Hey guys! I'm sorry its been so long since I updated, but I just got back off holiday and then i had a gym competition. Whatever, I'm back now!
First off, before we start, I'd like to introduce you all to my absolutely gorgeous, brilliant, fantastic beta, WonderGirl556! She's the best, so thank you beautiful! Also, please check out her story, A Shot in the Dark, it's awesome!
Right, here's chapter 2. When we last left them, Cato was planning on using Katniss' weaknesses against her
Katniss
As we awkwardly sit down to dinner, I get a chance to look at the tributes up close. Districts 1 and 2 have their heads close together and are deep in discussion. I laugh to myself as I watch them constantly glance over and I realise they are talking about me. District 4 are on the fringes of their huddle, trying to break in but without much luck. 11 are closest to us and the little girl is talking openly with Peeta, while her partner is hovering close to her, like a guard. I greet him, "Hi. I'm Katniss. And you are… Thresh?" He nods and answers me in a voice so low I literally do a double take, "Yes. And this is my cousin. Rue." Then he laughs loudly and I jump, before realising he is looking across the room to where Cato and the District 1 boy are involved in some sort of brawl. Most of the other Districts recoil, pressing themselves against the wall, including Rue and Peeta but Thresh and I step forwards and attempt to pull them apart. Clove groans and glares at me, so I give her a scathing look – she should have helped her district partner instead of watching their fight like it was entertainment. Then the two girls walk out, soon followed by the tribute from1. However, as Cato makes to follow him aggressively, I hold on tighter and drag him to a corner, nodding to Thresh to let him know it's all under control.
"What do you want, 12?" he asks angrily and I laugh again. "What the hell was that all about? You know you're not supposed to fight before the Games, or do you want to get disqualified?" He growls, inflamed by my words and turns away for a second, trying to calm himself down before he speaks, "What the fuck do you know about what I want?" I roll my eyes, "Nothing. Absolutely nothing, except that you're a Career and you volunteered which both point towards you wanting to win these Games. And I know that you lot were talking about me. So tell me what is going on dickhead!" He laughs and is overcome by hysterics for about 1 minute before he finally calms down enough to speak. But just as he is about to speak, I feel someone tap me on the shoulder and turn to see Peeta standing there expectantly. "What?" Cato and I both exclaim together, and it makes me feel good to know that he's angry to have been interrupted as well. "Well… um… I just wanted to make sure that he… isn't bothering you… Is he… bothering you?" he stutters and I can tell that Cato is getting impatient. I speak quickly and angrily now, "Does it look like he's bothering me you idiot? No. Now go away." I look over to Thresh who is looking at me worriedly and I wink, which is enough to satisfy him. He comes over to drag Peeta away but Cato misinterprets his actions. "Urgh. Come and find me when you're ready to talk alone, scum." I nod, barely moving my head but he catches it and is just about to leave when Peeta stops him.
"Don't call her scum, you jumped-up Career." I can see Cato is about to start shouting when I realise how rubbish Peeta is at trash talk and I start cracking up. Thresh does too and Cato walks away, knowing that this isn't worth his time. I say goodnight to Thresh and Rue before heading back to my room. I change into my pajamas and stick my head round the door, to say goodnight to Peeta but he stops me. "Katniss, what are you doing? We got reaped only 12 hours ago and since then, you've said more to that bastard from 2." I ignore his insults and sit down next to him. "Peeta. I don't wanna get to know you. Because I'm going to have to kill you." He nods, but presses on with the angle he's going for, "But then why get to know 2?" I shake my head, "I wouldn't call it 'getting to know', more… exchanging pleasantries. Goodnight Peeta." And before he can answer, I leave his room and go to sit in the sitting room, watching the Capitol's verdict on each of the tributes. They're rude about both Rue and Peeta and it makes me angry, because they so underestimate them. Well, I don't know about Rue, but Peeta is a lot stronger than people. Suddenly, I am shocked back to reality by a loud knocking at the door. I hurry to answer it before whoever it is wakes Peeta. "What?" I whisper fiercely and I see Cato looking down at me.
Cato
I had to go and see her; she had a right to know. Clove was against it, made me promise not to, so I had to wait until she was asleep. I hurried down the train and knocked on the door. It was a lot louder at night, and it echoed around the hall where I was waiting. The door opened and Katniss answered, growling furiously, "WHAT?" I pulled her out into the corridor and shut the door quietly behind her. "What are you doing?" she asked and I shushed her, murmuring, "I thought you wanted to know what was going on." She nodded, all her anger forgotten and I simply whispered, "Not here," before leading her away from her compartment, to the end of the train, where we could talk in peace.
We're sitting next to 1's compartment so we should be safe and she sags to the floor, leaning against the wall. I'm worried she's collapsed and I kneel down next to her, "Are you ok? What happened?" She giggles quietly and I reprimand myself silently as I realise she was just sitting down, waiting for me to talk. I sit beside her and explain, "We were talking about who we should let into the Career alliance and Marvel said that all you girls were good for was sex. I said how would you know? Then he said that he's shagged more girls than me so I punched him." She rolled her eyes, and muttered, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I mean, have you seen Marvel? He looks like dog shit. Obviously you've shagged more than him. Now. Who are you thinking about for the Career alliance?" I open my mouth to tell her, overcome by her charm but a voice comes out of the dark, a voice that makes me freeze, "That, scum, is none of your fucking business."
Clove. "What are you doing here, Clove?" I ask, furious she's interrupted us. As she emerges from the shadows, I can see she's fuming and despite the fact I've known her for years and I know I can take her, I'm still concerned for our safety. She grits her teeth and spits, "Making sure you don't do anything stupid. I knew you'd come see her, but I didn't think you'd give in so easily. Now, 12, what pattern would you like me to cut into your face?" Katniss rolls her eyes and says sarcastically, "Don't worry, 2, I'm not here to steal your alliances. I don't have much faith in any of you. But I want to know who you're considering." Clove recoils and forces out a few words, "Not you. So what do you want?" before sitting cross-legged in front of her, waiting to hear what she has to say.
Katniss laughs and answers, "I don't want to join your fucking alliance. Get that in your head now. But I do want you to take Peeta. Please." I cough and they both turn to me as I ask, "Why on earth would we do that? As far as I'm aware, he has no skill and he looks even more scummy than you. Why do you want him in our alliance anyway? What's wrong with him teaming up with you?" Katniss looks at me, almost bored by my stupidity and begins to speak slowly, "Okay. I want to say a few things and I don't have time for interruptions so wait til the end, ok?" When we both nod, she continues, "First off, he is nowhere near as scummy as me. I'm from the Seam; he's a baker boy. Secondly, he does have skill; just wait until training before you make any judgements. Just because he's not massive like you doesn't mean he's not strong, you Neanderthals. Thirdly, I want him in your alliance because… I owe him. He saved my life. This will be my way of saving his. Finally, I do not work well with others. He will be of no use to me, except to slow me down." I laugh at this; it's the longest I've ever heard her speak. But Clove has questions, "Why should he slow us down, instead of you?" Katniss laughs at this, "Isn't that blonde from 1 already in your alliance?" Clove nods, admittedly Glimmer will slow us down just as much. I speak now, making a decision, "12. We will consider this. But you may have to do something for us in return. Ok?" She nods and walks away, but I catch her arm, saying in my sweetest voice, "Sweet dreams, Seam Girl." I hear her laugh as she disappears into the darkness and I gaze after her. Clove thumps me, but not even that will piss me off. Man. She's really getting to me.