𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙀𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏
—𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵—

     𝙄 𝘽𝙄𝙏𝙀 𝙈𝙔 lip as the elevator doors open in front of me. I waste no time in making my way over to the familiar railing of the balcony, enjoying the roof that I visit oftenly.

"You're early," Cato says, emerging from the door that leads to the garden. "I'm surprised you even came at all."

"I'm am, too," I frown, turning to face him. His blue eyes pierce mine, seemingly searching for something. "Why did you want me to come up here?"

"Another apology," He shrugs. "I've been a little hard on you."

"Yeah, hard is the perfect word to describe it," I snort. "And you don't owe me an apology. If acting out is a part of your nature, then I completely understand where you're coming from. Glimmer's terminology doesn't stand far from yours, though."

Cato stiffens at my words.

I suck in a sharp breath, realizing what I've just said.

"I already told you, I'm not like her," Cato sighs, surprisingly calm. "Clove may be, but I'd like to think I strike up my own category. One that Marvel seems to fall under, too. Considering that you had a conversation with him yesterday."

"How do you know about that?" I raise an eyebrow. "Are you spying on me?"

"He told me," Cato smirks.

"That jerk," I huff. "I suppose you know everything, huh?"

"Including the fact that you do have trust issues and why?" He nods. "Yeah, I know. But that doesn't matter."

"It matters to me," I murmer. "I opened up to him, and see where it got me?"

"Why do you not want me to know about your problems?" He asks, clearly frustrated as he takes a step forward. "Why do you shut everyone out?"

"Because no one can solve my problems," I reply steadily, not meeting his gaze.

"I'm only asking for you to let me help," He says lowly. "Just tell me, for yourself. I want to hear it from you, not Marvel."

"Just stop trying to help," I grit my teeth, shoving him away from me. I pace the balcony, running my hands through my hair. "Why do you have to be so complicated?"

"I'm complicated?" Cato chuckles. "I'm just asking to help."

"And I'm telling you no," I glare.

I stop in my tracks as Cato grabs my arms, and pins me against the wall. My posture goes rigid, and I freeze completely as he stares into my eyes.

"Why are you shutting me out?" He asks, almost in a whisper.

I breathe harshly, my heartbeat picking up. Tingles shoot up my arm from his touch, making me shift my weight onto my left foot.

"I don't try to," I say honestly, not looking away from him. "It's natural for me to forget about the people who try to care."

"Why?" He leans closer, his breath fanning my face.

Meanwhile, my breath gets caught in my throat. And by this time, I believe my heart is being ripped from my chest.

"Because no one has ever really cared," I murmer, managing to keep my composure without melting.

"Well I do."

His lips crash onto mine, causing my heart to completely stop.

Despite what my conscious is telling me, I wrap my arms around his neck, and pull him closer to me. His arms latch around my waist, his lips moving in sync with mine.

I mentally see fireworks around us, exploding into the air of the sunset. I feel like smiling forever, honestly. Like my biggest dreams have come true.

The moment ends too soon, in my opinion, as I have to pull away for oxygen.

Cato places his forehead on mine, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "That was a hell of a kiss."

I roll my eyes, letting out a laugh. "You really are something."

"I'm hoping that's a good thing," He breathes, pecking my lips. "I have to go, or else Brutus will have my head."

"Wait," I grab his hand, looking up to him. "Where does this leave us?"

"Tomorrow," He says. "Same time, and we'll talk."

And with that, he gets on the elevator, and leaves me to my own thoughts. But, as I stare openly at the place he left, I can't help but place my fingers to my lips.

___♕___

"He kissed me," I say quietly, squeezing Johanna's hand. "And I kissed him back."

"Oh gosh," She sighs, flopping onto my bed next to me. "Well, I guess I should've known this would happen. Especially since the first night."

"I don't know if I can trust him," I say honestly, looking into her eyes. "I... He's a career. How am I supposed to deal with that? Pretend that he doesn't enjoy killing people- or the thought?"

"That's your choice," She shrugs. "I've given you advice. It's up to you, and for you to decide. What's best? I don't even know myself."

I frown at the response, not sure at how to take it.

"Careers are hard to handle," She says lowly. "I should know, I've befriended a few of them in my time. But you have to be cautious. And trust? Trust is a scary thing. It could get you killed within seconds. But listening to me? It could help you."

"And you want me to stay away from him," I bite my lip, looking to the floor.

"I only want you to be cautious," She chuckles. "Case, I never said you had to listen to me. I'm only here to help you, a tourguide through this hell. I can tell that you have something for him, and it's special."

"He's special," I breathe, a smile lighting up my face. "He's so confusing. And I'm drawled to that, for some reason. He makes me want to figure him out."

"The chase," Johanna grins. "Keep him if you'd like, Casey. But I'd like to meet him first. And River."

"River probably won't be too happy," I suck in a shaky breath. "From the current situation, he's not too fond of the other careers."

"But who is?" She raises one eyebrow. "I have one question, then I'll stop pestering you."

"And that is . . . ?"

"What happens next?" She asks, her eyes not meeting mine as her voice sinks. "Casey, what will do you in the arena? You already have River, who is willing to die, in order for you to get out of the games. What about Cato?"

And like her voice, goes my heart.

I can't help but feel all of my happiness drown into my present worries.

My head begins to pound at the thought.

He's a killer, but I'm not. He's trained for years, but I haven't.

He's here to win.

But me?

I'm not even sure what will happen to me.

Cato has always seemed intimidating to me. But what's changed? The fact that we kissed? I don't know where we stand at the moment, and I probably never will.

And like that, I remember Johanna's words to me from he train.

"Watch out for him. He could easily play you, and get you into the career pack. Don't listen to a word he says."

He could be tricking me.

This could be a part of his plan- one of which could involve Marvel. They would what? Butter me up, into being friends, or something more? Then what? I join the career pack, and get stabbed in the back the moment I trust them the most?

But what if I'm wrong? What if Cato and Marvel are actually good people, and don't have any part in Glimmer's plan to kill me?

I try my best to hold in my tears.

Because lately, the only thing I've been doing is crying.

"Oh, Case, please don't cry," Johanna begs, pulling me into her tight embrace.

"I can't help it, Jo," I cry, burying my face into her shoulder. "You're right. What does happen next?"

"That's for you to find out," She murmers. "Make mistakes, Casey. Live by your own rules."

"What if I'm wrong? What if they're out to get me?"

"Stop." Johanna pulls away from me, looking at my tear-stained face. "Stop crying And stop with the 'what if's,' becuase neither of those things will get you anywhere, okay?"

I nod slowly, wiping away my tears like a child.

"No more tears, got it?" She points a finger at me. "And no more pity parties. From now on, you do what you think is right, okay? No more second guesses or asking others for their opinions. This is all you."

I don't dare interrupt as she continues.

"Now, for the Cato thing. Like I said, do what you want. Not what River or Finnick or I want. We don't matter. You matter. And as for Marvel, bring him here after private sessions tomorrow. I'll meet Cato before interviews.

"And as for you and the games, I want you to follow your heart. Stay with River, but do what you want about the careers. Use them if you have to. Just make it out alive."

And then, she stands up. I watch silently as she exits my bedroom, giving me a small smile.

As the door shuts behind her, I can't help but frown again.

Today has been the longest day ever.

And as for my emotions?

I don't know what I'm going to do.

_______