The Return of the Hunger Games [FALLEN ASHES] Book II

(21)

The crowd roars and I'm left standing, looking at them in pure disgust. Kal grabs my hand and I sit back down as they all toast to the news. The music begins to play all over again as Manara and Fallon join the party. We all stand up, and I'm racing to Manara. Before I reach her, Kal's mother gently places her hand on my hips and stops me.

"Go along with it." She whispers in my ear as she makes her way towards Manara. She gives her a big hug and congratulates her. "Let me see that ring!!!" She exclaims. Manara holds out her hand and I'm standing here a few feet from them just watching and processing what Kal's mother told me. Rayla, Kal and Trey find themselves behind me.

"What just happened?" I ask.

I turn to them and they all exchange glances and look back to me.

"Fallon just announced his engagement to Manara." Trey says.

I look back to Kal's mother and Manara smiling and laughing. Fallon's hand on her waist. I hold back puking. Manara see's us and begins walking towards us with Kal's mom as Fallon turns to get Manara a drink.

I'm speechless. What can I possibly say to her?

"Taking my spotlight I see." Rayla says, giving her a hug and congratulations.

"Never!" Manara says, pulling away from her hug. Kal and Trey say their congrats and then Manara turns to me and becomes unsettled. I look to Kal's mother and her eyes scream what she told me before. I look back to Manara and force a big smile. "I'm so happy for you!" I say, hugging her.

"I'll explain." She whispers, before letting me go. I keep up the smile and pull away from her.

My mind is left in a fog as the rest of the party continues. Kal tries to make conversation but he knows I'm out of it.

I head to the bathroom, and my mother and Kal's mother enter as well. My mom locks the door and turns to me.

"What the hell is going on!?" I ask Kal's mother.

My mom's confussed.

"It's all part of the plan." Kal's mother says.

"Woah woah, what plan!?" My mother asks.

"I can't tell you guys everything. All I can tell you is, the only thing everyone needs to do, is continue their lives as normal as possible. Its the only way for this plan for the Rebellion to work." She explains.

"What does Manara getting married to Fallon have anything to do with that!?" I ask.

"Everything."

I bite my lips and turn to my mother. Somethings isn't settling right with her. Somethings bothering her. But right now, right here is not the time to ask why.

"Elissa, Katniss, please. As long as everyone continues on with their lives, atleast for the next 2 years, things will go smoothly."

My mother and I exchange glances. I nod and agree.

After about 2 hours later, the party ends and we're all taken back to the 13th floor. Gale and my father had a few too many and are now asleep in separate rooms. Trey and Rayla are in a room across from where Kal and I will be.

Right now, I'm just sitting in the kitchen, trying to grasp everything very well. Kal just watches me, after about 5 minutes later, I notice. I turn to meet his eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" He asks.

How Manara is the daughter of Snow's granddaughter. How Fallon is targeting your family. How Fallon is getting married to Manara. How Manara is the leader of the R.O.T.R. How this is all part of the plan for the Rebellion to happen. How at any second, everything can go terribly wrong and all of our lives could be in jeopardy.