Kato: Forbidden Love

{chapter four}

The morning comes too fast, it seems. Sunlight beams through the glass windows and into the room blinding me temporarily. I struggle to sit up. That was the best night’s sleep I have had in my entire life and I don’t regret one bit of it.

Effie was really impressed with me and hugged me when I got back from the ball. After eating all of the food we were given Cato said his goodbyes went back to his room on floor two with the girl from his district. One by one people departed with their district pair and I was just waiting for Peeta, who I couldn’t see.

I found out, when I got back in, why I was the last one to leave the ball and alone. Peeta had left after the first song was played. I don’t know why and I don’t want to know either. Peeta is in his room, probably sleeping or watching the television.

Thinking about the television, I switch it on to find that the highlights are playing for the ball last night. As I step into the bathroom I listen to the presenter, Caesar Flickerman, ramble on about how good all the tributes looked and how well we were getting along. I stare at myself in the mirror and pull my hair back into a pony tail. There are speckles of cosmetic products still present on my face so I rub it with water, still listening to the television.

I walk back into the room and head straight over to the wardrobe and try to remember where the training clothes are stored; turns out they are in a draw at the top of the wardrobe for some bizarre reason. I go to get changed when I hear Caesar Flickerman announce something that makes my heart stop. “Is it love at first sight for Katniss and Cato?” I turn to the television to see repeats of our dance last night playing and then shots of us eating together are played one after another. They don’t know what we were talking about at either of those moments so obviously they are just guessing.

I change quickly and stare at myself in the mirror; these training outfits are pretty soft. All black except the red and grey additions to the sleeves, stitched onto the sleeve is my district number, as if people need to be reminded. The bottoms are stretchy, black and soft at the same time. I find a pair of shoes tucked away at the back of the wardrobe which are also black and comfy.

I leave my room, heading straight for the living space. To my annoyance I find Peeta, Effie and Haymitch watching the highlights I was just watching. All of them turn to me when they see me appear. “Morning, Sweetheart.” Haymitch says with a drink present in his grasp. “Have fun last night?” He winks and I almost gag at how vile a human can be.

“If this is about what that stupid presenter is saying, it isn’t true. They couldn’t hear what we were saying so how would they know?” I say without another thought. Maybe I should have thought it through because now I realize what I just said makes it sound like I am trying to cover something up. Peeta raises his eyebrows at me and I want to hit him. “Anyway, you left after about ten minutes so you can’t talk. What happened to trying?” I say angrily.

Effie shoots up to stop the argument. “I will have no fighting in my home while I am here, Katniss.” She pauses and looks me down, smiling at my training uniform happily. “Anyway, now that you are awake we can eat!” Effie totters off into the dining room where an array of food sits waiting on the table for us. The service is impeccable.

I sit at the table and dig into anything I think is edible and may taste slightly nice. They have weird tastes in the Capitol but it is better than dry bread and water. They give me something called tea which is supposed to make you feel awake and alert. I feel the effect within two minutes and feel chirpy and ready to go.

We eat in mostly silence; none of us seem to be able to think of anything to say to each other. I certainly can’t think of anything appropriate. All I want to do is get down to training and get started. “When does training start?” I ask Effie.