(Chapter 16: James)

The chariots looped around the City Circle. Back straight and tall, with my cheeks pulled into a massive smile, I wave grandly at the crowds. I'm looking at the people, when I notice the District 12 chariot far behind me. That's when I see Elora Yarrow. She is breathtakingly beautiful. Her grey eyes were filled with concern and sincerity, her luxurious wavy blonde hair cascading around her perfectly curved shoulders. Her lips were delicately stretched into a grin, as she gazed into the crowd. Her legs look strong yet elegant, and she stood proud.

I found myself frozen, gaping at her as the chariot moved, and just as the horses took a sharp turn, I stumbled and nearly fell off. The crowd took a collective gasp.

Just when I know I'm probably going to crack my head open and die before the games even begin, I feel cold hands grasp my flailing arm, and pull me back into the carriage.

Before I knew what was happening, someone threw themselves into my chest, nearly making me fall again, and grasped my face, pulling me in until our lips touched.

It all happened so fast.

The crowd went wild, as the horses pulled to a stop in front of President Snow's mansion.

Freaked out, I pulled backwards, stumbling.

Lilly.

Her eyes were filled with amusement.

"What the fuck was that for?" I exclaimed.

The people were suddenly quiet, everyone leaning in to listen.

"Uhh…I kissed you. Duh." Lilly grinned, twirling her hair teasingly.

"Why? I don't like you. You don't like me. We're literally gonna kill each other. WHY-"

Before I could continue, she jumped on top of me and kissed me again.

I shoved her to the side and stood up, fixing my clothes.

"STOP!" I yell. "What's your problem?"

The last thing I want is for people to think I'm with Lilly.

And by 'people' I mean Elora Yarrow.

Lilly was smiling like a Cheshire cat.

"I like you, James. Got a problem with that?"

My brain was going haywire, like two sides of a war arguing. Really loud.

Dude, she's hot!

What are you doing? Elora is HOTTER.

You shouldn't think that! She's from District 12!

So? She's so pretty…I love her hair…

Shut up and pull yourself together.

I coughed loudly.

"Lilly…I-I..you're really pretty and all but I don't like you in that way…"

"Pfffftttt. Of course you like me silly! We're a couple, remember?" she reached to grab my hand, and I quickly snatched it away.

"What?" I asked, confused. "We're not a couple."

Her face suddenly contorted into a look of hurt.

"Y-you're breaking up with me? B-but what about our baby?" she stuttered.

Oh my gosh.

My heart stopped.

What the fuck was this bitch going on about?

The crowd gasped, and I flushed red again.

Lilly snuck a small smile, and winked, then threw on her false sad face.

She's faking.

Why the hell is she faking?

"We…we were never together." I tell her, frowning. Stop. I mouth to her, but she doesn't pay attention. Lilly falls to her knees, and starts sobbing and rubbing her stomach.

"Our…poor…baby…" she cried.

I didn't know what to do, so I decided it would be best to play along, because nobody in their right mind is going to sponsor a guy who just rejected a girl who is pregnant with his own child.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." I exclaimed, then pulled Lilly into a hug.

The crowd cheers, and then I look up.

There, on the balcony, was President Snow.

The anthem plays, and then the chariots do one more loop before it disappears into the training centre.

"What was all that for?" I sneer at Lilly, who frowns at me.

"They're more likely to sponsor a couple who are expecting a baby. It's such a sad story, you know?"

"What? But there's only one winner…how would…"

Lilly placed a cold finger on my lips, which I slapped away. She frowns.

"That's not the point. Capitol people are stupid. They'll overlook it until the end, and that's when we'll fight. As long as we get to the end."

I know she wasn't talking about 'we'. She's just using me to help herself stay alive.

What can I do?