𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙍𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉
—𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩—

     "𝙎𝙊 𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝘿𝙄𝘿 you do?" A voice questions as I step into the elevator. I jump slightly, surprised to see that Cato wasn't in his living quarters. I relax, though, and a bright smile falls onto my lips.

"I did pretty good," I shrug. "What about you?"

"I'll be getting a high score," He smirks, the doors closing behind me.

"Of course you will. Did you ever doubt it?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I was a little distracted," He replies, leaning on the wall as we begin to move up. "Your body guard had a talk with me after the sessions. He asked me why I was here, and not with Clove."

"What did you say?"

"I told him I was waiting on someone," He sighs. "I'm surprised he didn't throw a punch. I was waiting for a fight."

"Why can't you two just get along?" I roll my eyes. "I'm sure it'd be easy if you put in an effort."

"Don't roll your eyes," Cato clenches his jaw.

"Why?" I raise an eyebrow in amusement.

"I don't like it." He scowls in return.

So I roll my eyes again. And again. And again.

With a growl, Cato steps forward, and grabs my chin. I let out a giggle, before pecking his lips as the doors open.

"I'll see you on the roof after dinner."

I don't bother with waiting on a reply as I rush out, and into my living quarters with a bright smile on my face.

___♕___

"What's got you in a good mood?" Johanna asks as I step into the dining room. "Oh, wait, I think I know exactly why."

"Oh really?" I tilt my head to the side, grabbing a mini cinnamon roll from the table. "And the reason is...?"

"There was a certain someone snoring in your room this morning," She fakes confusion, furrowing her eyebrows. "And so I wondered... since when do you snore?"

My eyes widen as I pause, my cinnamon roll halfway in my mouth. "Hm?"

"So I opened the door, but I didn't see you," She crosses her arms over her chest. "The thing is, Cato was in your bed, and you were right next to him. He blocked my vision of you."

I don't reply, still eating as I chuckle nervously.

"Would you care to explain?"

"Well," I finish chewing, before sticking my hand in my pockets. "It's kind of a long story... but I promise we didn't do anything."

"Other than sleep on the same bed?" She questions.

"Yes," I confirm.

"I trust you, Casey," A smile tugs at the corner of her lips. And then it drops. "But we have a few things to talk about. The interviews for one."

"That's tommorow?"

"Yes, and River and Finnick are coming over tonight to discuss it. We have a few plans up our sleeve to get the two of you more sponsors."

"Actually, I promised Cato I would meet him at the roof tonight," I frown. "Do you think I can skip?"

"That's a definite no," She shakes her head. "But you can invite Cato, because I think it's time River finds out about this."

"Jo, I don't think that's the best idea," I argue. "River and Cato aren't on good terms at the moment."

"It's better than in the arena," She points out. "They can't do anything now, so it couldn't hurt to try. Maybe they could compromise for your safety."

"I don't think it will work." I state, walking into the open living room and slouching onto the couch. "The two of them are stubborn. And protective."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Not always. But it's a problem when Cato gets jealous."

"Well, I think we can prevent that, but we have to take precautions. That starts with telling River," She says. "You need to convince him that this is a good thing, though. We will still be playing a role in the interviews, and he's a key part."

"Could you explain to me what that plan is?" I frown. "I've been hearing about it for the past couple of days, but I never get any details. What 'role' is he supposed to be playing, and why am I a part of it?"

"Because it's vital that we get you out of the games," Jo smiles. "I'm not the only one that wants you to make it home."

"You honestly believe I could make it?" I ask.

"Of course." She says. "Now go to Cato's living quarters and bring him up here. Dinner is almost ready."

___♕___

"What the hell are you doing here?" Clove asks, staring down at me. "I thought Glimmer made it obvious that we hate you."

"I don't care," I shrug. "But I need to see Cato. So go get him."

"I don't have to comply with your orders," She scowls, tossing one of her braids behind her shoulder. "Leave."

"I said go get Cato," I repeat myself, not intimidated by her stance- even though she has four inches on me. "I need to see him."

"And I said no," She snaps.

"Did I stutter?" I clench my jaw. "Go get him, or I'll-"

"Casey, what are you doing here?" Cato asks, making an appearance behind Clove.

"Johanna told me to come and get you, but I had a few problems," I glower at Clove, hoping he gets the gist.

"What the hell, Clove?" Cato narrows his eyes.

"Why are you even talking to her?" Clove questions. "I thought we all agreed that she was useless, as well as her pathetic ally. We lost Aspen because he's lovesick over her."

"Aspen isn't lovesick for me," I roll my eyes. "He left me, remember?"

"Yeah, to protect you," Clove snorts, turning to face me. "Didn't he tell you? We found his intentions, and kicked him from the pack. He planned on killing us while we slept, then fleeing to find you."

"He told me he left," I furrow my eyebrows. "Why would he lie about that?"

"Why does anyone lie?" Clove retorts. "I think it'd be best if you leave. Cato isn't interested in going with you."

"Actually-" Cato interjects, but I cut him off.

"Who are you to make decisions for him?" I cross my arms over my chest. "Besides, he already agreed to meet me on the roof tonight."

"Nice lie," Clove smirks, leaning on the doorframe. "And I'd be convinced it was true, if Cato hadn't told me his plans."

I look up to Cato with a confused look. He doesn't meet my gaze, only staring at the floor as Clove begins to chuckle.

"I'm surprised none of us had thought of it before. You get attached to everyone so easily," Clove says. "We only heard about it this morning, after Cato arrived late to breakfast. Of course, with an explanation, Glimmer was ticked the most."

"But after Cato told her what he planned to do," Clove pauses, glancing up to Cato with a proud look, "I think we were all a little excited. You see, Cato planned for you to fall into a trap. For you to fall in love with him so easily, that in the arena you would be dependant on him, and fully trust him."

"And when you'd turn your back, River would mysteriously disappear, and Cato would be your only hope. It'd take a little bit for you to figure it out, but when you did, you'd freak. That would've been my personal favorite part."

"And after that- well, I think you know what would happen to you..." She trails off, nudging Cato. "But of course, now it can't happen. Too bad, it would've been nice to see it in action. But it's even better to watch you break as we take everyone away from you."

Clove turns, stepping back into their living quarters with a wicked grin. I look at Cato, expecting an excuse- hell, an explanation. But he keeps his lips sealed, and his eyes on the floor.

"So that's it?" I murmer, my voice coming out strangled. "Y-your intentions were to kill me?"

"Yes," His eyes finally meet mine, and he reaches for my hands. "But Casey, I got to know you. It was only the plan on the train, when we were watching the Reapings. After meeting you, I changed my mind. I couldn't do that to you."

"So seeing my mother screaming for me, and the fear in my eyes wasn't enough torture for you?" I raise an eyebrow, tears forming in my eyes. "Cato, I believed you. I let you in when I didn't trust anyone else."

"I already told you, I had no means to carry through with-"

"Yet you told the career pack and your district partner," My bottom lip trembles. "You planned of murdering me from the beginning- by doing something so cruel?"

"My family is dead, and I only have my mother," I don't allow him to say anything as I continue. "My brother and father died when I was younger, and it tore me apart. I still have nightmares- I wake up screaming for them to come back. And in the past few days, I lost one of the people I thought was my friend."

"And now, you think it's okay to play me?" I ask, choking back a sob as my tears flow freely. "That you can tell me you love me, and kiss me, and promise that you'd protect me, even when I had no hope in myself? You gave me the hope I needed, to get home to my best friend and mother."

"I would've been okay to die without anyone," I bite my bottom lip, and place my hand over my mouth as I sob. "But this is cruel. And I'd rather be tortured than be slaughtered by someone I thought had feelings for me, and someone who I gave my heart to."

I shove him away as he tries to comfort me, his eyes glossed with tears.

"You can win these games," I sniffle, trying to compose myself as I turn away, and step into the elevator. "But I hope that you live as a Victor with the guilt of my death."

And with that, the doors close, and I'm left to cry my heart out in the elevator.

_______