He meant everything to her. Three years later and she'd still do anything to keep him safe, sacrifice everything to protect him- even if that meant keeping him at an arm's length.
She was the one person who truly knew him. The one person he'd choos...
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— — —
The train jolted forward, causing Cass to glance at Everett. His blue eyes met hers, nerves filling both their bodies. She swallowed hard as the door to their car slid open, a woman with brown hair and gold eye makeup entering.
"Ah, Cassiopeia Winterton and Everett Troy— our tributes for this year's Games." She announced, letting out a whimsical sigh. "Welcome to the 68th Hunger Games."
"Wow, thanks. Didn't know I'd feel so comfortable when I'm likely approaching imminent death." Everett retorted, rolling his eyes at her gaudy appearance.
"I'm Daisie." The woman continued, ignoring him. "I take it you know Cassio—"
"Cass." She interjected before glancing back at the eighteen year old boy. "Everett lives a few houses down. He's friends with my brother."
"Oh, good." Daisie smiled cheerfully. "I'm going to go speak with your mentors and then they'll come introduce themselves." She sighed again, letting her eyes linger on the pair before she exited through the way she came.
Everett let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he met her gaze again. "At least if I'm here Rhett won't be absolutely flipping his shit, right?"
Despite the circumstances, Cass smiled. "Oh, he's definitely still flipping his shit."
It fell silent between them, the realization that death was coming. Everett had promised Rhett that he'd keep his baby sister safe, but that was just it. There would be twenty-two other tributes there fighting just as hard, if not harder. Protecting her would be next to impossible, but he'd do it.
"Hey, I'm gonna get you home. Okay?" He voiced, nudging her shoulder with his.
"Ev, we're on a train, speeding towards the Capitol where people are going to watch us try to kill other people. I don't think giving me hope is really gonna make me feel any better." She pointed out.
"Yeah, I know. But Cass," Everett continued, setting a hand on her knee. "I've got your back in there. And I know you'll have mine. I've seen you with those little things."
She smiled again, reluctantly meeting his gaze with her hand held out. "To having each other's backs."
Everett's pinky latched onto hers, their promise becoming official just as the doors slid open and Daisie's head popped into the opening. "Cassio—Cass," She corrected, locking onto her gaze. "They're ready for you."
Cass let out a breath, getting to her feet. "Wish me luck."
"You don't need it." Everett replied, watching as she and Daisie switched carts, the godawful woman coming back over to him.
