❛ 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬- 𝘵𝘩𝘨

CHAPTER 6

The next morning, Arya slept in late, but when waking up, she remembered the night before.

Arya had actually kissed Johanna. Not the other way around. And it had been her first kiss since the night before the arena.

Kinsley and Arya met on the roof of the train. It was a cool night, so they stood close together for warmth.

Both of them knew that there was a conversation that needed to happen, but neither of them wanted to break the blissful, quiet seconds of peacefulness before the Games the next morning.

"Arya, I want you to know that I love you, no matter what happens." Kinsley was the first to break the silence.

"I don't want to lose you, ever." Arya responded.

"Are we going to go into the arena tomorrow morning as lovers, enemies, allies, or acquaintances, like if one another needs help, we will, but ignore each other the rest of the time?"

"Kinsley, I really don't know."

"Okay, then."

The two girls sat together, leaning into one another looking up at the sky, even though they were extremely different, they still loved one another.

From what Arya had found out about Kinsley, she learned that she lived with her little brother and mother. Her father had died from an accident in the slaughter house a couple of months ago. However, she was unsure if it was an 'accident,' as he had a sharp-tongue and was rebellious.

And as the two girls sat in silence, Arya leaned over and kissed Kinsley. After a little while, they broke apart, but sat there huddled up together for a long time.

It was the last kiss Arya had... that was, until Johanna came along, seven years later.

Arya laid in bed until one of her stylists came barging in.

He had dark skin, but with a large, curly, cotton candy- pink colored hair. To top all of that off, he had a shiny, reflective purple suit, and pink shoes matching his hair. He grinned at me, revealing that his front two teeth had jewels all over them.

Every year when she mentored, it was the same one, but every year, she had to stop herself from grimacing at all of the surplus money he must have had to put all of the accessories on.

Even though she had known him for almost seven years, she still didn't bother to get his name.

The flashy stylist wordlessly pulled out a dress and handed it to Arya. She shut herself in the bathroom, got a quick shower, and changed into the dress, and brushed her hair out so it was easier for the stylist guy to do something with it.

When she emerged, he sat Arya down in a chair, and Arya closed her eyes as the process began. First, he put a small bit of makeup on, but so little on that you wouldn't see it if you weren't looking for it, but she would still sparkle.

After a little while, he moved onto the hair, which he twisted up into a braided low bun, and attached ear cuffs that twisted around her ear.

He left her nails plain to her surprise, but when she saw herself in the mirror, she was shocked.

Arya looked gorgeous and elegant, yet simple.

He grinned at her before disappearing, and Arya decided she'd ask him his name next year.

Arya walked up the stairs and found her seat next to the male mentor from her district. She took a deep breath and yelled over the noise of the cheering crowd.

"I'm Arya, the female mentor!"

He looked at her and smiled. "Colton."

He stuck his hand out, so she shook it, but rather than continuing on with conversation, they were forced to stop, as the tributes came out, and the cheering got obnoxiously loud.

First, District One, Gloss and Cashmere. A girl in one of the rows near Arya, fainted when Gloss blew a kiss into the audience. Since Arya didn't watch the reapings, she paid close attention to the other tributes.

District two, Enobaria and Brutus, both strong and equally terrifying.

For three, Beetee and Wiress. Neither rather physically strong, but extremely intelligent. District four was up, and the dashing Finnick O'dair and sweet old Mags were the tributes.

District five and six she didn't know the names for, but she examined their physicality, since it was just as much her responsibility to help Johanna get out alive as it was Johanna's.

And finally, district seven.

Johanna and Blight came out riding on their carriages, wearing tight-fitting green, black and brown tree outfits. Arya could tell that Johanna was rather angry about the outfits, but still she remained collected and calm as she stared at the audience with a bored expression. Blight looked slightly bored, but stared at the ground.

Woof and Cecilia were district eight, nine and ten, again she didn't know the names of, but for eleven, it was Chaff and Seeder.

But, finally, there they came.

District twelve, with fire trailing them. Several other stylists had tried to add the flaming effect to their costumes since last year, but none of them could even come close with Cinna, their stylist.

The horses made a final loop, and then it was over.

Arya made her way to find Johanna, who looked deep in thought.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"They're worth more than that!" Johanna smirked. "A couple of days ago, remember how Haymitch pulled us over and told us the plan?"

It was true. Less than a day ago, Haymitch pulled the two girls over separately and told them that they must protect Katniss and Peeta for the rebellion.

"Yeah, I remember. What's your plan?"

"Well, I'm thinking about playing around with Katniss. Maybe Peeta too." She threw Arya a playful wink.

"Oh, god. Well, I'll just wait for the next elevator then. Good luck." Arya told her, and Johanna strode into the elevator before the doors closed. The last thing she heard before it got out of range was, "Unzip me, will you?"

Arya stifled her laughter as she got on the next elevator, but still felt a twinge of jealousness in her stomach.

We just kissed last night. Does she really have feelings for me, or is she just playing me, just as she is with Peeta and Katniss?

Thoughts flew around Arya's head until sleep finally reached her.