"Cato," I whisper softly.
His hold tightens around my hand. I stand dumbfounded looking out into the vast ocean of people. My heels click as we walk down the marble stairs of the president's mansion. My breaths are short and choppy. My head is beginning to spin. Cato must notice because he grabs me around my waist and whispers in my ear.
"It's ok, I'm used to these types of things. Follow my lead, and remember: Love me."
Just hearing him say the word 'love' makes me feel a little better. I stand up straight and give him a nod. We begin walking again.
"Oh, Katniss, you look absolutely stunning tonight."
I remember that voice. I remember not liking that voice. I remember hating that voice so fiercely. As I turn around and see her face I remember why I hate that voice. My expression goes blank. Why is she being nice to me? No words come out of my mouth so Cato speaks for me.
"I know she does. She's the most beautiful woman in the room, isn't she, Lyme?"
I smile slightly and hold his hand. Hearing him talk gives me confidence.
"You look lovely tonight, too. Thank you."
I still can't understand why she's being so nice to me, but after a few seconds it clicks. She must know this is a test, and I know exactly whose side she is on. I don't want to spend one more second with her that I don't have to, so when I spot Haymitch across the room I take it as an opportunity to excuse myself. As soon as I approach him his face changes.
"This is bull shit."
I actually don't even know why he is here. Probably to support me, I need as much as I can get. No matter what Haymitch says I know he cares for me, because I know he is hating this just as much as I am.
"Everybody, please take your seats," Claudius Templesmith says.
We file into the dining room and find our table.
"Will Katniss and Cato, our guests of honor, please come up onto the stage."
What. No one told me this was going to happen. I can't do this. I can't go up on stage in front of all of these people. I have no idea what is going to happen. I haven't had time to prepare myself. Effie didn't go over this with me. I wasn't prepped for this. Cato stands, takes my hand, and pulls me into a hug.
"Like I said, just follow my lead. Act natural."
We make our way to the stage and the sound of applause roars over my thoughts. The bright lights scorch my face, and force me to squint my eyes. The crowd settles down and Claudius speaks again.
"Thank you so much for joining us tonight. We're all here for one reason, and that's for you to tell us the big news. Let's make it official!"
The crowd goes wild again. Cato takes the microphone.
"How's everyone doing tonight?"
The crowd booms once more.
"Good, good," he laughs, "Well, I'm sure by now you all can tell that Katniss and I are something of a pair."
He looks to me and I smile bashfully at the crowd.
"It's a little more than that, though."
They all hold in their breath.
"I'm in love with her,"
As they exhale it comes out as an 'aww'.
"and I'd like to think that she's in love with me."
Seeing Cato talking to the crowd with such confidence inspires me. I step up beside him and kiss him on the cheek. Another 'aw' followed by a chant.
"Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!"
He turns and looks me in the eyes, then he lays one on me. Sure, it's just for the crowd and camera, but it's a passionate kiss. For a split second I almost forget we're in front of all these people. The voice of Claudius breaks us up.
"Well there ya have it, folks! The best couple to ever hit the Capitol!"
We take that as our cue to leave. Finally I'm able to breathe normally. Claudius goes on about other things, but I tune him out. It's hard to focus on him when I'm having to put on an act in front hundreds of people. I do love Cato, but this isn't how we express that. I don't understand why the Capitol has to physically see two people being all over each other in order for them to think they're in love. It's sick and twisted. Love isn't physical, it's emotional. I hate that they are taking this away from me. My love for Cato is supposed to be mine and his, now it's everyone's. The sound of clapping snaps me out of my trance.
"Is it done? Can we leave now?" I whisper to Cato.
"Is it ever that easy?" he replies.
He's right. Snow has to have something else up his sleeve. All we can to do is wait and find out what it is.
"Come on, sweetheart. Let's take a walk," Haymitch slurs.
Before I walk away from the table Cato brings me in and kisses me. He's much better at this whole thing than I am.
"Snow isn't done with you yet,"
"I know."
"No, Katniss, I don't think you do. You have to be absolutely prepared for anything he throws at you, and trust me it's not going to be pretty. He is heartless."
Hearing him say these things strikes panic throughout my whole body. I thought I was ready for anything, but now I'm second guessing myself. What If I can't handle all of this?
"You can."
I guess I said that out loud.
"Just stay alert."
As a hunter, being alert is second nature to me. I am constantly alert, but Snow is sly.
"What if he is too sneaky for me?"
Just then the music starts blaring and people fill the dance floor. Before parting, Haymitch brings his mouth close to my ear.
"Be alert. Trust no one."
Then I am lost in a sea of Capitol citizens. I look around for a familiar face but find none. Someone grabs my hand from behind me and I whirl around to face them.
"Whoa, calm down, girl."
This face isn't one that I know well, but I have definitely seen it before. I search my brain, then it comes to me.
"Finnick Odair."
"The one and only."
I remember Finnick from his Games. He got out by using a trident. District Four, I think.
"Let's dance."
Before I can object he twirls me around and brings me close to him. Being so close to someone that isn't Cato makes me extremely uncomfortable.
"Smile while I talk."
This confuses me, but for some reason I oblige.
"You're in a bit of a mess, Katniss."
How could he possibly know that?
"They're fond of me in the Captiol. I know the ins and outs."
"What are you getting at?" I say through a forced grin.
"Just know that you have someone on the inside that's here to help."
I don't get another word out before I'm spun out and into Cato's arms.
"Hey hunny," he smiles.
I'm too confused to be silly, and Cato can tell.
"We'll talk about it when we get back."
"But-" he cuts me off,
"Enjoy yourself!"
I'm too stubborn to let it go, and Cato is too stubborn to talk about it now. So again, I force a smile and dance with him. Thank goodness for Effie's dancing lessons. We dance for a bit longer before I realize something.
"Cato," I mutter through a shaky voice.
"I see them," He states back.
As we glide across the dance floor I see at least six men standing around watching us. My thoughts run wild. What if this is a set up to kidnap us and torture us? Horrible scenes flash across my mind. Cato must be able to tell that I'm scared because he holds me closer.
"Something's up," I hear faintly.
I slightly turn my head and see Haymitch dancing with Effie. For some reason this makes me happy.
"Stay close," Cato orders.
Just then the lights go off and screams encompass the room. My eyes don't adjust quickly enough and all I know is that I'm being pulled somewhere. I gain some vision and see Cato's blonde hair in front of me. I don't say a word, I just try to keep pace. I hope Effie and Haymitch are close by. Suddenly, the cool air hits my face like a punch. I gasp in, and rapidly try to take in my surroundings. The men who were watching Cato and I start to surround us. I hear weeping and realize it's coming from Effie, at least she's with us. I feel blood trickling down foot, damn heels. I scan for a way out, but don't find one. Apparently Haymtich does though because I am now being pulled by my other arm in a different direction. I franticly search for Cato. When my eyes land on him I am able to focus on running. I don't know how much longer we run for, but the next thing I know we're on a train. The doors hiss closed. Cato pulls me into a hug. The train lunges forward.
"Ever been to the sea?"
Wow guys, I'm so so so so sorry I haven't updated in like.. Forever. As you know, I just went through a breakup. So, I'm trying to adjust to being single. I've been hanging out with people a lot and working even more. I know I've neglected you, though and I'm so sorry :[ Forgive me? I love you all!