Chapter 2:

After Clove and Katniss' little talk, Katniss had time to reflect on the day's events.

She thought about the career and despite herself, she felt drawn to her. There was something about the malicious, somewhat stoic, beautiful girl that was now her partner that piqued Katniss' interest.

But she couldn't figure out what.

Before they left the training room previously, Katniss talked to Clove about their tactics.

"Pretend to still be with the career pack and leave when the air starts getting thick, then we can work together to dispatch the rest."

"Wow. That's actually kinda ruthless. I like it Katniss. So you want me to act like tonight never happened?" Clove asked.

"Yep, pretty much. Insult me to your heart's content until we get into the arena."

"No problem." Clove said.

"So, are we gonna meet up to talk more before we get dropped in the arena?" Katniss asked.

"Yeah..." Clove said, scratching her head in thought. "I guess we could meet on the roof."

"Okay, got it." Katniss said.

Clove nodded curtly. She walked to the door then turned to face Katniss. "Oh and by the way, if we get down to the final two, I will kill you. This alliance is only temporary." There was a darkness in her eyes that told Katniss this was completely true.

"Now that's said, sleep well Katniss." And with that, she walked out of the room, leaving Katniss in a stunned silence.

"Good night." Katniss said quietly to the room. She suddenly felt timid, not because of the threat but the look in the career's eyes. Clove's stare was intense and not at all warming.

Katniss knew she had the eyes of a murderer. There was no mercy and no remorse, just coldness in her dark eyes.

What have I gotten myself into?

"Hey Katpiss, try to do something productive besides gawking at me today." Clove called.

Katniss responded by giving Clove the middle finger.

"I see you tried to make friends." Peeta said.

"'Tried' being the most important word in this sentence. But she has got a point, I should find something to do."

"You should try the camouflage section, it might be interesting."

The two of them did. However, Katniss did not look like the tree she was pretending to be a part of, but instead, a child given some colouring pencils. Peeta had this down to an art though, Katniss couldn't tell where the tree ended and Peeta began.

"Wow Peeta, you're really good at that."

"Thanks, I guess I've had practice decorating cakes and all-"

"Have you finished painting your nails twelve?" Cato called, the blond boy in charge of the career pack walked towards the two of them, sneering at them.

"Whoa Cato, you scared me. You can take off the mask now. Oh wait, that's your face." Katniss responded.

"Ooh burn Cato." Marvel said. Marvel was another boy in the career pack, he was good with spears.

"Marvel shut up! And you-" Cato clenched his fist.

"Cato, calm down." Clove appeared next to him. "Save it for the arena, the Peacekeepers are watching."

Cato growled and stormed off, followed by Marvel hot on his heels.

Clove gave Katniss a look that read: Be careful, I can't help you much without blowing our cover.

"Thanks two." Peeta said. "It's Clove, right?"

"Can it twelve." Clove said abruptly. "I only stopped him because I want be the one that kills you in the arena. It'd be too easy if you got hurt before we get in there." And she walked off, leaving Katniss and Peeta alone.

"What was up with her?" Peeta asked, completely unaware of the secret partnership between Clove and her.

Katniss shrugged.

After Peeta, Haymitch and Effie had all gone to bed, Katniss made her way to the elevator. She hoped she would find Clove there and they could finally have some time alone. Katniss wanted to understand what it was about this girl that she liked so much.

The elevator doors opened soundlessly and Katniss stepped out and leaned over the building's railing that spanned the entire roof.

Katniss was amazed at the sight of the Capitol. Houses were lit up like Christmas trees and buildings taller than she could have ever imagined seemingly touched the sky.

Despite the harsh reality of Katniss' short looking future, the metropolis was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. And her certain death really did make her appreciate these things even more.

While Katniss' mind was on the topic of memorable things, her thoughts drifted to Clove.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Katniss jumped then turned, snapped out of her reverie and saw a smiling Clove.

"Sorry." She leaned against the railing next to Katniss.

"Were you thinking about Prim?" Clove said softly, eyes downcast.

"How did you-"

"The Reaping. It was broadcast all over Panem, remember?"

"Oh, right. I was... Thinking about how Prim would love to see the Capitol." This wasn't a full lie, Katniss often thought about her family and the promise she made to Prim to come back alive.

"It was brave of you to volunteer for your sister. Maybe a little stupid, but brave. I've been trained for the games my whole life. To bring 'glory and honour' to my district. It's a load of rubbish, but it's the only thing I can live for."

"Don't you have any family?" Katniss asked.

"My parents are dead and I have no siblings. I lived in the military preparatory school, it's a fancy way of saying orphanage. There you'd be trained to win the games and eventually become a Peacekeeper. One of Snow's hounds."

"That sounds horrible Clove, I'm so sorry." Katniss said, and she meant it.

Clove crossed her arms and said nonchalantly: "It's how my district works. There's nothing I can do about it."

"But my point is Katniss, you have something to fight for. Something to keep you going and give you hope. That's why you have a chance to win this."

"You think so?" Katniss asked.

"I know so. Don't give up okay? Prim needs you, your district needs you... I need-" Clove stopped.

"You need what?"

"A drink." Clove said hastily. "I've gotta go Katniss, same time tomorrow?"

"Uh, sure. See you."

"Good night Katniss."

"Night Clove."

Damn it Clove, this is the worst time to fall for someone. Clove berated herself. But she's not just anyone. She's different. Clove could see quite clearly that Katniss would kill anyone who got in the way of her and her family.

I can't let her win, I'll die. But I can't let her lose...

What should I do? Clove asked herself as she walked back to her room.

What do I do?

That night, Clove sought answers. But when none came, she knew at some point it was going to be Katniss or her.

At some point, she was going to have to make a choice.