I stood in a cold room wearing only a thin robe, waiting for my stylist to come. Thanks to Elma and partially Darby, I knew that now I have to attend the Chariot Ride with Morris. They explained everything to me during breakfast.

After that, we were whisked off to the preparation centre where they 'made us into acceptable people' as they said. They ripped of every hair on my body, and polished my skin until it emanated soft glow and was soft to touch. They also put me into a tub filled with some liquid, cause it would prevent the hair from growing back.

It was awkward to say at least, laying on a cushioned table with my prep team leaning over me. Positive was, that they were all girls. My favorite instantly became Charm. She was bubbly and cheerful and she was the one that offered me candy.

Apart from that being naked, I actually enjoyed this experience of being pampered. They trimmed my hair a bit, put oils and conditioners in it, so it was silky and soft. They made my nails and allowed me to eat sweets.

I have been told that this year my District has a new stylist, but Charm assured me, that they chose him personally and that I do not have to be worried.

The door opened and my stylist walked in.

He looked every inch playboy. Lips to die for, deep dark brown eyes and long black hair. He flashed me a mega-watt smile and strolled to me. I bet with that smile, he can get any women into bed. But I knew from Charm, that no one can top some Fimeck, or what is he called.

"Hiya Sweetie!" He squealed and pecked me on both cheeks.

I take the last sentence back. He could get any MEN into bed.

"Hi." I greeted him.

"I am Lyons."

"I am Coreen. Nice to meet you."

"OH! You have manners…That is rarely seen nowadays. It is my utmost pleasure to meet you." He bowed slightly and kissed the back of my hand. I giggled and noticed that his lips left an imprint of some balm.

"I can't wait to get to work. Put the robe down for a minute, please."

"You want me to undress myself?" I asked, disbelief written all over my face. It is something different being naked in front of men, no matter what his orientation may be.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" He asked, curling a strand of his hair between his fingers.

"Yes."

"I can undress too, if you want."

"NO!"I shouted and slipped the robe off, before he could show me his…. You know what.

"Hmm." Lyons circulated me and tapped his forehead.

"What are you doing?" I asked, when he didn't stop tapping .

"I am trying to awake the genius inside me." I laughed and put the robe back on when he went to collect his sketch book and some pencils.

I sat on a chair with my feet propped on table where Lyons was working. He was asking me some questions about the District I grew up in. His questions were mainly directed to what plants we were growing, what animals live there and which colors and flowers were symbolic tour District.

When his sketch was done, he didn't let me have a look at it and left to make the dress.

At least I hope it is a dress.

My assumption was right. It was a dress. But it looked too beautiful to be real. It was a light golden color. The dress itself was very light and soft. The bodice was embroidered into gentle looking flowers and leaves in pink, green and brown. Dress was narrowed at the waist and drifted to the floor with a tiny train. The skirt had lots of layers, so when I moved, skirt flew gently behind me. I had a small flower tiara across my forehead and tiny pair of colorful butterfly wings, folded and hidden in the creases of the dress.

I argued with Lyons that they looked more like wings of a fairy, but he didn't budge.

"Will I get any shoes?"

"No."Lyons blunt answer surprised me.

"And why?"

"Do you want to be head taller than the boy you will be on a chariot? Mo.. something ?"

"No."

"There you have your answer.."

My prep team came, gushed about my dress and then did my makeup. It was simple, because they didn't want it to clash with the dress. Lip balm, blush and accentuated eyes.

Lyons stepped on my toe when we were leaving, not minding where he was going.

"Will you watch out!?"I said angrily, hopping on one leg.

"I swear, I will turn to evil fairy and curse you!" I pointed my finger at him but he just rolled eyes at me.

"Yes, yes.. Just hurry up, or we will be late and no one will see your magic trick."

"What magic trick, you don't have any magic trick." I mumbled loud enough fro him to hear me.

We got to the hall where our rides were waiting for us. I saw Morris standing not far away from the entrance. He was talking with some tributes.

I approached them and said, "Hey Mo Mo, aren't you just cute!" I looked at his outfit. He looked like an elf from woods. He was dressed in a golden-brown tunic with green trousers. He had a small crown from golden ears of grain.

"What the hell, Cory.. Mo Mo? Seriously?" He huffed, looking insulted.

"Don't look at me like that. Blame my stylist, Lyons, from the other side of the river, if you know what I mean." He scowled and then looked at me.

"What are you.. a fairy?" he asked when he saw my wings peeking out.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

A cough from tributes attracted my attention. I turned to face them and my jaw hit the floor.

"Seriously, cupcake.."I whined.

"What?" Peeta laughed.

"I thought you couldn't get sexier, and here you are proving me wrong. Damn." I said playfully.

"Stop it, Cory."Peeta said playfully and blushed.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you."I said and reached to hug him.

"How can you be so cheerful?" Asked a feminine voice with a slight distaste from my left.

I looked at the girl and noticed that she has a similar outfit like Peeta. I quickly understood that she has to be from the same district as Peeta.

So this is Katniss.

She looked uncomfortable in the tight black costume she had on. I would feel like that in it too. Other than that, she looked fierce and strong. Her face was void of emotion, staring straight at me.

"I guess I like laughing better than crying."

A small smile broke on her face.

"I am Katniss."She offered me her hand and I took her hand.

"I'm Cory."

We didn't have the chance to talk, because Elma and Darby took us to our chariot. Lyons already stood there to check if everything was alright. He unfolded my wings and made sure they looked great.

Suddenly, our chariot moved and my hands started shaking.

Remember what Elma told you. Be natural, smile and wave.

I didn't even realize it, and it was over. I exhaled, happy to have it behind me.

"You were great. You looked natural."Said Elma. She seemed satisfied with what we did.

"Am I right Darby?"She hit him with here elbow in ribs.

"Yes, they were awesome." He grumbled.

"Could you please act like more normal?"

"What do you consider to be 'more normal'?" He asked mockingly made air quotes at the last two words. I saw Elma counting quietly under her breath.

"You mean the way you act?"He was pushing the buttons and he knew it.

"ANY OTHER WAY, JUST NOT THE WAS YOU ARE ACTING, ASSHOLE!"She yelled at him.

"OH PLEASE! LOOK AT YOU!" He shouted, blaming her.

Elma took a deep breath, feeling insulted, preparing herself to shout more.

"I AM PERFECTLY FINE!"

I glanced at Morris, to see him gaping at our mentors.

"Let's go to congratulate Peeta and Katniss."I said quietly and we hurried away from our short-tempered mentors.

Tributes from 12 were happy to see us. When we were on the chariots, I was shocked to see them burning. I almost jumped from our chariot to put out the fire, but then I realized that they were smiling.

But it didn't stop me from asking whether they are okay.

From the corner of my eye, I saw the blonde career from 2 glaring in our direction. Especially at Peeta and Katniss. I looked at him and when I realized what he was wearing, I burst out laughing. Those wings he had alongside his head looked terrible. I couldn't help myself, but to stare at his arms. They had to be at least four times thicker than were mine. When he caught me looking, his glare turned to smirk. I blushed and turned away.

After chariots Francine showed us our floor, where we will stay and went to change her attire. It was huge. I was afraid to touch anything, scared that I will broke it.

Morris started running to the sofa. Before he could crash into it, he jumped on it.

"Morris, are you crazy?"

"Why?" He asked, jumping up and down still in his chariot costume. Thank God, that neither Francine nor Elma and Darby were here, otherwise we would get another display of how short-tempered they are.

"That sofa must be disgustingly expensive! I am pretty sure even our lives are worth less."

Morris ceased his jumping.

"You are right."He said after a small pause." But they already have our lives in grasp. So what more they could take from us, when we have nothing to lose? How they could punish us?"

A sad silence hung over us, as the ugly truth seeped into our bones.

"For a 15 year old, you are pretty damn smart."I said and jumped on the sofa too.

We were watching Capitol from the roof huddled in a blanket eating ice-cream after we took shower and changed into comfortable clothes. I had chocolate and blueberry and Morris had vanilla and strawberry. We decided to avoid Capitol flavors and decided to stick to ones that we knew.

"Do you think of your parents?"Moriss asked.

"Yes." I admitted and put spoon into the bowl.

"I am worried about mom. I don't how she is handling this. It must be terrible for her. She always believed, that I would be the lucky one, that would escape games. She gets an attack whenever we mention games…" Tears streamed down my face as I was imagining what is happening home.

"I am so foolish and shallow. Joking with Peeta, jumping on sofa with you, arguing with Lyons whether I had butterfly or fairy wings, while my parents are experiencing the worst time of their life"

" I know it may seem like I don't care. That I am carefree and that I enjoy this, but.."

"Don't worry Coreen. Everyone who knows you knows, that this is just the way you cope with things. I know that you care about your parents more than anything in the world. And those who think else are not worth being listened too. Okay?"

"Yes." I sniffed and cuddled to him.

"You are really smart, you know?"I mumbled into his shirt.

"I know." I felt his smile as he lay head on my shoulder.

After a while, he went back down saying that he was tired. I stayed here on the roof enjoying the view and eating ice-cream.

I was close to the edge but I never leaned on the railing, being scared of heights.

Something heavy pushed me from behind and I crashed into the railing, hands enveloping around the thick metal bars, the only thing preventing me from falling. Another set of hands gripped bars next to mine.

Body behind made me lean forward. My eyes widened when I saw how high we actually are. Hair fell around my face and I gasped for breath.

'No laughing?" he asked.

"Why should I laugh?"

"You tell me. What you found so funny after the chariots?"

"You."

"Me?" He asked disbelievingly and turned me around so that I would face him.

"Yeah. You looked like a chicken with those wings around your face." I looked in his eyes waiting for a reaction.

"And you looked like a fucking butterfly." He snapped at me.

"Well I'm sorry, but it was actually supposed to look like that. Second, butterfly is way cooler than some chicken. And third, it looked way better."

His eyes darkened and he leaned forward, causing me to slide further on the railing, the blanket around me making the banister slippery. One of his hands sneaked around my waist, so that I would not fall.

"You are starting to piss me off. " He growled angrily and his eyes flashed.

I turned my head and when I reminded myself how high we were, my heartbeat quickened.

Blonde career obviously took notice of my reaction as he chuckled darkly.

"Scared of heights?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

He pressed himself more to my body, making me slide even further. If it weren't for the situation I was in, maybe I would have enjoyed this close proximity.

I realized too late, that I pushed him too far. Desperately trying to calm him down I tried to make turn this situation into a joke.

"You know, seeing the position we are in, I could sue you for sexual harassment."

"I don't think that we reached the sexual yet." He smirked, straightened out, making me in the process to sit on the rail.

He has to be very tall, as I was taller now just about two inches.

"Could you please put me down?" I asked sweetly.

"Why should I?" He asked with his head close to my collarbone, his breath leaving burning trail behind.

"Because my butt hurts from sitting on the rail for so long." The words slipped from my mouth faster than I thought about them.

"We wouldn't want that, right?"He locked his blue eyes with mine, smirk on his lips.

I nodded, afraid that another stupidity will leave my mouth.

He slowly put me down, his hands brushing my sides, unknowingly tickling me. I instantly giggled and went to sit on a bench, where I left ice-cream.

"Ticklish?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

He 'hmmed ' in response and leaned on the railing.

I put the blanket around my shoulders, took the bowl in hand and patted the place next to me. He raised his eyebrow, but sat next to me anyway.

"Want some?" I offered him the bowl, since I was already full.

"What flavor?"

"Chocolate and blueberry." He nodded in approval and took the bowl with spoon.

"I thought that it would be some Capitol shit flavor, but it seems you're not as stupid as I thought."

"Hey!" I said offended and playfully punched his arm.

"Take it back!" His one glance told me, that it is not going to happen.

"Chicken."I muttered under my breath.

He broke the silence after few minutes.

"I'm Cato."

"I'm Coreen. Nice to meet you."

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Hunger Games and I never will.

Finally some serious Cato action. I was glad to find out that it is very easy to write about him.

Maybe you noticed that I am leaving out some parts of the story, but I feel that some parts have been written too much times already.

Yesterday, I couldn't fall asleep, so I lay in my bed thinking of how am I going to end this and I love it so far.

Special thanks to Andrea71. I am very happy that you love it. It makes me feel a lot better about continuing this story.

Please leave a review. I would love to know what you think of this so far.

Thanks for reading. Lia