He leaned down and kissed me. I stood there for a moment before naturally starting to kiss back. He gently grabs the bend of my back before breaking the kiss apart. Without saying anything, he leaves. I stood there silently, thinking about what just happened. Cato, the god-like Cato, kissed me. He said he was jealous because I liked Katniss, and then he kissed me. This whole Cato situation just became a lot more complicated.
I walked back down to our suite and sat down at the dinner table. Haymitch, Effie, and Katniss started eating without me, but I didn't mind. I put on my plate the best meat I've ever had, cow. There was this other thing called tofu, which people used as sacrifices back in the day, but I didn't touch it. No one questioned me about anything because no one expected an interesting response like 'Cato kissed me!' I definitely didn't expect that.
"Tomorrow I'm going to rush you to your stylists. They will dress you, bathe you, and get you prepared for your first training session." Effie chirped.
"I want you two to stick together the whole time. I don't want you to talk to anyone else. If anyone bothers you, walk away or call the supervisors. You need to be focused on learning as much as you can. Do not be distracted by the Careers. They'll just be showing off. Also, don't show them your strengths." Haymitch instructed. "What are your strengths exactly?"
"I don't think I really have any." Katniss told him.
I shook my head. He needed to know the truth. "That's a lie. Katniss is the best with a bow and arrow. She could hunt in the wilds to survive if she wanted to run away. She knows a lot of the plants and which ones are safe to eat as well."
"Well Peeta can lift heavy bags of flour with ease. I see him do it at the bakery." I blushed.
"I'm not that strong." I added.
Haymitch grinned. "See this is what I need, the honest truth. The only way you can win is by admitting your strengths."
I saw Katniss look over and give me a small smile. I guessed that the talk we had on the roof bonded us closely. You don't just call someone a bitch. It takes real friendship.
In the morning, we ate a large breakfast. Effie said that we would have a lot of time to spend with our prep team so the food could digest.
When I got there, I remembered how weird the three of them were. They were using their camera glasses to take pictures of a glass of water. They stopped as soon as they saw me.
"Oh my god! You were spectacular during the opening ceremonies!" Shivon squealed. He was the blue-green one.
"The way you held Katniss's hand up with yours was so cute." Darcel commented.
"So, is she the one you want to tile with?" Pavio asked.
"No! We're just... friends." I replied. I debated on whether or not telling them about Cato. "Actually, something interesting happened."
They all leaned in close to hear, patiently waiting.
"Well, I was on the roof with Katniss. We were bonding as friends, and we hugged. Cato came up and stayed on the roof with us, after much arguing. Katniss left a little after, and Cato was about to leave. I asked him what his problem was, and he replied that he hated that I loved Katniss. I denied it because I really do just see her as a friend. He kissed me and left." I realized how absurd it all sounded when I summarized.
The three of them were so shocked. Pavio literally dropped the soap. It was a few seconds before the shrieking started. A constant minute of shrieking made me regret telling them.
"So how was it?"
"Shocking," I responded.
"Was he a good kisser?"
"I guess." I answered.
"Did you like it?"
"I don't know." I replied.
The questions stopped there. "You don't know!?" Shivon hissed. They looked at me demandingly.
"I mean... it felt nice and all, but I don't think I like guys."
"Honey, don't do that to the men. I mean with a bubble butt like that, you'll be breaking hearts left and right."
"Well, I've never been attracted to anyone, so I guess I don't know."
"Obviously Cato knows." Pavio winked. "I mean, come on. His District 2 accent is enough to get my pants off."
"Well, how can I know for sure... that I like him like that?" I asked.
Darcel gave me a big yet humble smile. "Hun, you would know if you didn't." Just as Darcel said that, they finished and left, and I was guided to the training center in my new training outfit.
I met up with Katniss and tried out a few stations. She was a lot better than me at almost everything we did. Katniss and I decided to split up even though Haymitch said not to. She wanted to check out the snare making station, while I went over to camouflage. It was a lot easier than expected because it was like decorating the cakes back home. I was focused on making my hand look like tree bark, and I didn't notice someone walk up to me. As soon as I was done putting on the finishing touches, I walked over towards the tree to test it out. It was perfectly camouflaged.
"That's amazing." I hear someone say. I spin around to see the one and only Cato. His voice was sincere even though his face was coldly stoic.
I looked around to see everyone training. I decided that the training center was too open and crowded to talk about the kiss. "Cato... I'll be in the closest bathroom. Come find me. We need to talk."
A few minutes later, I heard the bathroom door open. Cato wasted no time as he grabbed me by the shirt and lifted me up. "I swear 12, if you even hinted to anybody about the kiss I will bite your beautiful head off of your stunning body."
"I didn't tell anyone!" I lied. "Now put me down." Cato released me.
I didn't know why, but I grabbed him and pulled him in for another kiss. We made out for a while. His hand roamed my back once it dug under my shirt. He lifted me up because our height difference made it a bit awkward. Yes, I definitely want to tile with Cato. I realized.
He put me down after what seemed like forever but was probably a few minutes. Why do I want more? I wondered. Why do I like this monster of a man, this psychopathic killer who will probably kill half of the people in the training room? He might even kill me. My mind was telling me no, but the way my body was eager for his touch said otherwise. He was definitely distracting me from the games, but I needed a distraction.
"We need to go back before anyone notices." He instructed.
I nodded and we made our way back. He went first, and I followed a minute later. Katniss ran over as soon as she saw me.
"Where did you go? I was looking for you. We need to do basic survival because well..." she informed me. She led me there, but the rest of the day was a blur.
I remembered what I learned fairly well, but all I could think about was Cato. His touch on my skin, the feel of his lips and tongue, and the way his eyes lit up. It was moving so quick, too quick, but I was falling in love. We only had a few more days together, so maybe that's why everything was rushed. Although, I wouldn't have wished for it to slow down even a second. There goes not letting the games change me. I thought.
Katniss and I were escorted back to the suite. When we got back Haymitch greeted us.
"So, how was training?" he asked.
Katniss gave me sly look and responded, "It was great. I learned a game changing secret about Peeta."
My heart stopped. Did she know that I dreamed of Cato and his big sword? I looked around, scared as hell; both pairs of eyes were on me accusingly.
"I can explain!" I shouted quickly.
AN: Peeta's got some explaining to do! What do you think Katniss knows? Did she somehow wander into the boys' bathroom again? Review!