Chapter 3:

After being set on fire like a human kebab for the tribute parade and told to smile and wave as if she wasn't being put in these sick games for the people of Panem's sadistic appetite, Katniss felt a lot safer in her regular non-burning clothes.

As much as she didn't agree with Cinna's ideas, she couldn't argue that they got the results Haymitch and Effie wanted. Even the other tributes were jealous of their outfits as the others were wearing the same sort of outfit they did every year.

"I gotta admit Katniss, being on fire suited you. They really loved you." Peeta said as they stepped off their chariot.

"To be honest, I was starting to feel a little shaky." Katniss replied.

"Well, it didn't show." Peeta responded, smiling sweetly.

Katniss still believed that Peeta was too good to be true, and was quite adamant in playing along. Still, Haymitch insisted that she should be nice to Peeta when the cameras were rolling and that this subject was 'not up for debate'.

She just hoped that the interview with Caesar would be a little less... Frightening.

"She's here with me."

Well bad luck for him I guess. Katniss thought to herself. Wait... He means me!

Katniss looked up, mortified to see that her face occupied the screens and the audience was screaming cries of outrage because of the two 'star crossed-lovers' and their unfortunate fate.

Because this was all a big surprise, Katniss couldn't help but blush. Confirming to the audience that they must indeed love each other.

"Well, as much as I'd like to call Katniss back on stage for her reply, I'm afraid that's all we have time for folks!" Caesar said, ignoring the audience's dismay.

The tributes made their way back to their rooms and when Peeta and Katniss were back inside, Katniss slammed Peeta into a wall.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Katniss shouted as she held him against the wall.

"I... I-" Peeta stammered, looking at Katniss with big round eyes, blatantly full of fear.

"What are you doing? Haymitch says and wrenches Katniss away from Peeta with surprising strength.

"He made me look like an idiot in front of everyone in Panem!"

Haymitch sighed. "Sweetheart, don't you understand? This is a game, it's all about the perception of you. What Peeta said makes you seem more desirable."

Katniss clenched her fists angrily and got back in the elevator. She knew there was no point arguing with her team.

"And where are you going Sweetheart?" Haymitch asked tiredly.

"I need some time to clear my head."

Before anything else could be said, the doors closed.

When Katniss arrived on the roof and felt the wind on her face, she calmed down a little.

"I can't believe this, he could have at least told me what he was going to do." Katniss said quietly, running her hands through her long dark hair.

"You ever thought that he wasn't acting? It seemed to me like he really does care for you." Clove said as she stepped out of the elevator.

"So you didn't like his display of affection then?" She asked.

"No." Katniss said bluntly. "I don't even like him as a person." She said, still facing the Capitol.

Clove wore a bright orange dress and her black hair was tied back in a ponytail. In her interview, she came across as a little arrogant, but sweet.

Katniss turned to Clove. "Even though the games haven't officially started, I've had my share of emotions. Shooting at the Gamemakers, being set on fire and now this." Katniss shook her head, hoping to dismiss some of these thoughts.

"Yeah, I guess. No one can deny you're the talk of the Capitol, it sounds like you'll have the most sponsors at any rate." Clove said. Katniss could tell Clove was envious although she tried to mask it.

Suddenly and inexplicably, Katniss found herself studying Clove in great detail. Looking at her clothes and her features. For a moment, she watched the blinking of her long dark eyelashes and realised Clove was doing the same.

Katniss suddenly felt shy when their eyes met and blushed subconsciously. She felt the need to say something, but found herself lost for words.

"You seem- really pretty tonight Clove." Then mentally berated herself for how cheesy that was.

Clove seemed taken aback, but quickly changed her expression to abashed. Her eyes flickered to the floor and back to Katniss'.

"Th-thanks." She laughed nervously and shifted her weight from foot to foot. "Your stylist knows how to really bring out the colour in your eyes."

Clove scanned Katniss from head to toe, crossed her arms and concluded with a grin: "You look beautiful."

Katniss moved closer to the career until they were only inches from each other. She felt her heartbeat quicken and her palms feel sweaty. She couldn't bring herself to tear her gaze away from the other girl's eyes.

She had never felt this way before. She was drawn to Clove as if she had her own gravitational pull (although Clove was quite lithe with well defined muscles on her arms and legs).

Clove leaned in slowly, so that their lips were almost-

"Hey Katniss!" The two of them jumped back at this sudden arrival.

"What Peeta?" Katniss said, irritated. Peeta's appearance had ruined their little moment and as the games started tomorrow, she doubted they would ever get another moment like this again.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He said, stung by Katniss' sharp tone.

"You!" Peeta said to Clove. "Can't you just leave Katniss alone? She just wants some space, she doesn't need you to insult her."

"Peeta!" But it was too late, Clove began to walk back to the elevator. Katniss longed for just one more second with Clove. She felt a pain in her chest when Clove had gone, then it hit her.

I'm in love with her!

This realisation came with a sense of dread. She knew only one person could make it out alive and she had to come home to Prim, she couldn't break her promise. How would Prim live without her? Gale couldn't support his family and hers forever after all.

Peeta said something to Katniss. "What?" She asked.

"I said, are you okay?"

"Uh, I'm fine. Just... Tired, I'll see you later. I'm gonna need sleep for the games tomorrow, right?"

"Well yeah, I guess." Peeta said softly.

But that night, Katniss found she couldn't sleep. Every time she drifted off she had horrible dreams about the arena, of dying painfully by the hands of Thresh or Cato's sword. Or even worse, Clove's knife.

She tried to convince herself that Clove wouldn't hurt her, they were friends after all. She hoped that maybe, there was a small chance that they could be more than that. But a part of her mind (the logical part) reminded her that in the arena, all bets are off.

In the arena, she could only trust herself.