A/n once again, thank you so much for all the reviews.

"Cato. Come on. We have to go. First day of official day of training." Clove said.

A pillow was thrown at my head.

"Five more minutes." I said

I threw the pillow back.

"Katniss is here."

I jolted up.

"Good. That worked. Now get up. We've got to eat. And train. Then eat. Then train. Then eat..."

"And train?" I guessed.

"Very good. Now get dressed."

She tossed my training clothes.

I left my room with my clothes on.

I was about to walk into the dining hall when I heard:

"CATO!" My main trainer yelled at me.

"What?"

He pulled me to the side.

"What the hell are you doing with 12?"

"Her name is Katniss!" I spat.

He put his arm on my chest.

"You need to stay away from her."

"Why the hell should I do that?"

"BECAUSE YOU ARE A CAREER. GOD DAMMIT. YOU CANNOT BE SCREWING AROUND WITH A 12!"

I stared blankly at the man putting all his weight on my chest.

"I am not screwing around with her."

"What happened in the pool."

"We kissed! That's it!"

"You do that one more time, and I'll make sure you die within the first day. No sponsors for you kid."

He lifted his arm off of my chest.

He left and the door clicked behind him.

It took me awhile to understand what he was saying.

If I help Katniss in any way, shape or form, I was going to die.

But I need to protect Kat.

I have to.

She's all I have.

My mom has Noel.

My dad with his third wife.

My sister...she's gone.

I saw Clove's head when she passed the door.

She opened the door.

"There you are! Come on. We can't leave until everyone has eaten."

I hung my head down.

How can I see Katniss?

Without the urge to kiss her?

Or tell her what happened?

"Earth to Cato? What the hell happened to you?" Clove asked.

"I'll tell you later."

I grabbed my tray as 23 pairs of eyes gazed on my back.

I was handed my french toast and milk.

I sat down next to Clove.

I looked up and saw the brightest smile on Katniss' face.

I shed a tear or two when I looked down again.

I finished eating faster than ever before.

I dumped my tray and went straight for the doors.

Clove followed me like a lost puppy.

We were required to go to different stations on the first day.

Fire, medicine, plants, hand to hand combat, then finally, free choice.

Only one distract was allowed in the fire pit at a time so Clove and I went first.

We started to set up the rocks and twigs when she started talking.

"What happend?"

"Zeus told me I had to stay away from Katniss. I can't even talk to her. He said he'd make sure I'd die within the first days if I don't stay away from her."

"That's bullshit!" She yelled.

Everyone turned their heads and looked at us.

"Wait. Why are you okay with me and Kat?"

"Because I was once in love, believe it or not."

"Seriously?"

"Nathaniel Thomas. Remember him?"

How could I not?

He lived next door to me my whole life.

He was my best friend.

He was a year younger than me.

He was always there.

He was chosen as volunteer last year.

"Oh my god. No wonder why we didn't see you at the center for two weeks after his..."

Death.

"Yeah. And seeing you here, with the love of your life. I just want you two to be happy."

Suddenly it all made sense.

She was pushing us together.

When in reality, everyone was pushing us apart.

We finally got the fire to light and we put it out five minutes later.

A guard checked us off.

"Thanks." I told her.

I hugged her.

"Just remember one thing, Cato."

"Hmm?"

"Keep her alive. Her family needs her."