Hey, I'm sorry I'm not being the best author at the moment - I'm under a lot of pressure and need to take a break so I'll probably be doing some more writing. xxxx
5
Cato
I really think I'm falling for her. I need to stay away. We almost kissed before… and I think if we had, there would have been no going back. Then when she fell, I felt something strange – like fear, for someone else. Or caring… It's stupid to get attached in the Hunger Games but it seems like that's exactly what I'm doing…
The next day, it was time for the private sessions with the Gamesmakers. Afterwards, we all hung around upstairs in the massive lounge, all the tributes waiting together. The Career pack all sat together, with me and Clove on the couch, Glimmer and Marvel on the footstools in front, with Katniss and Peeta on the floor leaning by our feet. All of us got high scores, in the 9 or 10 range. Then it was Peeta's turn. He got an 8 which is better than we expected. Clove clapped him on the back, while I raised an eyebrow at Katniss, who smiled knowingly. Then Katniss's score came and the whole room gasped. She got an 11. Fucking hell. Suddenly, Glimmer and Clove jumped to their feet and began screaming and swearing in her face. Katniss was really holding her own, but when Glimmer slapped her round the face, I had to intervene, because things were about to get physical. She turned to me and screamed, "Look I'm sick of this! Do you want me in the alliance or not?" Glimmer and Clove both said "NO!" while Peeta and Marvel both nodded yes. So it was down to me… Spending time with her was driving me insane. But it was unfair to chuck her out now, I guess… My answer was, "No." She looked at me, eyes showing her pain, and she nods, "Fine." Then she runs off. The rest of the tributes are staring at us in awe and I growl at them. "Problem?" They all shake their heads and run off. We laugh at our triumph but it's a hollow laugh – all I feel is regret.
Katniss
The bastard. The absolute dickhead. How could he betray me like that? What did I do to piss him off so much? I went back to my room, changed into something more comfortable and ran up to the roof to cry. Peeta knew me well enough to keep away, so I lay there for hours, just crying. I thought I knew him. I thought he liked me. At about midnight, Haymitch came to get me. He lay beside me and asked, "Sweetheart, what happened?" I composed myself before answering, "He kicked me out. I trusted him and he hurt me. Goddamn it. I let my guard down and he struck." Haymitch nodded, "I know honey, and it hurts. Just ignore him." "But Haymitch. I liked him. He was kind, and funny… And now I have no-one." He linked hands with me but his eyes stayed on the stars as he whispered, "You do have people. Me, Effie, Cinna, all your prep team. We're all there for you. And you will come out of this alive, you hear me? Don't give up now. Please, sweetheart." I shook my head and said, "Never. I will never give up. Ever." "Come on then, let's get some sleep before your interview tomorrow. We'll spend all day prepping. Oh, and… well done on your training score. Knew you had it in you. Heard you gave the Gamesmakers quite a shock though." With that, I started laughing. By the time we got back to our floor, we were in hysterics but as soon as I caught sight of Peeta, I stopped laughing and turned on my best death glare. I kissed Haymitch goodnight, and went to bed before he could say a word.
Cato
I've made an awful mistake. I thought it would be best to distance myself from Katniss but I ended up pushing her out of the alliance altogether. She'll never forgive me for this, and I feel so bad. All I can think about the hurt in her eyes when she ran away.
The next day, I'm looking for her, I want to apologise. I see her at breakfast, laughing and joking with … wait, who is that? I do a double take as I catch sight of Thresh and Rue sitting across from her. How dare he talk to her! I'm about to make my way over to them and have it out with her when someone blocks my path and drags me behind a bush. "Look, Loverboy," Haymitch growls, "I don't want you talking to her, looking at her, even thinking about her. You've messed her up enough with your mixed signals. She's broken enough; she thought she could trust you and you left her – just like all the men in her life. So stay away, got it?" I nod but look at him curiously, asking, "Who else left her?" He rolls his eyes and says bitterly, "What, you didn't even get her life story and you're already in love with her? Look, her father died when she was 11, she's been supporting her family ever since. She finds it very difficult to trust, so I don't know what you did, but I don't want you doing it again. She wants to enjoy her last few days, so stay the hell out of her life." I nod and whisper, "I only want what's best for her." He ignores me and walks away. I'm left to reflect on his words. I never saw that side to her, and now I never will.
It's time for the interviews and in a twist, they will be going backwards this year, which means Katniss is first, because the Capitol love manners and ladies must go first. She walks onto the stage and the crowd goes ballistic, something which Clove and Glimmer mock mercilessly. I mean, seriously though, what's not to go ballistic over? We watch carefully as she spins prettily, lighting up on fire and all of the boys are now gawping; she's easily the most stunning girl most of us have ever seen. Then Caesar touches a nerve, asking about her little sister. Katniss cracks slightly, replying, "Prim. I love you. I'm coming home to you soon." Caesar nods and asks, "You seem so certain. Why? Apart from that marvellous training score, of course?" She laughs and answers, "I have to be. There are some brilliant people in these Games, some who are really twisted, who really get inside your head. If I'm set on winning, they can't get to me." And with that, she turns to where we are all sitting at the back of the stage, and glares directly at me. Shit. That was the sexiest thing I've ever seen. Oh God. She has so much goddamn power over me…