𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝙓𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉
—𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮—

     "𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙉𝙀𝙓𝙏, 𝙒𝙀 have the tribute of the night— the girl we've all been waiting for. Miss Casey Jackson!"

I'm whisked onto the stage by one of the directors. My palms are sweaty as I step into the bright lights, but I still manage a confident smile. A wave of screams washes over the Capitol citizens, as well as a feeling of dread spreading through my chest with every step I take.

I curse Cato and River with everything in me as I take my place next to Caesar, holding onto my smile.

"My, my, we've heard much about you," Caesar chuckles lightly, placing his hand on mine. "Now tell me, however did you manage to score an eleven during your private sessions?"

"I would tell you, but it's a surprise," I say without hesitation. "You'll have to wait until tommorow for that."

"Is there any confidence in you?"

"Of course," I nod, playing of Johanna's advice. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve that no one will be expecting."

"Now you've got me interested!" He laughs again, along with the crowd in front of us. "But there is one topic that we must discuss, as everyone here is dying to know."

"And what might that be?" I tease, secretly holding back the urge to sprint from the stage to look for Johanna.

"On two separate accounts, we've heard that you are quite the lovely lady. And I have to say, you look beautiful," He states with a grin. "But can you explain what is going on between you and the other tributes?"

"I get along with them well, I believe," I say simply, overlooking his compliment. "I have to keep an eye out for the others. I think there is some competition here."

"And Cato and River?"

"I don't know," I pause, biting my lip. "I haven't quite figured out my feelings for either of them."

Gasps erupt from in front of us, along with a few different people yelling out the names of Cato and River.

"From what they recently said, you have more protection in the arena than what you bargained for. Can you delve a little deeper into that?"

"Well, I certainly didn't expect the amount of alliances that have been offered to me. Let alone the ones that I actually accepted, or chose myself."

"Who are your alliances for the time being?" He raises an eyebrow.

"That's another surprise," I wink. "You may be shocked, to say the least."

"And I look forward to seeing it," He stands with a smile, kissing my hand. "Casey Jackson!"

I wave to the crowd of screaming adults, before rushing backstage. I freeze as the doors open, scanning the arguing Cato, River, Aspen, and Marvel. They turn to me, all holding different expressions.

I shake my head once, shuffling past them as Cato reaches for me. And without another glance, I step onto the elevator, and leave them all behind.

___♕___

"You did great, Casey," Johanna smiles weakly. "You handled yourself well."

"Yeah, despite the fact that two boys admitted their live for me over live television," I roll my eyes, bringing my knees to my chest. "Oh, and thanks for telling me that River was going to drop a bomb. I was so prepared to tell Caesar about everything that's happened the past few days."

"We had to wait for the right time." She states with a sigh. "I would've told you, but I knew how you felt about Cato. Telling you would've ruined your relationship."

"He already did."

"I know," She frowns. "What he did was bullshit. I'll tell you- I didn't see it coming. And I don't know whether or not to believe anything he says."

"I don't care about what he says," I shrug. "It doesn't change what he did."

"What about River?" She raises an eyebrow. "How are you coping?"

"I'm freaking out," I bite my lip. "How am I supposed to react? Was that fake or real?"

"Hun, that was pure reality," Johanna chuckles. "I suggested waiting to tell you, even though he disagreed. He wanted to tell you the moment he realized his feelings for you."

"And that was . . . ?"

"Right after he met you. You had him hooked from the start, love. It was so adorable, Case. He was so happy."

"That scares me," I murmer, fidgeting with my fingers. "I don't want to hurt him, or anyone else for that matter."

"How could you hurt him?"

"Rejection," I say, as if the answer were obvious. I finally look up to meet her intense gaze, feeling slightly intimidated. "Or him finding out that I was seeing Cato behind his back. Or me dying in front of him."

"He wouldn't let you die. You know that, right?" Johanna raises an eyebrow. "I thought he already made that clear."

"Obviously it wasn't clear enough," I snort. "I just- I think I need to get some sleep before I can make a decision."

"Casey, snap out of it!" Johanna snaps, running a hand down her face. "The games are tommorow, you don't have any more time! What's done is done, and you must make your decisions before it's too late."

The oxygen drains from my lungs as I slump onto the couch in realization. Of course Johanna was right- today was my last day, and it's almost over.

"B-but I didn't have enough time," I stutter, placing a hand over my mouth as my eyes begin to water. "I haven't gotten to-"

The door bursts open, revealing a stressed River. His eyes soften at the sight of me, only for him to close the door behind him, and rush over. He kneels down in front of me, taking my face in his hands.

"Hey," He says as I cry, trying to get my attention. "Hey, Case, it's okay. I promise everything will be fine, please stop crying. We need to talk."

"I can't," I shake my head. "Cato's going to kill me tommorow! Literally! What am I supposed to do?"

"Aspen and I have your back," He promises, brushing away my tears with his thumb. "Just please listen to me, okay?"

"But-"

"I already talked to Aspen, and he's agreed that we need to work together to keep you alive," River speaks softly, Johanna smiling behind him. "Even with the careers out for you, we can stick with Peeta and Katniss. I talked to them, too. Peeta seemed quite upset after seeing you storm out like that- he went straight to me.

"He's got your back, Case. And Katniss has his. And hell, who knows? We might just be able to pull this off, even against Cato and his shitty group of rejects," River chuckles.

"Marvel," I murmer, suddenly remembering the boy. "I want Marvel. Can we-?"

"I talked to him, too. He'll ditch the careers if they come after you," He smiles. "Trust me, I know your friends, Case. I know more than you think I do."

"You mean you knew about Cato?" I ask, my jaw ajar.

"Why did you think I was so calm when you told me?" He raises a brow. "I see the way he looks at you- just like I do. And even though I hated it, I wanted you to be happy. I saw the way you looked at him."

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you," I frown suddenly. "It wasn't even supposed to happen. I didn't expect it, and he didn't either. I just- he made me feel whole again."

"I'm here for you, and I always will be," He stares deep into my eyes, his voice growing softer. "Even if he's the one you choose."

"He's not what I want anymore," I state, placing my hands over his.

And that's all it took for his lips to crash onto mine, and for Johanna to completely lose her ever-loving mind.

And of course I saw Finnick and Aspen lurking in the background with their lips twitched up into a smile.

___♕___

I step onto the balcony, the midnight breeze hitting my face. I breathe heavily as I step up to the railing, placing my hands on it steadily. Glancing down at the city lights and cheering people, I can't help but wish I was in a dream.

That none of this was real, and I was back in District seven with my mother. And that my brother and father weren't actually gone. Because things back then were so simple- before the accident, and before the reaping.

But I can't change any of that.

The door to the balcony opens behind me, allowing the inside light to travel onto the tile floor. Suspecting River, I continue staring at the lights, lost in thought.

The door closes, and a slow set of footsteps near me. And when a familiar voice speaks, my heart drops in my chest.

"Casey."

"Cato."

_______