Sleeping with Klaus in the last chapter, will soon set Hayley off guard, as she has to keep this secret to herself and make sure Klaus doesn't spill it to anyone else. Elijah found out that Katherine is pregnant with his child, and felt the need to confide in Camille, hoping that she would help him deal with this. Kol swayed on the dance floor with a beautiful young woman, who wouldn't show her true face to him and hid it beneath her mask.
In this chapter, Klaus and Hayley stumble together after their night of passion, having difficulties to forget about it. But the day of the final evaluation puts things in perspective and threatens them to concentrate on what they are in the games for. Elijah, asks Camille to join him in a talk with Katherine, leading to misunderstandings and complications between the two women. In the meantime, Kol seeks the help of Rebekah, to find the secret raven girl he danced with at the Masquerade Ball. Knowing that she is on the verge of losing control, Hayley finally decides that it is time to trust someone with her deepest secret.
District 12: Hayley Marshall
The Evaluation Day
He gathered us all early that morning in the living room. I could barely sleep after last night. Having to go through another torturous day of training where almost everyone disrespected me was very tiring. Kieran clapped his hands together as he watched me and Josh take a seat on the couch. Rona and Effie were in the room now too and they were discussing what needed to be done. "What is going on?" Josh asked Kieran once silence filled the room and for some reason, I started to get sweaty. It was difficult for me to even think about what happened the night of the Masquerade Ball and Kieran has been on my case ever since, thinking that I am hiding something from him. I knew that I should have told him the truth about what happened between me and Klaus, but I knew that it would only disappoint him.
Our eyes connected for a strong moment before he pulled on my chin and his lips crashed into mine at once, starting to kiss me aggressively. I gasped in shock, at the very feel of a man's lips on my own. I had never had this before. The pleasure of having a man touching every single part of you. Klaus was kissing my mouth, moving down to my jaw, making me gasp so many times; as we tumbled on the floor, on the soft carpet and he was kissing my neck like it was all he wanted. Gasping and moaning, I felt his release my neck and moved down to my dress, taking it off and pushing it away from me, leaving me in just my bra and underwear as he was taking off his suit too. I had never felt this sort of pleasure before. The lust boiling inside of me was exciting and I loved it. I knew at that point that I wanted so much more with him. He rubbed his hands on my hips, as his lips moved back up on my neck.
One of my hands was now resting on his back and the other was in his ruffled hair, as my mouth parted for a moment, closing my eyes. After kissing me on the lips one more time, Klaus pulled back and I opened my eyes. I had no idea what he was looking at but after a moment, I think he realized…I had never done this before, and I was nervous as anyone would had they been in my position. He slowly released himself from the mask so I could see his face that night. Somehow that made me smile as he took off my mask as well. After that, Klaus started moving up my panties and pulling them down gently. He was looking at me in a way, as if asking me if he could. I slowly nodded my head as I closed my eyes and I could feel him getting hard, as he hovered above me and kissed my lips again, entering me with patience as the pleasure ran through me making the blood boil in my veins at how much I wanted and needed him.
I wrapped my hands around my legs, which were now huddled up on the couch and I bit my lip, closing my eyes for a minute, remembering every single detail of that sinful night. What happened between us wasn't supposed to happen, but it did and now I would be stuck with these thoughts about him for the rest of my time here. What happened to me? How did I forget my plan so easily the moment Niklaus Mikaelson came into my life? Lucy and Jake, my two reasons for me to live. I had disappointed them. I was supposed to be thinking only of them and how I would get back to them and I failed them. But taking away someone's virginity was a big deal…and that is what Klaus did to me that night. I didn't know if he realized it or not. He is my first. He is the one who made me feel like a true woman for once.
"Hayley!" Kieran snapped and I opened my eyes to catch the four of them looking at me as if I were crazy. "Yes. What is it?" I asked, innocently, fear building up inside of me that they might know something. "We were talking about how important this day is…before you spaced out on us." Kieran explained, with his hands crossed over his chest, angrily. "I'm sorry." I mumbled and let go of my legs. "As I was saying…today is the day you show the Gamekeepers your fighting skills, everything that you know from your training…and they will score you from 1 to 12, based on what they've seen during your four days of training and what you are going to show them today in the afternoon." Josh and I both nodded and looked at one another seriously.
"Any last advice for us?" he asked Kieran with a goofy smile. "The score keeps you alive, my friends. The higher the score, the more sponsors, the more chances of remaining alive, because the people love you. It's simple as day." Kieran told him, simply. "So, we have some work to do on those outfits you will present yourselves with." Rona said and left the room, getting started. "And what are we going to do?" I asked our mentor. Kieran frowned at me for a moment before saying, "I want you to remind yourself of the purpose you are here for and the way you were when you first entered the games." His answer shocked me, but he did realize that I had changed. I am no longer the person that I was when I came here. Josh stood up and left the room, realizing that this was a private talk between me and Kieran.
"You don't stop treating me like a child, do you?" I asked him, with my hands crossed over my chest. "You are 16. You are a child, Hayley and while you are here, I am like a parent to you and a parent is concerned when you no longer focus on your training after the Masquerade Ball." He explicated and it widened my eyes. "What are you saying, Kieran?" "There is something distracting you. I don't know what it is but I am going to find out and for your own good and for your brother and sister, I am going to eliminate it." "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself." "Start acting like it and do as you're told in order to survive because maybe, I am just going to start focusing on Josh more and letting you go." I honestly couldn't believe him. "You weren't such a jerk when I first came here. I am not the only one who's changed here, Kieran. I know why I am here and I know what I have to do."
"Then why do you refuse to tell me what happened at the Masquerade Ball? You left. No one could see you, not the cameras, no one. You vanished and then you showed up at your room, past your bedtime with a cheap excuse that you went off to explore and got lost." "That is what happened!" Our voices were raising and Effie came back into the room to calm down the spirits. "Whatever this is, I am sure that we can discuss it rationally and calmly, isn't that right, young lady?" she asked me. I looked at Kieran for a moment and nodded, before whispering, "I am not under surveillance around here 24/7 and it's good because I shouldn't be. I have my own life." "Your life doesn't belong to you as long as you are here. Hayley, I am trying to make you see the reality, because you have lost sight of that." His voice came down to a whisper and he put his hands on my shoulders, making me look into his eyes. "There is no one here who wants what is best for you except Rona, Effie and me. Can you understand that? No one. Everyone else is for themselves." "I know that." "Then stick to that thought and let the fantasies slip away from your mind." He pulled away from me after I slowly nodded my head. "Now, why don't you go out and get some fresh air? Just contemplate on what I just told you. Everything I do is for your own good."
"Okay." I whispered and put on my jacket just as Effie smiled and stepped over to me, kissing my cheeks and saying, "You are a beautiful and smart girl. Don't lose sight of why you're here and keep your head in the game. That is all we want for you. We are rooting for you to win and get out of here to be with your brother and sister." Effie told me and it was at that moment that I realized how far off I had been lately. Kieran and Effie were both right. I was not acting naturally, and I had to change that.
District 1: Elijah Mikaelson
The Evaluation Day
Katherine's confession that she was pregnant with my child, threw me off guard at the Masquerade Ball. I could barely focus on what was going on in my life. At the moment, I refused to enter the apartment in which Kol, Katherine and I were residing, preferring a calmer place in which I could set my mind straight. Biting my lip, I sighed as I covered my face with my hands. In the afternoon, I would have the face the test I have been preparing for since I came here and I could barely remember which tactics I was planning on using. My brothers were both infuriating me, my sister won't speak to me and I had an ex-girlfriend, pregnant as my partner in the deadliest games that ever existed.
"Elijah?" a voice mumbled and I finally removed my hands from my face as I could finally see who was standing before me. "Camille." I whispered and stood up to greet her with a smile on my face. She rubbed her hands on her pants a little and sighed, "What is it that you wanted me to come here for?" she asked him. "I believe we have spoken at the ball the last time…when I asked you to help me with Katherine's pregnancy." I responded and she slowly shook her head, backing away a little. "I know I said I would help you. I kind of owe you after acting like such a bitch to you the first time we officially met…" She was saying, making a smile cross on Elijah's face.
"We can put that behind us now, especially when I desperately need your help." "I don't know how I can help you and Katherine with this. She is a few weeks pregnant with your child, both of you in the games. You do know that if this gets out…" "I know. It will look bad for every person who has contributed in creating these games and they will not like it…but there is a chance that they will release Katherine from the need to be here. She can survive, go back home to her family and raise our child, in hopes that I might survive." Camille shook her head again and I realized that what I was suggesting had low chances of happening. "What can I do?" I felt her hand on my shoulder and I looked up to meet her eyes. "Talk to her. You can do a psychological analysis on her and find out the intentions she has towards this child. Help me understand if she is feeling depressed, happy…suicidal." Cami's eyes widened.
"You think…?" "Please, just do this for me. Please." I touched her hand and she looked a little affected. "I guess I can try some talking. That usually helps." Cami whispered and looked away from me at once, taking a pen and a notebook in her hands. I smiled a little and took her hand in mine, leading her to my apartment. I could see Katerina sitting there, with her hands across her chest and it was as if she was in fact expecting us. "I thought you were ill." I commented and touched her hand affectively but she pulled away. "I was, but then I saw you sneaking out and I began to wonder how well you are taking the news I have brought up yesterday. And what is she doing here?" Katherine asked, pointing at Camille.
"Elijah asked me to come and help you with your…condition." "You told her?!" Katherine exclaimed at once and punched me in the arm. I frowned at her and warned her in my own way. She shook her head in disbelief and touched her belly. "You better not tell a soul about this or I swear to God that I will have the pretty blonde head of yours removed the second we get in the field." Katherine warned her and Camille took a couple of steps back, burying her head in her notebook as she was scribbling down something. I grabbed a hold of Katherine's hand and pulled her towards me with a frown. "What are you doing?" "What are you doing? Since when are you friends with this one?" "Katerina, she is here to help you because I asked her. She is doing both of us a favor and I can assure you that she can be trusted."
Katherine smirked and shook her head. "The all too noble, Elijah. You've always been like this. You trust any woman who crosses your path." "If that is what you believe, then you have not been paying much attention to me after all, Katerina. You don't know me as well as you thought you did." I replied to her and moved back to Camille, looking at her almost pleadingly. "Can you help her in any way?" "I can try, but only if she will let me. Psychology is a difficult part of my knowledge and in order for her to stay focused on the games so no one suspects, I will have to work with her today…even though the evaluation is coming up this afternoon." I pursed my lips as I understood that this was going to mean a lot coming from her, just to help the two of us.
"Tell you what I am going to do, Camille. You have a nice conversation with Katherine for a couple of hours and I shall spare some of my hours in return to prepare you for what is to come today." A smile formed on her lips which I had not seen before and she eyed me wickedly. "Is this a trick?" I smiled back and shook my head. "Are you really going to help me? How? You don't even know how low I am at fighting." "You are a strong woman on the inside and you should be given a chance. You need to have knowledge if you participate in these dangerous games, not just muscles and other physical structures." I explained to her and she showed me her white teeth before nodding her head, accepting my proposition.
Katherine was tapping on her heels behind us and I immediately pulled out of my trance, looking at her. "What is happening now? I am not going to sit here quietly and listen to her rubbish." She snapped at me and then pointed at Camille. "Don't be rude. She wants to help you." "No. She wants to help you." Katherine pointed out, crossing her hands over her chest and rubbing her tongue over her lips. I stared at her in shock at her sudden change of personality. What happened to the Katerina that I used to know? Was she there at all? Was she always this way and was playing an act around me? Those questions reluctantly remained in my head as I saw Camille joining Katherine on a couch, ready to begin.
District 1: Kol Mikaelson
The Evaluation Day
"Dear, sister! How are you?" I exclaimed with a smug look on my face as I noticed her walking towards me. It has been a while since I last saw her face and she looked downright pissed, as always. "What the hell are you doing here?" she asked me and I shrugged. "I guess I just got tired of the old drama back at home, figured I should come here and help Elijah. Also glad to see you and Nik after so long. You haven't changed much, Bekah." "Fortunately for you, I will and I won't be so kind if I hear that you came here to disrupt Nik from winning." My eyes widened at her comment. "Not looking out for yourself? Nik is still my brother and you know how much I care about family. I won't do anything!" I insisted.
She still didn't look convinced. "So, you just placed yourself in front of death for no reason, trying to swing by it?" Rebekah asked me. "Actually, I figured that I might as well be with my true family here, seeing that my family at home has practically abandoned me." "What family? Mother?" "And Elena." She frowned the minute I said that and I had a feeling that she would. "What about Elena?" Rebekah asked. I sighed with a smile on my face and shook my head. "Mother knew what I was getting into when I went after Elena and she let me do it, but as it turns out, President Snow always had other plans for them." "Who is them?" "The Pierce sisters. They are kept to produce heirs to the man at the Capitol. Caught myself at her doorstep…and she was in bed with the eldest Salvatore."
Rebekah closed her eyes and shook her head. "Kol, I am so sorry." "It's nothing. The moment I saw what I saw, it looked like she was already dead to me." "Don't you play with me, Kol Mikaelson! I know how you act when you get your heart broken. I am your sister and I am here to tell you that everything is going to be okay." She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into a hug that I knew only she could offer. It was a sign of hope for me that we could all be what we were before our parents split up. We could be a family and we really didn't need our parents for it. "But what about Katherine? She is a Pierce too." "They made an exception for her, apparently, not that I care. That is Elijah's business, not mine." "I think we should tell him the truth." "He is still in love with Katherine. He won't accept the truth."
"Then we must make Katherine tell him the truth. If she still cares about him or has any respect of what they shared in the past, she better bloody well tell him what she and her sisters are reserved for. Who knows what can happen if Elijah is led on to believe that he might still have a chance at winning her back?" Rebekah was desperately telling me and I shook my head with a smile. "Elijah is not that stupid, sister and I think we both know that our dear old brother is too focused on the games to pay attention to any women." Rebekah smiled and nodded. "That sure sounds like him, but it doesn't sound like you. You have that smile on your face, Kol. I could recognize it from anywhere. What happened at the ball? Did you meet someone special? Is that why you got over Elena so quickly?"
The amazing thing about my sister was how easily she could figure out my feelings. "What makes you think I met someone?" I asked and sat down on the bench, with my hands behind my head, looking smugly at her. Rebekah rolled her eyes and said, "Come on! I know you, Kol." "Well, if you must know, I did happen to meet a great gal at the ball. Of course, she was pretty enough but wouldn't let me see past her eyes and hair…and that smile." "She wouldn't take the mask off?" "No. But she did know who I was, even if I was wearing my mask. Funny thing…I know she is a tribute…but I don't know who it could be." "A tribute? You can't be serious." Rebekah groaned and shook her head at me again.
"What's wrong with that?" "You are competing against her; you can't possibly find her attractive." "What if I do? If Nik can find some attractive gal to spend time with while we're here, why can't I?" "What are you talking about?" Rebekah asked me, exasperated. "Nik and that chick from 12. Hayley Marshall, I think is her name. You so haven't seen the way Nik looks at her." "You are ridiculous. Nik doesn't have serious feelings for any girl he meets. They are all just distractions, so he can stop worrying about his issues, like Caroline was." "Oh yeah, I heard of the though break up. The girl couldn't handle it." "Tell me about it! She still comes over to our house and Father lets her." At the mention of my father, I could feel my lips pursing and I couldn't find a reply. Rebekah noticed it right away and she gave me a gentle push on my shoulder. "You don't have to hide how you feel about Father." "What do you want me to say about the old man? The minute he and Mum didn't work out, he told me and Elijah to leave with her."
"They spilt us up equally. You and Elijah went with Mom, and me and Nik remained with Father. That's how it is." Rebekah explained to me. There were a couple of minutes which followed when she remained silent and so did I. She suddenly looked at me with a smile and said, "I missed you, you know. I wish you would have answered my letters whenever I sent them to you." "Mum didn't want me to be in contact with you, thinking she would have to be in contact with Father afterwards." "That is just rubbish! Now come on!" She gave me a push up and said, "I am going to help you find the mystery girl you long for. If she is a tribute, I don't think it can be difficult for you to look through them and find the right one." "You really are something." I told Bekah with a grin, accepting her offer.
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
The Evaluation Day
My mentor had advised me to spend some quality time of my own before the games. Speaking with the people in my group right before the evaluation was not an option. I needed to stay focused, and prepare myself with what was to come in that afternoon. I decided to stay in the hotel garden, using my most special skills to take off dummy heads and send swords into the bull's eye. I grinned the moment I hit the jackpot the tenth time in a row. I was going to get a really high score, I was sure of it. But I wasn't expecting such a distraction to follow me. She looked worried and she had her chocolate brown hair covering her face, as she had a letter in her hand.
I didn't know what had gotten into me. I let go of my spear and I stepped over to her. Her eyes widened the minute she saw me, without my shirt on. Noticing the blush creeping on her face, I let go of a small chuckle as a frown appeared on her look. "What are you doing here?" "I am getting prepared for this afternoon. What are you doing here, little wolf?" Her face was reddening by the second and the minute I whispered my nickname for her, I had made it even worse. "I need to go." She finally said and pushed past me, but I wasn't going to let her go that easily. I grabbed her arm, and pulled her into me.
"Klaus, please stop doing this. I am busy." "With that letter?" Hayley bit her lip and looked around. I could see a worried expression on her face, as if she were afraid that someone could hear her. "If it is the cameras you are worried about, then don't be. I know the places in which cameras are kept to keep an eye on the tributes and this garden has none. It's alright, love. You can talk to me." I assured her but she shook her head again and tried to pull herself away from me but I wouldn't let her. "I don't want to talk to you, Klaus, so just let me go and stop being such a jerk." "I didn't seem to be that jerk to you that night." Hayley was blushing madly, but I could see that she was trying to hide a small smile.
"What happened…was a onetime thing…and it will never happen again." She whispered close to me, sending me off guard. "Of course, love, if that's what you wish." "So please, stop reminding me of it. I had made the biggest mistake of my life." "Why is that?" "Because you're you and I'm…me." She looked exasperated and I saw something different when she looked up into my eyes with her gorgeous hazel ones. She had issues…family issues. She most probably missed being with her brother and her sister. She very well missed the mother who abandoned her when she was still young, and her father, who had passed away. I saw the letter in her hand and I could make out on the envelope the names Jake and Lucy, her brother and her sister. And then it hit me! She was trying to send them a letter, something which, with a few exceptions, was forbidden at the Capitol, for tributes. "What are you doing with this?" I asked her and gently let go of her arms, as she took a small step back. She didn't want to lie to me. I could see that. She told me the truth I wanted to hear. "I need to find…a way."
"What way?" I pushed on her. She looked at me for a long moment and I stared back at her, trying to read every emotion on her face and she gasped a little as I pulled her envelope with the letter from her hands and stared at it for a long which, before whispering, "This is for them, isn't it? You brother and your sister?" She didn't answer me and I knew that I was right. "Klaus, please don't…don't say anything." She practically begged me. She really thought that I was going to rat her out. I frowned at her and I could feel her getting nervous as she stared at the envelope in my hands. "I have a way, love. I need to send out a letter to my father anyways…I will make sure your brother and sister get this." Her mouth parted a little and I could tell that she was shocked and she wasn't expecting something like this. A smirk appeared on my face as I said, "A thank you from you would be nice, love." "Thank you!" She exclaimed at once.
I pulled away from her and stepped back to the bag where I kept all of my weapons for battle and slid the letter inside, as I looked back at her and I could still see that shocked look on her face. "Why are you doing this for me?" she asked in barely a whisper. A tear slid on her cheek and I have to admit that she really caught me off guard this time. I couldn't remember the last time I saw a woman as beautiful and as tough as her, expose her true emotions of sadness. She had a hard time trusting me, but I couldn't blame her. My family had a reputation and even if a couple of days ago, I would disagree with her and with my sister, I had come to realize the injustice the other people in districts were given, in favor to us. "Is it hard for you to believe that I can do something nice for someone?" I asked her back, afraid of her answer.
When she nodded her head, I could feel my heart shattering to little pieces. It was cruel, but at that time, I realized that it was something I deserved. She was a mess on the outside but I was just as much of a mess too, only on the inside. "But I thank you. You don't know how much this means to me." She whispered and I looked at her to see that she was forcing a smile over her tearstained face. I couldn't help but walk over to her and brush a finger over her cheek, murmuring in her ear, "Anytime, love." I sent her shivers down her spine as she told me, "Good luck today." Before departing as quickly as possible from the garden. I stared back after her, realizing that this was the most emotional moment I had witnessed with her or with any other woman. I knew that I needed to know more about her. About where she comes from, her reputation, everything. I wanted to help her. I longed to help her, the best way I could and I couldn't understand what made this girl so special.
District 12: Hayley Marshall
The Evaluation Day
Moving back to my apartment, I had never felt so emotional. Even Josh could see that I was feeling, different…and that was just before the evaluation. "What happened to you? You didn't get some fresh air like Kieran asked you to?" he asked me and I simply shook my head, sitting on the sofa as he sat by me. "Hey, listen…" he began and I looked at him as I saw that he was trying to find his words. "I know that we haven't really seen eye to eye lately…problems and stress because of what we've gotten ourselves into, but…Hayley, you should know that I do care for you as a friend. And I might not be the right person but, you can talk to me when you need someone to talk to. What's going on?" I smiled a little and whispered, "How do I know that you are not going to say anything to Kieran and trash me up?"
"Because I just told you that I see you as a friend, despite our arguments. You can count on me." Josh insisted and I could see sincerity on his face. "This is about that Klaus Mikaelson, isn't it?" he asked me and caught me by surprise. "How did you know?" "Because I know you, at least, I did get to know you these past days…and that guy, no matter how much of a tough guy he is, he got under your skin, did he not?" I sat up and walked around. "It's more than that, Josh." I was afraid that someone might hear, but luckily, there was no one in my apartment who could hear my confession. "We slept together…the night of the Masquerade Ball." I could see his eyes widening with fear at what he had heard. "What?! You slept with him?" "We got ahead of ourselves. I wasn't thinking…I just…" "Man, no wonder you stayed so silent when you got home that night."
"Josh, you promise me that I can trust you to keep this secret. We are partners in the games and all you have done these past few days is push me away when we should be helping each other. I am more than happy to help you if you help me." "Hayley, even if we were to become allies in these games, we are weak. The Mikaelson brothers have teamed up, they got their sister, and those women, Katherine Pierce and Camille O'Connell. We don't stand a chance against them all and now that you told me about…" "Josh, that was a mistake. A mistake that I…" I couldn't finish my words as he looked at me carefully. "Listen, you don't have to tell me more than you already have. That is between you and him…but you need to keep your options open if you want to make it. You need to consider the fact that he could be using you, Hayley, and that is going to come bite you in the ass one day."
There was more to tell, indeed. But even if Josh said what he said about not being able to trust Klaus' motives, the moment he accepted to send out the letter to my brother and sister, even though it is illegal to get in contact with family, remained in my head and after doing something like that for me…it was hard for me to think of him as someone taking advantage of me. "Okay." I replied to Josh and he smiled. "Now, come on! Let's get some practicing done! We have just a few more hours until the big test." He told me and I agreed. I had never felt as nervous as I felt now.
…
The tributes were gathered in a room together, all of them and I got feel my breathing hitch as I saw the Mikaelson brothers, including their sister, Rebekah, sitting together on one side of the room, with Katherine and Camille. Kieran and Effie had just brought Josh and me to the waiting room. Josh looked prepared, but I had absolutely no confidence in myself. Kieran made me look at him as he whispered, "I have no doubts that you will receive a high score. This is your chance and you must make the most of it. Think about your brother and your sister." Kieran told me and my eyes wandered to Klaus when he said that. Had he done it? Had he managed to help me? Should I be grateful to him?
I could barely look Kieran in the eyes when he showed confidence in me. Before the games, I was different and I knew that I would have never done there what I had done here. I would have never betrayed someone who had that much confidence in me. But the games have changed me, just as Kieran warned me they would. Josh was the only one who knew about what happened between Klaus and me the night of the Masquerade Ball and I had complete faith in him that he was going to keep that secret for me. "I'll do my best." I assured my mentor and he hugged me, as a sign of encouragement. Rona had dressed us up in our fighting uniforms, which matched the others, but with our district number, written in bright silver on our shoulders. "Never forget where you came from." Rona had told me when she handed me my outfit and she was right. No matter what happened here, I must remember, that I had something to get back home to. Lucy and Jake. I would give anything to hear from them again. Kieran and Effie finally left the waiting room, as Josh and I took a seat. The other tributes were discussing things with each other.
"Funny thing, how we ended up as the outcasts." Josh mumbled under his breath. My eyes were on Klaus as he was talking to Elijah, his brother. "Don't speak like that. Now is not the time to feel sorry for ourselves." Josh looked at me for a moment and noticed who I was staring at. "Don't tell me that you…" he began but I cut him off. "There is nothing going on. I told you that it was a mistake and that is it!" I snapped at him. Klaus' eyes caught mine at that moment and I could tell that there was concern written all over his face. What kind of impression had I given him of me when I cracked up emotionally in front of him? Josh rolled his eyes next to me and said, "If you want to say something to that guy, now's your chance." I looked away from that group and closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath.
"I am not just going to sit like this, waiting to be called. If you don't mind, I am going to walk around, get in touch with…my thoughts." Josh told me and I nodded, silently. "Of course." He stood up and walked away from me. I decided that it was the best thing I could do. I was biting on a nail when I saw Klaus leaving his group and walking over to me. I couldn't find the courage to say anything to he said it for me, "Are you alright?" "Just nervous." "I can imagine. Anyone with such little experience…" he began but stopped when he saw the frown on my face. "That was uncalled for." "Yes, it was!" He stayed there for a minute, looking at me, and then he looked back at his group, seeing that they were not looking at him.
He cupped my face gently and he made me look at him, as I was taken aback by his soft touch. "I took care of it. I had to send a letter to my father anyway. I took care of it." He told me and I knew at once what he was talking about and it made a smile appear on my face. My instinct told me to hug him, but there were the other tributes around and I couldn't have anyone see anything. Klaus immediately removed his hand from my face, as he realized he kept it there long enough. "Thank you." I told him and continued smiling at him until a woman called out, "Niklaus Mikaelson, we're ready for you!" Elijah and Katherine had finished already. It was time for District 2 to show what they had. "You will make it…little wolf." He told me with that devilish smirk on his face, before retiring to the room of doom.
Districts went by one after one. Soon, there were just Josh and me sitting there on the bench and waiting to be called on. "Josh Rosza!" the same woman called out and I looked at Josh, frightened a little for him. He offered me a comforting smile, before standing up and entering the room. I couldn't believe it! I was the last one. For Josh, everything ended so quick and I could see him coming out with a disappointed look on his face. "What happened?" I asked, shocked. Before he could answer, the woman called out, "Hayley Marshall!" The moment had come for me too. "I sure hope you do better than I did." Josh mumbled, before heading for the exit.
The Gamekeepers were waiting for me in fancy chairs, just above the "stage" where I had to "perform". They had no problem at all, drinking their champagne and taking bites out of fruits and other delicious meals that I could only dream of, while I was back in my home. "Hayley Marshall, District 12!" I called out as I was instructed so they could have an idea as to who I was. I was surprised that they were actually looking at me and what I was doing. I chose three weapons and three dummies I would use. First the spear, then the sword and saving the best for last, the bow and arrows. I bit my lip and closed my eyes as Klaus' image appeared in my mind, the moment during training when he told me how good I was, using the bow. I trusted him with my letter to Jake and Lucy and he had not failed me. Why couldn't I take his advice now? I cleared my throat and the evaluation had begun.
A/N: A long chapter, this one and I hope you like where this is all going. In two chapters, the tributes will be thrown in the arena and that is when the Hunger Games will really begin. Has Klayley made some progress in this chapter, even after that night? Do you think it was wise for Hayley to share her secret with Josh, even though they are not that close? Will Kieran find out about Hayley's betrayal? What do you think of Katherine's pregnancy? And what about Elijah's relationship with Camille?
Many questions that will be answered soon. Thank you for reading and please leave a review with what you think!