UPHILL BATTLE (Cato)

Six: I'll have you know, this is a strawberry smoothie!

The next day was melancholy. Jenny sighed frequently over breakfast. Jackson barely looked up from his cereal. Even Aemilia wasn't quite as bubbly as usual.

Ben, of course, was as bad-tempered as always. He was ignoring everybody, however, rather than just me. This mood was to be expected, really, as we would both be going into the arena today. I wore simple clothes, a pale grey top and blueish grey joggers.

Ben was in similar clothes, navy trousers and a white shirt. The mentors were in casual outfits, Jenny wearing a light blue jumper and darker blue jeans, and Jackson in a grey shirt and black trousers.

Aemilia, had decided on a ridiculous silver dress, with a lot of ruffles, and blue hair, along with a blue sash and blue heels. A simple outfit, really, for someone like her.

Jenny got up with a sigh. She looked at me, "Its time. Look. I'm going to do everything I can to try and get you out of that arena alive."

My stomach dropped, but I got to my feet along with Ben, who grimaced. As I walked past Aemilia, she touched my arm and said, "Good luck, Honey.." I smiled sadly in response.

"Come on, Rhea." Jenny said, putting her hand on my shoulder as we made our way to where the hovercraft was.

We reached to looming contraption, and my seat was near the end. Glimmer was next to me, actually, with Cato a few seats down. My heart jumped as he leant forward on his arms, looking confidently up and down the walkway.

Internally, I wondered why on earth I reacted like that, but my brain shifted to another thought track when a woman stood over me. She nodded to me, "Arm."

My tracker. I obediently held out my arm, and she pricked me. A glowing blue light shot into my arm. I forced myself not to wince, or even flinch. She moved away, and I looked up from where my gaze had been focused - the floor. As I did, I realised Cato was watching me.

I met his gaze, and blinked. His eyes stayed on me for a moment, but we both looked away as Katniss, the girl on fire, started to kick up a fuss about her tracker.

What was that?

Nona patted my jacket down, making sure it fit me. As she did, she sipped a red drink, and I partially wondered if she could spill it on me accidentally. She saw my questioning gaze, and said, "Don't worry, I won't spill it on you."

I looked at it dubiously, "What is that? Blood?"

Nona looked offended, "I'll have you know, this is a strawberry smoothie! Not blood! It's very popular in the Capitol!" But then her face softened, and she smoothed the wrinkles on my grey top.

"You'll be okay. You got a nine in training. A nine! You'll win, I'm sure."

I sighed, and looked Nona dead in the eyes. "Will I? Will I really? Up against all of the Careers - Marvel, Glimmer, Cato, Clove... And the girl from Five... The fire tributes from Twelve... I don't stand a chance. " Nona looked saddened by my response, but as she opened her mouth to speak, an announcement rang out, instructing her to get me into the tube.

My stylist guided me to the platform, helping me up. I stared down at her, sadly, and she patted my hand, "It's okay. I'll be waiting for you when you win."

I returned the smile she sent, and murmured, "I hope so. I really do." The glass came down, and Nona stepped back. I kept my gaze on the golden streaks in Nona's black hair, and the tube began to rise. She winked at me, just before she went out of sight. I was in blackness for a moment, but then a rush of air hit me.