Waking up at 6:30 AM for a 2 hour philosophy class is never fun but when I shut off the alarm on my phone and see more then 30 emails from barely 12 hours after posting really helped to make my heaviest day in the week much much more bearable.

Thanks to everybody who subscribed and thanks to Imagination-1 Reality-0, geranium08, gleeislove, Mason and Alex, Dramione-Fan 17, Tayler Snape13, confused-Luna, bubba2494, criticderomance and catofever for taking the time to leave a review. Just seeing all those e-mails makes me really happy !

So I threw away one hour of my education to write the most part of this chapter today. And I don't regret it one second.

PS: I know most people don't care about the chosen lyrics but I still want to say that I'm going to change songs in the next chapter (as I have already went through all the lyrics of Hot Like Fire) but I'm going to try to always have the word "fire" in it. Because there's no better word to describe this ass-kicking pairing. Feel free to share music ideas. (concerning my taste I'm not too much into mainstream commercial artist, like Rihanna etc, aside from that I'll listen to pretty much anything) Well actually I'll be cheating for the next chapter , I'll use lyrics with the word 'burn'. Close enough. I already have the music for the next three chapter decided and music really inspires me so, quick updates. And also for the first time I'm actually writing a story with the end planned. Yep. I got all the plot twits ready.

Once again all mistakes are my fault . For the disclaimer please refer to chapter one.

Chapter 2 : Banter for the soul.

You shouldn't have said 'take our time'
I'll let you know when I'm ready if that's alright
I won't keep you, I won't keep you, I won't keep you holding on
If you wait on me I promise you it won't be long.
(I'm gonna take you)
Hot like fire.
Take you higher.

"Hot Like Fire" - The XX

I'm almost sure that this is the longest day in my life. And it's only half way through. I groan.

Four hours. I spent four hours with Effie trying to make me walk semi-decently in heels so high that I'm sure would classify as weapon back in District 12. And a torture tool too. I have lost any hope to ever feel my toes again.

Haymitch was only able to tolerate me for an hour before kicking me out. One hour where all and any aspect of my personality was insulted and my charm compared to one of a dead slug.

Not good.

And I'm definitely not looking forward to the interview with Caesar. I've never spoken in public before and even that aside I have nothing to say, no real interview strategy. I can't be cute, charming, sexy or cunning. I can't even be honest. I don't want to share what little I have left of myself to people that will just cheer in front of their screen while we kill each other, betting on children's death's. One is only twelve !

I choke a wave of nausea back down at the thought. I can't believe people are as ignorant and sick to consider this just like some sort of twisted Olympics and enjoy it. No wonder they started a rebellion. And here is the punishment, 74 years later.

I have three hours to kill before being ushered in whatever dress has been chosen for me and shoes that will probably cause me to break my ankles before the Games even start.

Feeling the need or fresh air , I swing by my room and put back on the same sneakers, wearing only a tank top and sweat pants. I needed to be comfortable before the clothing torture tonight. I trust Cinna's taste but I've seen enough people in Capitol clothing to guess that most of them aren't that enjoyable to be in.

I also grab a medium size ball made in some sort of light metal that I've discovered to be a radio after turning it on in my sleep.

Effie won't let Peeta go before her four hours of training are up. I'll be undisturbed. Not that I don't like the Boy with the bread's company but I just need to be by myself right now.

I walked up to the roof and sat near the edge of it, near the force field and leaned my head against the small ledge and I sighed, enjoying the loneliness. I know I'll have plenty of alone time but I have the feeling that it will be much less relaxing then it is now.

I try to work the tiny piece of technology and after a few minutes I manage to get a channel that plays old tunes from when Panem didn't even exist. Before the fires and the flood, hundreds of years old.

Ironically it's the only channel we get o n that old station we have back home when my father traded a deer to a passing visitor from the technology district.

Dad and I used to sing along to those songs and when he passed away I kept doing that as a way to cope. And I shared with Gale my love for all these old songs.

I felt my heart clench at the thought of my best friend back home. Oh how I miss him. And Prim, and Mom, and Madge, Sae, Darius and all the people from District 12.

I shook my head to get rid of the sad thoughts and one of my favorite songs comes on. I usually listen to it with Gale and we laugh at the lyrics together. But I don't feel like laughing now, I just want to listen to it and think happy thoughts. I close my eyes and start singing half way through the song.

"I've left home just a week before

And I've never ever kissed a woman before.

Lola smiled and took me by the hand

She sad 'Dear boy I'm gonna make you a man'"

"Is that an offer?" a deep voice says right next to me.

I jump in surprise and accidentally kicked the little radio-ball that shut off as it fell to the floor. I turned faced an ever smirking Cato. Was he only able to wear a smirk or a frown, or did he truly have only two facial expressions ?

He was closer then I expected and I felt my annoyance at him increase tenfold.

"You do know that this is a song about a transvestite right ?" I said, the annoyance clear in my voice.

"Good to know, so the offer still stands ?" he said after shrugging.

"Do you really have to sneak up on me and be lewd every time we are alone together ?"

"I don't have to, I just really enjoy it"

Wow I can see his ego inflating from here.

"You really have a problem Cato and I think it's too late for treatment"

"Because I enjoy seeing how I can make you all bothered ?" He said, grinning.

" Seriously though Cato, why me? Can't you find a willing girl for whatever it is you seem to enjoy doing ? I heard that the girl from 6 quite interested in you. Desperate really"

He made a face of disgust.

"That girl is so stupid she'll probably run for the cornucopia before the countdown even end. I mean I'm always up for a good fuck but I can't lower my standards"

"Charming" I deadpanned.

"As to why you ?" He said, a thoughtful look on his face "I'll admit that at first I didn't give a flying fuck about you. I mean it was just scum from District 12 with a good stylist. You only became worthy of any attention . That's pretty much it so don't let it get to your head, your only moderately good looking"

I rolled my eyes. How full of himself can he be ?

"And you're what? A Greek God?"

"Well thanks for noticing sweetheart" He said, chuckling.

Wow, apparently way too much. I mean sure he is better looking then average with his tall build, large shoulders, ice blue eyes, blond tousled hair and...

"Like what you see darling" He said, grinning.

Here goes the ego again. I should stop staring at him out it'll never fit inside the arena.

"Wait, you mean the ignorant brute in front of me with a superiority complex? No, not so much." I said my exasperation clear in my voice.

"Now, don't be so mean fire girl" he answered, stepping closer to me and our fronts were touching.

I tried not to show how uncomfortable I was, I didn't want him to know that his actions were affecting me.

"Do you always have to take up my personal space?"

He looked down at me and answered "You know I just enjoy watching how you react to me. Your all prudish yet you can't deny your attracted to me"

I scoffed. "Wow you should seek medical attention for your delusions Cato."

"You won't admit it now but trust me, you will sooner or later. Even in the arena I'll wait for you to tell me"

"If I ever see you in the arena it'll be when I shoot an arrow through you" I said angrily.

"Ouch" he said, dramatically grabbing is chest "You wound me Katniss"

I rolled my eyes, this guy is a joke, but then again, I can't let myself forget that he's also a killing maching 3 times heavier then me. Without my bow, he could crush me without trying.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be ?" I sighed.

He took a step back.

"I believe I do, Brutus must be wondering where I am." He smiled for the first time and added "I'll see you during the interview tonight. I hope they dress you in something tight" he smirked.

I felt my cheeks heat up. Why was I blushing at his stupid harassment? As I looked up, I saw him walking to the stairs.

He stopped and turned around, staring at me, his expression much more serious. Like the Cato I used to see at training.

"Fire girl. Wait for me when the interviews are over. I need to ask you something"

What was that ? I stared at him questioningly for an explanation but he turned around again and left by the stairs, leaving me confused on the roof.