A/N: I know I said I would update on Thanksgiving but I was inspired. Plus the reviews I received(thank you!) made me want to put another chapter out there! Enjoy! :)

If I was acting strangely, no one mentioned anything. But I felt strange. My whole body did. I realized I was breathing a bit erratically, and forced myself to calm down. All over some strange boy from District 2.

I was never one of those girls. Back home, there wasn't much more than teenage romance drama to entertain us. I always stayed out of it though. I was too focused on keeping my mother and Prim alive. Plus, no boy would be interested in me.

Gale definitely got his fair share of women though. I smirked in remembrance. I was sort of his wing women. Not that he needed me. The girls loved Gale, for his body, smile and hair. The guys hated him, because he could steal their girl without even thinking about it.

I was going to miss Gale.

There wasn't much to really notice about the tributes from District 1 except for the fact that they looked very much alike and had really silly names. I'm sure they were still deadly, regardless.

The screen went dark, the announcers wishing us all a Happy Hunger Games, and all I wanted to do was sleep. But I couldn't. We'd be arriving in the capital anytime now.

"Who do you see as your biggest competition?" Haymitch asked, seemingly even more sober.

Peeta began to speak, but I cut him off. "District 2. Boy."

Haymitch nodded in approval or assent. "Cato Greene."

"Cato," I said, my lips forming his name for the first time. Cato. "I'm going to kill him."

"It won't be easy," Haymitch said.

"None of this is," I whispered. Yet I knew they caught my words.

"What about you, Peeta?" Haymitch cleared his throat.

Peeta shifted in his chair. I could feel his eyes on me. "I still think Katniss here is going to—"

"Cut the crap, Peeta," I exclaimed. I was so done with his friendly, kind comments when he knew very well what would become of one or both us in a matter of days. We may even be responsible for the others death. But I swallowed those thoughts and said instead, "Peeta, I know there are others who are stronger than I am. Don't flatter me," I finished, struggling to maintain an even tone.

I think Haymitch understood what I was thinking. I wondered if he'd known the female tribute from 12 in his day. Truthfully, I didn't want to think of it. Because I knew what became of her.


The train pulled into the station in the capitol. Peeta went to the window of the train and I followed, begrudgingly. I remembered then, what our mentor had said earlier. I had to smile and wave, if I wanted them to like me. If I wanted to live.

So I did. I smiled and waved like my life depended on it. And I supposed that it did. I laughed at their funny outfits, but at the same time marveled at the colors. The citizens looked ridiculous, but as I let them blend together, into a giant rainbow, the sight in front of me became a strange kind of beautiful.

So I smiled and waved. To the spectors, the people that silently rooted for my death, even after they swooned from the kisses I blew toward them. They caught my kisses, and hoped that I would die, in some brutal and exciting way.

I was nothing but an actress now. Playing a part. The best deaths in movies were the saddest, or the most brutal. It was now my job to give them that, to be a crowd pleaser and put on a show.

But I wouldn't. I refused to. The only thing they liked better than a dead tribute was a victorious victor.

We unboarded the train then, the crowd ebbing and flowing around us. The reporters called our names, photos were snapped. We didn't have cameras like those back home. I focused on the people. I touched the hands of the people who held theirs out out for me. I blew kisses. I took the small gifts the people offered me; trinkets and charms and jewels.

There were flowers, thrown at my feet, and shoved into my arms. I laughed, forcing a look of pure joy on my face. Truly, all I felt was disgust. I thanked them, the kind but utterly misguided group of fans. But I smiled for the cameras, and prayed that I would receive some sponsors from that act.

I continued into the Training Center, where all the tributes would be staying. Peeta was right behind me, and I could feel anger radiating off of him. And it was directed toward me. As soon as Haymitch, Peeta and I stepped into the elevator, headed up to level 12, he sprung on me.

"What the hell was that, Katniss?" he asked in anger.

I realized then that he didn't have anything in his arms. I thought of how I must look to him, like I was enjoying this twisted game. But I wasn't.

"I'm trying to stay alive Peeta! I'm getting sponsors for myself. If you were smart, you'd do the same, instead of acting like you hate all of this," I retorted.

"I do! I hate all of this!"

"And you think I don't?" I hissed. "But I can live with the lies if I get a chance to live!"

I looked to Haymitch for approval. It's crazy that I was already trusting him. Only hours ago, I nearly took off a couple of his fingers.

He smiled a little sarcastic smile at me. "Guess you aren't as obtuse as I thought you were." But I could sense the respect in his tone. I was making a smart move, and he knew it.

The door to level 12 finally opened and I was shocked. The place was huge. It seemed to be decorated in bright colors, like the clothing of the people outside. But it was muted to a degree in which I didn't need sunglasses. Art decorated the walls, and plush, comfy sofas filled every nook and cranny. There was a grand, mahogany dining table that made me smirk. I wondered who would be sitting there. Just the three of us? How awkward.

There were two Avox girls in the dining area ready to attend to us. To my disappointment, the girl from the train was absent.

"I'll show you to your rooms," Haymitch said. We followed him down a hall silently, none of us in the mood to speak. I ran my hands along the wallpaper covered wall, and wondered if anyone before me had too.

We arrived at my room first. The door simply read 'Girl Tribute'. I entered my room, as my male companions left me be.

I took in my room. It was huge. Near the size of our home back in 12. But at least, that was home for me. Most of the time.

This room was empty, sterile. A large bed dominated the room, and I sunk down on it gratefully. There was also a closet and a dresser, both of which I didn't care to look through. There was a screen on the wall as well, but I doubted that I would ever look at it. There was a closed door in the room as well, what I assumed was the bathroom.

I thought about freshening up, but I decided against it. The comfiest bed I'd laid upon pushed me toward a restless sleep.


When I awoke, I went out into the main room. Haymitch was sitting at the table, pouring himself what didn't look like his first drink. He was reading some large volume, a book without a title. Without looking up from it, he spoke. "Where's Peeta?"

"How would I know?" Before I'd gone to sleep, we had't exactly left things on the best note.

"He's not in his room. Find him, I'm starving and I want dinner."

Here was Haymitch, making me run around when I was probably going to be dead in a couple of days. How sweet. But I went anyway, first to the roof which I deemed a great spot for me to return to, and then down to the ground floor.

I walked around for a bit, but there was no Peeta to be found. The reporters outside freaked when they saw me, banging on the windows. I returned to the elevators in a hurry, hoping my unwashed face wouldn't appear on a screen tonight.

When the door 'dinged' open, I rushed inside, not even realizing there was another inside until I rushed straight into his rock solid chest. A breath caught in my throat.

Cato.

He smirked.

A/N: So what did y'all think? Please leave me a review(I cry everytime) and favorite and follow this story so you know when its updated! See you for Chapter 3 in couple of days!