The rest of the journey just passed in a string of events that began to merge into one another. Was the meeting with our mentor and the chariot ride really on the same day, or was I just too dazed to decipher the difference?

"Skylar? Is that okay?"

I felt a foot slam into mine underneath the table and snapped back to the present, rather than dwelling in the past.

"What?"

"I said," Cynthia Garner fixed me with a withering glare from across the dining table, tucking a strand of her auburn bob behind her ear in irritation. "Is that okay with you, Ms. Tanner?"

I hadn't the foggiest as to what she was asking me, so I just placed my most Skylar-like smile on my face, nodded and said "Sure thing."

Archer's shoulder began to sink beside me, and I cast him a curious look from the corner of my eye when Cynthia was distracted by an Avox serving her coffee.

"So, it's agreed then. You and Archer will not work together in the arena."

My eyes went wide, but I quickly hid it and nodded.

This is why you listen when people ask you things.

Cynthia left us, and it was just me and Archer, sat silently at the dining table.

"So, Tanner," Archer took a sip from his coffee and slammed the cup down on the table. He winced at the sound and turned to me "You Don't want to work with me?"

"You know fully well that I wasn't listening…but no, I don't want to work with you, for your information."

"Way to be blunt."

"That's how I roll."

"Can I ask why?"

"Sure," I shrugged.

Archer rolled his eyes and stood up from the table. "Right, I forgot how pedantic you could be. May I ask why?"

Crap, I can't slip up like that again. Skylar gets straight Ds in English. I can't be myself any more. I have to be there for her. I have to be her.

"Look, I don't want to have to kill you in the arena."

"What?"

"If it boils down to the two of us…I wouldn't want to kill you."

"I wouldn't want to…"

"Promise me one thing?" I pushed the seat back and faced Archer. I inclined my head to meet his eyes, but felt myself desperately wanting to look away. There was an infinite sadness held in those dark pools, the kind that only other contestants could understand. I knew that my eyes were the same. I faced that truth every time I look in the mirror, and have to look away just as quickly before I broke down once more.

"Anything," Archer reached for my hand, but I moved out of his reach. I fixed him with a steady gaze to make sure he understood how much I meant this.

"If I die, you win."

"What?"

"Look, I know the odds are against us. Hell, they aren't in anyone's favour right now, but I know one thing. My family needs this. Your family needs this. Our District needs us to win this. So I say we do it. For us. For them."

Archer looked uncomfortable, but nodded. "I'll try."

"No." my voice cracked from anger, "don't try. Do it!"

"Archer's eyes widened but then grew narrow. "I can't promise that."

"Just do it." I grabbed him and wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in that typically Archer scent- lemons and rosemary- before my whispered words caressed his ear and I felt him tense beneath me. "Promise me you'll survive this. If our friendship meant anything to you, you'll do it."

Archer froze, and I pulled back and met his eyes. They were the colour of rain-soaked bark after a thunderstorm. One solitary tear rolled down his cheek, paused on his chin, and fell on the skin of my bare arm. "I promise." he whispered.

"Thank you." I smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. I felt him incline his head, but I pulled back and pretended it didn't happen.

This was not the time for romance.

This was the time for action.

I hugged him gently again and strolled towards the door, going back to my room to let the stylists prepare me for the Games.

Archer's voice stopped me in my tracks as I pulled the sliding door open. "Why did you do that?"

I half-turned and saw the equal parts of anger and anguish painted on his face.

"Do what?"

"Make me promise?"

I bent my head and half-smiled. "Because I know you."

"What? "

"You don't break your promises."