And I do want you to know
I hold you up above everyone.
And I do want you to know
I think you'd be good to me
And I'd be so good to you.
I would.
I can see the determination in Leyla's eyes…this meeting was going to happen. And I think that's what scares me the most.
"Uh, I'm pretty sure I just pissed her off by trying to take down her little boy-toy. I don't think she wants to see me anytime soon, maybe we should just wait until tomorrow's training where I can show of my bad ass skills…"
"Cato, dearest, I really don't think she cares that you can throw a spear at a dummy from however many yards away. Yes, it's grand and all that you can protect her in the Arena and kill everyone within a 5 mile radius, but she needs to see a softer side of you as well-"
"I'm not a pussy, Leyla," I quickly interject, not liking where this was going. I suppose I have a softer side, but it was buried way deep down below, and the only one who got to see it was my sister. And Clove, that one time. But my sister is dead, and Clove will be too in a week.
"Besides, you're cutting my talents short. I'd definitely say I could kill everyone within a TEN mile radius."
Leyla, who had previously been sitting at the foot of my bed, climbs onto my outstretched legs, perching herself precariously on my knees. Thank god she's so small and light or else this could have been really uncomfortable.
"Look, if you want to take the easy way out to get the girl, then you might as well go for that District 1 tramp. My sources tell me that she was practically eye raping you when you were trying to jump the District 12 guy."
I wonder how I didn't notice this, though I suppose I was too busy trying to watch the light dim from So-Close-To-Dead-Puppy's Eyes. Girls in District 2 always stared at me from afar (because I'm so damn good looking and talented, with a smashing personality to go with it), and there were a few who were brave enough to try and get into my "inner circle." Key word being "try." My Baby Clovey had turned out to be quite the bodyguard, never having the patience to put up with anyone who wasn't 250% dedicated to their training, so I never really had to interact with others (especially girls). No one met Clove's standards.
I just wasn't into the whole "social" aspect of the Academy. I am strong and powerful enough to not need a posse to watch my back for me. No one would dare touch me outside of an actual training match, and if they did, Clove would have joyfully decimated them in any type of battle. I realize at this moment how much I am going to miss her constant company.
Oh well, you win some, ya lose some.
"I don't know what to do, Leyla, girls always liked me back home but all I did was kick ass and take names," I admit, being as humble as I could. "And it's not like I actually had to talk to any of them."
"Just be yourself, Cato, just ya know…significantly less violent. You are way more attractive than that Peeta kid, at least. And on that note, remember there's a difference between confident and cocky!"
"This is true," I agree, ignoring her comment on cockiness. I am nothing but modest.
"Let me change out of this outfit, I don't want to intimidate her with my Roman-God hotness. How much time do I have?"
She rolls her eyes at me and lets out a small sigh.
"You have 20 minutes to be ready and on the roof. I'll show you how to get there, obviously, but I do have to stay with you…or else they'll kill me if they find out you ditched me. So ya, don't ditch me. And make sure you take a shower while you're in there, you smell like failure.
I agree. The District 12 boy should not be alive right now.
When I emerge from the bathroom, Leyla isn't there so I drop my towel and head towards the immense dresser to choose an outfit. I opt for a tight green t-shirt, fitted black athletic pants, and a simple black jacket to go over it incase it is cold outside.
I hear a light tap on the door and slowly Leyla cracks the door open, walking in once she sees I'm dressed. I'm relieved it isn't Clove, because I really don't want to deal with her shit right now. I'm curious to know if her Avox is still alive.
"How do I look?" I question, already knowing I look stunning. I might not be super "fashionable" like the Capitol tools who have nothing else better to do, but I know how to dress to make my body look even more amazing than it already is. And that takes skill, let me tell you.
She sighs. "It'll do, I suppose. We'll work on your choice of attire later. Follow me and don't fuck up, or I'll throw you off the roof to save yourself the shame of seeing her tomorrow at training."
I'm mildly shocked at her choice of words. Even Clove didn't start cussing until she was fourteen…which was like last year. I'm still not used to the vast insults in her arsenal, some containing words I've never even heard before. I may not know what they mean, but I know for sure that they are not nice words a "lady" should be using.
I mentally snort at the idea of Clove being considered a lady.
I take the risk and ask Leyla how old she is. Girls are weirdly sensitive about age. Citali once yelled at some kid in the market for 15 minutes because he said she looked like a "silly little nine year old." She had just turned 10 the day before.
"How old do you think I am, Cato?" she inquires, turning to face me after adjusting her ponytail in the mirror.
My senses are suddenly flaring. I know this trap.
I guess 14 since most girls always want to be older than they really are.
"Really, you think so? Finally, someone who doesn't think I look 10!"
Thank fucking god I had a sister. And Clove, who still lies about her age to strangers.
"I'm 13," she chirps, brushing invisible dust (at least to me) off my pants. "Now, let's go win a Katniss for you."
"Why are you helping me?" I ask once we have successfully made it to the elevator without attracting anyone's attention.
Leyla looks me up in down, carefully weighing her answer.
"Seriously, Cato, this is like the most exciting event that has happened to me since I got stuck in this hell hole…and I'm not even really involved. I have a vested interest in this whole situation, now. It reminds me that there's hope in this world and that when I'm 18 and out of here, maybe I can find a strong, caring guy like you to love me unconditionally."
I toss one of my arms over his shoulder, giving her a little squeeze.
"Plus you're pitifully helpless, and it makes me sad to see such a handsome boy be so socially inept," she adds, giggling as I poke her roughly in the side. Stupid brat.
I'm not normally one to be shy, but then again, I'm not normally one to actually pursue a girl. Or give a damn if she likes me. Or to actually think about a girl in any way that wasn't about how crazy she is and how lucky I am to be born with a penis.
As we get closer to the roof, I feel the nerves start to rise. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
Alright Cato, let's go. Game time, you got this dude. You are sexy, strong, smart, a total bad ass, and any girl will easily fall for you if you put the right moves on. It's as simple as that. No one can say no to you.
My mental pep talk boosts my confidence as the elevator dings, signaling our arrival. I wanted to take the stairs, but Leyla insisted that I needed to save my strength for tomorrow's training. I'm pretty sure she's just lazy.
Katniss is there already, sitting on a bench overlooking the small rooftop garden. She doesn't hear me as I walk silently towards her. Leyla remains by the elevator door in the darkness, but I know her sharp eyes are watching us.
I need to think of something smooth to say. Something that says, "I am gorgeous and I know it, but hey, so are you so let's be friends."
"Um, hi."
Close enough.
She jumps slightly at my voice, but then turns quickly to face me.
"Come to try and kill me, too, 2?" she asks, glaring at me suspiciously.
I mentally yell at Leyla for making me do this.
"No, Katniss I would never do that to you. I'm sorry about Pup- I mean Peeta. I lost my temper and took it out on him, but it won't happen again," I assure her, cringing mentally. I hate apologizing.
It probably would happen again, tomorrow most likely, but I wouldn't tell her that.
"You should apologize to him, not me," she contends, turning away from me to face the flowers again.
I'd rather die than apologize to him. But if that's what it takes to win her trust, then…maybe. Probably not... God no, is she serious? Apologizing to that piece of scum is so beneath me. Girls are cruel.
I know what her actions translate to, though. Conversation over.
I turn back around to Leyla who shakes her head and motions for me to move closer to Katniss.
I pray Katniss doesn't carry a knife in her boo too, or I'm a goner.
"Is there something else you need, 2?" she asks harshly, as I sit on the edge of the bench next to her, but far enough away so I don't freak her out. She tenses, anyways. Ugh. Normally I love when people are scared of me, but she isn't like the others.
"Can't a guy just enjoy some fresh air with a beautiful girl?"
Ha, that was smooth. I am getting the hang of this "flirting" business.
She turns towards me and cocks an eyebrow.
"What are you playing at, 2?" she questions, staring me down. An excellent intimidation technique, I note. She's good. Too good…
I try to keep my calm façade up, but on the inside I want to curl up into a ball on my plush bed while listening to Clove describe how she's going to brutally torture Bread Boy in the Arena. The thought and the rather graphic images that follow instantly lift my spirits.
Leyla did not prepare me for this question…or any questions really. What a shitty mentor.
I casually glance towards the elevator doors, but I can't see her from this far. I decide I should take the risk and ask for her alliance. But before I can get the words out, she begins talking again.
"Is is true you have to have a babysitter because your mentor is afraid you're going to try and kill someone else before the Games start?
I automatically feel the heat rise in my face, and it heightens as I see the judgment in her eyes. Awesome, she sees me as a misbehaving child.
"I mean, if you look at it that way than I suppose so…but I look at is as more of a roommate who serves me unquestionably."
That sounds a little more badass I guess, though I hope Leyla didn't overhear. I might have to sleep with one eye open tonight to fight off multiple knife-loving intruders.
"You're disgusting."
Hm, apparently she doesn't appreciate my badassness. I need to think of a new tactic, and quick.
"Do you want to meet her? She's cute."
"Now you're really gross, 2. Please don't tell me you're perving on the poor Avox who was forced to serve a monster."
Ah, now she thinks I'm a monster. Awesome. This meeting is just going so fucking swell.
Before I can mentally berate myself any further, Leyla appears from the shadows.
"Hey there, little one," Katniss coos, her manner instantly changing when she sees my Avox. "You're 2's babysitter?"
Leyla nods, her mouth shut tightly. Considering how talkative she is, I know this is a hard task for her.
"I'm Katniss." She sticks her hand out and Leyla shakes back, giving her a small curtsey to go along with it. Suck up.
"Has he been treating you well?" Another nod.
Ha, take that Katniss. My Avox loves me.
Katniss turns towards me, her eyes a little softer than before. "How'd the monstrous District 2 boy end up with a little girl protecting him?" I can see her trying not to smile.
"I'm thirteen okay, I am not little!"
Leyla gasps at her own outburst, covering her mouth with her hands. I can see her trying to fight off the tears as she looks around, making sure no one else is up here with us. At this moment I realize how important it is for her to keep quiet, but I'm confused. She talked freely in my room, but out here she'd unable to speak?
"Hey, it's okay munchkin," I murmur softly, pulling her into my lap. She immediately buries her head into my chest, and I can feel her shaking, but fortunately she's not crying. Crying kinda freaks me out, and I don't really know how to handle it, even when Citali was alive. It just makes me feel so uncomfortable, especially if I can't fix the problem. "No one else is here, I got you."
I can feel her nod into my chest.
"And you know if someone got mad at you, big bad Cato would scare them off, right?"
She giggles, and I hear her mumble something in response.
"What'd you say, squirt?"
"I said," she drawls, looking up at me with a serious expression, "Thresh is way scarier."
I gasp in mock horror.
"I resent that, Leyla! I am the most terrifying person that has ever walked this planet! Dinosaurs cower in fear when I walk by."
"Because your face is so hideous!" Leyla snickers.
"She's got a point there…Cato," Katniss agrees, giving me a small smile as I turn to look at her.
I pretend to look hurt and wipe a fake tear from my eyes.
"You ladies are harsh today," I sniffle, puffing my lips out like the tearful girls on TV always do (mostly so she can notice how full and perfectly kissable my lips are).
"Two against one, dollface. Face it, you're not the best looking flower in the garden," Leyla smirks, giving Katniss a triumphant high five.
A loud honking noise sounds from somewhere down below, and Katniss turns her attention towards the sound.
Leyla discreetly pinches my leg, and I have to catch myself to keep from jumping. I look down at her, and I can tell she expects something from me.
I quickly go over her last words in my head.
Aha, an opportunity.
"Well, in all fairness, how can I be the most attractive when Katniss is here? There's no competition."
God, I am smooth today.
Katniss is facing us again, her mouth slightly open in surprise.
Ha, left her speechless. I need to write a book on flirting.
"Cato, I'm tired," Leyla yawns, preventing Katniss from replying.
Although I am curious about this tactic, I know not to ask about it just yet as Leyla stands up.
"Alright, princess." I stand up too, stretching my arms over my head as I stretch my back out. I see Katniss out of the corner of my eye checking out my body. I mentally smirk to myself. I am so fucking perfect, even she can't resist.
"Bye, Katniss, it was nice meeting you." Leyla chirps, giving the older girl a tight hug.
I can't help but be jealous. She would probably kick me in the nuts if I tried to hug her right now.
"Sweet dreams, Leyla," she smiles, tucking a stray piece of hair behind Leyla's ear. "Goodnight 2," she nods at me, the smile still on her lips.
"I know my dreams will be sweet, tonight," I quip, giving her a wink before turning towards the elevator.
"Stop being a creep," Leyla warns, as we ride the elevator back to my apartment.
"Whatever, she wants me." I can't keep the grin off my face.
She smiled at me. Katniss fucking Everdeen smiled directly at me.
I walk with Leyla into my room, my spirits as high as ever.
"And where have you been?"
Fuck.
A/N: Sorry this took so long, so much school work right before finals week. Ugh. Next chapter should be posted before the end of the weekend, but your reviews do encourage me to write faster!
Next chapter: Who is in Cato's room? How will Katniss act tomorrow at Training? What other schemes does Leyla have planned?
Song: Mariana's Trench "Good To You"