"So, Wiress, you're our little engineer aren't you?" Caesar Flickman asked.
"I suppose. I'm not certified yet. That's during our last year of the academy." Wiress explained.
"I see." Caesar said smiling. "Well, your training score of nine is nearly a Career level score." Wiress smiled. "Any thoughts?"
"I approached my examination like a practical exam at school and did my best." She shrugged. "Using materials around you to achieve a goal is what engineering is about anyway."
"And that goal is?"
"To perform to my best ability." Wiress said. "My parents are watching over me, and my grandmother and my friends and teachers at the academy are watching also. I want to do well for them." Caesar nodded. The crowd murmured in agreement and sympathy.
"Speaking of people at the academy, your mentor is probably its most famous alumnus." He smiled. "It has come to my attention that your relationship with him goes well beyond mentor-tribute or even engineer and apprentice." Caesar paused. "What will you do in the arena to come back to your mentor – the man who has eagerly reciprocated your feelings of love?"
Beetee's blood froze. He sat on the couch with head down, face in his hands before trembling uncontrollably. This was why the Gamemakers gave her a high score. She was their target to break him. Wiress' face showed shock for a split second before she resumed her calm demeanor. "I will do my best because he has taught me a lot." Wiress said evenly. "I – If I die, I promise I will watch over him." She couldn't hide a smile even though he knew she was shaking with fear inside. The buzzer went off. Everyone cheered and some people in the audience 'awwed.' Beetee watched Terrance's interview through a curtain of tears.
"Beetee?" Wiress asked in the doorway of his room. After chatting with Terrance, she went to her room and pretended to be asleep so Beetee could have time with him. After hearing his snores from down the hallway, Wiress had crept out of her room and to his door. Beetee shook his head sadly as he looked at her. Wiress turned to walk away and found herself wrapped in Beetee's arms. She shivered as he kissed her neck and shoulder. She turned around and looked into his eyes before wrapping her arms around his neck. Beetee whispered her name in between kisses as he guided them to the bed. "Did I – did I say the right thing?" Wiress asked as she rested her head on his chest.
"You did, honey. You did." Beetee whispered. Tears streamed down his face as he ran his fingers along Wiress' cheek.
"Don't be sorry." Wiress nodded. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"You're still sad though." Wiress said, tears coming to her eyes. "I'm – I'm afraid I've hurt you because you might lose me." Beetee knew she was 100% correct.
"My life is richer now because I've loved you." Beetee said. "Please believe that." Wiress nodded. She smiled as Beetee's lips met hers. Much later in the evening, Beetee carried her back to her room and helped her into a comfortable nightgown. "I love you." He whispered as he pulled the covers over her and squeezed her hand.
"I love you too." Wiress said smiling. She took his hand and kissed it. "Beetee - could you stay with me? Until I fall asleep?" Beetee smiled and crawled under the covers. He wrapped his arms and legs around Wiress and watched her as she fell asleep. When her breathing was slow and even, he slowly climbed out of her bed. He kissed her on the forehead before tiptoeing out of the room and closing the door.
He gasped as he heard the unmistakable giggling of Eustacia. She stood in the hallway next to Wiress' door still in her party clothes. A wicked grin was spread across her face. "I came back earlier than you expected me to, did I?" beetee was lost for words. "Don't worry, Caesar knew that your secret had to be spilled before the Games! The Capital will just love the drama you two have created!" Beetee clenched his fists and stared at Eustacia. He was furious beyond words. Eustacia smirked at him again. "Alright, Mr. Topsy-Turvy in love Tesla, back to your room! Your little girl-toy tribute needs to sleep!" She gasped as she was slammed against the wall opposite to Wiress' room. Beetee glared at her and gripped her upper-arms in a vice-like grip. His face was mere inches away from hers, and her quick anxious breaths were fogging up his glasses.
"You never talk about Wiress or any of my tributes like that." Beetee hissed. "They get humiliated enough in the arena. They do not need it from you! Do you understand?"
"Clearly." Eustacia said sweetly, but her voice dripped with anger. "Perhaps, you should lay down too. Go on." Beetee went to his room and heard the door slam behind him. He heard the door lock, and then he heard a series of clicks. He turned the handle to the door and realized he was locked in. Eustacia was still outside as he hadn't heard her clomping down the hall in her high-heels. He took a deep breath. Though every fiber of his being wanted to scream and pound on the door, his desire to not give Eustacia that satisfaction of a scene won out. He whistled to himself as he changed into his pajamas and turned off the light. No matter what the Capital did to the young lady he loved, he would do everything to protect her.