OOC AMERICA! This chapter is brought to you by B as in Barnes and Noble, where I purchased the next 2 Hunger Games books so there will be a series to this fanfiction. And in the last chapter it was "It has something to do with my father." But, it was cut off. Keep reviewing, you've given me some good ideas so far!


As we sat at the table, my hand lock itself up. It was the fear of Dean and the other Gamemakers around me with their fake smiles, and angry eyes that look me up and down like a predator eyeing its prey. This is the first in a long time I've actually felt genuine fear. My stomach is tightening up, my teeth are beginning to chatter.

I feel like a little kid lost in the market. These people are not what I am. They are not human.

Antonio grabs my hand under the table, I don't know why he does this. I think he's just as scared as me. The simple gesture helps my fingers unfreeze. I want to thank him but I realize holding hands got me into this mess in the first place.

Dean talks of the Games and asks of our strategies. His eyes are still locked with mine and I squeeze Antonio's hand. Please let this be over before I crack.

"How can we please our districts? How can we keep the Corporation citizens on the edge of their seats?" Dean says, making his way to me and Antonio. He makes the other Gamemakers giggle. He lets out a sigh, "And then you two made your sparkling début! Oh it was amazing...and the hand holding," At this he smirks at me, "Simply precious!"

Precious? What was his version of precious? Was it just as distorted as I think it is? Maybe, that's why his jaw clenched when he said that.

"You both are a wonderful team! Lovino, the back-bone. The blushy tsudere! Antonio, the sweet lovable ball of energy!" Says one of the female Gamemakers. She squeals, "Oh Dean! Tell them! Tell them now before I explode!"

"Please Mandy," He swoons dramatically, "I'm getting to that!"

I gulp. Exactly what was his announcement? Suddenly, another elevator opens revealing more tributes. Oh thank God, it wasn't as bad as I thought. They all sit around us. The boy from District 6 sits beside me and I tense up all over again.

"We've decided that we must change a rule to accommodate the new and changing tastes of the Corporation." Dean says, waving his hand in the air as if he were holding a Champagne glass, "If there are 2 surviving tributes from the same district, then they both shall be crowned the victor."

The news sinks in and the others whisper to themselves. The boy turns his head to me and whispers, "Well, I have a better chance of living now," His eyes sparkle with admiration, "So..t..t..thank you."

Alfred is not so happy with this decision, now that the odds are level. He practically jumps from his seat, "That's not fair!" He hisses. I can tell he's holding back jumping across the table and strangling Dean.

"Now Alfred, this isn't what we want," He shrugs, "this is for the Corporation, for Phoenix!"

"Still!" He looks around at us, his eyes land on me, "Is it because of 12 and his little boyfriend!?" He growls, "Well!? Is it!?"

The room is silent for a while as Dean thinks up a response. The blonde's chest is raising up and down with anger.

"Alfred, honey," Dean smiles and pats his shoulder, "it isn't my idea! It's the Corps. If I had my way, the rules would stay the same! But, alas tastes are always changing!" He winks at him.

Alfred sits back down, his once angry red face now snow-white. His breathing calms.

What did that wink mean?

Alfred must have remembered he's at the Corps. mercy. They could blow him to pieces now if they wanted.

Dinner passes quickly, without another angry outburst. They send us to our rooms immediately after, but make Alfred stay. My imagination runs wild with possibilities of what they could be doing to him. I almost feel bad for him, but remember that he's to valuable to the Corp., so they won't kill him. Not yet at least.

I'm almost to my room when Arthur grabs my arm, "Kid."

I jerk away, but his grip is painful and strong, "Listen to me," he whispers harshly. I realize he's not drunk, but serious. I see anxiety in his eyes.

He buries his mouth in my hair, "You have to be more careful, you're tiptoeing around a landmine kid!"

I laugh as if what he's saying is a dirty, inside joke that only we know. But on the inside, I'm breaking down.

"The only way out now is to pretend that you two are a couple, that anything you do wrong is a side effect of your undying love for Antonio."

"What!?" The word is said so suddenly, and my voice is so shrill that I'm scared I've woken a tribute, or a guard. My anger is justified though. Antonio is a perfect stranger to me. We've only seen each other in school. Even then, we've barely spoken to each other.

Then there was the bread thing. The day after he gave me the bread, he came to school with a black eye and crooked nose. Dammit, I still owe him. So, protecting us with a shield of fake love will suffice and I won't owe him anymore. I bit into my cheek again, "Does he know about your little plan."

Arthur laughs a slightly unsettling laugh,"You could say that, now get to bed kid." I nod and step into my room. I lock the door, and let my body slid to the floor.

Tomorrow, I'd become an award winning actor.