Kato: Forbidden Love

{chapter three}

Effie squeals with excitement as I walk out into the living space. She wraps me up with her arms tightly and doesn’t let go until Cinna tells her she will ruin the finished look. Effie smiles widely at me as we wait for Peeta.

Haymitch is at the bar, as I guessed he would be. Effie will escort us down there but then she will come back up. The ball is only for tributes and to serve us there will be Avoxes. I know about Avox’s from classes about the Capitol, they are traitors that had their tongues cut out. They now wait on the Capitol citizens.

Peeta steps out from the hall and into the living space, dressed in a black and white tuxedo. He looks smart but so innocent and different. Peeta probably feels the same way that I do now, fearless.

Effie smiles at us both and nods at us to follow her. “Now I want big smiles, make an impression. Remember that this ball will be televised so sponsors will also be watching. You need to make friends with other tributes. So at least try.” Effie stops at the entrance of the ballroom. She was talking the whole way down the elevator. “But don’t forget to have fun.” Peeta and I both nod at her as she opens the door for us to enter the room.

I watch Effie walk away with her pink wig bobbing up and down until the big wooden door closes and I am left stood next to Peeta. He stares out at the room with wide eyes, full of wonder at what could happen at this ball. All I want to do is go to bed and sleep; parties aren’t for me at all.

The other tributes are spread out across the room. There are twelve tables set out with four seats to each of them, more than enough for each district. I do not want to sit with Peeta so it seems good that there are more tables and chairs to choose from.

Peeta runs off and leaves me standing alone, I prefer it this way. I like being alone with no one to bother or annoy me. As I search the room, checking it out, I notice small cameras dotted everywhere and around four massive cameras pointed at the tables and the dance floor. There is a band up on a podium above the dance floor for when we will dance, which seems to be soon because they are gearing up.

I believe I am doing the right thing right now, stood here just observing the room, trying to fake an interest for the cameras. I expect the audience wants me to do something rebellious or outrageous to win their hearts but I don’t know what to do.

I try to sit at a table that doesn’t have all of the cameras on it and find one that, as I calculate, only has one camera pointed at it. I won’t be getting much airing time. Just as I want it to be.

The band has started to play now and I see tributes take advantage of this to get airing time of them dancing with other tributes. I see a ginger girl dancing with another tribute, close and intimate dancing to the slow music. How can they do that with the thought in their mind of killing each other? I don’t understand.

As I look up to the dancers my view is blocked by a body. I trace up and expect it to be Peeta wanting to dance or something but find a trim, fit Cato stood before me with his head held high. He wears a blue tuxedo that is the same tone of blue as mine. His shirt is white and he wears a blue bow tie, cute.

“Did you try to match me?” I joke and laugh a little. With Cato stood there he is blocking the cameras view of me. I stare up at him as he stares down at me. Cato pulls the chair in front of me out and sits down, now the cameras can see us and maybe this is getting airing time because it is district two and twelve talking at a table in the corner. Hidden and secluded.

“Sorry about appearing out of nowhere earlier, I just wanted to say hi.” I smile and thank him. I notice how I am slouching, that is a big no no from Effie so I straighten up and see that I am still not as tall as Cato. Effie, and maybe Haymitch, will be up in the penthouse watching this live so she knows how things are going with us and our progress.