Usually I wake up to complete silence in the apartment, but not today. As my eyes fluttered open I heard the sound of the television, Effie's voice, and Haymitch's voice. Automatically I assume something is wrong with Noah. I don't even brush my teeth before going out to the sitting area. Before I can even ask, Haymitch tells.
"Noah was fighting a Career from Four last night and got hurt."
I'm surprised he is able to fight a Career and live. Simply hearing that gives me hope that he might actually get out of the arena alive.
"That nasty Career is dead, though!" Effie adds.
I don't understand how she can be so cheerful about that, but I guess that's just the splendor that is Effie. Noah is one of six tributes left in the Games, so I guess that is something to be joyful about.
"Look sweetheart, I'm going to need you to go up to the sponsors lounge today and get medicine for Noah."
This catches me off guard. He's been the one getting sponsors for Noah, why all of the sudden do I have to get them? Maybe I should ask that.
"Wait, why me?"
He gives me a look like I should already know the answer. Since I just keep looking at him, he answers.
"Medicine is expensive and the sponsors are going to be more willing to give to the girl on fire than to an old drunk."
I guess that makes sense, so I nod my head. Since I know none of the Capitol citizens are going to be up this early I get ready and head down to the training center. There's been so much going on this morning I realize that Cato will probably be there already. Even from outside the door I hear loud thumps and groans. I put my hands on the cold metal door and shove it open. As soon as the door closes behind me Cato snaps around looking outwardly surprised. I stand by the door a moment and observe the target dummies. Each one has something stuck in the middle of it; some even have multiple knives or spears in them. I slowly walk over to him. The closer I get the more I can see the red in Cato's face, the veins popping out of his neck and arms, the sweat dripping down his forehead. I've never seen him like this before, even when we work out really hard. I sit down and motion for him to do the same. When he sits next to me, I can hear him panting and I feel his hot, heavy breath. I timidly ask what's wrong. I expect him to say nothing, or say something about how this is how he usually trains. His reply surprises me.
"I thought you weren't coming."
I look at the clock and realize I'm an hour late. I didn't know talking to Haymitch and getting ready took so much time. Instantly I feel guilty.
"Well, I'm here now, let's get to it!" I say a bit over excitedly.
He lifts his head and I can see the difference. His eyes are brighter, his skin is back to it's normal color, and his veins aren't throbbing anymore. Somehow I can't help but wonder why he got so worked up thinking that I wasn't coming. Regardless, he did and I feel like I should offer a reason why.
"The tribute from Four sliced open Noah's shoulder. Haymitch told me I have to go to the sponsors lounge after this and get him medicine."
Cato turns away from the dummies and looks at me. Usually, he looks me in the eyes, but right now he's looking me up and down.
"You're going to change before you go up there right?" he snorts.
I didn't really think about that. I was actually going to go up in my training clothes. I'm not good with the whole fashion thing. Cinna only puts clothes in my closet, now that I'm just a mentor. I'm the one who has to decide what shirt looks good with what pants. That's definitely something I miss about being back home; it doesn't matter what I wear there. Just thinking about finding something to wear makes me frustrated
"Damn," I say under my breath.
"Don't tell me the girl on fire doesn't know how to dress herself," Cato says sarcastically.
He knows that appearances don't matter in Twelve. He also probably knows that I have no idea what to do when it comes to style. I feel red rise into my cheeks.
"Look, it's no problem. I'll meet you in the elevator before you go and tell you whether you look awful or not," he laughs.
For some reason that makes me feel better. I agree, and then go to pick up the bow. Before I reach it Cato steps in front of me.
"No bow today, only knives."
He hands me a knife and I reluctantly take it. I throw it at the target and miss by about a yard. I hear him laugh behind me, then walk up to my side. He stands right next to me, my back is on his chest and stomach. Our legs touch as he shows me the proper stance. He puts his hand over my mine to show me the technique of how to throw. I throw a few times with him right beside me. When I get the hang of it he backs off, but I can feel his eyes staring at me from behind. I throw the knife and it hits the target's shoulder. I turn my head to look at him, and he smiles and nods. I throw a few more before he comes and modifies my stance again. This time, he gets down on both knees and adjusts my hips. I can feel his breath on my stomach, and for some reason that makes my heart beat speed up. I try to slow my heart down by taking a few deep breathes, and then I throw the knife. I expect it to fly off in a different direction, but instead it lands right in the target's heart.
"Congratulations, fire girl. You now know how to throw a knife."
He stands up, but his hands are still on my waist. His body is inches from mine. I look up at him towering over me. His eyes are staring right into my mine. I can feel his heart beating in his chest, and I can hear mine thumping in my ears. We stay standing like this in complete silence for a few moments until the beep of the clock snaps us out of it. I guess we have been throwing knives for longer than I thought. The clock reveals that we've been down here for five hours.
"It's ten o'clock now, so go shower and do all the girly things you need to do and I'll meet you in the elevator at noon."
We walk out of the training center and into the elevator side by side. Before we reach his floor he turns to me and says,
"Oh, and don't braid your hair"
He pulls the tie out of my braid and runs his fingers through my hair.
"Definitely go natural."
Then the elevator dings and he steps out.
The next two hours are filled with me trying to imitate what my styling team does. They left waxes, perfumes, makeup, and nail polishes. Effie helps me wax my legs and eyebrows. She always loves when I ask her for help. While, I'm in the shower she lays out some outfits she thinks will look good. I put on the least bit of makeup possible, and Effie paints my nails. After my nails dry, I run some goo that I always see Flavius use through my hair. Now for the challenging part: picking out my outfit. I go over all the outfits Effie has laid out. Being Effie, she has laid out only brightly colored pieces of clothing. After about ten outfits made up of oranges, pinks, and purples I come across something that I can see myself in: a brown skirt that goes down to my knees, a loose brown silk shirt with white polka dots, and a teal jacket. While I put on the outfit Effie gets me some earrings and shoes. Now, finally, I'm ready.
"Oh, Katniss, you look absolutely stunning!"
Since I know that Effie could never lie about someone's appearance, I feel pretty good about myself. I look at the clock just in time for it to strike noon. I thank Effie and head to the elevator. The doors open without me pressing a button and Cato is standing inside. I bashfully step in. Thankfully, Effie gave me shoes that only have a small heel; so walking isn't a big challenge. The doors close and Cato steps back to look at me.
"There's no way you pulled that off by yourself," he chuckles.
"Yeah, Effie picked out a bunch of outfits and I just picked one.
"Well, you look amaz-"
Before he can finish the doors open and his whole disposition changes. He goes from someone I know to complete stone. He stands completely up straight, his arms hang stiffly by his sides, and his eyes turn to glass. He doesn't even look at me before walking out of the elevator. I know that he isn't supposed to be hanging around with me, but I thought I would get a little more consideration than that. I guess our friendship is only behind closed doors. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I know that if Gale caught wind of this he would go on a tangent. He would tell me that he's nothing but a murderous Career, and he can't believe I'm hanging out with someone like this. Actually, he would tell me all the things I have already told myself. Maybe keeping our friendship a secret isn't such a bad thing.
I shake off the thoughts of Cato because I have a job to do. I have to get Noah medicine, and I won't leave until I have it.
Ok, so I put a lot of sexual tension in this chapter, but I couldn't help it! I love it so much. Also, the outfit she wears to the sponsors lounge is on the Tumblr! Everyone review and tell me what you would like to see happen in the future! I have an idea of what's going to happen when the Games end, but not much after that and I don't really want to end the story. Review, bitchessss. xxx