AN: Wow...it has taken me a REALLY, REALLY long time to update. You have no idea how bad I feel that I haven't updated for a long time. Between school, writers block, and editing everything just came together in such a way that it took me forever to right this chapter. I have some ideas for the next chapter so hopefully (no promises) it won't take as long. I hope you enjoy this chapter, please review :D
As we climb up to the floor I turn to Katniss, "What about Haymitch and your escort?"
"Haymitch is out talking to some of the other mentors and my escort, Effie, is out around the Capital, probably shopping." she says not even glancing at me. I just nod then turn back to the door anxiously waiting for it to open.
After what seems to be forever the doors slide open. I step out and look around their floor to make sure that no one is actually there. As I look around my eyes catch on a rack of multiple different types of deserts, "Wait, you guys get dessert?" She bursts out in laughter.
I just stare at her confused waiting for her to explain her laughter. She just walks to the door still giggling. I start to follow her but I backtrack and grab a handful of the colorful deserts. Then I walk to the stairs that lead to the roof.
When I get to the roof I sit down on a bench and face Katniss. I stuff my face with a soft green cake.
"So, you guys really don't get dessert?"
"Nope, not until the last two days, it's part of our training." She smiles holding back a laugh but doesn't explain her question.
The silenced soon becomes awkward so I just ask the obvious question, "So why did you want to talk up here?" I say while eating my next treat.
"Isn't it obvious?"
I laugh slightly, "No, not really!"
"...Our conversation out by the fountain?"
"What about it?" I say finishing the last treat.
"Well I just thought you were upset." She says then comes over to the bench where I am sitting and sits down with me. I get up and move away from her running my hand through my hair. I look down at the streets down below us.
"No, I wasn't upset." I say watching a pair of kids about the age of six racing up and down the block in an endless chase for the end, "I just didn't get much sleep, plus I'm really focusing on training."
"Then why were you trying to leave the training center."
I turn to her sharply, "Because there was so much fucking drama going on I couldn't focus."
"I thought you said you were focusing on training?"
"I was trying to but everyone else was focusing on the drama!"
"That doesn't mean YOU have to focus on the drama."
"Well you were shoving the drama right in my face."
"Wait...what drama are we talking about here?"
"You making out with Loverboy!"
She stands up, "I wasn't making out with him!" She takes a couple steps towards me, "And I thought you said you weren't upset?"
"Well maybe I lied!" I exploded. We both stop taking and we don't move we just stay exactly where we are, facing each other. Not a single movement, not a word, until she closes her eyes.
She mutters, "You're the enemy" I could barely hear her.
"I'm the what?" I say taking a step forward.
"You're the fucking enemy!" she screams in my face.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I say angrily.
"It means you're the one who is going to win this damned thing."
"Well you have a fighting chance."
"How?" She asks me.
"...Because at 2 we go to school to learn how to survive but at 12 you have to know how to survive from day one. You have to fight to stay alive and hunt to get food and -" I stop.
Hunt.
It dawns on me. I start laughing at my stupidity. Katniss looks at me like I am insane. "You're the amazing archer aren't you? No one else could outrun me, well other then you, clove, or that ginger girl, but that's your secret isn't it? That's your specialty!"
She doesn't say a word or show any emotions she just slowly turns and walks over to a pot of primroses and stares down at them like she is pondering life. I walk over to her and say gently into her ear, "It was you, and you have a fighting chance to win." She shivers under my voice.
I don't move away from her and she doesn't even take a breath. I put my hand on her shoulder, and I feel her shudder, but it wasn't from my touch. I turn her around slowly but she keeps her eyes set on the ground. I don't push it, I just wait for her to look at me, and she eventually does. Her eyes red and tears staining her cheeks.
"What's wrong?" I say, oddly concerned.
"Just leave it." She says clearing her eyes. She tries to push past me but I stop her, "Don't try me Cato." I just give her one of my winning smirks and she gives me the common death glare.
"Just tell me what is wrong and I will let you go." I tell her. She nods and says, not breaking our eye contact, "Before I left I talked to my sister, Prim, and I told her I would try to win, but I really didn't believe it, and I still don't. But you, my enemy, my competition, believe in me! I'm just confused! Why do you believe in me?"
I stop thinking about how I should place my words. "To be honest I don't know." and with that she pushes past me successfully. She goes to sit down on a bench but I don't turn to face her.
"Why do you care about me Cato?" She starts
I still don't turn as I reply, "I...I don't know, I'm still trying to figure that out." I turn to her calmly. I see that she is just looking at me for my reaction to the question. I walk over to sit by her.
"Well when you first saw me did you expect for us to be like this?" the question comes a little unexpected.
I try and find my traction to answer the question, "W...well honestly when I first saw you all I knew was that I would have to really fight to win, but after our kiss..." I stop realizing I brought up the topic; I had not wanted to bring up. She looks at me but she is not glaring, her face emotionless but her eyes tell me that she had been waiting for me to bring up the topic.
So I continue, "...but after our kiss, my feelings started to change."
"Well the games are starting in a few days, and the whole plan with Peeta, and-" She stops looking straight into my eyes. I can't resist the urge any longer and apparently she can't either, because our lips meet in a perfect light kiss.
Everything is just how I wanted it to be and I don't care about anything else that is happening. That is until Peeta bursts up onto the roof.
"Katniss!" He yells. Even though he is frantic Katniss and I separate calmly. I smile at her and she blushes every so slightly.
"Katniss I know you are up here!" She reluctantly stands up and I follow her, feeling obligated to protect her even though I know Peeta is not a threat.
"Peeta, I'm right here what's so important?" We come into view and Peeta glares at the sight of me which makes me laugh.
"Well," He continues, "After the two of you left they announced a slight twist!" Katniss and I exchange a glance
"What is the twist?" I ask. Loverboy shoots me yet another glare.
He returns his gaze to Katniss, "Tomorrow we get to go, meet, and talk to the other victors/mentors!"
