Here is a short chapter to hold you guys over for a while! Thanks to every single person who has sent me messages or submitted reviews!
My eyes widen and I feel as if the wind has been knocked out of me. Cato and I hadn't even thought of what would happen if they selected Saylee. I mean really, what were the odds of that happening?
Because she was standing so close to the stage, I only had a few seconds to decide what to do. I could just not volunteer, but I feel that the selector would push me onto the stage anyway. I think about pretending to faint (which really wouldn't be that far from what I feel like doing right now anyway) but if I end up having to go to the games after all, all the sponsors and tributes would think I was weak, and there was no chance that I was gonna go with the pretending to be weak angle as a volunteer. Whatever I decide to do, I conclude that I will end up going into the games. There is really no way around it. So I do what any respectable tribute from district 2 would do: I raise my voice and call out, "I volunteer as district 2 tribute." Then I strut to the stage and give the audience and cameras my baddest smirk, trying to look cunning, fearless, and confident. My training has paid off well, all I can focus on is looking as mean and unbeatable as I can. That is until I hear Cato volunteer and lunge forward to join me on the platform.
In the turn of events, I had somehow forgot about Cato. Forgot that he is the very reason I didn't want to go to the games this year. A thousand thoughts race through my head every second. I can't. he can't, we can't. I'll die, He'll die, We'll die. As we turn to shake hands as customary, we both put on smirks as instructed by Lawrence, as if so certain we will win we do not even think of our district partner as an equal. But it doesn't reach Cato's eyes and I'm sure mine are filled with just as much sadness and sorrow as his are. I drop my gaze knowing that looking into his eyes will just make mine tear up. I refuse to be marked as weak, pathetic.
I can feel Cato's eyes on me, but I don't look over at him. I have to stay strong. As some peacekeepers lead us away from the stage and into the justice building for goodbyes, I turn to give one last look to Cato. And there he is, looking over at me. I wonder weakly if he has been watching me the entire time and if the commentators have noticed this. But all I am really thinking about is how Cato will protect me until the end. How he will put my life before his. I guess I have known this for a while, but it took today's events and Cato's expressions to make it clear to me. But I can't live without him. It may sound pathetic and corny, but with us, its different. He is more than just my boyfriend, he is my best friend, my only friend. He is more like family to me than my parents are. I love him. I can't allow him to do what I know he is already planning. It wouldn't matter if he died to save me. Because if Cato dies, I die.
So on the short walk to the justice building, I put the pieces of the puzzle together and realize that there is only one solution. What I want more than anything is for Cato to come out alive. In order for that to happen, I must die.
I hope everyone is enjoying the story thus far! Reviews would be fantastic!