In the last chapter, the tributes received their scores after some careful evaluation. Elijah had made it clear to Kol that he is not interested in pursuing Katherine again, just because she is carrying his child and left for lunch with Camille. Hayley and Klaus had lunch, discussing Klaus' involvement in her evaluation which determined the Gamekeepers to give her a 9 instead of a 7. Kol and Davina reunited without their masks and spent their day together too.
Caesar Flickerman is ready for the show, as this night, he will have on his stage a number of 26 tributes. He shall be asking each of them questions, some which may seem uncomfortable for others. As Hayley's turn comes, she exchanges a talk with Caesar which upsets her, causing her to say something she later regrets, forcing Kieran to fix the situation. Elijah and Katherine talk about Camille and the baby as Klaus and Hayley reunite and have one night left together. Klaus presents Hayley with proof of his kept promise towards Lucy and Jake. The night ends with tumultuous thoughts about what will happen in the morning for the tributes.
District 12: Hayley Marshall
Night of the Interview
"You look beautiful." Rona whispered as I twirled as she asked me to, in front of the mirror. I really didn't know what to say about myself. I was too frightened to think about what would happen tonight. "How bad are they?" I asked her and turned around to look at her with worry in my eyes. "How bad are what?" Rona asked back. "These interviews. Caesar always puts you on the spot like that?" "Well, he does like to induce some drama in everything he presents and love stories during the games are his absolute favorites." Rona explained and I nodded, biting my lip as Klaus was the only one who came inside my mind when Rona was talking about love stories. But no. Klaus and I were not a love story. We were just two people who slept together on a whim. I did lose my virginity to him, and that meant more to me than I realized…but he would never feel something more for me or me for him.
"Thinking about someone special?" Rona asked me with a small smile, which I didn't know if I could return or not. "It's just…" "Just?" I bit my lip again and couldn't answer. What was I supposed to tell her? That I slept with the man who was supposed to be my enemy? That I feel connected to him in ways I never felt towards anyone before? That I find him handsome, strong and smart and that there was something about that twisted side of his that intrigued me? "I know from Josh that you had lunch with Klaus Mikaelson today." Rona suddenly said and my eyes widened. I couldn't believe Josh would rat me out like this. "Don't blame him. I pushed him into telling me where you've been and he slipped." Rona added when she saw the fury form on my face.
"Does Kieran know?" I asked suddenly, very nervous. Rona shook her head. "No. Effie and Kieran have no idea. But you need to be more careful, Hayley. There are cameras everywhere. If they find out that you have been seeing someone from a rival district, you will never hear the end of it. Publicity rumors could be your worst enemy and many people could have seen you together." I saw sympathy on her face right now and somehow, I felt like I could confide in her even more than I could confide in Josh. I sat down next to her on the couch and whispered, "I feel something when I am around him, Rona. He has been acting like a jerk but he also been protective of me. I know he cares about me after we talked yesterday." Rona's eyes widened. "Is this about love?" "No, I don't think so. It can't be love. I barely know him. I just…I've spent some time getting or more like trying to get to know him better. In some ways, I succeeded and in orders, I haven't'. He's just different than other men for me, and I like that about him." "Sexual attraction?" Rona asked me and I whispered, "Definitely yes." I didn't know why I was opening myself up to this woman so much. I simply trusted her. She sighed before looking at me in the eyes and saying, "Hayley, you are playing with fire here. Tonight is your interview…"
"Klaus took me to a place where there would be no one to recognize us. We had lunch there and that's it." "Are you sure no one else has seen you together?" I opened my mouth to speak but couldn't, as I remembered our encounter with Elijah and Camille. "Klaus' older brother was there with the blonde from 2." I explained to her and Rona closed her eyes for one moment before opening them again. "Hayley, have you lost your mind? You will be thrown in the arena tomorrow and you are already falling into the traps Kieran told you to avoid. Klaus Mikaelson could be using you." "I considered that at the beginning but no…I don't think he is." Rona smiled a little and whispered, "What happened to that tough girl who didn't trust anyone, I met at the beginning of this week?" "She's still here, Rona. She just has some different perspectives." "You really must like this man if you ignore the fact that he is from a district which is practically loyal to the Capitol and to President Snow."
"He is different from what I imagined, Rona. He can be cruel and he can be that selfish bastard who cares about no one but himself and his family's pride, but I saw a different side of him, a side of him which I recognized to be one of a little boy…who has been through so much. I saw myself in him for that one moment. We're a lot alike." I whispered and blushed a little, looking away. "Has he done anything special for you to make you feel this way towards him?" Rona suddenly asked. "He prepared me for the evaluation and he helped me received that 9." "What are you talking about?" "The Gamemakers wanted to give me a 7 because of Katniss Everdeen, but Klaus talked them out of it. He helped me." "Is this what he told you? How do you know that he is not manipulating you into trusting him?" "There is more. He sent a letter to Lucy and Jake for me. He helped me reach my brother and sister." "How do you know that they received that letter? How do you know that Klaus didn't race to Snow to show him? Hayley, you are playing with true fire here. You don't know this man."
"I want to know him." Rona sighed and covered her face with her hand. "I don't even know if I should tell Kieran about this. Maybe he can stop you from making these mistakes." "No. Please. I trusted you and that is why I told you of my relationship with him. I don't want Kieran to know. He too has been helping me so much. I don't want to disappoint him." "I really don't know what to say." "Say that you are my friend and you will tell no one about this." "And you decided to tell Josh. How do you know he won't give you away during the interviews tonight?" "He wouldn't do that. He promised me and I promised to protect him out there. We will look out for each other." "I really wish I could believe that. He received a 7, with little chances at getting sponsors. You have a 9, Hayley. Your chances of winning are much higher than his and you have given Josh a weapon he could use against you to protect himself." "I don't believe he would do that to me." Rona shook her head.
"Listen to me, Hayley. When that canon goes off in the arena, it is possible that you have some allies but like Kieran told you many times before, at some point, everyone is for themselves. No one is going to care about you and your survival out there. It is just going to be you and this little fantasy you have going on with Klaus will end tonight. Tomorrow, you will see in the arena, his true colors and I don't want you to get the impression that you can trust him." "He trusts me." "Has he given you any proof of that?" "No. I just…" "Hayley, please listen to me. This is crucial, what is happening right now and you need to stay focused. Your head needs to be in the game and nowhere else. No more thinking about what you can have with this Klaus Mikaelson guy. He is a spoiled brat from District 2, just like the rest of his siblings and those women from 1. Your worlds are completely different. They are fighting for fame and fortune while you are fighting for your life and your chance to be with Lucy and Jake again." In this entire conversation, I was beginning to understand what Rona was telling me. I placed my hand on my forehead as I realized how vulnerable I had presented myself to Klaus. He easily exploited me. He could be against me. He could be laughing with his siblings at how he was fooling me at this very moment. Maybe he didn't even send those letters to Jake and Lucy. Maybe he didn't help me with my score. He could be a liar for all I know.
Rona placed her hand on mine for a moment. "I understand you, Hayley. I am a woman too and I am not like Kieran. You need to see the truth about Klaus until tomorrow." "What are you saying?" "If the two of you are getting as close as you claim you are, I want you to spend some time alone with him tonight after the interviews and I want you to make it clear to yourself whether or not he is using you to make you vulnerable during the games, or maybe he is being sincere and he is developing feelings for you." "Rona…" "Just try it my way. Go to that one place you know you won't be followed and just talk. Let me know what you learn of him afterwards. Do you accept the challenge?" I looked at her for a moment before nodding, "Yes, okay." "Now, twirl around once more so I can get a look at you." I smiled as I twirled in my silver dress, the same sort that attracted the moonlight. Rona believed that since the interview was outside, I might as well show true colors and bring something special for the crowd to be cheerful and root for me.
"Ah! She looks divine!" Effie's squeal could be heard as the doors opened and she walked inside with Kieran behind her. Rona sat back down on the couch and winked at me, as if to promise me that what we discussed would remain between us. I still haven't found the courage to tell anyone but Josh that I slept with Klaus that Masquerade Ball night. How could I face something like this if it did get out? But no. Josh wouldn't do this. He needs me as an ally out there and Klaus has always scared the hell out of him. He wouldn't do something like this. "You are going to impress." Effie informed me with a smile as Kieran patted my back. "It's time. I told you what you should say and what you shouldn't. You'll be just fine, Hayley." "Where is Josh?" I suddenly asked and Kieran said, "He is already outside, waiting for us to join him so we can head to the show." There went my chance to speak to him about the secret.
District 1: Elijah Mikaelson
Night of the Interview
"Your suit is ready, Elijah." Nina called out to be with a smile. I nodded and she departed from my chambers as I stood up and arranged my tie. It was the night of confessions, as my mentor told me. I would be answering some of Caesar's difficult questions regarding my family and my relationship with Katerina. I knew just what was needed to be said. But was it possible for them to find out anything about the baby Katherine was carrying and certainly not my relationship with another competitor, Camille. Caesar would surely ask me about her. I knew we had been caught together a couple of times.
"Your brother. He is sitting there with the girl from District 12. Doesn't that bother you at all?" Camille asked me as we took our seats at the table. I looked over at them and saw them talking, in a more serious manner and it surprised me because whenever I have seen Niklaus with a woman, someone like his former girlfriend, Caroline, he never used serious talk. My brother was always the openly-flirtatious type. I looked at Cami with a smile and whispered, "I don't see any reason why Niklaus can't have lunch with her." "Well, he is my partner and I find it a bit disturbing to be honest. He shouldn't be seen with someone like her." "If I understand it correctly, we shouldn't be seen with another either, and yet, here we are." I pointed out and she offered me a small smile. "I guess you're right."
"This Hayley Marshall received a 9 on the evaluation. I had no idea she was that good. Could she be a threat?" Camille pointed out and I shook my head. "I asked you to join me for lunch so we can talk about us, not Niklaus and the girl Hayley." The beautiful blonde smiled once more and nodded. "Point taken, Elijah…but you said you wanted to talk to me about Katherine and the baby she is secretly carrying, not about us." "Would it be a problem if I desire to know more about you?" She looked uncomfortable for that one moment and I had no intention of making her feel this way. I covered her hand with mine and she pulled it back. "Elijah…" "Just try to see this my way."
"Do your best to understand that I have agreed to help you because we are friends. I like spending time with you but I don't want to think of something more." "Would it be wrong?" "I wouldn't put it like that…but…you have Katherine and she is carrying your child. She was your first love and I think she makes you happy. Be happy with her. I know it's difficult for you to think you might lose her out there and the baby, but she can look after herself and who knows, maybe there will more than one winner this year too. You can save her and your baby." "You have no way of knowing that…but there is a possibility, I shall not hesitate in keeping you alive. Districts 1 and 2 are now allies." "Just for now." Camille reminded me but I refused to believe it.
"I know how much family means to you, Elijah and that is why I greatly admire you, but I can't get involved in something like this, especially when the games are tomorrow. They are starting tomorrow and I need to be ready." "I desire to be with you." I said before I could stop myself. She couldn't say anything as she continued staring at me. "I really have to go." She whispered and stood up from the table, leaving. I let her go, as I did not want to go against her desires. But I couldn't deny that what she had said to me now, had hurt me more than I would have expected. And I was not a man to be easily hurt. Katerina had scarred me…but when I was with Camille, I felt complete.
The smile disappeared from my face as I heard Katherine entering my room. She looked stunning in a black dress. "I just wanted to let you now that we have to leave. The interviews start in a half an hour and we need to be there before." "You shall be the first one interviewed. Are you prepared?" I asked her. "Why do you assume it's me and not Kol or you?" "Because they always start with women from the districts. It's only polite." I explained to her and she nodded. "I trust you, Katerina and you will not mention the baby to anyone." "Would it really be that bad for the public to know that I am pregnant? They could help me. I could get more sponsors, and even more sympathy. I can survive this." I turned around to face her. "They will use the information against you and against me. The other violent tributes are just waiting for an advantage in the games against us." "We have allies. I can protect myself." "If you do this, you will be putting your life, my life and the baby's life at risk." I told her.
"Don't pretend to care this much, Elijah. I told you that this is your baby but it is mine too and at the moment, it is nestled in my stomach, not yours. It's connected to my life, not yours. You leave me be because I know what is best." Katherine told me. Before I could add anything to her speech, Kol entered the room and looked in between us. "What the hell are you all waiting for? It's going to start any minute now." "And where were you, may I ask?" I asked him. "I saw you with that mystery girl from the ball, Davina Claire. Don't try anything that could mess us up." Katherine commented with her hands on her hips. Kol smirked at her and whispered, "I wouldn't dare make you look bad. Now come on already! Can't keep Caesar waiting so much. He is going to flip his mind. Nina is waiting."
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
Night of the Interview
Her silver dress looked stunning on her body. I couldn't help but admire her as she entered the room with her mentors. She had a small smile on her face and then our eyes met. I felt my heart leap and I tried to distract myself with what Camille was telling me about the interview. "You should be relaxed. Easy enough for you." She told me and I rolled my eyes. "You give me too much credit, love." "Not as much as your warrior princess over there." Cami said and pointed over to Hayley, making me sigh in utter disappointment when I saw how she was speaking comfortably around that Joshua boy. "You know what you need to say?" Cami asked me one last time. "Yes." I responded, when I heard Caesar Flickerman shout out. "A big round of applause for female tribute from District 1, Katherine Pierce!" There were rounds of applause as Katherine went onto the stage.
I saw Hayley depart herself from her mentors and Josh, and I knew it was the time to see her. I slowly moved away when I heard Rebekah call out, "Nik, where are you going?" I turned around and saw her looking at me with a confused expression on her face. "You don't have that long. We are the next district, remember?" "It won't take long, Rebekah. Give me a couple of minutes." I told her and kissed her forehead, before heading to the back of the room, where I saw Hayley go. She gasped as she saw me appear. "What are you doing here?" she asked me, almost breathlessly. I watched her and I knew that she was frightened by my cold stare. I went forward and grabbed her arm tightly, whispering, "What have you told him about us?" "What? What are you talking about?" "Your friend, Joshua. What have you told him?" "I haven't told him anything. Klaus, stop it. Stop hurting me!" Hayley almost yelled out and pulled her arm away, glaring at me just as coldly as I was.
Making sure there was no one there to see us, I cupped her cheek and whispered, "Tell me…tell me you didn't tell anyone about what happened between us that night. It could affect me and it could affect you." Her eyes were looking deep into mine and it was as though I could read her perfectly. "You have." I whispered, matter-of-factly. "I did tell Josh." She finally confessed and my eyes closed for a minute, boiling with anger at the way she was defending and confiding in this boy. "Why?" I simply asked her and before she could say anything, there was gasp from the crowd that could be heard when Katherine announced loud and clear, "I am pregnant with Elijah's baby!" It wasn't a shock as I was already aware of this information, but I could not believe the guts of this woman to ruin Elijah this way.
Hayley covered her mouth and whispered, "She is pregnant? Then why did she volunteer…?" I grabbed her shoulders and pushed her against the wall. "Klaus, let go of me." "You see what could happen. She just revealed a secret which could destroy my brother and her. I shall not let you do the same thing to us." Hayley shook her head and whispered, "How thoughtful of you to talk about us and not yourself." "What are you talking about?" "How stupid do you think I am? Did you think that your plan would work, that you would seduce me and then you would get me vulnerable so you could damage me during the games?" "Where did you get such insane ideas, little wolf?" "Don't call me that!" she snapped and pushed me away from her. "You are using me. You have been using me all along, just admit it. You claim that you care about me and you claim that you want to tell me everything about your family, but you never do. This is just some game to you. I am sorry. Your plan failed." "You dare question my intentions?" I growled at her in anger, before I could stop myself. "Yes." She whispered and I could see tears filling up in her eyes.
"District 1, Kol Mikaelson!" Kol was up, but I wouldn't care about listening to him with the situation I was facing at the moment. "Why would you tell him about how you lost your virginity…to me, of all people? Don't you realize what you have done? You have granted him a possibility to ruin you and me." I growled at her. "It was my decision to make." Hayley whispered and pushed me away from her after saying, "You don't get to control my life and my decisions here." I watched her walk away as her mentor was looking for her. I rubbed my temples in frustration as I realized this was not what I wanted to do. I didn't want to ruin my relationship with her. I couldn't deny the worry I had for her. She had given people open access to her personal life and she didn't even care about the consequences of her actions.
"Niklaus!" Elijah called out as soon as he left the stage and Caesar called out, "Our first lady from District 2, Rebekah Mikaelson!" I turned around and saw my brother walking towards me with a stupefied look on his face. "What happened, brother?" "Katerina confessed. Everyone knows that she is pregnant and naturally Flickerman asked me questions about it." "Crap." I mumbled under my breath and started pacing. "What else?" I asked him. "Camille. He asked me about her." "I told you to stop spending time with her. I realize you fancy her…" "She does not wish to have that type of relationship with me and frankly, I do not wish to get involved either. I am going to have a child with Katerina. I need to protect them when the time comes…" I walked towards him and placed my hand on his shoulder. "You listen to me, brother. I will not let a single member of my family die out there. We are Mikaelsons, all of us and if Katerina is carrying your child, the lot of us will protect her and the baby." "And what about Camille?"
"We are going to have to let her go. She is a distraction." "Niklaus, she is your team member just as much as Rebekah is. You cannot do that." "I am following Mother's wishes. Family above all, Elijah, even in the deadliest of circumstances. Camille cannot join us and I shall explain it to her tonight. We shall not harm her, but as she is a distraction and some tributes will think of using her to get to you, I will not have her in our group." "Thank you so much, Rebekah! Coming up our dear intellectual girl, Camille O'Connell!" Elijah turned around and we both watched her on television, walking up to the stage to meet Flickerman with a kind smile on her face, but you clearly see that she was bothered by Caesar's comments on her relationship with Elijah and the way she had gotten herself in a love triangle, apparently, with Katherine and the baby involved. "What bloody triangle?" I muttered, angrily at Elijah. "There are just rumors. They don't have any proof, Niklaus."
District 12: Hayley Marshall
Night of the Interview
I would have been lying if I said that he didn't intimidate me. He did, but he was not frightening me with his rudeness. He was worried for himself and our relationship has always been a game for him. The things I have found out from his family members as I was watching the interviews one by one in front of the TV as the other tributes, was that each member had something to hide, but the story of Katherine being pregnant with Elijah's baby and him having something special going on with Camille, went off charts. Josh sat down next to me as Caesar called out, "He's the one people are betting on winning this year's Hunger Games! Please welcome, our male tribute from District 2, Niklaus Mikaelson!" A round of applause kicked in as my heart stopped, seeing his charming and yet dangerous smile as he shook hands with Caesar Flickerman and took a seat. He was still pissed off with everything going on, I could tell. "He's such a showoff." Josh mumbled and I shushed him as they started speaking.
"I am very happy that you could join us, Niklaus." Caesar said with a smile. "Please, call me Klaus. All my friends do." The audience chuckled and so did Caesar as he nodded and said, "As you please, Klaus. So tell me, are you excited or nervous for tomorrow?" "How can I possibly be nervous?" "Silly me. What a peculiar question indeed." Caesar started laughing and so did the audience. "I am proud to be here. I have confidence and I have everything it takes to win. The public agrees with me, no?" He pointed at the audience and they all clapped and cheered for him, making me roll my eyes, as I watched the TV. "What do you think about your brother, Elijah's secrets? Will they have an impact on your family?" "I don't choose to believe anything. We are in the Games and Elijah and I are simply allies. His personal life does not concern me, nor do I care, as we haven't seen each other for years."
They were talking about whole other things when Caesar stopped him with a question of his own. "I couldn't help but notice your interest in a particular woman here." Klaus smirked and asked, "And what woman might that be?" A photo appeared on the big screen…of me, while I was holding a bow and arrow, ready to shoot during my training. I blushed hard and I put my hands on my face as Kieran and Effie were looking at me, shocked. "Hayley Marshall, the beautiful female of District 12. Some people may call her Katniss Everdeen's successor, seeing as she is talented with the bow, just as the former rebellious girl was." "Well, let me assure you, Caesar that Hayley is nothing like Katniss Everdeen, and there is absolutely nothing happening between the two of us." "But there have been pictures of the two of you together during your training, moments in which you carefully show her how to work with her weapons." Klaus chuckled as he whispered, "Those photos were taken out of context, Caesar. We simply had a number of disagreements in which I intended on showing her the proper ways to use swords and bows and arrows." "Ahhh, so I am to understand you did it out of your desire to show her your talents."
Klaus chuckled again as he whispered, "Not to be rude or anything but when it comes to her fighting skills, I wouldn't see her as a match for anyone here." "So, you are downgrading her." Caesar pointed out and I scoffed as Klaus said, "Yes, I do. No offense, sweetheart." He said while looking through the camera, knowing that I was watching. The whole audience wooed as Caesar laughed. "Well, that was harsh, Klaus." "It's the truth." "I don't doubt that it is. But she did receive a 9 on her evaluation." "I don't doubt the capacity of the Gamemakers of distinguishing true talent from on the moment training, but I frankly believe, she didn't deserve that score." Effie scoffed saying, "He is such a weasel." I looked at the TV, angrily waiting for him to step out of that stage. Josh leaned over and whispered to me, "And that is the guy you slept with." "Shut up." I answered him right back.
The next districts came up and I managed to find some time away from Josh, Kieran and Effie in order to reach him. He saw me, as he was speaking to his brother. I rolled my eyes and headed in the other direction to a more private room, knowing that he would be following me. Sure enough, I was right and he was there in a couple of minutes. "You have no shame to say things like that about me do you?" I asked him in a whisper, barely believing what I heard. Klaus shook his head and said, "Now that you have implied that I am using you with my kindness towards you, I thought I should make it more obvious that there is nothing going on between us, little wolf, so I don't understand what the problem here is." "So, you're just playing…and lying like that. Saying that I am not a good fighter when you know I am." "I did it to save your pretty little ass from getting exposed…and mine too." "What are you talking about?" Klaus came closer to me and pushed me against the wall, leaning forward a little, whispering, "Would you have preferred I told Caesar everything there was needed to know about us? The secret meeting…the hot training…the lunch…the Masquerade Ball?" My heartbeats came faster and I had no idea what to say, as I was too lost in his eyes.
"Why are you doing all of this?" I asked him and he leaned forward until his lips found my ear and the close proximity was making me feel nervous. "It would be that much of a shock to you if I told you that I hold genuine care for you and do not wish to see hurt?" He was waiting for my response, but nothing came as he finally said, "Acting as though we hate one another, will conceal all of our secrets and both of our lives would be easier. Prepare for you speech in front of that man, and I shall be expecting you after you finish in the garden where we had lunch yesterday. I have something to show you. Make sure you are not followed." With that, he leaned away and I could barely breathe again, as I lay my head against the wall. I watched him leave with his brothers and sister.
I waited and waited…until I could hear Caesar saying, "We are moving on to the last district for tonight. Let's have a big round of applause for the stunning, Hayley Marshall from District 12!" I gasped and Kieran gave me a big hug, before whispering, "Good luck." And I couldn't remember how I had gotten myself onto that stage. I shook hands with Caesar and took a seat, watching the audience remain in silence, as Flickerman said. "It's great to see you, Hayley, dear. You know, you have been a subject of interest here at the Capitol." "Really? Why?" I asked at once, before I could stop myself. "Because last year in the 76th Hunger Games, the tributes from your district were quite disappointing. This year on the other hand, people see in you exactly what they saw in Katniss Everdeen when she walked onto this stage and sat on the same chair you are sitting at the moment. How do you feel about that?"
"I feel that they shouldn't make any assumptions. I am not Katniss Everdeen…I am not looking to start a war…for now, I am grateful for what the Capitol has offered me and my family." I whispered and wanted to knock my head against the wall for such words, but Kieran told me it was best if I showed the Capitol a little respect so they would learn not to confuse me with Katniss' rebellion and see me as the enemy. "I see…well, we love to hear that. Now, speaking of your family…" I closed my eyes for a moment, preparing myself for the worst as he asked me, "How do you feel about being here…far away from your brother and your sister?" How did he know about them. He smiled and said, "We know everything." He answered my unasked question. "I feel like I should be with them and holding them in my arms, telling them that they are safe and sound with me." "Do you believe they are watching you right now?" "I think they can take care of themselves but not for long. I want to be there again. I want to be home with them."
"Well, if you win, home is where you shall go, with fame and fortune along with you." Caesar whispered, smiling at me. "I suppose." I decided not to comment that much, as the moon was in our direction and it reflected on my dress, making the audience gasp and applaud. Caesar laughed and said, "People must really love your outfits. Rona's work, is it not?" "Yes." I said for the first time, I actually smiled too and I could see how much people loved it. Caesar turned to me and said, "One last question." "Yes, of course." I was eager to get off that stage and…meet him. I couldn't understand why I was so eager. Little did I know that the last question would be in fact about him. "As you have seen before, Klaus Mikaelson denies any interaction with you to have ever been romantic. I am asking you of your opinion on it. Was he lying in order to protect you and himself? Do you have something to share with us?" I frowned and whispered, "I don't know why you would even deduce something like that, Caesar. Klaus and I hate each other's guts. I am on my own and I don't want to have anything to do with him." "Are you sure about that?" he was insisting and I placed my hands on my lap and eyed him. "Yes." I snapped, firmly.
A couple of seconds passed before Caesar Flickerman shook his head and stood up. I did the same. "One last round of applause for Hayley Marshall, everyone!" He turned toward me and kissed my hand with a smile, saying, "It was a pleasure to have you here." "The pleasure was all mine, Caesar." I departed from the stage as Kieran gave me a pat on the back. "That was the best you could do and it was the best thing you did. Congratulations, Hayley! You will have no troubles with sponsors now." "Our last tribute for tonight, from District 12, Joshua Rosza!" Josh went onto the stage. I bit my lip nervously at what he was going to say if asked about me, but I really needed to see him. "I am going to go for some fresh air." I whispered to Effie and she nodded, as I left the place.
He told me to be where we had lunch the other day, and that is where he was, still in his tuxedo. Turning around, he smirked and whispered, "That dress of yours is going to give you away someday." The moon was reflecting on it and I rolled my eyes as I stepped forward to him and whispered, "I don't have much time. Josh is giving the interview as we speak so I have to go back. What do you want?" I asked him. "I want to give you something…proof…" "Proof?" I asked, surprised. "Yes. Proof that my intentions towards you have never meant to harm you. I never planned on wanting to spend this much time with you…but it is the way it happened…and I don't regret a moment with you." His words were very flattering, and it didn't look that easy for him to express how he felt. He was making an effort, yes, but it still didn't get me nowhere with him, until he pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand. I could see Jake's signature and Lucy's on it.
"I made sure that your brother and sister could write you back. I have not opened it, as you can see, it is sealed and you have every right to do it, as it is addressed to you." Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked up at him with a smile on my face which would not disappear. "You did this for me?" I whispered in shock, barely believing it. Klaus smiled this time…a genuine smile, as he kept his hands tied behind his back and nodded, slowly. He took my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing my palm and saying, "As this is our last night before the games…I only wish to see you well and to warn you…that we will be hunting down tributes in a pack." "Allies." I whispered and he nodded. "You are to stay away from the open areas and stick to high grounds. I don't want to see you. Have I made myself clear?" He made himself clear as he looked at me seriously. A few tears slid on my cheeks from happiness as I nodded and said, "Yes."
With another smile…this time, a more twisted one which I love, he whispered, "Get some rest for tomorrow, little wolf." He started walking away when every bone in my body wanted me to reach out to him and I did. Grabbing his arm, I spun him around and planted a kiss on his soft lips. This kiss surprised him, as it surprised me. I cupped his cheeks gently as he laid both of his hands on my back. We must have kissed like that for a couple of minutes, before he pulled away and sighed, caressing my face and saying, "That shall never happen again, love." He snapped, but in a gentler way than I expected. From the look in his eyes, I knew that he was being serious. "Fine. But you kissed me back." I whispered with a seductive smile on my face, which matched his, as I walked away into the night.
A/N: In the next chapter, we get in the arena and we are finally going to see some action going on. Klaus doesn't want Hayley around because he knows his family members won't be merciful with her, and he cares about her too much. This kiss was like a goodbye kiss…or was it?
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