I set down the tray lightly as Demetrius slides in in front of me. Watching him closely, I sit.

"What's wrong? Are you going to kiss me again and then act like it never happened?"

He seems stunned at my bluntness, but clears his throat as he opens a water bottle. I don't touch my tray, waiting for him to answer me.

"What's going on with you and 12?"

I scoff. "This is what you're asking me?'

He doesn't give up. "Are you allies? May I remind you you're a career?"

"We're not allies." I confirm.

"Then what?"

When he asks me the last question, I see Alex behind him in the far end of the room, talking to his District partner Fern. He looks over at my direction and smiles sheepishly.

"Lillianne."

I snap back to Demetrius, his brown eyes staring deep at me. I sigh.

"Nothing. That's what. Can't I make a friend before I die?" I answer sarcastically, picking up my fork. He crosses his arms across his chest.

"Friends are fine, but there's a whole difference between friends and admirers."

I almost drop my fork. He senses my shock and continues.

"I overheard him talking with his mentor this morning. You're just a strategy." He responds icily. I clench my teeth together.

"I don't even- what do you care, Demetrius? He's my friend, and I won't ever see him again after the Games. What does it matter to you?" I whisper furiously.

"It matters to me because we're a team!" He says harshly, a loud whisper.

"We are not a team!" I reply just as fiercely. He sighs exasperatingly.

"I thought we were on the same page."

"We are," I reply quickly. "We're District partners. We're Careers. We can be friends. But I will not 'love' you."

"Well here's a reality check, Princess," He responds icily, his voice dropping volume, "They only want you because of your name and because of me. They think you and I are something. And if we're not, you're useless to them."

I narrow my eyes. "I didn't want to be a Career anyway."

He scoffs. "But you know it'll keep you alive. That's why you're putting up with this."

I don't answer. I pick at the mashed potatoes on my plate. His voice softens.

"Please, Lillianne. I'm sorry about this morning. And if I have to be sorry about last night, fine."

I look up quickly. He continues. "But I'm not. Because I- I liked it. And I know you did too."

Now I really do drop my fork, His statement throws me off guard, and I look at him with wide eyes. "What-"

"What I said, Lillianne. I know we've had our differences. I know I haven't been very nice to you in the past. But Lillianne…people change. And…I think you're changing me."

I'm at a loss for words. The words coming out of his mouth are too not-Demetrius-like, and I can't help but feel apprehensive about his 'confession'. He sighs again.

"Look, I know you won't believe me, but believe this: that kiss last night was the best thing that's happened to me in a long time."

Again, I don't know what to answer. I put my hands on my lap.

"If you're making a strategy, don't lead me on." I reply as firmly as I can. Even so, my voice shakes.

"Lilly, if I were strategizing, I wouldn't be pouring my heart out to at a lunch table."

He uses my nickname. No one is allowed to call me that. But I feel a tingle in my spine when he says it. Only one other person has that effect- and he's two tables down, trying to steal glances at me from under his curly hair.

"It's Twelve, isn't it?"

I look back at Demetrius. "I-"

"You like him. I should've known."

He sounds hurt. He's about to pick up his tray when I grab his hand. I don't even realize it until I feel his skin under my hand. "Wait."

He does.

I try to muster up a good reply. "Demetrius…I…Let's not lie to each other."

He stiffens. I continue. "I don't trust you. And I'll go along with this charade of yours. But I'll answer you're question before we do anything. It's the least I can do."

His brown eyes are staring deep into my soul, and I take a deep breath.

"I think it is him, Demetrius. And I'm not sorry for that either."

He narrows his eyes, knowing exactly what I mean by those words. And I take one look at the table where Twelve is sitting before I throw away my tray and gaze and the knives from the climbing station until the end of the day has come.

Short, I know, but I had to ! Review, please!