A/N: I won't be updating next week, but I will try to the week after. Hope you enjoy this chapter, though.

I wake up and eat breakfast as usual. I am then swarmed by my prep team as they prepare me for my stylist and my interview. Yeven has me put on a short black dress with red flowing throughout it, almost like blood. No. Exactly like blood. I also put on black four inch heels, a leather band with splatters of bloodred on my left wrist, along with a fingerless leather glove that also has bloodred splatters, and a small necklace. The necklace is silver with a small knife. I like my outfit. It's not girly. It's deadly. There's blood. A knife. Me.

"I wanted to put spikes on the wristband, but it's against the rules," chimes in Yeven, "Since you could use them to kill yourself, or another tribute."

"It's not like they don't supply us with enough weapons to kill someone, anyway," I scoff thinking of the lamps that I destroyed and all the pieces they shattered into. I could have used any one of those shards to kill someone. I could have killed that Twelve Bitch at training and been done with her. It would have been easy. Too easy. Oops, I didn't mean to kill her. I just kind of missed my target. I should have been more careful.

"True," says Yeven. He continues talking as we walk to the elevator to meet up with the rest of the people. He tells me that my Reaping clothes were the inspiration behind my current attire. The black shirt with the splatters of red. The leather gloves. Yeven and I are the last to arrive at the elevator. Cato is wearing a black tuxedo with a red tie. Simple.

Once we are lined up behind District One, the girl, Glimmer, turns around and comes up to face Cato. She brushes her hand across Cato's arm and gives him a seductive smile before saying, "I filled in Four on our newest member, did you let her know?" I feel anger wash over me, but I try to not let it show. She's wearing a gold, see-through dress, and Cato's eyes linger over her breasts before he brings them up to her eyes.

"Yes he did," I say, the anger showing in my voice, "and it's a stupid, shitty idea."

She simply lets out a small laugh and turns around to look at me, "Don't worry, it's not an idea."

I feel like giving her two black eyes, but I try my hardest to hold myself back. I'm saved from letting my fists fly when it's let known that we are about to walk out onto the stage for the interviews. Glimmer gives Cato a wink before walking back to her spot. I will kill her. I will laugh as the blood drains from her face. I will make her unrecognizable.

Marvel begins to move forward, so I follow him as we walk onto the stage and take our seats. Glimmer is the first one up for the interview and goes for a seductive appeal like the slut she is. Once it is my turn, I take a seat next to Caesar Flickerman, the interviewer. I have a stone cold expression on my face and wait for him to begin.

"So, Clove tell me, how does it feel to be a tribute? It's a big honor back in District Two, isn't it?" asks Caesar.

"The biggest honor, actually. I've waited my whole life for this," I give as a response.

"Your whole life? You must have good patience. I can hardly wait ten minutes for a meal," jokes Caesar and the crowd laughs along with him. He continues the interview by saying, "Typically, District Two has volunteer tributes, and with your ten in training it's no wonder why no one did volunteer. You must be very skilled."

"Yeah, I am, and for someone to volunteer for me would have been a mistake," I say confidently.

"What do you mean by a mistake?" asks Caesar.

"They would have died," I state matter of factly.

Caesar seems to have known this was coming, because he doesn't act surprised or shocked, instead he simply asks, "Are you saying you're going to win?"

"Yes."

Caesar lets out a laugh and says, "You're a cocky one. I like that."

"I'm not cocky," I say, "I'm confident."

"Even better." Caesar says this while giving me a smile that I'm positive is fake. "Who do you think will be your biggest competition in the Games?"

"I can take them all. Easily."

"You're that confident, aren't you," says Caesar. He rephrases his question and asks it again, "But if you had to pick one other tribute to win the Games, who do you think would win?"

"Cato," I say without a doubt.

"Your district partner? Can you tell us why?" Caesar manages to get the crowd excited over my answer.

"He's strong. Skilled. And if it wasn't for me, then I suspect he would win."

"Is there more to the story? Something the audience and I don't know about?" asks Caesar suggestively.

I wonder if he knows there is more, but I answer, "No." I glance at Cato and see he is expressionless, giving away no signs of what we had.

"Is there anyone special back in District 2? I'm sure a fiesty girl like you has a special someone," says Caesar raising an eyebrow.

"Please, they only wish they could have me," I quip.

"I'm sure they do," says Caesar before redirecting the interview, "What has been your favorite experience here at the Capitol?"

"Training. The training sessions have definitely been the best part about the Capitol. I enjoyed praticing with all the weapons, especially the knives. I can't wait to test out the knives in the arena."

Caesar gives me an easy smile and says, "You like the knives? You hear that tributes," Caesar looks at the other tributes, "She likes the knives, I'd watch your backs if I were you." Caesar returns his gaze back to me and continues, "You must have quite the aim."

"I never miss," I say confidently.

"Never? I didn't know my eating habits and your knife throwing were so similar." This response causes the audience to burst out in laughter.

"If your eating habits could kill, then maybe they would be similar to my knife throwing," I reply coldly. This takes most of the laughter out of the crowd.

"No one has died yet when I eat pork chops for lunch, so I guess you're right." Caesar keeps a steady smile on his face and the crowd laughs again as the buzzer goes off. "It seems we are out of time. Good luck Clove Coleman of District 2."

I walk back to my seat and Cato moves to the chair next to Caesar.

CATO'S POV

"Cato, you volunteered as a tribute. Did you know the boy or did you just want to participate in the Games?" Caesar asks me.

"That kid means nothing to me. Winning the Games is the only thing that matters," I answer.

"I'm sure it is, and you must have incredible skill with the ten you received in training. For what reason did you want to volunteer?"

"To win. The glory and honor," I answer.

"Your grandpa was a victor, wasn't he? Did that have anything to do with why you volunteered?" presses Caesar.

"Yes, but it isn't the only reason."

"And the other reasons are winning, glory, and honor?"

"Yes."

"Those are all good reasons to volunteer," says Caesar. He then asks me, "What do you think will be your best asset in the Games?"

"My ability to kill without any thought about it," I respond coolly.

"That would definitely give you an edge. One of the better qualities to have in the Games," replies Caesar, "Any other attributes you would like to tell me about?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Cato, you're killing me here."

"If I was killing you, then you would either be dead or wishing you were right now."

I can tell Caesar is an expert at emotions, because instead of looking fearful or shocked he simply gives me a smile and says, "I'm neither dead nor wishing I were. You got me there." Caesar takes a second before saying, "I would love to know what other qualities we are going to see in the Games from you. Are you sure you can't tell me one little thing?"

I say, irritated by Caesar's persistence, "If you so desperately need to know, my good looks tend to kill people."

Caesar lets out a big laugh and the crowd laughs along with him. "Is that why I feel faint?" asks Caesar. "Because I know it isn't from hunger, and your good looks are very overwhelming."

The crowd laughs some more while I respond with disinterest, "Yeah, I would be careful, you could drop dead any second."

Caesar gives another laugh before saying, "Is there a doctor near by? Because I may be in need of one." When the crowd quiets down he asks me, "Watching the Hunger Games in previous years, what has been your favorite part?"

"Watching the tributes murder each other. That has been my favorite part of the Games, and I can't wait to kill some myself."

"My favorite part has always been the different stategys," says Caesar.

"The desperate pleas and screams that won't save them," I add.

"The alliances that are created."

"Only to be destroyed," I comment.

Caesar, likely sensing the dead end of this little back-and-forth conversation, moves the interview along by asking, "What do you think about Clove naming you as her biggest competition?"

I'm not surprised Clove said that, and I hope it wasn't just because of my tremendous skill, but I respond, "It doesn't matter what she calls me, she won't make it out of the arena alive,"as an afterthought I add, "If we were the last two, she might as well drop dead, because there is no way she is going to kill me." I don't look at Clove, but am sure she is giving me one of her death glares.

"I'd watch out if I were you Cato," says Caesar gesturing towards Clove, who has a vicious death glare on her face, "If looks could kill, then I would have to say you're a dead man."

"Unfortunately for her, looks don't kill, but I do," I say looking at her.

"Then, she's really the one that should watch out," says Caesar adding a laugh at the end.

"Everyone should watch out."

"I know I would," says Caesar. The buzzer goes off and Caesar says, "Good luck in the Games District 2's Cato Colt."

As I walk back to my seat I make sure to flash my eyes over to Glimmer. She's wearing a conviently see-through dress, and I'm sure my action will infuriate Clove.

CLOVE'S POV

I'm going to kill that bitch. I try to push down the anger that is exploding inside of me. That slut. Who does she think she is? I can't wait to cut her face up. I try to focus on the other tributes' interviews, but I can't help but imagine all the ways I could torture and kill Glimmer. I am dragged out of my reverie by the most revolting thing: Twelve Bitch spinning in circles. I feel the food I ate this morning trying to make a reappearance. What does she think this is? A dance recitial? This is the Hunger Games. Being a girly-girl isn't going to help.

When Caesar asks her about how she got an eleven in training, I listen attentively. What did she do that was so fucking great?

The Bitch On Fire responds by saying, "Um...all I can say is I think it was a first." Hmph, so she is a whore. Not surprising.

"You're killing us. Details. Details," presses Caesar.

"I'm not supposed to talk about it right?" asks Fire Bitch to the Gamemakers.

She is quickly responded with a "She's not!" Which ensures that she is indeed a whore.

Twelve Whore's interview then goes on into how she volunteered for her sister, which is completely boring. So what if she volunteered for her sister? Cato volunteered for someone he didn't even know. Next year I would have volunteered for someone. Even if I didn't know her. What's the big deal?

Once the whore's interview is over, it is time for the guy Glimmer-Slut let into the alliance. I already can't stand him. He compares me to bread. Bread. Who can be so fucking obsessed with bread that they have to go and compare everyone to their district's bread. Who? Just no. I am not bread. No one is bread. Except maybe you. Stupid baker. Next thing I know, Caesar and Son-of-a-baker are sniffing each other. It is so pathetic, but the audience eats it up like it is the air they need to live.

Caesar then decides to ask Bread Boy about his love life. "Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what's her name?"

"Well there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I'm pretty sure she didn't know I was alive until the reaping," says Bread Boy.

Caesar asks him if this girl has a boyfriend to which he responds by saying that there are many boys who are like her.

"So here's what you do. You win, you go home. She can't turn you down then, eh?" advises Caesar to Bread Boy.

"I don't think it's going to work out. Winning...won't help in my case," responds Bread Boy. That's when it hits me that he is talking about his district partner. But Caesar doesn't see that.

"Why ever not?"

"Because...because... she came here with me," sputters out Bread Boy in the most pathetic manner possible. Anger builds up inside of me at this, even though I shouldn't give a shit about this. Why the hell did he say that? Only one person can live. Why make it worse for you or her or whatever. You stupid baker. Plus, you two aren't even boyfriend-girlfriend. If anyone here is, then it's Cato and me.

"Oh, that is a piece of bad luck," comments Caesar.

"It's not good," states Bread Boy. Fuck. You. You want to know what's not good? Me having to kill Cato. That's what's not good.

"Well, I don't think any of us can blame you. It'd be hard not to fall for that young lady. She didn't know?"

"Not until now," says Bread Boy

"Wouldn't you love to pull her back out here and get a response? Sadly, rules are rules, and Katniss Everdeen's time has been spent. Well, best of luck to you, Peeta Mellark, and I think I speak for all of Panem when I say our hearts go with yours," concludes Caesar, resulting in the audience's defeaning roar. Not only did he steal my and Cato's circumstance, he also stole the spotlight we did have. When he dies, I will make sure it is slow and painful. I will.

Once the anthem is played, and the program is over, the other tributes and I head go to the elevators. I enter the nearest one, and my alliance members, including Bread Boy follow suit.

"In case you were wondering, your girlfriend isn't part of this alliance Lover Boy," says Marvel as the elevator doors close.

"I know," responds Lover Bread quietly.

"What's she going to think when you're hunting her down with us?" asks Morgan.

"I don't- I don't know. Does it really matter? There's only one victor." says Twelve Bread. The elevator stops at Floor One and Marvel and Glimmer-Slut, who was surprisingly non-flirtatious in the elevator, step out.

"You better not mess anything up in the arena, or I will kill you on the spot," threatens Cato.

"I won't," says Bread Guy.

The elevator soon drops Cato and me off on Floor Two where Mace Medallion, Yeven, Cato's stylist, Brutus, and Enobaria are waiting for us.

"Oh, I wish we had you two do the whole star-crossed lovers thing. Everyone absolutely adores it. That's all anyone will be talking about. The Star-Crossed Lovers of District Twelve," says Mace. But they aren't star-crossed. Cato and I are.

"Everybody will be talking about it, alright, until they die," inputs Brutus. "Come on now let's eat."

The chatter around the table is mainly Brutus and Enobaria talking about the arena, while Yeven, Mace, and Cato's stylist talk obnoxiously about the interviews. As I eat it sinks in more and more about how Panem will only recognize the Star-Crossed Lovers from District Twelve, who aren't really even star-crossed lovers. They will never know that the real star-crossed people of the arena are Cato and me.

After dinner we watch the interviews again. Enobaria sits next to me and after my interview plays through says quietly to me, "Nice job."

Brutus and Enobaria impersonate Lover Boy and Fire Girl during their interviews, which causes everyone, except for Mace, to laugh like buffoons. Brutus actually sniffs Cato, who in turn sniffs him back.

"Because...because...we're both going to die," mocks Brutus in a fake sissy boy voice.

"I think it is sweet," interjects Mace Medallion. "He loves her, but they will never be able to be together. Doesn't that just break your heart?"

Enobaria shuts off the television, "I could tell you something that would really break your heart, but I won't." I wonder if she is talking about my and Cato's predicament or something entirely unrelated.

"Oh! What is it?" asks Mace excitedly.

"Said I won't tell you. I'm going now. The big event starts tomorrow," says Enobaria walking out of the room. Brutus follows her along with the stylists.

"You two really should have done the whole star-crossed lovers thing," says Mace before leaving. I exit the room after them. At least with Lover Boy's declaration of love, no one will expect the relationship Cato and I have. I stride into my assigned room, pushing the door shut behind me, but I don't hear it close. I turn around. Cato is standing there in the doorway. He walks in and closes the door.

"Ready for the Games?" I ask, trying to spark conversation.

"Truthfully," he says, "Not at all."

"So far, this whole 'Hunger Games' thing has been very disappointing. Nothing like I imagined." I tell him. What am I doing? He's my enemy, even if I can't see him as one.

"I always dreamed of being in the Hunger Games, but now it's more of a nightmare." He moves over to my bed and sits down, I join him.

"I wish someone would have volunteered for me." I'm sounding weak. I hate it. I try to stop talking to him, but I can't. "I was going to volunteer next year."

Cato turns his head to look at me, as he speaks, I turn my gaze onto him. "I wish I didn't volunteer, but at the same time, I'm glad I did."

"I don't want to kill you," I say. Shit. Why the fuck did I just say that?

"But you're going to have to if you want to win," points out Cato.

"I know."

"I don't want to kill you either," Cato assures me.

"If only both of us could win."

"But we can't both win."

"I wish we could, though."

There's a moment of silence, while Cato and I stare into each other's eyes. Cato leans forward, and brushes a piece of hair out of my face and puts it behind my ear before pressing his lips against mine. I instantly move my left hand behind his neck. As he moves above me, I move down on the bed. Our lips moving in perfect synchronization, and our kiss deepening. But then, just like that Cato gets up and quickly heads for the door. He says something while exiting, but I can't make it out.

CATO'S POV

I slam the door shut to my assigned room and smack my forehead and then punch the wall, "YOU IDIOT!" I yell. I kick the wall and feel myself losing control, "WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?" I punch the wall again, this time harder. I don't notice Brutus come into the room until he yells, "CATO!" at me. By then, though, I'm already gone. My fist connects with Brutus's jaw. My nightstand drawer gets smashed against the wall. The curtains and rod are pulled down, the rod being thrown straight at Brutus, who catches it. I kick the wall again. I feel something stab my neck. Shit, not this again.

CLOVE'S POV

I pound my right fist against the shower wall, and leave it there. I lean my left arm on the wall near my fist, and lean my forehead on my arm. The hot water pouring down on my flesh. I suppress a tear that dares to fall. I can't cry. I can't be weak. I just can't. I have to be Strong. Pull it together. I stay in the shower in that same position for a half an hour, thinking about Cato, the Games, reminding myself that I have to be Strong. Because I am Strong.

CATO'S POV

I wake up, "Fuck," I say, "What happened?" I look around expecting to see Brutus or someone at least, but there is no one. I hear the door open and glance over at it.

"Glad to see you're up now," says Brutus, "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

I think for a moment. What did happen? Then, I remember. "I'm a fucking idiot," I say.

"How come?" asks Brutus in his disapproving sounding voice.

"I shouldn't have done that."

"What are you talking about?" asks Brutus demandingly.

I don't want to tell Brutus about what happened, but I know he isn't going to give up questioning until I do tell him, and I'm not crafty enough to make up a lie. "I kissed Clove. I fucking kissed her. We're going to be enemies and I fucking kissed her."

"Don't tell me there is going to be more than one Lover Boy in this arena," says Brutus.

What I say next isn't meant for Brutus, but more for myself, "I love her."

"How'd you manage to pull that one off?" asks Brutus disbelievingly.

I look at Brutus. I know he is my mentor, but I don't want to listen to him anymore, "Get the hell out. I don't want to talk to you anymore."

"Suit yourself," says Brutus, "But it doesn't matter if you love her, you're still going to have to kill her."

After Brutus closes the door, I say to myself, "I'm not going to kill her." Kissing her was a huge setback in my game plan, but if I don't have anymore setbacks, then maybe it will work.

CLOVE'S POV

I stare at the lower part of the wall in my dark room. I can't sleep. My mind is too cluttered. Why did I let Cato do that? Why? All that hard work on my strategy was just demolished in a matter of seconds by him. I'm not prepared to kill Cato at all.