CHAPTER 23
A SLIVER OF ATTENTION

BEX'S head hurt with the number of responsibilities piling down on her. Not only did she now have Plutarch Heavensbee breathing down her neck, but she also had to deal with Johanna's wrath.

The mentor berated both Nico and Bex as soon as they returned from Plutarch's meeting. She demanded to know their roster for possible for allies, and in a way, Bex understood her persistence. They had put off telling her for too long. Bex and Nico were older than Johanna, but they cowered in fear at her questions. After Bex revealed their list of allies, Johanna almost erupted. She really didn't give her much to work with, considering that both tributes wanted to work with Mags and Finick, as well as the pair from District Three, Cecelia, and Katniss.

Johanna didn't like any of them, except Finnick and Katniss.

She left the living quarters angry, heading down to speak with the other mentors about forging alliances. Bex and Nico didn't see her for the rest of the night.

It was the third day of training. Private sessions began strictly at two PM. Usually, Gamemakers would schedule private sessions the next day, but seeing as all of the tributes were past Victors, they were done being lenient. They only had a few hours before they were judged.

Almost all of the tributes were stationed in the gym, except for the Careers. They decided, yet again, they were too good for this. But Bex wasn't going to pay attention to anyone else now. She had much bigger problems to face, and it all came back to the Gamemaker that was watching her like a hawk from his apartment over the gymnasium. Bex swallowed hard when she met his eyes, and then separated from Nico at the entrance, heading for the camouflage station.

Bex figured that her best distraction would be getting to work, blocking everyone out. Visiting empty stations like camouflage, edible plants and insects. Even knot-tying still helped for whatever deadly arena Snow had planned for them. Plus, she could avoid other Victors. Not even Finnick approached her as Bex began to study the paint coating her arm, wondering if it would pass enough for tree bark.

I promise that I will help you, Bex Nassar. Plutarch's voice was a solid echo on the walls of her mind. I swear to you I will. I swear on my life.

Bex almost broke the paintbrush in two. She was gripping it so hard that her hand went numb. A sigh escaped her mouth, and she looked back at the Gamemaker chatting away upstairs. She couldn't believe she was willing to truth another Capitol elite. His plan was almost too good to be true – whatever kind of plan he truly had. Plutarch didn't reveal much. He promised he would end the Games, but how could any of them be so sure? Gamemakers always had a few tricks up their sleeves. Perhaps he was trying to psych her out.

But then, Bex remembered the kindness in his eyes. She remembered the way he spoke ill of the Capitol, the way he pointed out her fake smile in the middle of a gala. There was something about him that was different. And it gave her hope, despite how deadly that may be.

Once two PM rolled around, the tributes were promptly escorted to a waiting room. The Career pack was already waiting there for them, as if they were tardy. Enobaria flashed her pointed teeth when the group walked into the room. Bex grimaced and sat back in her assigned seat, Nico plopping right beside her. The waiting room hadn't changed: same gray walls, same uncomfortable chairs. They were going to be here forever.

Gloss was called in first. He scanned the room and sent a wicked smirk towards the rest of the Victors before walking into his private session. Bex noticed Nico's leg was bouncing like crazy, similar to Plutarch's nervous tick in their meeting yesterday. She swallowed hard, keeping her stare on her hands. They were shaking. Bex didn't pay any attention to Katniss throughout the day, and she definitely wasn't going to start now. Thoughts of revolution played through her head, accompanied by an image of Katniss at the front of an army, leading the pack.

The morphlings from District Six sat on Bex's left. She could hear them breathing heavily through their noses, trying to choke down whatever was coming up their throats.

Cashmere was called, and then Brutus, and then Enobaria. Beetee was called three times before he was forcefully escorted in.

Bex felt eyes on her. When she lifted her head, she noticed Finnick looking over his shoulder. His lips curled into a smirk, even when Bex looked away. She wondered if he was working with Plutarch too.

The room was so quiet. Some groups were having conversations, but Bex blocked them out. She could only hear her own breathing until Nico's name was called. She viewed up as he got to his feet, sending him a warm smile, one he knew was fake. He withdrew a long breath before heading inside the gym.

Now Bex's leg was bouncing.

It felt like hours before her name was called. She was starting to get worried, and then that unenthusiastic voice boomed through the speakers.

"District Seven: Bex Nassar. Report for individual assessment."

Bile rose in her throat. Bex shoved it down and she stood up, flexing her hands in and out. Katniss' stare was burning into her as she made her way to the entrance. A Peacekeeper opened the door for her, and she didn't give him an inkling of her attention. Instead, Bex turned her head. She met Katniss Everdeen's eyes, situated at the back of the room. Bex's heart hammered in her chest as the door closed behind her.

More Peacekeepers were lining the gymnasium as she entered. Nico was heading into an exit at the end of the room when she stepped inside. They made eye contact before he left. Bex studied the Peacekeepers around the room, assisted by trainers in their customary uniforms. She gnawed on the inside of her cheek and lifted her head towards the apartment of Gamemakers. For the first time, all their eyes were fixated on her. She fidgeted with one of the belt loops on her pants.

"Bex Nassar," she introduced. "District Seven."

Plutarch smiled. "Miss Nassar, you have ten minutes to present your chosen skill."

Bex stared at him for a long while, analyzing his every move. He was fiddling with his rings now. She wondered if that was another nervous habit, but his stance remained calm. How could he stand there with all those other Gamemakers and pretend that he was on their side? Did whatever training he had for this position teach him how to expertly lie?

For a second, she couldn't blame him. The Capitol had made her into a professional liar as well.

"Miss Nassar," Plutarch called again. "Are you ready?"

Bex decided not to answer. Instead, she made her way over to the axe station and approached the weapon rack. Her hands were still shaking. She reached out, debating which one she wanted to take. Chatter resonated from the Gamemaker apartment, but Bex didn't let it distract her as she picked the heaviest axe, the one with the largest blade. She walked to the simulation booth. Katniss used this when she put on a show with her archery skills on the first training day, displaying her quick reflexes as she took down the holographic targets. Bex hoped to accomplish the same thing today with her axe.

She tapped on the console before the booth and set a specified amount of targets. This tech was fairly new. She certainly didn't have it during her Games. Her finger hovered over the start button before her train of thought was interrupted by laughing.

Her body jolted with nerves. The axe almost slipped from her fingers when she heard the thundering hysterics behind her. She turned and ogled the Gamemakers. They were talking again, acting as if she didn't exist. Even Plutarch's back was turned. Her face heated with anger.

They might have a forcefield keeping them protected, due to Katniss' actions last year, but there were surely other ways to get their attention.

"HEY!" She hollered, waving her hands in the air.

The Gamemakers abruptly looked her way. Plutarch turned with a casual smile, as if he was expecting her to do that.

"I would appreciate it if I could have just a sliver of your attention," she finished, spinning back to the console and hitting start. Plutarch nodded in her direction before she entered the simulation booth.

Bex stood in the middle of the booth, stepping on top of the light-up plate. Once her feet hit the platform, the lights around her dimmed. Thin lines of gold surrounded the room and overlapped each other. They moved slightly, sensing her position. She turned her head at the right time.

A brightly-lit hologram began charging in her direction, holding up a spear. Bex dodged their weapon, and when they were in close enough distance, she swung her axe. Their head snapped off and the hologram fizzled out.

Another one rose from the opposite end of the room, holding a bow and arrow. They shot once. She sliced the arrow in half with her weapon. The target crept closer, so Bex stepped to the edge of the platform, sinking her axe in their gut.

A flash of light caught her eye. Bex looked up and saw a hologram running across the rafters of the booth. They held a sword. She had to wait until they were close enough; this axe wasn't meant for throwing at a distance. But then, the target jumped on the plate, right in front of her. Bex gasped as they swung the sword, and she ducked down. She sliced through their leg, which brought them to their knees. Once she was on her feet again, the hologram attempted to swipe at her again. She ended them with a swift cut across the neck.

She took down another. And another. And even more. One challenged her with an axe similar to her own, but she killed them easily. Bex avoided spears thrown at her, escaped the deadly strike of a sword, even cut through arrows. Each target fizzled into a group of cubes at her feet.

Sweat coated her brow as the last target sent a knife in her direction. Bex took a daring approach and hurtled her axe in the hologram's direction. The axe wedged itself in the target's gut, and it crumbled into tiny cubes before flickering out.

Every light burned out. Bex released a shuddering breath and grabbed the axe. The door slid open and she walked out of the booth with her head held high. The Gamemakers couldn't look away, and for once, she was happy about it. Bex licked at her chapped lips and stood before them in the center of the gym.

The axe clattered at her feet. She didn't dare pick it up. Bex simply bowed, lowering her head but never looking away from the Head Gamemaker. He smiled.

She walked out before she could regret her decision.

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Bex remembered how nervous she was to receive her training scores during her first Games. Her whole body had been vibrating with anxiety. She constantly repeated in her head what she could've done better. Back then, she wasn't as handy with an axe as she was now, despite her prior practice. She wasn't a killer yet. Just a bitter teenager from District Seven that cut wood to keep her family alive.

At the time, she received a score of six for her individual session. Not a great score, but one Blight said they could work with. She still won those Games. And now, he was dead.

Bex was feeling the same kind of concern now, but for a much different reason. She wasn't the same person she was back then. She wasn't nervous because of her lack of skill or ruthlessness. Quite simply, Bex didn't know if her outburst would cause any repercussions. Not just with her training score, but her agreement with Plutarch too. But the training score was the main subject weighing down on her shoulders. She couldn't help but think about it, regretting even opening her big mouth in the first place.

But she received a six once, and then won. Scoring does not always matter.

Although, it certainly might affect her chance for sponsors.

She glanced at Nico, who sat beside her on the couch, as the Capitol insignia appeared on the TV projection. They hadn't talked about their private sessions. She hadn't even told Phoenix. The entire afternoon was kept a mystery, and Bex wondered if it was better off that way. She'd keep her lips sealed until the outburst was mentioned. But still ... she couldn't help wonder what Nico did.

Speaking of outbursts, it was then that Bex noticed Johanna was nowhere to be found.

Phoenix patted her leg, bringing her attention back to him. A warm smile graced his lips. He could obviously see her hands were trembling, so she hid them underneath her legs before turning back to the TV. "Quiet, quiet!" Iliana yelled, scrambling to get to her seat. Her group of assistants waited behind the couch as Caesar Flickerman appeared on the projection.

Both Nico and Bex rolled their eyes.

After a longwinded speech detailing his excitement for the upcoming Quarter Quell, Caesar finally got into what they've been waiting for: "As you know, tributes were rated on a scale of one to twelve after three days of careful evaluation. The Gamemakers would like to acknowledge that this year's tributes are exceptional not just because they are all Victors, but they each have a rare, singular skill that has carried on from their original Games to now. Let's begin."

Caesar switched through the cards in his hands as images of tributes appeared on the screen behind him. "From District One, Gloss Pulchra. A score of ten. Also from District One, Cashmere Pulchra. A score of nine ..."

Iliana whipped out a paper fan and waved it in front of herself. "Prissy, little blonde."

The rest of the team turned to stare at her as Caesar continued on with the scores. Iliana raised a brow. "What? I can hate whoever I want, even if they are a Capitol favorite."

"Didn't think you had it in you to hate someone," Phoenix grinned, squeezing her hand. "But I do find it funny that the one that grinds your gears is a 'prissy, little blonde.'"

Iliana rolled her eyes, despite the small smile on her lips.

When they all turned back to the TV, Caesar had already reached District Four: "Finnick Odair. A score of eleven."

Bex leaned forward and rested her chin on her fists. Of course.

"From District Four, Mags Flanagan. A score of five."

They waited in agony for a few more minutes until Caesar finally grinned, as if he were looking right at them through the screen. "From District Seven, Nico Cadoc."

Nico leaned forward.

"A score of –" Caesar flipped a card. "– Eight."

Phoenix reached over Bex to shake Nico's shoulder. Iliana lifted her hands and clapped, "Fine job, Nico. Fine job."

Her assistants shushed the entire room as Caesar continued, dark eyes burning into the camera. They almost matched his semi-permanent, dark blue hair. The living room went silent once again.

"Also from District Seven, Bex Nassar. A score of ..."

Bex held her breath.

Caesar flashed his big smile, "Ten."

Ten? She blinked twice. How does someone go from a score of six to a ten?

"Yes!" Phoenix shouted, throwing his hands up. Iliana clapped again, along with her assistants, as Phoenix stood and shut off the television. "Well done, you two. That will surely get you some sponsors."

"Most definitely," Iliana agreed. "A score of ten ... I can't believe just a few years ago, you were crying about receiving a six. Hard work always pays off, especially for our two champions."

Phoenix waved people over. "I believe a congratulations is in order. Let's have a toast!"

At his call, two Avoxes came rushing over with flutes of champagne. Bex swallowed hard as she took in Angelo's distant stare. He avoided her at all costs, and Bex had to reach for her own glass off his tray.

She needed to talk to him soon. Just not today.

Once everyone had a glass, Phoenix raised his own and exclaimed, "To our champions, Nico and Bex."

"May the odds be ever in your favor," Iliana added in her cheery voice.

Bex's lips formed into a tight smile as they all clinked their glasses together, savoring the bubbly drink. It was pretty hard to enjoy the moment while her-crush-turned-Avox was in the room, but Bex did her best to act like everything was completely normal, as if Angelo didn't exist. She downed more of the alcohol and hoped it would make her forget about him. Sadly, champagne didn't grant miracles.

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Johanna sauntered in and grabbed a flute from an Avox passing by. She looked calm, but a little out of breath. Iliana turned to glare at her over her shoulder, exclaiming, "You missed the scoring! Some mentor you are."

"Oh, I heard the scoring," Johanna quipped, "but I think I might've also just scored our team something great."

Her eyes glinted with mischief. Bex cocked her head. She didn't like this look one bit.

Johanna finished off the rest of the champagne in her glass and placed it on the coffee table. She stood up straighter, pointing at one person in particular. "Bex, come and talk with me."

After sending Nico an unwary glance, Bex stood and followed Johanna into her bedroom. She shut the door once Bex walked into the room, which didn't comfort her at all. Johanna's mouth formed into a sly grin. Bex turned, arms crossed over her chest, and sighed, "Seriously, Johanna, if you want to be a good mentor you have to keep track of the tributes' private session scores."

"Can you just be quiet?" Johanna scoffed. Her face was half-covered by the darkness of the room. She reached over and yanked a light on. "I really did something great here."

Bex rolled her eyes, but her lips were sealed shut. She waited for Johanna to continue with an impatient tapping of her foot.

"Alright," the mentor grinned, "so we all know how gullible the Capitol people can be ..."

Bex nodded along with her.

Johanna played up the dramatics with her hands, walking around Bex like a predator with its prey. "They love mystery, they love romance – they want a story. The star-crossed lovers plot has worked well in the past. I mean, it helped Katniss Everdeen and her boy-toy survive, right? For at least a little while?" She paused and snapped in Bex's direction. The other girl flinched. "But what if we changed it up?"

Suddenly, Bex's top lip curled in disgust. Not just at the plan Johanna had concocted, but with who she wanted to involve in it. "Um ... I am not pretending to be in love Nico." She stuck her tongue out with revulsion. Johanna pinched the bridge of her nose. "He's more than a decade older than me! Not going to happen. Nobody would believe it anyway."

"I'm not talking about Nico! Think deeper." She brushed the tip of her finger on Bex's forehead.

Bex still wasn't getting it. Her brows crossed.

"Fine. I'll make it simpler for you. How much more star-crossed can you get than two tributes falling in love –" Her lips curled into a sickly-sweet grin. "– From different Districts."

Realization dawned on her then, relaxing her features. Bex's lips parted, but she didn't speak. She couldn't speak for a solid minute. Her face was plastered with shock and Johanna waited for an answer while waving her hands in the air.

Finally, Bex uttered one word only, "No –"

"Yes," Johanna replied quickly, her tone slightly mocking. "You and Finnick Odair are going to be the talk of the town. Get ready to be in love with the Capitol's Golden Boy, Bex Nassar."

Lifting a hand to her head, Bex rubbed at her temples. She felt sick and woozy. Was the room spinning or was she just imagining it? She hadn't fainted in a long time. Probably since her first Games, after the first day in the arena, where she recounted all the bloodshed she witnessed and passed out at the mere memory. She only fainted in times of sheer panic, where she couldn't balance reality and the choices she's made.

"I've already cleared it with the District Four team," Johanna continued. "I've mentioned it as a rumor to sponsors and they're already eating it up. Caesar Flickerman should know by now. We'll be making the big reveal tomorrow."

The room was definitely spinning now, twirling across her vision, bobbing from side-to-side. Bex was sure her eyes were crossed at this point. Her breathing was erratic. She started to sweat profusely. Her mentor's voice began to fade away.

Johanna placed her hands on her hips. "It's not like you two don't know each other at all. Don't freak out, Bex. Just play up the smiles and especially, the flirtation in your interview tomorrow and –"

Bex collapsed before she could finish.

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A/N: I've been building up to this for what feels like soooooo long and I'm so excited to get to this point! the star-crossed lovers plot is overused, I know – especially since it was hyped so much by katniss and peeta. but star-crossed lovers from different districts who have some history.............DELICIOUS 😋 it's gonna make for some goooood angst