Hey Everyone! Another chapter? Aren't you glad? I had to get up at 5:00 AM today to write this...We should ban that on Saturdays..But whatever.
This story is dedicated to Holly my cherished sister, and Courtney a great support and inspirer for me...
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins nor the world and characters she created. Enjoy!
Katniss stepped out of the car. Cato watched her take in the spacious grounds of the house. There was a flowing fountain, steps up to the house on either side of it, and then lay the giant home. She whistled, "Biiiiiig house you've got," she commented.
"Welcome to the Stone Mansion," Cato grinned. "Let's go in," He put an arm around her, and they walked around the fountain and up the steps.
As they went into the house, Rosie immediately skipped towards Cato. "Who's this?" she asked.
Cato paused. What was he supposed to say? Someone who gave up her life so that you could live? Thankfully, Katniss was the one who introduced herself, "Hi there," she bent down to Rosie's level. "I'm Katniss. I'm Cato's girlfriend."
"I'm Rosie, and I wive here!" the toddler said firmly, defiantly.
"Is it a nice place to live in?" Katniss asked.
" It's awethome to wive in." the toddler looked excited. "You wanna pway Hide and go theek?"
"Oh, I don't know. I think I'm supposed to meet your parents," Katniss said doubtfully.
"Oh." the toddler looked disappointed and close to tears at being denied a new playmate.
Katniss leaned in towards the toddler and in an over exaggerated whisper said, "But I'll tell you what," the toddler leaned in excitedly. "we can play something else."
"What?" the toddler whispered back, ecstatic.
"We're gonna play follow the leader, k?"
"Ok," the Rosie whispered. "Who's the leader?"
Katniss pointed at Rosie, "You are!"
Rosie jumped up and down, clapping her hands, "Where am I thuppothed to wead?"
Katniss pretended to think… "Hmm…" she thought aloud. "How about to your parents?" she then suggested to Rosie.
"Ok." Rosie cried, and she ran ahead of Katniss down the complex corridors.
Katniss and Cato followed at a lesser pace. "You're good with kids," Cato commented.
"It might be from Prim," Katniss said softly. "She reminds me so much of her."
Cato wrapped his arm around her, "This is like in those dramas, it's the scene where you're going to meet the parents."
"Isn't it the other way around though," Katniss mused. "You're supposed to be meeting my parents." Then she added, "I don't think either of us would enjoy it very much, anyway."
Rosie's head popped up again, "You're thuppothed to keep up with me! Hurry up!"
"We're coming Rosie!" Katniss called to the impatient toddler.
"Good." Rosie said.
Finally, they reached the kitchen, after passing through many hallways, stairways and bedrooms to the kitchen. There was a short, plump woman there cooking away.
"Hullo Mum," Cato greeted his mother, giving her a hug.
"Oh, is Katniss here already! Cato, you should've warned me earlier!" Cato's mom looked worried, she smoothed down her hair, and flattened out her clothes.
"Mum, you look fine," Cato consoled her.
"Hullo Katniss dear!" Cato's mum shone with brightness. "How are you?"
"Oh, I'm good thank you," Katniss replied, looking around at the kitchen.
"You're so pretty, no wonder Cato's dating you!"
Katniss stifled a laugh, "I think it's the other way around. I'm dating Cato."
Mrs. Stone waved a dismissive hand, "He made a good catch either ways."
"Ok, mum," Cato cut in. "Before you embarrass anyone any further, I'm going to take Katniss up to my room."
"Don't say that!" Katniss chided. "Your mum's positively lovely!"
"Mm, you made a good choice Cato," Mrs. Stone approved. "And leave the door open when you up into your room!"
Cato sighed, "Yes mum."
"I'll call you young folks for dinner, when it's ready. I'm sorry it couldn't be made sooner, Katniss," looked regretful.
"Oh, that's fine , I usually eat later than now anyway," Katniss reassured her.
"Don't call me Mrs. Stone, call me Amanda, when you call me I feel so old!"
"Hate to break it to you, mum, but you are old," Cato cracked a grin.
"Do you want desert or not?"
"All right, mum, all right, you look as fresh as a…strawberry."
"Thank you dear, now go on up! And remember to leave the door open!"
Cato brought Katniss into his room, being careful to leave the door open. "You've never been in my room, have you?" Katniss noticed.
"No, I haven't," Cato said.
"Ooh, your room's big!" Katniss surveyed the light blue room. There was a desk, king sized bed, a swizzle chair, a bookcase, and a walk in closet.
"And yours isn't?" Cato teased.
"Not as big as yours," Katniss replied as she flopped on his green bed. "Wow, this bed is really, really fluffy and cozy."
"Yeah, for some reason I got the best bed," Cato observed, flopping down on it himself. He propped himself up on one elbow. "So, how do you like my family?"
Katniss yawned, "They're great. You're so lucky. I wish I had a family like this." she had a wistful look in her eyes. "I did for a little bit, but then…" she trailed off.
Cato wrapped her in his arms. Katniss closed her eyes. "You tired?" Cato asked.
"Yeah," was Katniss's sleepy answer. "I already told you, Thom kept me up last night."
"You can sleep if you want," Cato offered. "I'll wake you when Mum comes."
"That sounds nice," Katniss laid her head on Cato's lap, already half asleep.
Cato ran a hand through her hair. She looked so serene and calm when she was asleep. Just then, his dad came in through the room.
"So, where is she?" he asked, his voice projecting through the room.
Cato put a finger to his lips, and pointed down at his lap, praying that Katniss hadn't awoken. She had looked really tired. She was still asleep.
"Oh." his dad whispered. He sat down next to Cato. "Your mum says that she's not like any of your other girlfriends and that you really cared for her…In other words she told me not to scare her away. Is she normally sleeping?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"No." Cato looked down at her peaceful face, and brushed a lock of hair away. "She stayed up late playing video games with her step brother last night."
"She is different than all your other girlfriends then," his father saw for himself. "Isn't she…Isn't she dying?"
"Yes," Cato's eyes burned. "Yes." he looked down at Katniss. "I don't know what I'm going to do when that happens," he confessed.
"You're a tough boy, Cato. You'll be able to get through it."
"I don't know what I ever did to deserve her," Cato went on softly. "I could live a thousand lifetimes and still not deserve her."
"Son, I don't know about her, but I will tell you now." his father said sternly. " . .Happy. And that's it. Period. Are you happy with her?"
"So much more than happy," Cato said.
"Then you deserve her. Take my word for it. Okay?"
"Okay."
After a while Dad left, and while Katniss slept, Cato thought…and thought…Then, after another while, Mum called them for dinner, so Cato woke Katniss up, she looked adorable when she woke up, Cato thought, and they headed down for dinner.
"So, Katniss," Cato's father initiated the conversation. "What's your family's name? I didn't quite recognize your surname,"
"Oh," Katniss swallowed her food. "My dad and sister died, and my mum remarried, so she took on another surname, but I always kept my dad's. That's probably why you've never heard of my name,"
"What's your stepfather and mum's surname then?"
"Cray. I don't really like him, and my mum's…erm, well I just don't take on their surname," Katniss finished.
Cato squeezed her hand under the table, meanwhile his father with wide eyes repeated, "Cray?"
"Mmmhmm," Katniss confirmed.
"He's the one who was in jail before for abuse, right?"
"Yup," Katniss confirmed once again, but she winced this time, at the word abuse.
Cato's father watched her carefully, "Has he changed his ways?"
"Do you think I would still be living under that roof had he not?" Katniss asked, and gave a little laugh.
Dad said, "You didn't answer my question."
"Look, I have a stepbrother who takes care of me, and he has never been beaten by his father in his whole 20 years." Katniss vouched.
"You still didn't answer my question." Dad repeated.
"Dad, let it go!" Cato cut in.
"Cato, don't be rude to your parents!" Katniss put in.
"Katniss they were-"
Katniss cut him off, "They're still your parents, they're the ones that will be here after I…erm, go somewhere," Katniss substituted for Rosie's sake. "They're your parents for God's sake, and that should be enough!"
"I'm sorry," Cato sighed, and kissed the top of your head.
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," Katniss said, pointing towards his father, but she had a small smile on her face, and she leaned in towards Cato.
"Sorry, Dad," Cato apologized.
"It's ok, son," and Mr. and Mrs. Stone exchanged a look. They could identify love when they saw it. They couldn't bear to see what happened when Katniss passed away. What would happen to Cato?
"Amanda, the food is amazing!" Katniss praised, "Can I steal you, just so you can cook for me?" she pleaded.
"Sorry, Katniss," Dad said. "But, Amanda's mine. You can't have her."
"Aww…Well, I guess I'll just have to get Cato to take me here all the time," Katniss laughed.
"We'd be more than welcome to have you," Mum smiled.
"Thank you," Katniss said.
Dinner continued a pleasant affair, paying more attention to Rosie. Than while Rosie dragged Katniss off to show Katniss her room, Dad said, "Cato, is Cray…hurting her?" he asked.
"Dad, stop it!" Cato
"Gregory, he's right," Mum said. "Leave it to her. It's not your business."
"All right," Dad sighed. "Protect her, Cato, she might need it."
After desert, Cato said, "I think I better get Katniss home."
"Oh, but there's a thunderstorm outside!" said distressfully. "Maybe Katniss could sleep over."
Cato was in shock. He had often asked if his 'girlfriends' could stay over, but Mum had always replied with a firm, "No!", but here she was inviting Katniss as if it happened every day.
"Oh, no, I couldn't," Katniss said. "I could just drive home by myself if you're worried about Cato."
Ever the thoughtful one, Cato thought. "Oh no, darling!" nearly screamed. "I'm not even worried about Cato, I'm worried about you."
"Gee, mom," Cato rolled his eyes. "Thanks for caring."
"Oh be quiet! Now Katniss," looked like she was begging. "won't you sleep over for the night? You could leave right in the morning."
"I guess I'll have to," Katniss sighed, looking out the window. "Sorry for being a bother."
"No, you're not a bother! Plus, you'll keep Rosie busy. Gregory and I will finally have some time to ourselves." Mum giggled.
"Oh ew!" Cato said. "Ugh, didn't need to know that."
"I think I may be scarred for life," Katniss said, frowning. Then she started, "Oh gosh, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…"
"That's ok!" Dad said cheerfully. "I would be like that too if someone started talking about their sex life."
"Dad! TMI! That's enough! You two can leave and go do…whatever." Cato groaned.
"Be sure to sleep in two different beds you two!" Mum called as they walked away.
"Be sure to use protection, I really don't want another brat." Cato teased.
"Don't call your sister a brat!" Mum chided.
"Breathe, mum, breathe, I was joking, ok? Joking…"
After they finally got Rosie to sleep, Cato and Katniss had some time to themselves. "Hey, I'm sorry for how my family is sometimes," Cato hugged her.
"Don't apologize. I loved it. Except for that run in with Cray," she added.
"I'm sorry," he said again. "You wanna have a movie night?"
"That sounds nice," she smiled softly.
"Alright, how about you go pick up a movie from the movie tower, and I'll got get blankets, and some sodas."
"Ok," she simply said.
Cato came back with a huge comforter, and two soda cans. He spread the comforter over both of them, and popped open the sodas. He handed one to Katniss after she popped in the DVD to play. "Thanks," she smiled.
"What movie did you pick?" he asked.
"The Fault in Our Stars," Katniss replied with a small grin.
"Really?" Cato raised an eyebrow.
"Yup!" Katniss smiled happily. "It's my favorite book. You willing to watch it? Cause you're going to have to either ways."
"Whatever you want sweetheart," he drew her into his side. Katniss blushed, she opened her mouth, but Cato said, "Shh…Just enjoy the moment, yeah?" Katniss smiled and leaned into him.
"Did I ever tell you that I love you?"
"I love you too sweetheart." The movie started.
Sometime during the movie, Katniss had fallen asleep on Cato. Cato turned off the TV, and carried her up to his bedroom, at the same time, his mother came out of her own bedroom, flushed. "Oh, Cato, dear, she's not sleeping in your bed, is she?" she said tiredly.
"She is sleeping in my bed," He started. "But, I'm sleeping on the couch. Downstairs. Far away from her."
"Oh darling, I think I can trust you too now! It's good that you're finally becoming a gentleman…Or maybe it's just her…Whatever, you can sleep with her…" Mum quickly took back what she said. "I mean you can sleep in the same bed with her not with, with her." she corrected.
"Really?" Cato raised an eyebrow.
"Really." Mum confirmed. "Okay?"
"Okay."
As Cato brought her into his room, Katniss woke up. "Where am I?" she mumbled sleepily.
"In my room." Cato answered.
"What time is it?" she asked.
"11:30 P.M."
"Are you going to sleep on the couch? I don't want to kick you out of your bed," she said doubtfully.
"No, Mum said we could sleep in the same bed." Cato said, wrapping his arms around her.
"Ok," she was too sleepy to argue. "Do you have something I could change into? I really don't want to sleep in this dress. I have a tank top underneath here that I can wear, so I just need some sweatpants if you have."
"I'll get you some," Cato got up to walk into his closet.
"Cato," Katniss called, sitting up on his bed, looking lost and sleepy.
"Yeah?"
"Don't leave me."
"I never will, sweetheart."
After Cato got her some sweatpants, Katniss got up to change in the bathroom. When she came out, she sleepily walked over to Cato, and fell into his arms. "Hey there," he said.
"Hi."
Her tank top was really thin. Cato swallowed. He was going to need a really cold shower the next morning. She climbed into bed, next to him, and wrapped her arms around her torso.
"I'm sleepy." she complained cutely.
"So sleep," Cato told her.
"G'night Cato."
"G'night sweetheart." Katniss smiled faintly into his chest, and fell asleep.
Cato woke up before Katniss, and just sat there watching her sleep. Katniss eventually woke up, and yawned. "Hi Cato."
"Hi sweetheart."
"Were you watching me sleep?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes, Bella," Cato grinned.
"I need to get home, can you run me to my house with your super powers?" she asked.
"If my super powers include my car."
"Ok."
Cato's mum made Katniss stay for breakfast, but soon, they were on their way to Katniss's house. "So," Cato asked. "When is it my turn for 'meet the parents'?"
"Hopefully never," Katniss replied.
When she got home, Finnick was sitting there at the table. "Katniss!" he cried. "I was waiting for you to get back!"
"Umm, great to see you too?" she tried.
"Look, a guy named Plutarch Heavensbee said that he wanted you and me to be a part of his license."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down. Heavensbee wants us to…"
Finnick stared at her, having no idea what she was talking about.
"C'mon," she complained. "Help me out here! Heavensbee wants us to.."
"Become national singers!" Finnick shouted.
"And you want us to do this?" Katniss asked.
"YES!" Finnick all but screamed.
"Umm, how about you do that, and I'll stay here. I don't really want to become a national singer,"
"What, no we need to do it together! He won't accept any of us, unless we're doing it together!" Finnick shouted.
"Do you really want to do this Finnick?" Katniss sighed. "What happens when I die? Will he take you alone? He does know that I'm gonna die right?"
"He knows." Finnick said simply. "He wants to try to make it to the top charts, before…" Finnick trailed off.
"Is this important to you?" Katniss asked.
"Yes, Kat, this is really important to me."
"Alright, where do I sign?" Katniss gave in.
Two days later, Katniss said, "I think it's time we threw that half birthday,"
Everyone was hanging out at Greasy Sae's, when Katniss said this. "How do we even find someone's half birthday?" Peeta asked.
"I don't know," Katniss shrugged, "Don't look at me."
Suddenly Thresh said, "It's Rue's half birthday."
Half of the table said, "Who?" and the other half said, "How do you know her?" and "How do you even know it's her half birthday?"
Thresh blushed bright red, as though he hadn't meant for it to come out…Then suddenly, Katniss grinned, "Ooh, I know who Thresh's crush is!" she sung.
"Oh gosh." Thresh said.
"Nothing to be ashamed of, dude. I think almost all of the rest of us are in love." Gale said. "Clove and me, Cato and Katniss, the two redheads-"
"Wait, who?" Cato asked, bewildered.
"Foxy and Darius." Gale replied undeterred.
"Oh, since when did they get together?" Katniss asked. "We've been waiting for that for AGES! Literally. Did it happen last night?"
"Yeah," Gale confirmed.
"Wait, who's Foxy?" Cato asked, still confused.
"She's Darius's crush, now girlfriend apparently," Katniss informed her. "Don't even ask about the name, we nicknamed her it Freshman year, because we didn't know her real name, and it stuck…It stuck so well, we don't even remember her real name."
"I'm still waiting for my crush to notice me," Peeta sighed.
"Who's your crush?" Katniss asked, her curiosity peaked.
"Johanna Mason."
"Oh, we know her," Katniss said. "Hey, Cato,"
"Yeah, sweetheart?"
"When's the track meet?" she asked.
"Next week, I think."
"Ok, so Peeta we can introduce you next week." Katniss said offhandedly.
"Really?"
"Yup," she said, looking at her phone, and grinning.
"I knew having you as a friend would benefit me someday, instead of ruin me," Peeta grinned.
"Hey!" Katniss glared at him. Then she got diverted at her phone again. She leaned against Cato.
"Seriously?" Clove asked, staring over Katniss's shoulder, "You and Cato are texting each other?"
"Yup," Katniss confirmed not taking her eyes of the screen, undeterred.
Katniss Cato
I love you.
I love you too.
Sweetheart, we should take a picture together.
Ok. How about next week?
K. You know, there must be something wrong with us, when we're texting using full grammar.
Ah, the luxuries of the rich.
Just wait till you become famous because of your singing.
Don't remind me.
Want me to help you forget it?
Please.
I love you.
I love you too.
"Hey guys?" Thresh asked.
"Yeah?" we all gave various acknowledgements.
"Are we gonna throw Rue a half birthday party?"
Katniss threw her IPhone into her pocket, "Why not? Rue's a good choice for a half birthday party," Katniss winked at Thresh. "And for a secret crush."
Thresh groaned, "I'm never gonna live this down am I?"
"Not until you get together with her." Katniss grinned.
"Oh boy," Thresh said dryly.
They made everything into half. They only used half a cake mix, and put it in a pan that made it look like only half a cake, they only used half of the birthday banner, and they all wore half party hat cones. It was pretty fun, it was like going back to a kid again.
"How old is she turning, Thresh?" Clove asked.
Thresh replied immediately, "19."
"Stalker much?" Darius joked.
"Oh, stop it," Katniss said. "Leave the poor lovesick boy alone." she teased.
"Hey, Katniss," Thresh started.
"Oh, no, I knew I shouldn't have said that! Cato, protect me!" she cowered behind him.
"Katniss," Cato said in a long suffering tone, "we went over this before, I'm not here to protect you, sweetheart, I'm here to love you…Ok?"
"Aww," Clove said. "That's so sweet!"
"Cato!" Katniss whined.
"Umm…Katniss?" Thresh called again.
"Spare me Thresh! Think of all the times, I've stood up for you, saved you from the teasing…Oh, wait, that's practically nonexistent, never mind, don't think of that, umm…"
"Katniss," Thresh said patiently again.
"All right, I resign myself to my fate," she said gloomily. "Go ahead, Thresh," she said tearfully. "But make it quick!" she pretended to sob.
"Umm…Could you sing for Rue's half birthday party?"
"What?" Katniss's head snapped up so fast, Cato thought she might get whiplash…
"Could you and Finnick sing for Rue?" Thresh repeated.
"You're sparing me? Oh, thank you! I am not forever indebted to you though, and nor will I become your personal slave." she added.
"Good, I think." Thresh said.
"Finnick, what should we sing?" Katniss wailed.
"It's all your fault for not thinking until the last five minutes!" Finnick said.
"But, I was preoccupied!"
"Right," Finnick rolled his eyes. "with reading Harry Potter. Again."
"What?" Katniss whined. "It's not my fault it's the greatest book in the world!
"Whatever. And if it's Rue's birthday, shouldn't we sing Happy Birthday, genius?"
"Well, genius, it's only her half birthday so we should sing something special!" Katniss retorted.
"Hey guys," Darius said. "Remember you're friends not lunatics, ok?"
"Shuddup!" Katniss and Finnick said in sync.
"Uh oh…" Gale said. "When they start talking in sync, they like team up against everyone else, and they're practically unstoppable together." Gale paused. "Then again, Katniss teamed up with anyone else is practically unstoppable."
"Thresh!" Katniss all but yelled.
"Yes, Katniss?" Thresh answered tiredly.
"What should we sing for Rue?"
"I dunno. How about your specialty, 'Just Give Me a Reason'?"
"You wanna do that, Finny Boy?" Katniss asked Finnick.
"At this point, I just want this over with." Finnick moaned.
"You can say that again for both of us." Katniss sighed.
"At this point, I just want this over with." Finnick repeated. "You happy now?"
"Shuddup! It's called irony genius!"
"Remind me to get you a book of comebacks."
"You people have to stop using up all my good lines."
"Why are you two arguing, today of all days guys?" Thresh cut in. "It's Rue's half birthday."
"Shuddup, lover boy!" Finnick and Katniss talked in sync again.
"Finnick and I are going to each choose a song and surprise each other with the one we chose," Katniss and Finnick stepped out from a room, where a shout out had occurred.
All their friends cheered. "Finally!" Gale said. "I was beginning to worry that one of you had died, and that the other one was jumping a train to hide the facts."
"Are you ok?" Finnick and Katniss said together.
"Oh no," Peeta said.
"No, we're good. We've just got that little telepathic connection thingy," Katniss clarified. "going on right now."
When the party finally came, Katniss and Finnick were both going to do love songs, 1. to set the mood for Thresh to admit his love. 2. To make Rue realize she liked Thresh.
Katniss stepped up to the podium after cake, and said, "Finnick and I each have a song to sing to our darling Rue, for her half birthday. Rue, do us the favor of standing up so all can see you?"
Rue did as Katniss asked, and waved towards Thresh, who blushed. Rue apparently was oblivious, but she blushed when Thresh waved back towards her and smiled. Katniss smiled evilly. Then, she started her song
Katniss
Finnick
When your soul finds the soul it was waiting for
When someone walks into your heart through an open door
When your hand finds the hand it was meant to hold
Don't let go
Someone comes into your world
Suddenly your world has changed forever
No there's no one else's eyes
That could see into me
No one else's arms can lift
Lift me up so high
Your love lifts me out of time
And you know my heart by heart
When you're one with the one you were meant to be find
Everything falls in place, all the stars align
When you're touched by the cloud that has touched your soul
Don't let go
Someone comes into your life
It's like they've been in your life forever
No there's no one else's eyes
That could see into me
No one else's arms can lift
Lift me up so high
Your love lifts me out of time
And you know my heart by heart
So now we've found our way to find each other
So now I found my way, to you
No there's no one else's eyes
That could see into me
No there's no one else's eyes
That could see into me
No one else's arms can lift
Lift me up so high
Your love lifts me out of time
And you know my heart by heart
And you know my heart by heart
And you know my heart by heart
And you know my heart by heart
Katniss stepped off the stage to clapping, and to Rue blushing furiously. She grinned, 'Mission Accomplished' she thought. 'Now, if only Finnick can pull this off.'
Finnick stepped up, "Well, same as Katniss, this song is dedicated to Rue…But with a little side note, it's what's gonna happen if her lover doesn't step up soon…"
Katniss grinned, 'oh it definitely worked,' she thought.
Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now
Our song on the radio but it don't sound the same
When our friends talk about you, all it does is just tear me down
'Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name
It all just sounds like oooooh…
Mmm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should've bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should've gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man
My pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways
Caused a good strong woman like you to walk out my life
Now I never, never get to clean up the mess I made, ohh…
And it haunts me every time I close my eyes
It all just sounds like oooooh…
Mmm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should've bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should've gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man
Although it hurts
I'll be the first to say that I was wrong
Oh, I know I'm probably much too late
To try and apologize for my mistakes
But I just want you to know
I hope he buys you flowers
I hope he holds your hand
Give you all his hours
When he has the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause I remember how much you loved to dance
Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man
Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man
As soon as Finnick was done, Thresh practically leaped onto the stage, "Ermm…I really didn't plan this, but Rue, I've known you for a year know. You're funny, sweet, always thinking of others before yourself. You've also…captured my heart. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Rue didn't say anything for a while. Katniss and Finnick were worried that she might reject Thresh. Then she ran up to him herself and kissed him full on the lips. Family members and friends whistled and clapped.
Thresh was Rue's 'man'…
Cato was waiting around Katniss's locker before the bell rang, with everyone else, waiting for her. Finally, she came to her locker.
"Hey," he said, grabbing her for a hug.
"Hi," she replied softly, she looked a bit pale. Everyone else exchanged greetings. The bell rang, before anyone could say anything else, so they all went to their respective classes.
Cato wouldn't see Katniss again till lunch, so he sent her a a text during one of the classes.
can't wait for lunch
Yeah. Me too.
Oh, I've gotta go, teacher's calling.
I love you.
Love you too, sweetheart.
At lunch, Cato found Katniss at the lunch table, with her head lying on the table. "Hey," he asked, "You ok?"
Katniss lifted her head, and Cato saw dark circles underneath her eyes. "Yeah," she said. "I'm good. I just…nothing." she sighed.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" Cato asked to make sure.
"Of course," was Katniss's simple answer.
"Hey, aren't you going to eat anything?" Gale asked, as he joined the table. Cato looked down, Katniss had nothing before her.
Katniss lifted her head to look at Gale, and shook her head, "I'm not feeling very hungry, right now."
"You don't look so good, Katniss," Gale said wearily.
Cato rubbed her back. He asked again, "Are you sure you're ok?"
Katniss smiled, albeit wearily at him, she leaned into his chest, "I'll be ok." she confirmed.
"Alright, sweetheart," Cato gave in.
After school, Darius said, "Hey, you guys want to Greasy Sae's for a while?" Their friends made various sounds of agreement.
Then Katniss said, "Sorry, guys, I don't think I can." she sounded really tired.
"Why not?" Annie asked.
"I'm just not feeling too well, I think I'm gonna go home. You guys should go without me though," she added.
"No, we should go with you," Thresh was looking at her carefully now, seeing her fatigue for the first time.
"Are you sure?" Katniss asked.
"We're sure, sweetheart," Cato smiled down at her.
At Katniss's house, they decided to have a movie party. Katniss brought a bunch of blankets and pillows, while Gale got some movies, and Darius popped popcorn. Cato envied how those three knew this house like it was their own house. Thresh and Peeta knew less well, but they knew some things. Finnick and Cato didn't know much of it at all.
The group spread out everywhere. Peeta, Gale and Clove shared the three seater. Katniss and Cato took the two seater. Finnick, Annie, Darius, Foxface, Thresh and Rue spread out various pillows and blankets on the floor.
Gale had decided to watch the Marvel series, as he called it, so they began to watch the Avengers, and throughout the movie, Cato was aware of Katniss falling asleep on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. After all four movies were done, Avengers, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man, they began to get ready to leave. Cato picked Katniss up to bring her up to his bed, and he gasped.
"What?" Finnick looked up at Cato. "What's wrong?"
"She's…she's so light! Just a week ago, I carried her and she wasn't this light!" Cato was worried.
"Oh, she's just probably trying to lose weight," Finnick tried to pass it off. "She would tell us if something was wrong, right?" he also looked nervous. "Let me hold her."
Cato gave Katniss up to Finnick. Finnick's face went pale, "Gale!"
"Yes," he answered abesentmindedly.
"Kat's losing weight, fast," Finnick passed on the information.
"How much?" Gale asked, at the same time Darius asked, "Over how much time?"
"About seven pounds, over the last week," Cato informed them.
"Shit!" Gale exclaimed at the same time Darius said, "This is it then."
"What?" Clove asked.
"Katniss is going to die…Katniss is going to die..SHIT!" Darius yelled.
"I thought we already knew that," Annie was confused.
"But, we hoped there was a chance that she could survive again, like last time," Finnick explained, deathly pale. "This time…There is no hope. It's final. Katniss is going to die."
Just then, Katniss woke up. She looked around at all the pale, tear faced faces. She asked confusedly, "What's wrong?"