The next day I ended up running into Alexander... again.

"Hey," he said, getting up from the ground.

"Hi," I said, embarrassed that I'd run into him again. This time I'd seen a girl that looked like Elissa. "Sorry about running into you again."

"It's okay," Alexander said, smiling and helping me up. "So, I was wondering if you wanted to do something today."

"What?" I said.

"I was wondering if you wanted to do something," Alexander repeated.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Whatever you'd like to do," Alexander said.

"I haven't really been here long," I said. "Where's a usually good place to go?"

"There's all sorts of places," Alexander said. "Want me to show you?"

"Sure," I said, smiling.

So Alexander and I went to all sorts of places. First, the tattoo shop. I got a tattoo of an arrow that went from my shoulder down to my elbow. Coming out of the tip of the arrow were swirls.

"That's an interesting tattoo," Alexander said, sitting down and getting ready for his tattoo.

"Thanks," I said, hoping that "interesting" meant good.

"So you like archery?" he asked me.

"Yup," I said. "I love doing it."

"I've never met anyone who's actually done it," Alexander said.

I suddenly realized what a big mistake I'd made. People weren't supposed to have weapons at all in Panem, unless they were in the Games...

"It's cool," Alexander said, smiling. "I've always wanted to learn how to fight with a sword."

"Really?" I said.

"Yeah," Alexander said. "Just seems like an interesting thing to do."

And so he got a sword tattoo, going from his shoulder down to his elbow... just like my arrow.

"So, where to next?" I asked Alexander as we walked out of the tattoo shop.

"I wanted to show you this really cool place," Alexander said. "Not many people know that it's there, but it's really cool."

"Okay," I said, taking his hand as he led me down the street. We took multiple twists and turns, and after about fifteen minutes of walking we reached it. There were flowers everywhere, and surrounding the flowers was a small river of water that went around in a circle. The flowers bloomed everywhere, colors bursting.

"Wow," I breathed, taking in the sight.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Alexander said, smiling down at me. Although he looked to be about the same age as me, he was taller.

"Absolutely amazing," I said.

Alexander led me over to a bench and sat me down. I breathed in the nice smell of the flowers which blocked out the strange smell of the Capitol.

"Lavinia," Alexander said slowly.

"Yes?" I replied, turning around and looking him in the eye.

"I..." Alexander started to say, swallowing weirdly. "I have to tell you something."

"Go ahead," I said.

"Ever... ever since I laid eyes on you, I thought you were beautiful," Alexander said, breathing heavily. My heart beat quickly, though I didn't know why. "No, I thought you were gorgeous. I thought you were the most gorgeous girl I've ever met. You're not like the other Capitol people; you're normal. And that's what I love about you."

I gulped when I comprehended that he said the words "I", "Love," and "You" in the same sentence.

"Lavinia, I know I just met you, but I fear that if I don't tell you this now I never will," Alexander said. "I love you."

My hear seemed to explode as soon as he finished his sentence.

"I love you too," I said, smiling a genuine smile. The first big smile I'd ever done in my whole life. "I love you so much."

And then he did something I'd never forget; he kissed me. I'd never been kissed before in my life, but it felt wonderful. We sat there for a few minutes, kissing and hugging and smiling like fools at each other. My heart beat faster and faster each time I looked at him. And I finally realized why my heart beat fast; I was in love.

I finally had to pull away from him so I could catch my breath, but it pained me to do so. We smiled broadly at each other and I leaned back on the bench and ran my fingers through my hair.

"Lavinia," Alexander said slowly. "There's something else I have to tell you."

"What is it?" I asked, still grinning.

"I love you," he said. "I love you so much. And that's why I have to tell you this. Yesterday, after you headed back to the Hotel, I started to walk back home and saw President Snow talking to someone. I overheard their conversation and... he said something about a girl from District 12. Somebody named Melany. Does that name sound familiar?"

My heart stopped beating for a moment. Melany.

"Yeah," I said.

"President Snow was talking about killing her," Alexander whispered.

"When?" I asked, my throat tightening.

"He didn't say," Alexander said. "He just said something about her being a problem and that he didn't think the plan would work. I don't know what 'the plan' is, but I have a feeling it's not good."

I sat in silence, not knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry," Alexander said. "I shouldn't have told you."

"No, no," I said, looking up at him. "I'm glad you did. But there's... there's something I have to tell you, now."

"What is it?" Alexander asked, taking my hand. Warmth washed over me as soon as he touched it and I couldn't help but smile, but it quickly vanished as I realized that what I was going to tell him wouldn't make him happy.

"My name isn't... Lavinia," I said. "It's Melany. You see, President Snow he... killed my family because I wasn't staying out of trouble. He said I caused too much... hope. So he killed my family and then sent me to the Capitol so I wouldn't be able to cause any more trouble. And now you said that he's talking about killing me..."

"You're... Melany?" Alexander whispered, letting go of my hand. Coldness washed over me as soon as he let go and I felt tears welling up. He wasn't going to love me anymore. I'd lied to him.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I thought that if I forgot who I was then I could forget my family. It didn't work, though. I still see my family in people from the Capitol. That's why I ran into you the day we met; I saw a little girl who looked like my sister and wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

Alexander was silent. I was silent.

"You can't stay here," he finally said. "It's too dangerous."

"I can't leave you," I whispered.

"Then... then we'll go together," Alexander said, taking my hand again. Relief washed over me; he still loved me.

"Go where?" I asked.

"Anywhere," Alexander said, smiling slightly. "Anywhere away from here."