𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙀𝙀
—𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘵—

     𝙄 𝙃𝙊𝙇𝘿 𝙈𝙔 breath, and bite my lip at the sight of Cato. The same blue eyes pierce my entire soal, as I stare directly into them. I stay frozen in my place, stiff as a board as I examine his shirt that fits perfectly on his shoulders and biceps.

"I didn't think you'd come," He says, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yet here you are."

I open my mouth slightly to say something, but close it again, and look to the floor. He steps away from the door, allowing me to exit the elevator. After doing so, it travels back down.

I play around with my fingers, acting interested, as Cato's gaze burns on my face. He stands right in front of me, earning my glance at the proximity of our closeness.

I consciously take a step back, and begin to talk quietly. "You wanted to apologize?"

"Yeah," He replies, almost as if he was being pulled from a daze. "Although I don't think I should be the one to do that. Glimmer was the one who insulted you."

"I wouldn't call it an insult," I murmer. "She was merely speaking her opinion. I understand, it's not a problem."

"I don't believe you." He states, his voice growing deeper. "You didn't take it too well, I know that for a fact. And you definitely have second thoughts about coming up here. Am I right?"

Once again, I open my mouth to talk, but close it again. Instead of answering, I look anywhere except at him. He chuckles a little, before talking again.

"I can see right through you." He crosses his arms over his chest, his biceps showing even more through his shirt.

"That's a surprise for me," I smile slightly. "Normally, I'm the one to voice my opinion through tight glances or shaking my head."

"You're a quiet one." He shrugs. "Keeping to yourself- I get it. Don't be afraid to open up to me."

I sit down on a stool that is placed on one side of the balcony table, and lean on it. I shake my head, before looking right back up to him.

"I don't think opening up would help," I speak softly. "It'll only get me hurt."

"Don't be afraid of me." He says, sitting on the stool across from me. "I promise I'm different than you think."

"I can't trust you," I roll my eyes, hoping not to be too rude. "You're a career. Like Glimmer said- you'll probably be the one to kill me. How am I supposed to open up to someone like you?"

"Because I'm asking you to." He says, clenching his jaw at a sudden wave of anger. "And don't believe everything Glimmer says."

"Why not?" I ask. "It's not like she's wrong."

"That's where you're mistaken." His voice grows louder, and his eyes storm over with a dark grey. My eyes widen, before I flinch, and scoot away from him.

"What's wrong with you?" I question quietly, staring into his dark eyes.

"Nothing." He says, pushing away from the table. He stands, and barrels toward the elevator. "Nice chat, Casey. But don't expect me to apologize again."

"Cato? What's happening to you?"

"Keep your nose to yourself," He says through gritted teeth.

He gets into the elevator, and presses a button. A little too quickly, the doors close, and Cato disappears behind them.

What just happened?

___♕___

"I think it's best if we have a curfew," Reena sighs, clasping her hands together as I sit at the dining room table the next morning. "It seems as though it's needed. Don't you think so, Johanna?"

"No," Johanna rolls her eyes, and sits across from me. "Reena, we can't control them. Now sit down, and eat something. Food soothes your cranky bones."

Reena hesitates for a moment, before taking the seat next to Johanna. An Avox lays a plate of breakfast in front of me, followed by a glass of orange juice. Aspen makes himself known by walking into the room, his eyes dull with sleepiness.

"Did I miss anything?" He asks, stretching in his training outfit.

When changing into my training outfit this morning, I almost wanted to hit someone. The leggings are the tightest things I've ever worn, and the shirt fits on every curve of my chest and waist. I had struggled with both, feeling self-conscious with every glance I took at myself in the mirror.

And now, looking at Aspen and how well his outfit looks on him, I can't help but sigh in disappointment. Why does everyone have to be so fit around here? I can only imagine what Glimmer will say when she sees me- I can only imagine the insults.

"The two of you look absolutely wonderful!" Reena comliments us. "Seemingly fit, and nicely crafted bodies, I see. Pure perfection, my lovelies!"

I shift in my chair, and shove my plate away from me. "Do you know when training starts?" I ask no one in particular, ignoring Reena's lies.

"About ten minutes," Johanna replies, motioning to the elevator. "Care to join me?"

"Not at all," I smile weakly, and follow behind her, knowing exactly why she wants me to join her.

The doors close behind us just as Aspen's eyes meet mine. I turn to Johanna, who has her arms folded across her chest, her eyes slightly narrowed at me.

"Where were you last night?" She asks loudly. I look to the floor, not wanting to answer her question.

Her jaw locks in place, before her voice growws even more stern. "Let me rephrase my question. Who were you with last night?"

If I were to comply, and answer, she would most likely disclaim me as one of her tributes. After all, she warned both Aspen and I to stay away from the careers, especially Cato. What would she think of me if she found out I disrespected her advice?

"I don't think it's a good idea to tell you the truth," I frown, my quiet and gentle tone seeping through my teeth. "You'd be mad. I don't want to risk it."

"For God's sake, Anica, just tell me," Johanna growls. I wince at the harshness of her words and tone.

A 'ding' sounds from the elevator, making a gasp of relief leave my lips.

"I'll see you later, Jo."

I jog away from the elevator, and straight to the Training Center. I stop to take a few breaths when reaching the doors, clutching at the door handle for support. Considering the fact that I've never trained before, I think I did pretty well for that run.

Back in District seven, I never really had any friends to train with, so I was never actually prepared for the Reapings or the games. My only real friend was Roman- a girl I have known since I was a toddler, but she didn't train either. Roman and I have been best friends since we met, and she always taken care of me and my family when we needed it.

I used to think that Roman and my brother had a thing for each other, and I would always tease the two about it. But, considering that I'm younger than both of them by two years, they didn't take my teasing into consideration. Roman only told me her true feelings for Alder, my big brothr, when it was too late.

After my father and brother died from collapsing trees in the forrest while lumberjacking, I went bazerk, along with my mother. I wasn't the same, and I definitely took it harder than anyone else did. I had locked everyone out for a solid ten days, not eating anything, and not seeing anyone.

The only thing I would accept was water, in which Roman specifically had to bring. Other than that, I was miserable. I went mute for a few months, not even shaking or nodding my head as an answer.

Alder had been my partner in crime. It was the two of us against the world, and our bond was stronger than anything I've ever known. With his departure, went my soal.

My father was my hero. He worked two jobs a day, just to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. I barely ever got to see him because of work, but when I did get to see him, it was amazing. He made my life worth all of the boring days that went by. And with his death, went my voice.

It's hard to say that I've gotten past them; it's been two years. I can't seem to let them go, even when I know it's easier to try and get past it. I can't. And I don't think I ever will.

Just thinking about dying in the arena scares me.

Not for my sake, but for my mother's. I'm the only family she has left, and I'm not sure how she would take it if I were to die. Roman would have an even bigger task: to keep my mother from going crazy, and to keep her own feelings in tact.

I know that- in a sense- I'm underestimating my mother and her capabilities of living without me. But really, she only has me. I'm terrified that- without me- she might lose her mind.

I open the door to the training center, shoving away my emotions and thoughts. Some eyes turn to me, while others stay focused on Atala. I look around the training center, my attention focused on the head training instructor. She motions me over to the circle of tributes that stand around her.

I comply, and take my first step, before being stopped by someone who steps in my path. I hold in a scowl, while looking up to the person who has blocked my way to the circle, only to take a step back.

"I believe we haven't met before," The boy smiles down at me. "I'm Marvel. Marvel Thorne."

I let out a gasp at his deep and intimidating voice, before looking to the floor.

"I-I have to go," I say quickly, before sprinting over to the circle of tributes. I stand next to Aspen, who has surprisingly gotten here before I did.

"Aspen, I'm not so sure making friends is for the best," I whisper. "Is it okay if I hang out with you for today?"

"Do you even have to ask?" The corners of his lips twitch into a soft smile, before he grabs my hand, and pulls me closer to him.

I sigh in relief, and relax as I lay my head on his shoulder comfortably. And as I wait for the rest of the tributes to arrive, I find myself looking around again.

And this time, two sets of eyes are on me.

Cato's and Marvel's.

_______