It happened when I was 10 year old. Dad took me to work, because mom wasn't able to look after me since she had a particularly strong seizure the day before. Dad told me to sit on a chair behind a table in the main room and to draw something for him. I did as he told, because drawing was my hobby at that time. I drew a childish picture of me with my family with big heads and skinny legs. I wrote next to it our names and drew our home. But I finished too soon and I had no more paper, so I looked around the room to see if there wasn't anything I could draw on. There were sacks of flour in the corner prepared to be shipped away, and I saw them as the best material for my drawing. I drew myself in field with a butterfly on my head and with my name on the shirt.

Dad was quite angry when he found out what I have done, but he knew there was nothing he could to do repair it, so he sent them the way they were. On the other day, empty folded sacks returned with some pastry and a letter for me.

I found out, that the flour was sent to a baker's family in District 12. Their name was Mellark. The baker had son a bit younger than me who jumped at the chance of having a friend.

Ever since then, we have been writing each other about everything. I know about his mother, that he saved a girl, Katniss, he has crush on and that he is on love with her. I wrote to him about my mother too, my work, the flood and Romar.

He is my only friend. I thought we would be the lucky ones that wouldn't get picked, but it seems that fate has something different prepared for us.

When the Recap ended, Francine turned the tv off and went to her room to change her outfit.

When the door closed after her, Elma turned to face us.

"So, I think it is time to discuss your abilities to see what we have to work with."She suggested.

Shit. I thought. I know practically nothing.

Seeing as neither of us was rushing to speak first, she beckoned me to speak first.

"Hm..well…." I mumbled.

"So what can you do, Coreen, right?"I nodded and she smiled encouragingly.

" There is not much to tell really. I didn't work on the fields much…"I trailed off, embarrassed that I know nothing.

"God, that is just awesome." Groaned Darby and covered his face with his hands.

"Hey.."Elma turned to look at him and she promptly smacked across the back of his head.

"Don't be such a freaking idiot. Put your balls together or get lost." She snapped at him. I stared at her, not knowing what she said, but I know that people from my District have their own way of words. From time to time, I am surprised at myself at what leaves my mouth.

Darby glared at her, stood up and stomped out the room, slamming the door behind him. Elma took a deep breath, counted to ten in her head and smiled at us apologetically.

"Sorry kids. He just has days like this. He behaves like an immature asshole. So, where were we?"

"I was supposed to tell you what kind of abilities I have."

"And those are?" She pressed still smiling.

"I know herbs and spices, and I can handle knives pretty well." I admitted.

Okay.

That was a bit of a lie with those knives, but I can use them safely without hurting myself. I even killed in rage few rats when they were eating roots in my garden. But then I buried them out of pity. I could already feel that this lie I just told will got me into trouble , but I already felt like a wimp so I said anything that could help me improve my image in Elma's eyes.

"That's good." Said Elma.

"Anything else that could help you in the arena?"

"No."My short answer was sufficient enough for her.

"And you young man?"

"Axes and slingshot." His answer didn't surprise me. It is hobby of kids in our district to shoo birds away from the crops with slingshots. And axe, for cutting down trees when there is needed more space for fields.

"That's great. Good."She rubbed her hands together and stood up.

"We will get to Capitol tomorrow morning. We have time to discuss everything that you need to know during breakfast . Now go to rest. I am sure you're exhausted. "

"Thank you, Elma."Said Morris and went to the food table.

"Elma." I said standing next to her.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if this train takes other tributes as well."

"It does actually. I almost forgot. It's good that you mentioned this. "She muttered the last words to herself.

"Young man!"She shouted at Morris whose mouth was filled with some purple cream.

"Aems?" I don't know whether that was supposed to be yes or something else.

"First, don't talk with your mouth full. And second, this train carries other tributes as well. There is a dining compartment, games, lounge, etc. compartment for tributes, so you may wander over there. But I highly suggest you to keep the main hallways. Especially Career tributes have the hobby to scare and intimidate other tributes. Understood?"

We both nodded. Morris then went back to eating and Elma turned to walk to the door.

I reached for her shoulder, since I had one more thing to ask of her. The second I touched her, she turned around, hair flying around her face, with a chilling look in her eyes.

I stiffened, scared of her for a moment.

She released a breath and her eyes softened when she saw me. Now I know, that Games never really leave anyone.

"I wanted to ask you one more thing." I said softly, worried.

"Yeah. Sure ,go ahead."

"Was wondering if there is any chance of watching the Games from previous years."

"Yes, I can get them for you. But why?"She furrowed her brows at my strange question.

"I never saw any."

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?" Shouted a voice from behind the door.

"DARBY!" Screamed Elma. She threw the door open to find a crouched Darby. He covered his head with his hands seeing her angry face. Actually, furious would be better word.

Darby screamed bloody murder and took off down the hall.

"I swear to you, you little prick, that….." I didn't hear the rest of her sentence, since she took after Darby and the door closed behind her.

"Morris, I don't it is such a good idea." I complained, while he was dragging me to the Tribute's dining room. He said that he was hungry and that he wanted a real dinner. We both knew, that he ate already enough to last him a month, but he just couldn't resist the thought of eating more.

I was wary of going so far from out district's compartment after what Elma told me. But Morris was persistent. So I gave in.

When we entered the room I instantly wanted to disappear. Across the bar sat next to a table District's 1 and 2 tributes. Their chatter stopped when they saw that we have entered the room.

What made the situation worse was. That I had on a quite revealing dress that was away too tight on my chest.

And I had no shoes on, because they were none that would fit and Francine refused to let me go with the ones I came with on the train. So it was either barefoot or staying locked in my room

Four Peacekeepers in the room provided me at least some comfort.

Morris hesitated for a moment, but shrugged his shoulders, leading me to a table near the wall, thankfully quite far away from them.

I couldn't help myself but to glance at their table once again. The giant blonde career was sizing us up. Then he looked at the other tributes and mouthed 'Easy'.

Anger flared up in my veins. How could he dismiss us so quickly?

"Pig-headed idiot." I muttered under my breath.

"What?" Asked Morris.

I opened my mouth to answer, but a waiter stood next to our table asking whether we wanted something. I ordered just a glass of water, while Morris ordered some monstrosity .

I scanned the room we were in and felt awed by the sheer luxury that screamed at me. Even the salt shaker on the table looked more expensive than everything I own.

My eyes fell on a hunched tall skinny boy that sat in the very corner eating soup. He had light ginger hair and strange skin colored to orange. He looked weird.

A piece of meat fell from Morris mouth and made a smacking noise on a plate. I rolled my eyes at him and turned the mini screen that I was carrying around on. Elma gave it to me after she calmed down. It contained Hunger Games from last 20 years.

I tapped the first one on the list and started to watch.

I turned it off after the bloodbath. I felt sick in the stomach. How the hell am I supposed to survive this? The fact that District 9 tributes were among the first victims didn't help me at all. Tears clouded my vision, so I bowed my head, so that none would see me cry.

"Are you alright?" Asked Morris in a concerned voice.

"Not really. I just watched the bloodbath and…"

"I know. Bloodbath is the worst. Come on, let's watch how to survive."He suggested and sat next to me.

Morris took hold of the device and skipped to a part where they were showing tributes as they were starting fire, finding water and shelter.

It didn't look easy, but it was better than what I saw before.

We were still here alone with tributes from 1 and 2 and that creep . It looks like the others had some wits and stayed in their area. Thankfully the Careers, as I learned they were called, weren't paying attention to us. Label 'Easy' made us unattractive in their eyes and not worth their attention.

At least something is in our favor.

Door to the dining room opened and I turned to look at this person.

A smile broke on my face and I leaped from my chair not caring whether the skirt of the dress rode up and showed something that was supposed to stay hidden.

I enveloped arms around the person neck and squeezed hard.

"God, Cory.. Want to kill me before the Games even started?" He said jokingly and I released my hold on him and looked closely on his face.

Peeta stared at me too, trying to remember my face.

"Who knew you had it in yourself, Mellark.." I mused.

"What?"Peeta asked nervously, having no idea what I was implying.

"You are a sexy beast. Why you never told me this before?" Peeta blushed at my statement.

"And you are cute as well, cupcake."

Peeta groaned into his hands. "Why do you insist to call me cupcake?"

"Because you are adorable.." I took his hand and led him to my table, where Morris was watching us curiously.

"Wait."I halted and Peeta crashed into me.

"How did you know it was me, who hugged you?" I crossed my arms and squinted eyes at him.

"I saw you on the Recap." He said bluntly.

"Oh." Figures.

When we sat at the table, before I had the chance of introducing the two of them to each other, Peeta whispered. "They are staring."

I didn't even had to ask who. I looked on the Career table, and true to his words, they were staring at us. Scared by the grin on the blonde's face, I stuck my tongue at them. I watched in satisfaction as the girl from 1 bugged her eyes out and then I averted attention back to our table.

"Very mature, Cory." Peeta commented dryly, but I saw smile playing on his lips.

Peeta and Morris got along great. They were joking on my expense and talking animatedly about their lives. It was amazing to watch them. I joined the conversation too. I was shocked to find out that Katniss has volunteered for her sister, because after I found out that Peeta was reaped I tuned out the rest of the Reaping so no wonder I didn't catch this.

Morris dropped yet another knife on the floor in a fit of laughter.

"Cory, could you go and ask them for another one? It would be awkward if I went there again. " He asked. He already dropped his cutlery 2 times.

I sighed and stood up. The service bar was on the very end of the compartment, which means that I will have to pass Careers. I took a deep breath, tugged the dress a little lower and set out.

They didn't even look at me, for which I was grateful.

Having knife in my hand I turned to walk back. The creepy guy in the corner stood as well. I completely forgot about him.

When I neared the Career table, the guy nearly crashed into me. I motioned with my hand for him to go first, but he kept staring at me. He had disturbing sunken black eyes and pale thin lips.

Chills ran down my spine. I tightened my grip on the knife I was holding. Something is seriously wrong with him. I took a step forward, but he did too and blocked my path.

From the corner of my eye I saw Peeta standing up with Morris. But before they could get closer to him, something big clasped my arm and tugged me further away from him… into someone's chest.

"Any problem here?" asked someone in a gruff voice.

The creep looked up, but he wasn't fazed by the person that stood behind me. He glanced at me one more time and then walked away. I relaxed once he shut the door behind him.

I turned around and saw that my savior was the monstrous boy from District 2.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I just don't want to lose toys to play with in the arena." He sneered got back to his table.

I lay in the bed thinking of today events smelling of raspberries after a wonderful shower.

First, Peeta is hot. I know that he is my friend, but this is just me appreciating his looks, that's all.

Second, days till the arena may prove to better than expected.

Third, blonde career from 2 may not be the biggest threat for me anymore. Number 1 stole the creep.

And at last, I couldn't shake off the feeling of me pressed against his chest and his hand on my arm.

Disclaimer:I own nothing from Hunger Games.

Thanks to Lauren Funk, for favoriting my story!

Special thanks goes to AbbyMellark21 for being the first one to review.

I am still sick, so thankfully I have time to write. This is the first chapter where is Cato more prominent character. Wow, I never thought that writing could be so much fun :)

Please leave a review. I am dying to know what you think of my story. Whether it is good, bad, where I can improve, or anythink really. I would love hear from you. Thanks for reading. Lia