Author's Note: GUYS MY AP EURO TEST IS OVER. IT'S FINALLY OVER (and I'm pretty sure I got a 5 so woohoo)! Sorry I haven't updated in over a week, I was really busy with school and some drama with my boyfriend (hopefully writing will give me somewhat of an escape).

Also, thanks to everyone who commented/reviewed! Reading them seriously make me smile. If you guys have any more questions, feel free to ask! This chapter will be a little shorter than usual and might have more mistakes because I basically wrote this in Chem clas hahaha

Like always, read and review! Comments are very much appreciated :)

~~~•∞•≈•≤ ≥•≈•∞•~~~~~~•∞•≈•≤ ≥•≈•∞•~~~~~~•∞•≈•≤ ≥•≈•∞•~~~~~~•∞•≈•≤ ≥•≈•∞•~~~

The bright city lights of the Capitol and the cheering fans outside woke Katniss up from her sleep, disturbing the tribute's rest before the day when the 74th Annual Hunger Games would finally commence. Sitting up groggily, Katniss fashioned her hair into a side braid, and peered outside at the growing crowds. They were playing reruns of the interviews on a large projection screen on another building, and the Capitol citizens were going wild, their vibrant hair and attire illuminating the streets. Katniss shook her head, watching Caesar Flickerman get through questioning all of the contes—victims. Though she'd been there when the rest of the tributes had talked, she hadn't really paid any attention—she was too anxious and nervous about her own approaching interview. But now, she could properly assess her foes and their personalities. Looking polished, Glimmer and Marvel amused the audience members but appeared too dimwitted to be actual threats. Clove had her mysterious, beautiful, but sadistic aura as she answered her questions, and Katniss could eye the young girl touching her favorite knife, cleverly tucked into her dress, every so often. Then there was Cato.

The minute Cato stepped onto the stage, the camera panned out to the audience and displayed women screaming and crying for the handsome tribute from District 2. Even in the streets, women and girls were squealing, as phrases like "Cato, marry me!" "Cato, I LOVE YOU!" formed a cacophony of sounds and filled the air. And Katniss had to admit that her childhood best friend looked incredibly attractive, his dark gray and black suit making him look classy, yet deadly. His hair was slightly tousled as always, and every so often he would flash his signature half-smirk, half-smile at the audience, garnering squeals of delight and swoons from the audience. Cato sat in the white chair with confidence, explaining to the audience how he wanted to bring pride to his district, and that he was ready for all circumstances.

Katniss sighed, faced away from the mob and the screen, and sat back down on her bed. Not only would Cato kill every single person in the arena, but he'd also get all the sponsors, too. Why wouldn't he? He was experienced, deadly, charming, smart, and physically attractive. Compared to him, the others didn't stand a chance.

Tap-tap-tap.

Katniss stared at her door, confused as to who would be waking her up this late—or this early.

Tap-tap.

Still slightly dazed, Katniss walked up to the door, twisted the doorknob, and stood in shock when she saw the person standing in the doorway.

"Excuse me, Katniss Everdeen here?" the boy's lips raised into the ever-so-familiar smirk.

Katniss giggled, not knowing whether to be completely flattered or utterly creeped out by the visit.

"Indeed, she is," Katniss answered with a smile, opening the door all the way to let Cato in.

Cato scanned the room with his sparkling blue eyes, looking at the chic Capitol décor that completely contrasted with Katniss' outgoing yet mysterious personality. "Nice," he commented. "But not as nice as the D2 rooms."

Katniss rolled her eyes at his cocky attitude and sat back down on her bed. "I'm sure. But when you're from 12, this seems like Heaven."

Cato smiled warmly at her. "So what's the story with you and Lover Boy?"

"Excuse me?"

"You. Lover Boy. Star-crossed lovers. Surely you've heard of it by now? It's been all the rage in the Capitol tabloids."

Katniss sighed and fiddled with her braid. "Do you honestly believe that stuff?"

Cato shook his head and joined his friend as he sat beside her on the bed. "Nah. But I thought I'd get some background. You're stealing some of my sponsors, you know."

"Learn to share, then!" Katniss laughed and jabbed the blond-haired boy in the ribs. "He's a friend. He—he saved my life a while ago, when my family was hungry. His father owns the bakery, and he gave me bread for me and my family."

Damn, Cato thought. He owed the little bitch one—for saving Katniss.

"Oh."

Katniss nodded. "I owe him my life."

No, no, you don't owe him your life. He did you a favor, just let it go.

"Haymitch is really pushing the thing, though. The whole star-crossed lovers deal. Young love torn apart at the seams by such tragic events. Really touching, really."

Receiving silence from Katniss, Cato tried again to make conversation.

"Do you love him?"

Katniss' piercing gray eyes met Cato's dazzling blue ones. "I don't think so."

"You think you don't or you know you don't?"

Katniss averted her eyes. "I—I think I don't.

Cato felt as if someone had just punched him in the stomach. Tension filled the room as both Katniss and Cato faced away from each other, not sure what to make of Katniss' recent confession. Even the cheering, wild crowds outside seemed dead silent now. Cato felt betrayed, jealous, angry. He didn't want anything more than to twist Lover Boy's neck, to break his spine and kill him instantly. Better yet, make slow cuts until he bled to death—yes, that would be more painful. But he couldn't. Not now. Not when Katniss was indebted to him, and especially after she said that she wasn't sure whether or not she loved the baker's son.

It was absolutely infuriating.

"Cato?" he heard a quiet voice pipe up. He looked back at the girl he treasured so much, and saw him looking down at his fists, which were now clenching the covers.

Cato released the covers, reached up to his hair, and messed it around—something he did whenever he was nervous. And he was almost never nervous. "I have to go."

He headed back to the door, not looking back.

"…Cato?" he heard Katniss' voice say, with a little more uncertainty this time. "Good luck tomorrow. And for the rest of the time."

Cato faced back and stared into Katniss' eyes—his eyes were a cold, icy blue now.

"Thanks. You too. I hope I don't have to kill you, or that Lover Boy of yours," he said bitterly, and shut the door behind him.

The odds would definitely have to be in favor this year.