I've decided to add another bit to the storyline, so I've modified other chapters (it hopefully still makes sense) so it doens't seem like this came from nowhere!

I stand, watching Cole's interview from were I was once waiting. He seems nervous. He wrings his hands as he sits, but eventually he warms up,

makes a few jokes, flashes a winning smile, and answers questions seemingly happily. Effie smiles happily at my side, her hands folded together in front of her, and even Haymitch, who's looking extremely sober, doesn't seem as grumpy as usual. And then-

"So, Cole," Ceasar says. "The last two years, in the arena, we've had a beautiful young romance from District 12. Are we going to be seeing any of that this year?"

Cole gives a laugh, and shakes his head. "No." he says, with a nervous sort of smile. "No. Maybe if I had my way. But she's happy with Gale. I've seen her back home. They're a beautiful couple."

The audience awws, and Effie gasps, clasping her hands together infront of her mouth. Haymitch grunts. I smile slightly.

"And you don't want to mess with that?" Ceasar asks.

"I don't have a chance anyway." Cole says, that same, small smile still playing on his lips. "There won't be two victors this year."

Ceasar looks at the audience and gives a sympathetic smile, and the applause begins, as he stands up holding Cole's hands in the air. But before he can reach the edge of the stage, I'm turning to Haymitch. "I'm going to my room." I say, turning and walking to the elevator, followed by a silent, but smiling, Indigo.

I brush the curls out of my hair, sitting cross-legged on my bed. The silk sheets are soft underneath my legs, but the heat makes them sticky, and I eventually have to get up. Watching the reruns of the interviews, I notice how happy I seem. How alive. Like I'm not about to be sent into an arena with 23 other kids to fight to the death. It must seem horrible to the people back home, to the people I care about, but it delights the people of the Capitol, and isn't that what matter right now?

I hear doors shutting and opening from outside, and I kno Effie has went to bed, as has Haymitch. They were watching the reruns in the living room, with Indigo and Eunia Lockheart, Cole's stylist, and had apparently only just went to bed. So I was going to the roof.

With training beginning the next day, I know I will have no time to scout around the suit and see what was going on. So I decide that now is the right time, and I creep down the corridor towards the stair case that leads to the roof.

As soon as I open the door, the cold night air hits me. It feels good against my hot, sticky skin, and I take in a long, deep breath. I wonder why nobody just throws themselves over the edge, and finishes it before they can get to the arena. I walk to the edge, and look down. It's a long drop.
A hugely long drop. It would definitely do the job.

"Don't bother." A voice says from behind me. "Force-field'll just throw you back up."

I turn to see Cole, sitting against some sort of ventiliation thing. All I know is, it's big, and it's metal, and it can't be too comfortable. I don't move from my position next to the edge. "Force-field?" I ask.

He nods. "Stops people from just throwing themselves off before they can get them into the arena. Because, you know - the whole point is that they watch you die. Finding you at the bottom with your skull cracked open takes all the fun out of things."

It's the first time I've heard Cole like this- cold, harsh and cynical. He doesn't look impressed, either. His grey eyes are dark, like the storm clouds that ould gather over us in the winter, and they're staring not at me, but at the wall beside me.

"You sound like you've thought about it." I murmur.

"You haven't?" He raises an eyebrow.

I shake my head. "Not if there's a chance that I'll win."

"There is no chance for me."

"That's not true."

"How?" He spits. "How is it not true? We both know it, I'm not making it out."

"Cole." I say. He's getting angry, I can see it. I try to calm him down. "Cole, we're training tomorrow. Even if you're not good at anything now, you'll get good. They'll train you to be good. And even if you aren't, Cole-" I sit down next to him, and smile. "You've always got me as an ally."

His eyes soften slightly, and his jaw relaxes.

I wonder if I should tell him, now. The secret I've been hiding for so long. Have never mentioned to anyone else. Have tried not to think about since I was last there. How suspicious will it be? To find a girl, not from one of the career districts, who can already fight, shoot and take care of herself? Will Snow want to know why? or will he think I've just done so good in training that I've prepared myself for this? Will it look like I've had prior training? And if it does, what will happen? Who will be punished?

I decide to keep my mouht shut, pulling my knees up to mychest instead.

"Stay with me in the arena." Cole says.

He isn't looking at me, but I nod. "Of course." I reply.

He smiles slightly, and then sighs. Standing up, he holds his hand out to me. "We should get some sleep. We have to be up early tomorrow - it's a big big day!" He mimicks Effie in a shrill Capitol voice, and I laugh, taking his hand and allowing him to pull me up.