Both of us stood. Just looking at each other. Our eyes filled with desire. I couldn't stand not touching him anymore. I ran at him full speed. He saw what was coming and dropped the bag that had been slung over his shoulder. I wrapped my arms round his waist, resting my head against his chest. The tears that had been threatening to come all day escaped me. I felt his lips press against my head. The smell of cinnamon and mint filling my nostrils reassured me that this was real. Not just another of my dreams.

"Pull yourself together, Silly. I'm back now. Crowned and victorious" He laughed, but something about his tone was off. I looked up. His once warm eyes looked different and he didn't make direct eye-contact with me. He's probably just tired I thought. Give the guy a break, he's just fought to the death. Nearly died. And lost one of his friends. He lifted me up spinning me round. Before looking at the slightly deserted platform. I felt his muscles tense up around my waist.

"Where's my mum and dad? He asked, making eye contact for the first time "Didn't have time to come see their victor son? Nice to know nothings changed."

I gasped shocked. Yes, his family did leave a lot of room for improvement. They were very conservative. Emotion or displayed affection was seen as a flaw. I linked my hand with his giving him a reassuring squeeze "Their just fixing up the house for the party. They thought you deserved to have some fun."

He didn't say anything, just stared at my mum. His face looked almost grave, his eyes hollow. I wonder what he was thinking. I squeezed his hand brining him back to reality. He smiled gently and brought my hand to his lips. We walked towards the car. As we took off there was an uneasy tension.

"You got the house you picked, Cato. Isn't that a coincidence. Right next to the academy. Haha! Don't be surprised if I pop round expecting you to feed me while I'm on lunch. And your just the next street up from us, isn't that nice." I blabbered.

My pointless stories and unfunny jokes lasted until we got to the Victors Village. Cato not even as much as glancing in my direction. I studied his face. If you hadn't have saw him in the games you'd think Cato had just been on holiday. He didn't have so much as a scar. The only thing different was his eyes. They were darker. He had bags under them, as if he had never slept. His face looked as though he was far off in the distance. I raised my hand to touch his cheek.

"Hey, your home now. No more ok? You and me bud, we're the same. No sympathy remember" I said looking at him right in the eyes.

He nodded slowly. His lips crashed into mine. This kiss was harder and more fiery than ever before. I felt like my mouth was being punched over and over again. I lightly pushed him off, glancing at my mum, who pretended she had been to engrossed in her book to notice. He smiled at me, and that's when I thought everything was going to be ok.

The party was in full swing by the time it reached half nine. Nearly everyone from the Academy had came to congratulate Cato. The Hero. Each pupil kept asking about each kill. For the tenth time Cato ran his hand through his hair as his peers repeated his "victory". I watched him from across the room. Was the his 10th beer? I'd never seen him drink as much. His face appeared tense and his arms rested over his chest in a defensive manner. I went over and placed a hand on Cato's shoulder.

"I loved it when you broke the guy from six's neck with your bare hands. What was your favourite bit, Lilly"

I looked at the boy, pondering whether or not to tell him the truth. I decided it would be for the best in case I slipped up. "I didn't watch them" I rested on the arm of the couch next to Cato. He grunted slightly as my hip hit against his shoulder and my hand rubbing his head.

I leaned in kissing his cheek before bringing my mouth up to his ear "I'll meet you upstairs in twenty minutes" He looked at me. His eyes lighting up ever so slightly but not as much as I had hoped for. I hopped of the arm of the chair making my way up the stairs. I found his room turning on the lights I sat on his bed. Gosh it was so comfy- and I was tired. I'd hardly slept for the past few weeks. Maybe if I just rest my eyes for two minutes. I lay my head on the pillow taking in it scent. I drifted into the most comforting sleep I ever had.

The bedroom door banging is what caused me to wake up. Cato stood looking at me. Using the wall to hold himself up. I glanced at the clock. Two hours had passed.

"You should of woke me" I said smiling, sitting up on the bed.

"I didn't come up" was all he said. He tried to walk forward stumbling. I rushed to my feet allowing him to drape his arm around me.

"Lets get you to bed sweetie." I moved towards the bed, Cato refused to move.

"You can't tell me what to do, you little whore"

I gasped staring at him. I recomposed myself. Its okay. He's drunk, it's been a long day. It was probably a joke that came out in the wrong tone. No need to worry.

"Are you ok, Sweetie" I said leaning my hand on his shoulder.

"Perfectly fine" he slurred

"Cato. Look at me. I know when your lying. I know you to well"

Before I knew what was happening Cato's hands were around my throat, pinning me to the wall. His teeth were gritted, his eyes never leaving mine.

"How do you know me? Eh Lilly? I bet you couldn't have imagined me snapping the neck of twelve year old boy. Or stabbing the life out of a screaming girl. You know she reminded me of you. She put up a good fight, but in the end she was all talk. How do you know that your darling boyfriend wasn't just using you till the fame came along? I've killed Lilly. And do you know something I enjoyed stabbing the life out the guy from 4. I liked the power. And now I'm back. Listening to whiney bitches like you telling me to man up. Is this man enough for you Lilly?"

I would be lying if I was to say I wasn't afraid. I would be lying to say that my body wasn't shaking. But I'd dealt with a similar situation before. I knew how important it was to stay calm.

"Cato. Listen to me. Let me go. You're hurting me" I said, the waver apparent in my voice.

"Oh gosh. Maybe I should have had my fun with 1. At least she had some spunk. Look at you. You're pathetic." he slurred the grip he had on my neck tightening.

I could feel my airways restricting. Enough was enough. I'd tried the diplomatic way, now it was time for my way. He'd stupidly positioned himself with his legs parted, I raided my knee up, hurting him in his most vulnerable place before kicking him to the ground. I straddled over his chest, grabbing his face forcing him to look at me. Any other time, he could have took me, but the effect of the alcohol was working to my benefit. He laughed when I looked at him

"What you going to do now princess? Kill me"

"You're right, Cato. I don't know you. I don't want to know you. So how does this sound for a deal, you can fuck off out my life and I'll accept your nothing more than a Pretty Boy who's found his fifteen minutes of fame." I said, shocked at my own steadiness " Oh and 4 nearly kicked your ass, so don't pretend your some super hero. "

With that I left the room. Running downstairs. Out into the street. Tears streaming my face. My Cato wasn't home. And he wasn't coming home.