Authors Note

In this chapter as well as upcoming chapters there will be opinions expressed and actions taken about same-sex relationships. I want to share to you all that I don't agree with all the opinions that will appear in this story. As much as I hate to write those sections, they are necessary to developing Katniss's conflict and the plot of this story. I support all members of the LGBTQ community and believe that they deserve the same rights and treatment as everyone else. I just wanted to clear this up and to apologize if anything said in this story offends anyone. That is not its intention. Thank you for your understanding and for reading this story. -Nay

I expected some atrocious barely human creature to walk through the door. Someone with neon green or pink hair and turquoise skin with pounds of makeup on and some hideous outfit. Thankfully, my designer, Cinna as he introduced himself, seemed completely normal. He was wearing black, simple, normal clothing with gold eyeliner. While still semi-eccentric, Cinna was an answer to my prayers.

I figured that I would be stuck wearing some bland, stereotypical coal miner's outfit, or, if I were so lucky, I would be wearing nothing more than "coal dust." I'm sure Miss. Mason would love that. Not that I care. I'm just glad that there is now a 90% that I won't be almost completely naked on national television. At least I will still have some dignity left while I'm fighting to the death. And I'll die with dignity as well. I'm only going to kill in self-defense or the defense of my allies, or if I know for sure that me killing that person will result in myself going home to Prim.

Now I, hopefully, will be wearing a semi-decent outfit that may help me to gain a few sponsors who may just be my ticket to life. My ticket to getting back to Prim. As much as I hate the capitolites, they are key to getting back to Prim. If I want to leave that arena not in my coffin, I'm going to need the support of a few of them and this person, Cinna, is my best shot at convincing them to help me. So now back to the present.

After some brief introductions and small talk shared over a delicious meal courtesy of the Capitols avoxes, we got down to business. I didn't recognize Cinna from past games, so that means that he must be new this year. That would also explain why he is stuck with district 12. They always stick us with the newbie's until they prove themselves. The Capitol doesn't want to risk the chances of any of the important districts. The districts with tributes that actually have a chance at winning the games. All anyone ever thinks of the district 12 tributes is that they are there to be killed in the bloodbath by careers.

That is, until now. Now they have me, a tribute who actually has a reason to try and win these fucked up games. A tribute who excels with a bow and arrows. A tribute who is used to starvation and killing for a living. Not people, but animals of course. And now I have a great stylist on top of that. I trust Cinna. He is one of the few people here I can trust. He's proven to me that he isn't a heartless man with a love of watching kids kill each other in an apparent game.

Not to mention the stunning outfit he created for me. He helped with Peeta's as well, since we must be matching. I wear it better though. It's a simple skintight jumpsuit with a black headband. Peeta is wearing a simple black suit with black pants. At first glance, the outfits seem simple with no relationship to coal or coal mining whatsoever. Then we got on our chariot, held hands, and got lit on fire. No, not literally, but there were artificial flames going from the section of my jumpsuit surrounding my neck and my headband. I spent the whole chariot ride fearing that I was going to get burned.

We certainly made a good first impression. Or I guess it was really a second impression since everyone's first impression of us is from the reaping's. Regardless, the whole country and President Snow himself have all taken notice of us. Not to mention the other tributes. I found it quite amusing taking in the various looks of hatred, shock, jealousy, and awe that was on all of my fellow tributes faces. Even my district partner, Peeta, had a strange look on his face.

While I was heading towards the elevator, I caught the stare of one particular person. The one person who is the only source of my only doubt currently. The victor from district 7. Miss. Johanna Mason. We make eye contact and the next thing I know, she is pulling me into an elevator. An elevator with no other occupants.

"Hello Brainless…" she purred while slowly cornering me.

"What do you want?" I respond with a shaky voice.

"I thought I made my intentions very clear, but obviously you live up to your nickname I coined you, clever isn't it. I've had my eyes on you since I saw you volunteer for your little sister. She's a cute one by the way. Then I saw you in person for the first time in the lobby and, boy, do you look so much hotter in person. Your innocence mixed with the type of pain that few of us have felt is the most attractive thing I have encountered. I wanted to extend to you the invitation of joining me on my floor either before or after these, soon to be your, games. See you later Brainless!"

And then she just walked off of the elevator onto the 7th floor. Leaving me in shock standing alone in the elevator. I couldn't wrap my head around what had just happened. Did Johanna Mason just admit that she is attracted to me? Did she really just invite me to go down to her floor and fuck her? Did she really just tell me that she thinks I'm going to win these games?

If it were anyone else I would think they just threw in the games part to try and seduce me, but were talking about the weakling turned powerhouse victor from district 7. I barely know her, but I can tell she wouldn't swoop that low. No victor would ever give a tribute that much false hope of coming out of the arena alive. It would be cruel.

So now I have yet another thing to worry about. Before, I was just barely able to push Johanna out of my head, but now she's going to infiltrating everyone one of my thoughts and actions. My whole being. I'm doomed. There is absolutely no way I could go back to living in district 12 if people knew that I was attracted to another female. It's not acceptable. No one would look at me the same way. Instead of being viewed as strong, I would be viewed as an anomaly. A murderer and a lesbian. What a great combination.