When we get back we meet our stylists and they start to get to work on our outfits, while we wait we are allowed to go outside and look around some more at the Capitol. Alex asks me to wait by the door for him, I hear him whisper to Effie "I'll ask her now" so I start to wonder what he is asking me.
"So what was that all about … with Effie?"
"Nothing, nothing. Why don't we go to that surprise then honey"
"Oh okay then!"
As we approach the lights around the Capitol town Alex diverts us so we walk on the sandy beach, I see this as a time to take my sandals before they rub my feet. I feel the sand between my toes and love every minute of it. Alex suddenly picks me up and cradles me in his arms,
"You know I really do love you, with all of my heart"
"Stop making me blush!" I giggle
"Why it's fun watching you get all embarrassed!" he answers
"Oh yeah!"
"Can I drop you in the sea?"
"Why?"
"Because I feel like it!" he says cheekily
I toss, turn and struggle to get out of his arms but we just end up in a heap on the sandy floor, laughing together with the moon in front of us shimmering its reflection on the waves.
"So do you know how you feel about me?"
"Nearly, Alex, nearly"
"Come here" he chuckles and helps me into his lap.
He leans in and kisses me on the lips and for once in my life I feel like I have experienced what non-family love feels like.
"How about know, do you know if you love me know?" he asks
"Its still nearly" I answer quietly
"Are you going to pretend we are in a relationship for the interviews?"
"So that's why you dragged me out here, something romantic to sweeten me up eh?"
"No Sweetheart!"
I get up and walk off in the sand but Alexander runs after me and grabs my arm,
"Effie wanted me to do this but I didn't want to hurt you. I'm sorry, she forced me to do this so you would say yes! I really do love you and I just want you to know that I would do anything for you … you can count on me Charley"
"It is one of the first times I have heard you say my name rather than calling me sweetheart or darling you know?"
"I know. Charley, baby, honey sweetheart or darling I don't care because they all imply that I love you now come here"
I open my arms for a hug but I get pushed on the floor and in a moment of madness and passion I let myself get continuously kissed until both of our lips feel dry.
"Have you decided yet?"
"It's still a nearly!"
"Well … will you be my valentine darling?"
"I don't know … if I do there is one condition …"
"I'm listening"
"We keep this a secret so everyone doesn't keep going on yes?
"Sure… so now you can think about it more, now let's fall asleep on the sand because I can not make it back up those stairs …"
"Neither can I" I say as we kiss and hug in the moonlight. Soon enough I fall asleep while being cradled by Alex, both of us knowing that it is definitely a night to remember and keep a big secret.
I wake up still in Alex's arms at about noon, he is walking but I don't know where he is walking to, I open my eyes anyway,
"Good morning honey" He says as he kisses my forehead,
"Where are we going?"
"Back to the hotel so Effie and Haymitch don't get worried."
"How much sleep have you had?"
"Why?"
"Aren't you tired?"
"No not really, it was worth staying up. I watched over you all night, listening to the sound of the waves"
"Why don't you go to sleep when we get back yes?"
"No because I want to look after you"
"Can you put me down then Alexander?"
"Okay and you can call me Alex"
As we walk down the street I let my head rest on his shoulder until we get to the hotel, so nobody suspects anything. We walk to the twelfth floor and then Alexander stops,
"I guess you still don't know about what you feel for me?"
"Yup, I promise I will decide at the interviews"
"So you're going through with it … Effie and Haymitch's plan?"
"I still don't think so but anything could happen!"
Suddenly we see Effie walk over quite fast,
"I got worried!"
"Sorry I couldn't walk anymore so I wanted to camp at the beach and Charley wanted to stay with me so I didn't get hurt"
"Okay… Now come on, you need to try on your outfits for size."