Lethal Lovers / Cato Hadley

Chapter 5

Azalea Hawthorne

"Azalea Hawthorne, district 12." I introduced myself and walked straight over to the bow and arrows, I took it in my hand and put it over my shoulder and placed grabbed the bow, I made my way towards the dummies and pulled the string back, breathing fast and let go, the arrow shot just side of the stomach. The game makers laughed and turned to see a gigantic roast pig, I shot another arrow straight in the heart but they were too occupied looking at the pig, I sighed angrily.

I grabbed another arrow and loaded it, squinting my eyes to get a good view of the apple in the pigs mouth, I let go and my arrow flew and hit the apple straight to the wall. One of the game makers fell back into the punch whilst the others gasped, I bowed. "Thank you, for your consideration." I snapped and ran out of the training room without being dismissed.

Tears fell from my eyes as I ran towards the lifts. "Woah, woah... Zalie..." Cato said grabbing my shoulders, I looked up at him and furiously wiped my eyes. "What happened?" Cato asked and I sniffled, shaking my head. He moved a strand of hair from my face and I sniffled again. "I- I shot an arrow out of the pig's mouth, I'm done for." I whispered and he brought me into his arms, stroking my hair whilst I cried.

"Zalie..." Cato whispered and I looked up at him. "You'll be okay." I shook my head and sighed. "No, I'll get the lowest score and die because I won't get any sponsors." I said but Cato shook his head. "Don't say that, you won't die!" Cato said angrily and I looked at him. "Cato... you've ignored me all day, what do you care?!" I hissed but I was cut off by Cato's lips on mine, I gasped so he slid his tongue in my mouth.

My arms wrapped around his neck as his found my waist, our lips moved in sync and my whole body was tingling with lust. We pulled apart, breathing heavily. "I'll keep you alive. Okay? You will go home." Cato whispered and pressed another soft kiss to my lips. We said goodbye and went to our own rooms, my mind was still buzzing with everything that had just happened with Cato.

We were waiting for the televised scores. "Are you crazy?" Effie shrieked as I'd told everyone what had happened in my one to one meeting. "I just got mad." I huffed and she threw her hands up. "Mad? You realize that your actions reflect badly on all of us, not just you." Effie snapped and I bit my lip. "They just want a good show, it's fine." Cinna said and I smiled gratefully at him. "How about it's just bad manners, Cinna? How about that?"

The sound of clapping entered the room, I looked up to see Haymitch smirking at me. "Well, finally! I hope you noticed, we have a serious situation." Effie shouted and I rolled my eyes. "Nice shooting sweetheart! Wha.. Wha...What did they...What did they do when you shot the apple?" Haymitch asked with a chuckle making me grin. "Well, they look pretty startled." I said and he chuckled.

"What did you say... "Thanks for... your consideration. Genius! Genius!" Haymitch laughed when Effie huffed. "I don't think we're gonna find this funny If the game makers decided to take it out..." Effie started to say but Haymitch cut him off. "On who? On her? On him? I think they already have. Loosen your corset and have a drink. I would have given anything to see it." Haymitch said, grabbing a glass of whisky and drinking it all.

"As you know the Tributes are rated on a scale of one to twelve after three days of careful evaluation." Ceaser Flickerman's voice blared from the television making me jump. "The game keepers would like to evaluate. From District 1, Marvel, score of 9. Cato, score of 10. Clove, score of 10." I knew Cato and the careers would get high scores, the little girl from district 11 scored a 7 so she must've done something really good to impress.

"District 12, Henry Edison, score of 8." I smiled at Henry as everyone gasped and applauded him. "Well done!" I said and he nodded in awe. "And finally... From District 12 Azalea Hawthorne, with score of... 11." Everyone shrieked as my eyes widened in shock, I don't understand how I got an 11. "Congratulations." Henry said and I nodded. "I thought they hated me." I said honestly but Haymitch smirked. "They must have liked your guts." Haymitch said and I nodded. "To Azalea Hawthorne, The Girl On Fire!"

I headed to the rooftop after the celebrations ended, wanting some time alone. It was the day before the televised interviews that the tributes had to take part of. "Impressive, an 11?" Cato's voice came from the doorway, I looked up and smiled at him. "What did you do?" Cato asked and I bit my lip.

"I shot an arrow through the roast pig's apple." I said and he snorted, sitting beside me. "Bet that surprised them." Cato said and I nodded. "Just a little." I replied and he chuckled. "Azalea, please think about joining allies with us." Cato said and I bit my lip. "How do I know you won't just kill me in my sleep?" I asked and he pressed his lips to mine. "That's how."

"Maybe you won't, but the others will at any given chance." I said and he moved a strand of hair behind my ear. "Are you okay from before?" Cato asked and I nodded. "Yeah, I was just crying out of frustration." I said and he nodded. "I thought I'd really damaged my chances." I said and he smirked. "You got a better score than me."

Cato opened his arms and I lay against his chest as his strong arms wrapped around me. "This is silly." I said and he looked down at me. "How so?" Cato asked. "We've barely known each other days, I don't want to start anything I can't finish." I said and he pressed a kiss to my head. "Just enjoy it whilst it lasts."