchanging as she continues to stare at where the capitol girl had been and would soon return. It feels like everything is moving in slow motion, even my breath feels like it's moving slowly. I try and will my feet to start to walk away but I can't bring myself to move away without her.
I look down the hall of the MC, watching the nurses run from room to room.
Two more days.
"Here's Effie's makeup." the girl return back to her chipper self. Katniss grabs the bag, more forcefully that needed, and turns towards the elevator, brushing past me. I follow behind her, my feet won't move fast enough to be able to walk by her side.
"May the odds be ever in your favor!" the girl yells after us. I don't know who she's talking to, and I don't want too.