The door to my room closes behind Haymitch, and I let his words sink in. Who are my real friends? I feel like he's hinting at something. Maybe those I have close to me aren't to be trusted. I shake my head, I'm being paranoid. That'll get me absolutely nowhere. I sip on my cranberry and vodka very slowly, and don't let go of the straw until I hear the slurping sound that means I finished it. I set the glass down on my nightstand, and take Effie's advice to run through the shower. My hair is sticking to my forehead and the nape of my neck with sweat. I smell like sex, which is what I've been having. Still, it's not the most pleasant thing.

I step into the steam shower, and let the water pour over my naked body. I notice faint bruises forming on my hipbones, and giggle a little. I actually enjoyed myself with a client tonight. It's a strange new thing for me, getting pleasure out of sex. I like it a lot. Besides, not many people can say they've slept with both Thomas Diamond and Finnick Odair. I'm pouring shampoo onto my head, when I think I hear a noise, but ignore it. It must be someone outside, walking around. I'm suspicious when I hear the toilet seat close, and grab the removable shower head to hit whoever the intruder is. Luckily, that's not necessary. A very attractive, very naked Finnick Odair, opens the shower door. I just stare at him. I don't think I'll ever get tired of his beauty. He truly is something to look at. "Miss me?" He asks seductively and captures my lips in a bruising kiss. I moan a little into the kiss, and he smirks.

"Of course." I respond, washing the soap out of my hair. "During dinner, I almost killed Gale. You would've loved it." Finnick shoots me a look of bewilderment, and I feel the need to clarify for him. "He was really pissing me off, and before I could stop myself, my knife ended up being thrown in the general direction of his head. Haymitch blocked it though." Retelling the story sounds worse, and I feel even worse about almost killing my best friend. I frown. I really am a bad person.

Finnick's expression changes from shock and disbelief to amusement. He laughs at me, and I scowl. I'm not sure if he's laughing with or at me. But we both start laughing hysterically at how terrible and ridiculous it is. "Katniss Everdeen. You're an eighteen year-old knife throwing, arrow shooting, drunk prostitute who almost killed her cousin. But I love you." Finnick tells me, and kisses my nose to let me know he's joking. Even though everything he said is right.

I respond in the same manner to him, "Finnick Odair. You're a twenty-four year-old who's dating an eighteen year-old, and you're a trident wielding, sometimes drunk prostitute who killed half the people in his arena, and is the most wanted man in the world. But I love you too." He smiles, letting me know he agrees wholeheartedly. Finnick wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close, embracing me. We say nothing to each other, but there's nothing to say. There's so much love, but it'll all be gone so soon. I rest my head on his chest, and hum softly. "Let me get cleaned up." I say, reluctantly pulling away, to put conditioner in my hair. Finnick grabs the bottle out of my hands, and massages it into my hair, washing the sweet-smelling crème rinse it off after a minute.

We both get cleaned up, and Finnick dries me off. I kiss him again. His lips are intoxicating. I drag him out of the en suite bathroom and into my bedroom, never breaking contact with him. My hand entangles in his thick hair, and we end up horizontal on my bed. Not that I mind at all. We lay there naked, kissing for a long time. Time itself doesn't matter when I'm with Finnick. It's just him and me, and that's it. We stay in a state in between being awake and dreaming, until I'm jolted fully awake by a nightmare. Great. "Bad dream?" Finnick asks, yawning. It's three thirty in the morning. I nod. "Wanna talk about it?" I decline, and walk into the bathroom. I throw a pair of boxers at Finn, and throw on matching grey bra and underwear. "As much as I hate to see you covered up, that's probably a good idea, especially if Gale wakes you up."

I groan. I don't wanna talk about Gale. I crawl under the warm blankets, and cuddle with Finnick. I feel safe in his arms. We just lay there, not speaking for a while. Which is good. I don't want words right now. I think I drift off at one point, and I'm pretty sure Finnick jolts awake from a nightmare of his own. I don't move for however long it is until Gale comes in to wake us up, just like I predicted. He seems genuinely shocked to see us in bed together. "Why is he here?" Gale asks me, as if he really doesn't know why.

I roll my eyes, and sit up. "Well, he's my boyfriend and we only have a few days left together anyways. Get over it." I kiss Finnick dramatically, not moving my face from his until I hear the door close behind Gale. "Morning." I smile at him, putting on my jumpsuit. I walk over to the mirror and apply some eye makeup and lip gloss, so I look like my Capitol self.

Finnick yawns, and rolls out of bed. I've never looked the best right after I've woken up, but he looks cute. Then again, he always looks cute. "Why don't you come downstairs for breakfast?" I shrug, why not? I tell Effie where I'm going and let her know I'll get myself to the training center. She looks like she's about to protest, but Haymitch stops her.

"She's a grown up, I'm positive Katniss'll get herself to the right place. She's done it before." He defends me, and shoots me a look I can't decrypt. "Now you two get outta here."

"Bye Finnick." Gale dismisses us with an edge of harshness to his voice. I question him silently, but Gale ignores me. Finnick picks me up bridal style and carries me to the elevator. I hear Haymitch chuckle loudly, and Effie sniffles a little. Finnick doesn't put me down until the elevator doors close behind us.

"Would you two quit the whole love-bird shit?" Someone behind me says. I turn around and see Johanna rolling her chocolate brown eyes at me. Blights chuckling to himself at the table, eating a bowl of some type of rainbow colored children's cereal. "Finnick, can we talk for a minute?" She says it in a way that makes it not a question, but a demand. I shrug and pour myself a cup of mint tea. They come back a few minutes later, while I'm nibbling on a carrot almond muffin.

"What was that?" I ask when they both sit down at the table. Finnick mumbles something about how unfair something is, and how I'm always kept out of the loop.

"I was explaining why Haymitch and I broke up." Jo tells me. I can tell that she's somewhat telling the truth. "He wanted to tell you something, and I advised him against it, for your own sake." I feel bad – they pretty much broke up over me. Johanna laughs when she sees my expression, like she can read my mind or something. "No, it's much more than that. We didn't break up over you – you're not that important. But I told him it's not important, because if you make it out of the arena alive, it'll concern you then. Not now. There's no point worrying you about things you don't need to know. Believe me, it's a lot better to be ignorant on this one." I don't disagree with her.

We all go downstairs a little after 10 o'clock for our training. We don't need to be on time, there's nothing really to do. Gale, who's at the snare station, keeps giving me dirty looks. I'm so tired of him and all his unnecessary drama. I walk – no, I stomp over to him angrily and pull him away from his station. "I don't know what the hell your problem is, Gale. You keep shooting me these looks, and just being an asshole. But it ends right now. Right this second. Something is going on, and I'm sick of this. So just spit it out already. Tell me, goddammit."

Gale shakes his head. "You make everything about you. Wanna know what my problem is? You're reckless. I don't care about boo hoo hoo Katniss has to do this, suck it up. You drink and you sleep around, and now you're- " I'm what. Gale cuts himself off, and takes a breath. "Look, whatever. You're not my family, and you're certainly not my friend anymore. You do stupid things and you still do stupid things. I want nothing to do with you or any of your 'friends'. I really hope you die first."

I cross my arms, a new feeling coming over me. I feel... violent. "Sorry Gale, that's not gonna happen. You know why? Because I'm gonna kill you first. I'm gonna kill you, and it's gonna hurt. You're gonna- " I don't get to finish because Johanna has thrown me over her shoulder and is sitting me down next to her, Gloss, Cashmere and Finnick.

"That's enough Katniss. Chill with the drama. Let's talk alliances. I think this year, we're the Careers." She points around to all five of us. All four of them kill like Careers, but only Cashmere and Gloss actually were in the Career packs in their respective Games. Johanna and Finnick went solo. I had two alliances throughout my time in the arena. Jo pulls me out of my thoughts. "Alright, Blight is teaming up with Nuts and Volts." She points to the victors from District 3, Wiress and Beetee. "We can't trust 2. Finn, do you want Mags? Districts five, six, and eight to eleven really don't have anyone special. And I'm pretty sure nobody here wants Gale." She says the last part loudly, and it has the desired effect. Gale turns around, and makes the face where he's emotionally offended or hurt but doesn't want to admit it. I hate that face.

"I wan't Mags. No, I need her. We're not leaving her." Finnick adds quietly. I nod in agreement. Mags may not be the most agile or strong, but she's basically a mother to Finnick. Besides, she must know a thing or two, having seen every single Games. Sure, she won't be able to fight or defend herself that well, but intellectually, she's needed a lot. Also, I think everyone enjoys her company. She's like an aunt that takes care of you more than your parents, and you always like more.

"Sounds good to me." Cashmere nods, fixated on her bright pink nails. We all chat good-naturedly for a few minutes before Cashmere asks, "Hey, Katniss. Come with me to the bathroom?" I nod, and we walk to the oversized bathroom. For some reason, girls go to the bathroom in groups. I don't really get why, but I don't question it. While Cashmere uses the bathroom, I fix my hair in the floor-length mirror. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a small scale under the sink. I slide it out, and step on it curiously. I've gained twenty pounds. I step on and off two more times, to see if the scale is off. Nope, I've gained weight. I'd like to think it's from all the muscle mass I gained training with Gale and Haymitch, but my stomach sticks out a bit more and my thighs look a little thicker. I pinch my stomach tentatively. It's squishy. Cashmere steps out of the stall and rolls her eyes at me. "You look fine. Yeah, you have gained a little weight since I saw you at your cousin's victory tour, but it isn't that noticeable. You look healthy, instead of scary skinny. Besides, it's not your fault the food is so much better here." I shrug, and we walk back out. I believe Cashmere, she wouldn't lie to me, but she way she stares at me, as if she's studying me, gets me a little more than worried.

We break for lunch, and I go straight for the bar. "No you don't." Johanna pulls me away from the bar with her bare hands. "None of us are drinking. We need to focus today. And you can't focus if you're drunk." I groan, and settle for a soda instead. I understand Johanna's logic, but how many more drinks will I actually be able to have? Tonight is my personal training session, the day after is my interview, and then I'm in the arena. I decide to humor her. Johanna doesn't just decide to do things for no reason.

After lunch, I ignore everyone and shoot by myself. I'm not sure if I do it to blow off steam or just because it's so natural. I'm so engrossed I don't even here him come up behind me. I turn around, and see Gloss staring at me intently. "Where'd you learn to use a bow and arrow?" He asks me.

I put my bow down to answer him. "My father taught me before he died. The electric fence surrounding District 12 is almost always off, and the Peacekeepers really don't care. Every Sunday we'd go hunting. I could support a family of three by the time I turned twelve just with game." Gloss says nothing, but just stares in awe. His parents grew up rich and so did he and Cashmere – they've never been hungry a day in their lives, let alone starved. It's not their faults, they were just lucky. I could've been born in District 1, and would've lived happily with a full stomach and full training before I turned 12. I signal to the person at the archery station, and he throws the fake birds up again for me. I'm interrupted by Atala. She calls us all to the center of the room, and explains the private sessions with the Gamemakers to us, not that we haven't done it before.

We wait in the hallway, and I watch the crowd clear out one by one – Cashmere, Gloss, Enobaria, Brutus, Wiress, Beetee, Mags, Finnick, the tributes from 5 and the morphlings from 6, Johanna, Blight, Cecelia, Woof, the tributes from 9 and 10, Seeder, Chaff, and then it's my turn. Gale says nothing to me, and I say nothing to him, but I can't help to turn around and look at him before I walk in.

Unlike last year, all the Gamemakers are watching me, waiting to see what I'll do. I notice a small clear ripple that looks like exhaust on a hot day. It's a force field. I smile to myself, they must have put it up after I shot the arrow at Seneca Crane. I contemplate throwing knives or shooting with my arrow, but I decide against it. They've seen what I can do. I feel the need to show them that they don't own me. Like Peeta said two years ago, I don't want to be a piece in their games. Now, I understand what he meant.

I walk to the center of the room and take a dummy and a rope. I don't really know what I'm doing as I try to recreate the knots I've seen Finnick's fingers fly through countless times. I need to hit the Gamemakers where it'll hurt, show them that they can get hurt by these terrible Games. I come up with a bad noose, and tie it around the dummy's neck. I make my way over to the camouflage station – it's clear from the mess that the morphlings have been here – and I take the red berry puree. That'll work fine. Before I can stop myself, I dip my fingers in the dye and paint the name of the deceased Head Gamemaker clearly on the dummy's chest: SENECA CRANE.

I step away, and let the Gamemakers see my work. Their reactions are instantaneous – the clanking of wine glasses as they hit the floor and the screams. Plutarch Heavensbee, who refuses to look at me, manages to get out the words, "Y-you may go." I smirk, and walk out. Before I can stop myself, I throw the plastic jar of berry juice all over the dummy.

As soon as I get in the elevator and leave the training center, I regret my actions. Even if I'll die and they can't hurt me, my family is still at risk. Prim, my mother, the Hawthornes; they all can be affected by my actions. This wasn't a good idea. Not at all.

As soon as I get upstairs, Effie, Haymitch and the stylists attack me, wanting to know what I did. I shake my head. "I'll tell you after I get my training score." I wonder if it's possible to get a zero. Nobody's ever gotten a zero or a twelve in Hunger Games history. I got an eleven two years ago. Gale comes in ten minutes later with a smug look on his face. I don't get to ask him about it, because Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith appear on the television, to read off the list of the training scores. Gloss gets a 9, Cashmere gets a 10, Brutus gets a 9 and Enobaria gets an 8. Beetee and Wiress both get a 6. Finnick gets an 11, and Mags gets a 5. The drunks from 5 and morphings from 6 all get a 4. Johanna gets a 10, Blight gets a 7. Cecelia and Woof both get a 6. The tributes from 9 and 10 get 5s and 4s. Seeder gets a 7, and Chaff gets a 5. Gale gets an 8, and Hunger Games history is made when I get a 12. I'm not in the mood to celebrate. "They only did that so the others would target me."

Portia shakes her head. "No, the Gamemakers gave you a twelve because you're stunning. What did you do, anyways?"

I sigh. Here goes nothing. "I sort of hung Seneca Crane."

"You... hung. Seneca Crane?!" Effie screeches. "Oh god, this is terrible. Just terrible." She runs out of the living room and into the bathroom. I shrug. It's common knowledge that Seneca Crane was hung by President Snow after my Games, because of his rule change allowing two victors so theoretically, both Peeta and I could win. Of course, that didn't happen. But still, he wasn't allowed to do that. The Capitol takes these things very seriously. The idea of anything possibly messing up their precious Games is enough to kill off a whole Gamemaker staff, or a handful of mentors.

Haymitch smiles a little, but then his expression turns dark. "Are you suicidal? Do you have a death wish? What were you thinking? If Snow didn't want to kill you already, I'm sure he will now." He shakes his head and turns to Gale. "I don't even want to know what you did. Katniss, do yourself a favor and get out of my sight. I can't stand to look at you. Do you know how hard it is to keep you alive without these kinds of stunts?"

Gale pulls Haymitch aside to talk to him, and I walk down to the 4th floor. Finnick and Johanna are waiting for me. He grins widely when he sees me, and pulls me in for a large hug, kissing me deeply. Johanna makes a gagging noise. "What did you do? It must have been fantastic. I mean, you're always stunning, but you must have blew their minds." He pauses before asking a serious question. "Did you strip for them or something? I know that's what Jo did." He laughs a little. The petite brunette rolls her eyes and chucks a pillow at him. Finn deflects it easily with the back of his hand.

"Not exactly. I... well I hung Seneca Crane." I admit. The smile on Finnick's face vanishes instantly, and I see his pupils dilate with fear. Johanna breaks the silence, and laughs. She gives me a high-five and Finnick scowls at her. "I know, I know. It was a terrible idea. But I don't regret it. They need to realize I'm not a piece in their games." I know I'm saying malicious (and true) things about the Capitol in a room that's clearly bugged by them, but I can't find a reason to care. I'll be dead come a week from now. So will everyone I love who I didn't leave at home. I don't have the capacity to care anymore. My life is pretty much over, so I want to enjoy the last few days without responsibility. Surely, that's not all that unreasonable. "Alright. Change of topic. So, Finnick-"

I'm cut off by an angry-looking Haymitch storming in. No, not angry. Furious. Haymitch looks livid. I've never seen him like this. It's scary. He takes a deep breath, and slowly says in drawn-out words, "Johanna. We need to talk. Right now." Jo's smart enough to agree, and they walk off. I shrug at Finnick. We both have no idea what he's talking about, or what Haymitch is so angry about.

I grab Finnick's hand, and lead him into his bedroom. "Can we just lie here for a little?" I ask him.

"Of course. There's nothing I'd like more." And so we lay there, on Finnick's bed, in our sweaty training uniforms. I'm not sure how his clothes end up in a pile on the floor with mine, and how my slow trail of kisses down Finnick's neck leads to him thrusting slowly inside me, but I don't question it. This isn't fucking. It's making love. It's slow, and passionate, and my lips never break from his, my grey Seam eyes locked on his sea green ones. This is the kind of sex people associate sex with, not the uncomfortable tangle of limbs I've experienced with various men over the year and a half where I was a whore. But luckily, I don't have to do that ever again. After, he just lays there on top of me. The weight isn't uncomfortable at all. "I love you, so much." Finnick tells me, a melancholy expression on his face. He rolls off me, and wraps his arms around my waist, spooning me.

"I love you too. I will until the day I die." I respond. We don't mention that the day I die might actually be very soon. Right now, we have our love, and even President Snow can't take that away from us. We have nothing to lose anymore, and have become so strong because of it. We have each other, and that will never change. We'll never have to live with out the other. Unless... What if Finnick can live without me? Sure, he'll mourn with Prim and my mother. But he'll have Annie. And they can live happy.

The idea's in my mind and it probably won't go away for a while. Maybe I can save Finnick.