Brooke's POV:
I was asleep, not dead. Normally, I'm a heavy sleeper. Not here.
All I could hear was the doctors abd nurses squealing. But, it came in handy, because they wanted to do surgery on me. Unnecessary surgeries. They wanted to make me like them. Fake. Ugly. NO! So I started yelling at them and when our 'argument' got loud, Haymitch came in and took over.
Now, today is my last day (in the hospital). So, when Haymitch comes in and says it's time to go, I all but run into his arms. He hugs me, and says,"Ya did good."
We go back to floor twelve, a place I never thought I'd be so glad to see. When we get there, Cato is there. I used to almost trust him. How stupid was that? Why would trust make him stop wanting to win the games? Why? Because I was stupid, and naive, and childish. I can't believe I fell into the career's trap.
He looks at me, no, stares at me. I don't return it. We just stand there, like that, for at least five minutes. Until Cato says(or yells), "JUST LOOK AT ME! OKAY? I GET IT. YOU DON'T TRUST ME. HONESTLY, I DON'T REALLY TRUST YOU RIGHT NOW. BUT I'M TRYING AT LEAST!"
"I... I don't know how." I say weakly. Haymitch comes over, and tries to talk to me, but I just shake him off. I don't want to talk. Not now.
"I need to speak to both of you on the roof." Haymitch says. He must want it to be private. It's pretty obvious the rooms are bugged. Not the roof.
When we get out, Haymitch comes over to us both.
"Look, I know both of you are kind of... strung out, over the killing eachother thing, but, we don't have time for that. The Capitol is really mad. They only wanted the boy to win. They would do anything for him to win. That's why you kept getting hit by fireballs," at this, Cato laughs. I glare at him."So, that's why they let both of you win. He was the favorite, and you were about to kill him." haymitch continues.
"But, they are still angry...at you Brooke. You weren't supposed to win. Look, you two are gonna have to get along. More than that, you're going to have to fall in love."
"No!" he says.
"Absolutely not!" I say.
"I don't care! You're gonna have to." Haymitch says sternly.
"Look-"
Cato starts, before I interrupt, "No. I know what you're gonna say." I say.
"We've got to do something." He says, walking closer.
"You could start with an apology." I say, refusing to make eye contact.
"Fine. I'm sorry for almost killing you." he says exhasperated
"Me too." I say stubbornly.
"Yeah," he says. He gets closer and closer until his lips touch mine.
This kiss... it's not what you'd expect. His lips are chapped, but mine are probably are too. It's rough, but sweet too.
Then, we hear Haymitch's rough voice saying,"Well, that didn't take long."
Cato's POV:
Wow. That was embarassing.
She tries to pull away, but I won't let her. She doesn't resist. We kiss for a bit longer. Her lips are soft, and chapped. It's a sweet kiss.
"Y'all sicken me." her mentor dude says gruffly.
She breaks away first. She looks at me, and cries. I don't really know what to do. I've never been in this situation. My life was always about training. I never thought about my life after the games.
I pat her back awkwardly. This must not help, because she walks away.
Brooke's POV:
I walk in to the room again. Cinna and Haymitch are staring at me.
"Yes?"
"You're finally done. I thought he'd swallowed you." Haymitch teases.
"Haha so funny I forgot to laugh."
Cinna interrupts, but he still has a smile on his face."Come on, lets get you into your dress for the interview and crowning."
Great. We get to watch all the deaths again.
Later, when we are all dressed, we wait to be introduced. I look down at my dress. It's full length. It is a soft yellow color with lace ocer it. It is a flowy straight dress. I love it! Cato is in a black suit with a gray shirt under.
Haymitch comes over to us.
"Act like you both have a crush on eachother. Not the full on love crap, but sweet stuff."
We can do that, I think.
Cesaer calls us and the crowd goes wild! Then they start the video.
Let's just say, it's the worst three hours of my they show Rain's death, I cry. Simple as that. Cato comforts me, and I end up with my head in his chest again. All the deaths are horrible, but Rain's was the worst. I won't even talk. Cato looks a little upset at May's death. I can understand that.
Then, Cesaer starts asking the questions.
"So, how is it being a victor?"
"Great." Cato says.
"Overrated." I say;Cato elbows me.
"Yes, well, I hear you two kissed. Tell us about that."
I look at Haymitch, he just grins.
"It was nice, soft," Cato says. I laugh.
"Yeah, sweet." I say.
"What will you do after this?"
"Go home." I say.
"Have fun, help others in two, y'know, the usual." Cato says. See he's the only one who knows what they're doing.
Once it's over, they give us our crowns. They are golden. They have little rings that reflect the light. They are beautiful!
We go back to our floor. Cato stops me right outside the elevator. Haymitch asks if I want them to wait.
"No, I'll catch up." so, they go up.
"What?" I ask.
"Can I stay on your floor? My mentor got mad and left."
"Sure, I guess, let's go."
