This time I'll be short. Thank you for reading and reviewing my story, you are my feedback and it's really nice to log in and see that someone has reviewed your story and wants to continue reading it. I appreciate everything you do. :) Keep doing it and mostly enjoy! :)

The night passed with them just staying there, doing nothing. Lera didn't agree to practice but she also didn't want to go to bed. She wanted to spend this night with him by her side, although it might be their last. He didn't want to put pressure on her and he also didn't know that she needed a hug so he just stood there, next to her. Cato has never been good at romance- he's just not that type of guy. And he never knew how to show he loved someone: his parents attitude towards him was cold. They never hugged him but he knew that everything they done was for his best. And he knew they loved him, they just didn't show it. And he was just like them.

Lera stood there, looking at a point, thinking of everything that has happened. She desperately needed someone to comfort her but she was afraid that if she and Cato get too close to each other they will never pull away. And that would only cause problems in the arena. There's no place for love there.

The two of them watched the sunrise together. It was beautiful but none of the two could appreciate it. Their minds drifted to the upcoming Games and they just couldn't stay still. At 8 a.m. like every morning the others came down to practice. Cato and Lera have had a few hours sleep (well mostly Cato as he was very tired) but they were not hungry at all so didn't bother to come to breakfast. Besides what would they say "Hi, I've been down all night and I'm coming to practice"? It just didn't fit.

- What the- - Lera's mentor gasped as he saw both of them walking around the training room. Cato's trainer was looking for him, too.

- I wasn't hungry. – the girl explained. – I came down here to train about half an hour ago. – she knew they haven't started the breakfast by that time so her argument fits. – I found him here. He was already training.

A few meters away Cato told his mentor he woke up early and came to train. It was better than lie in bed. Besides, he was feeling sick and could not swallow any food.

Nevertheless both of them were starving by lunchtime so they ate so much they could barely walk after it.

- Hello, Lera, and welcome. – Caesar greeted her almost shouting trying to cover the voices of the audience behind him.

- Hello. – the girl smiled a bit insecure. She could feel a lot of pressure on her as she had to show she was perfect, otherwise she would not have any sponsors and would be as good as dead in the arena.

- You earned the name "Flower Child", how do you feel about that?

She remembered the day they were introduced. She wore that flower-dress and ever since everyone referred to her as "Flower Child". In fact she was the most popular girl in these Games after "The girl on fire", although she couldn't remember her name.

- Good, actually. It's nice that people will remember me in a way. – her voice sounded ok, she noticed no trembling so everything was fine. She glared at the audience and could feel panic in her stomach. Her heart sped up and she had to swallow in order not to show her fear. Lera was never good speaking in front of people. It was her worst fear as she was becoming nervous and started to panic. As good as she was in covering her emotions; she totally lost this ability when she had to speak in public.

- Tell me, Lera, are we going to see you as a nice, harmless person like a flower, growing in the garden or, vice versa, you would show us a totally different "Lera"?

- Well, you will just have to wait and see. – she smiled, remaining mystic.

- That's what I like! Are you mysterious in your real life, or you just pretend in front of our audience here?

- Never really thought about that, Caesar. – she tilt her head honestly. – But I tend to hear people say "I don't really know you" or "I don't really know what you're thinking" a lot, so I guess I am mysterious.

Cato gave out a smirk. She was no longer mysterious to him. He knew her quite too well. And although she seemed untouchable she was just a human. A human he admired. He respected. He… Cato gulped and couldn't even say the word in his mind. As memories flooded him he felt lost and alone. He thought about that summer they spent together. Even though it seemed like nothing and Cato believed he'd put her in the past quickly he now discovered he hasn't. And he certainly must do something about it. The boy looked at the screen: she was no longer there.

- We ally, right, Cato? – a girl from District 1 named Glimmer asked him. He seemed to be absent-minded and didn't take much part in the conversation. It was vital, though, as Glimmer was convincing Marvel from District 1 and Clove from Cato's District they stand greater chances if they keep together. It was better for Cato and Marvel really. They get to keep the strongest ones by their side and easily kill the weaker. In the end they are left with no more than 4 or 5. Cato was convinced he was stronger than all of them.

- I think four is good, isn't it, Cato? – Glimmer asked again. She meant that a group of four would suit her- not too many, not too little.

- Yes. – he answered although he didn't quite hear her. – But I have to do something first. – he walked over to Lera, the girl he was looking at for a long time. He knew "the allies" would kill whoever gets in their way. This includes Lera. If he had any chance in protecting her, it would be in binding her to their group. This would keep her alive as long as possible. He didn't think how or when he would have to kill her. This was the last thing he would think about.

He didn't even know why he was protecting her. He just had to. She was way too important to him.

- Lera. – he called her and she turned. Her eyes locked on his for a second and then she changed direction.

- Yes?

- You know, we make this sort of "group", in which we don't kill each other unless necessary. Keep in mind, it is only for the good ones. – he raised a finger to get her attention. Her expression showed nothing.

- So?

- So, we can let you join us. – most of the other tributes would kill to get such a chance. But Lera didn't even show signs of consideration. This made Cato a bit angry.

- Sorry, not interested. – she turned her back at him and he continued:

- It's your only chance. – he greeted his teeth. She explored his face and his expression showed his hidden emotions. He did care for her. This was bad as she cared for him, too. She lowered her gaze.

- No, Cato. I think I'll survive better if I stay away of high-blown self-seekers. – she suppressed her tears. This was the only way- if she was able to make him hate her, he would be alive. She could see how he felt and if she changed it, it would be alright. If no one else does, he would kill her eventually.

Cato sealed his lips.

- Very well then. – he said in his arrogant voice and then stepped back. Did she just insult him? He's not allowed to fight at this stage but sooner or later she will pay for what she'd said. No one has the right to talk to him that way. Even the girl he tried to protect. "B*tch"- he murmured and turned his head. She wasn't watching him.

In fact she was. Only that he didn't notice it. With trembling hands Lera took a bow and an arrow and shot. She didn't even hit a target. She was perfect with sword or knife but terrible with archery. That's why she practiced it. No one could know what skill would be needed in the arena.

- That b*tch is the first one who'll get killed. – he told the alliance. – And I will kill her myself. – he pointed his chest and everyone could feel his anger. Cato felt hopeless, angry and desperate. He was hurt and betrayed.

Hello, again :D I'm not sure if I'm allowed to curse in the T-rating so I put a * just in case. If anyone can explain the situation I'll be very thankful. :)