𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝙓
—𝘦𝘺𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳—

     𝙄 𝘿𝙊𝙉'𝙏 𝙎𝙋𝙀𝘼𝙆 as I stare at Aspen. Tears well up in my eyes, in which I blink them away, and look to the floor.

"Get out," I say harshly. "You made yourself clear at the Training Center, and I'm making myself clear now. Get. Out."

"Casey, I want to apologize for earlier," He says with sincerity. "I didn't mean-"

"You didn't mean what?" I ask, gritting my teeth. "You didn't mean to hurt me like that? To completely leave me behind when I counted on you?"

I stand from the bed, and walk over to the door.

"Save it, Aspen," I murmer, the tears no longer in my eyes. "We're done here."

And with that, I close the door, and lock it, hoping no one else would try and bother me for the rest of the miserable day.

___♕___

I wake up in the morning bright and early, to my dismay. But I didn't do it- Johanna was yelling at me from the other side of the door, and threatening to get Reena.

I only sighed in response, and hopped from my bed. I quickly put on my training outfit, before joining Reena, Johanna, and Finnick in the dining room. Reena had left soon after, though, for some unknown reason.

"Finally," Johanna chuckles. "It took you long enough."

I shrug, taking the seat across from her.

"I talked to River last night, and he agreed to the alliance with you," Finnick says to me, grabbing an apple from his plate. "You're set, sweetheart. He'll be up in a few minutes."

I glance to the floor, frowning as I do so.

If Glimmer were to hear about this new alliance, she would ruin it immediately, or at least try to. Maybe she'd even get Clove, or Cato to help her. I can only hope that she doesn't sway River as quickly as she did with Aspen.

"So, are you hearing about this Girl on Fire?" Johanna asks, tapping her fingers against the table.

"Unfortunately, I have," Finnick says, taking a bite from his apple. "How long do you think she'll last?"

"She's from District twelve," Johanna smirks. "She won't last long. And her District partner? He'll be the first one down."

I don't comment on their conversation, lost in my own thoughts of all the scenarios that could take place if Glimmer were to find out about my alliance.

I only look up when the elevator doors open, revealing a boy that I've never seen before. He stands tall, and very broad, with dark blue eyes. His dirty blonde hair is brushed to the side, framing his face.

His jaw line is incredibly sharp, to the point that it could cut someone.

I bite my lip, holding back a laugh.

"I see you're finally up," Finnick stands, pulling River over to the table. "River, this is Casey."

He grins, flashing his pearly whites as he holds out his hand. I glance at his hand, before looking back up to his face. I hesitantly place my hand in his, just as Aspen enters the dining room.

I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips as I stare up at River. He seems nice enough- and hopefully it's not just an act.

"Oh, Aspen, you're here," Johanna scratches the back of her neck. "You can head on down to the traning center. River and Casey are going to talk for a little bit."

"Actually, I need to talk to Casey," He says, his eyes darting to me.

"I don't think so," Finnick butts in. "You should go hang out with the careers. We're forming an alliance right now, and it'd be best to give them their privacy."

"Besides," I speak after Finnick. "You've made yourself clear on what you want. And I'm not here to fight with you over it."

River squeezes my hand, making me realize I haven't let go. Aspen's eyes flash wish hurt as he glances over River and I's intertwined hands.

I can only guess that Finnick told River about the incident with Aspen, especially at the glare he's sending in Aspen's direction.

"Just go," I murmer.

He doesn't reply as he heads over to the elevator, not looking back at us. And before I know it, Aspen's out of sight, and I can finally let out a sigh of relief.

Johanna mutters incoherent words under her breath, running her fingers through her hair. "I don't know what to do with that boy," She grumbles. "He's too much for even me to handle."

"Don't worry about him," Finnick waves it off. "Like Casey said— he made himself clear on what he wants. So let him have it. There's nothing we can do, except let him learn from his mistakes."

"He'll die, Finnick," Johanna rolls her eyes. "How will that teach him anything? To try and avoid back-stabbers? It'll be too late before he figures it out."

A pang runs through my chest.

Johanna's right. If Aspen goes through with this alliance, he'll get himself killed as soon as he turns his back. I'm mad at him, but I don't want him to die. Maybe later I could talk some sense into him- at least into backing out.

If not, I guess he deserves what he gets.

"Okay," Finnick claps his hands together. "You have ten minutes until training, so you'll have to leave soon. We just want to make something apparent before we let you leave."

"First," Johanna starts, "No leaving each other behind. It completely contradicts the point of forming this alliance. Stay together no matter what- especially what the careers say."

"Second, River, you need to stay near Casey," Finnick says. "She's had the inconvenience of running into Glimmer several times, and we wouldn't want that to happen again."

River nods at his mentor's words.

"Rule number three- ignore the careers at all costs. If they try to talk to you, I want you to walk away, without even making eye contact." Johanna says warrily. "They're not worth the time. And trust me when I say that they can be manipulative."

"I think we've covered everything," Finnick finishes, clicking a button to open the elevator. "We'll see you guys after training."

"Good luck, you'll need it."

___♕___

I step into the training center, River closely by my side. I ignore the confused looks that are sent my way, and move straight to the edible plants station. I greet Ansel with a grin, turning to River behind me.

"River, this is Ansel, my personal coach," I gesture to Ansel, a smile on my lips. "I figured you should practice on edible plants."

"Sure," He shrugs, stepping forward to converse with Ansel.

I look around me, examining the tributes carefully. Katniss, a girl that I only saw at the tribute parade, stands near her tribute partner at the painting station. The supposed Girl on Fire? I debate on whether or not I should walk over to them.

I shove away my thoughts, Johanna's words echoing in my head as I look back to River and Ansel.

No leaving each other behind. It completely contradicts the point of forming this alliance. Stay together no matter what.

I watch as River begins sorting the plants on the screen, going fairly quickly. He gets almost all of them right, including the Nightlock berries. I applaud him as he steps away, a proud smirk on his face.

I have to say— I'm getting fairly close to him. Even though we've only just met, I feel a stronger bond with him than I ever did with Aspen.

"Nice job," Ansel comments. "You're District four, right?"

"Yeah, I am." River replies.

"Keep an eye on her for me," Ansel nods his head in my direction. "I saw what happened last time."

"Trust me, she's fine with me," He tosses his arm over my shoulder. "See ya later, Ansel."

River and I then make our way to ropes section, where he shows off his major arm muscle. He easily gets through the course, hauling himself through all of the ropes.

I gasp as I wrap my hand around one of the ropes. How could he do this so quickly? I vaguely feel his presence behind me as I place my other hand and the rope. I jump from the platform, and keep my hands securely on the ropes as I pull myself forwards.

"Swing," River says from behind me, his hands flying to my waist as he pushes me upwards. "But move your arms as you go."

My waist tingles where his hands hold me. I push myself back onto the platform, and groan. I turn around to him, and begin to whine about my problems.

"River, you messed me up. I had it, I swear I did. But-"

It's then that I realize River isn't the person I'm talking to. River stands at the other end of the course, chatting with his District partner.

I glance up at the person I'm actually talking to, sucking in a deep breath as I do so.

No, I wasn't talking to River at all.

I was talking to Cato Hadley.

_______