𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉
—𝘩𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵—

     "𝙒𝙃𝙔 𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙔𝙊𝙐 up here?" I question, being sure to keep my distance.

"I figured you'd be up here," Cato replies with a weak smile. "And I've been wanting to apologize."

"Don't," I roll my eyes. "I don't want to hear your apologies, or an excuse. Keep your words to yourself, and stay away from me."

"I only want you to know the truth, at least before you hate me," He moves closer, standing right in front of me. "It wasn't my idea to play you like that-"

"Was it Glimmer, then?" I chuckle darkly, shaking my head. "Why should I believe you? Cato, you've already lied to me."

"Because I promise that I would never hurt you like that," He states, a pleading look falling onto his face. "I had to make up something so Clove and Glimmer wouldn't get suspicious. And Marvel was the only one that knew about us, so-"

"So Marvel helped you make it up," I finish for him in a whisper, before turning my back to Cato. "I still don't believe you."

"You don't have to," He steps to the railing, standing beside me. "But you have to know that I wouldn't hurt you. And tommorow, when everything is said and done, I won't hurt you. That's a promise."

Instead of responding, I stare from the balcony, ignoring his glance that falls on my expressionless face. I stay silent for a moment, before catching his gaze.

"So everything that Clove said- it was fake? It was a scam to cover up our . . . relationship?" I murmer, raising an eyebrow.

"Did you really think I'd betray you?" He asks, looking slightly hurt as I nod.

"Where do we stand, Cato?" I ask, running my fingers through my hair. "Because you've confused me beyond belief, and now River is convincing me that his feelings are genuine. That he and Aspen are dedicated to staying with me."

"First, you need to forgive me," Cato grins. "And then, tommorow, you stay with me instead of going with them."

"Can I trust you this time?" I question, raising an eyebrow as I lean on the railing. "Do you promise you won't stab me in the back?"

"I promise," He says, taking my pinkie in his. "So you'll ditch Lake and Axel tomorrow?"

"No," I roll my eyes, ignoring his lame attempts on their names. "Cato, I'm staying true to my alliances. Even the one with Peeta and Katniss."

"Your ally is fire girl and lover boy?" Cato asks incredulously.

"Peeta was there for me when I needed it the most," I smile. "So yes, they are my allies."

"Why don't you just come with me?" He sighs.

"Because I've already promised these people that I'd stick by them. I won't take back my word, especially in this situation. I'm staying with them, Cato."

"I can protect you," He argues. "Don't you trust me?"

"I do, but I can't abandon them! Not now!" I throw my hands in the air.

"Don't do that, don't be upset," Cato groans, running his hand through his hair. "I understand, I just don't want to take any chances."

"Then check on me," I suggest. "After the bloodbath, find me. And every night, you can make an excuse so that you and Marvel can check up on us."

"I'd prefer keeping my eyes on you at all times, but I guess that'll do," He caves, wrapping his arms around my waist. "As long as you tell me there's nothing between you and Creek."

"His name is River," I frown. "And I can't say that . . . because we kissed earlier."

Cato's eyes grow dark, and his grip on me intensifies. His jaw clenches as his anger flares, and I can tell I'm in for it.

"You kissed?"

"Cato, it was in the heat of the moment-"

"You let him kiss you?"

"I didn't mean anything, I swear-"

"WHY?"

"Please let go," I beg, shoving away from his chest as his hands tighten on my waist. "Cato, please, you're hurting me!"

"I'm going to kill him!"

"Please!" I cry, slamming my fists against his chest. "Cato, calm down! Please, I can't breathe!"

And suddenly, his eyes soften, and his grip loosens. I breathe out a sigh of relief, supporting myself on the railing in front of me. I touch my hip, wincing as a pain erupts from the spot.

"I'm sorry," Cato apologizes, his face sincere as he stares down at me. "I'm just- jealous, I guess. I understand why you . . . "

"It was in the heat of the moment," I promise as I look into his eyes. "I thought I was over you, I tried to force myself away from you. But look where it got me."

"You drove me crazy," Cato says softly, placing his hands on either side of my face. "I couldn't sleep knowing you hated me- knowing that I betrayed your trust. I'll do anything to make it up to you. Anything."

"Anything?" I raise an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips as he nods. "Kiss me."

Cato smirks, immediately leaning in, his lips captured in mine. I lace my fingers in his hair, his arms wrapping around my waist to pull me closer. Butterflies erupt in my stomach, rampaging the way they did the last time Cato and I kissed.

Cato deepens the kiss, shoving me against the wall. He groans as I tug on his hair softly. Unfortunately, I had to pull away for air, gasping to catch my breath. Cato chuckles, laying his forehead on mine.

"Let me stay with you tonight," He says, running his thumb over my bottom lip. I sigh, nodding slightly.

"Okay," I grab his hand, leading him over to the door. "But you have to be quiet. Aspen and Johanna would kill you."

"Sure they would," He snorts.

___♕___

"Case, don't look so worried," Johanna says as I stand from my seat. "You have another hour before you get into the arena. You'll be fine."

"I don't feel fine," I groan. "I feel like I just crawled out of a dumpster. Do I look like it, too?"

"No," Johanna says, glancing over my face. "Actually, you look well-rested. You're not as pale as you have been these past few days."

"I guess I slept better last night," I say casually, trying to hide my smile.

"Looks like it." Johanna stands too, nodding in Aspen's direction. "Come on, we have to get you two to the hovercraft."

"Are we taking separate hovercrafts?" Aspen asks, securing his jacket. I do the same, snapping the middle clip in place. "Or does everyone take the same one?"

"Casey is on craft one, you're on two," Johanna sighs as she steps into the elevator with us following suitly. "So, no, you aren't taking the same one. River is on two, along with Peeta, Marvel, and Katniss. You're on your own, Case."

My face falls as I lean on the elevator wall. "You've got to be kidding me. None?"

"All your allies may be on two," Johanna frowns. "But that doesn't mean you'll be far from all of them in the arena. It's a random order, Casey. You have nothing to worry about. I promise."

"I hope so," I mutter. "No allies isn't the best thing to happen to me today."

"Unfortunately, Cato is on your craft," She informs me. "So are Glimmer and Clove. But whatever you do, don't make any contact. The best thing for you will be to stay as  far away from them as possible."

"But don't they have assigned seats?"

"Hopefully you don't get seated near any of them," She lets out a big breath as the doors open. "Lets go."

She leads up down two hallways, coming to a stop when we reach a set of double doors. There, we exit the building, stepping out into the bright morning light. My eyes immediately dart to the two hovercrafts that rest side by side.

My heart drops in my chest, realizing that I'm going to be alone in a hovercraft with Clove and Glimmer.

"And this," Johanna starts, turning to face us. "This is where I leave you."

As if it were possible, my heart drops even more. "You're leaving us?"

"I have to," She smiles weakly. "I'm not allowed to see you off- that's your stylists. I say goodbye here."

"Thank you," Aspen says. "You helped a lot."

"Some advice for the games," She rolls her eyes at him. "Don't be an asshole. Protect Casey, and please don't hurt her again. If you do, I'll make sure River kicks your ass."

"Can do," He nods, glancing over at me. "I'll see you in the arena, Case."

"Bye," I say softly, my eyes still on Johanna as he walks away. "I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want to leave."

"You have to. You have to win this, Casey. There's no more crying, or running away," She says. "You have to be strong for yourself. Don't you want to get home?"

"Of course I do!" I rush out, my eyes filling with tears. "But I-I can't. What if I'm not as strong as you think? I can die, Jo!"

"But you won't," She assures me, taking my hands in hers. "Because we both know Cato won't let that happen, either."

"How-?" I gasp, my tears finally flowing evenly.

"You can't keep things from me," Johanna shrugs. "The point is- he loves you. If he came back, he couldn't stand the distance. I think . . . I think he's a keeper."

"Thank you," I smile genuinely, staring up at her. "It means a lot to me, because I-I-"

"Because you love him, too," She finishes, nodding. "I know, hun. He'd die for me, and I think I see that now. Just be careful, okay? Don't throw yourself in front of him."

"I-"

"Promise me," She demands. "Promise me you won't risk yourself to save him."

"I promise," I murmer, wiping away my tears.

"Oh, hun," She frowns, pulling me in for a hug. "Don't get emotional. I'll see you after the games, okay?"

"I love you, Jo," I say into her shoulder, my bottom lip trembling as I close my eyes. "You've been so much help to me. I'll miss you."

"I love you, too," She pulls away, tears of her own falling from her eyes as she moves a pieces of hair from my eyes. "Now go get 'em, Case. I'll throw a huge party when you get back."

I nod, giving her a smile as I finally turn. I take one last glance at the tribute building, then at Johanna, before I walk to the hovercraft.

I was definitely going to die.

_______