It is our last night in the apartment. Emille snaps photos of us in our interview outfits before letting us go and get changed.
I dress in my usual silk dress and brush out the knots in my hair. I stand in front of the mirror and stare at my face. I have gained a faint tan, and I am thankful for it. I'm sick of being pasty and pale, even if I don't have long left.
I walk out of my room and grab a bread roll from the table and creep off to the ledge outside. Cato is already out there, looking out over the city. I sit next to him and nibble bits of my bread roll. Once I've finished, I pull my knees up to my chest and put my arms around them. We sit in silence for a few more minutes before Cato drapes an arm across my shoulders and pulls me in to his side.
"It's beautiful at night." He says. I look up at him.
"I suppose. The lights are pretty." I say, looking back at the multi-coloured lights dotting the horizon. I can hear the cheering and screaming of the citizens as they celebrate and party in preparation for the few weeks to come.
"If none of us go home... How do you think our families will be?" I ask, curious.
"You will." Cato says.
"That's not the opinion you seemed to present earlier."
"Well I wasn't going to act like I was weak. Like I thought I was going to let someone else win, I'm from district 2. I was training to be a peacekeeper, I'm strong, and The Capitol know it." He says, arrogance tinging his tone.
"I know, I know." I say with a sigh. "Peeta Mellark... Do you think he meant what he said tonight? About Katniss? Or do you think it's just a move for the games? You know, for getting sponsors?"
"I'm not sure. It seemed real. Did you see the look on Katniss's face though? She looked angry!" Cato starts laughing, and I join in.
We fall into a silence again, just looking up at the sky and the city. The stars shine brightly.
"This is the last night where I won't be worried about dying." Cato whispers.
I look up at him, surprised. "You volunteered, Cato, and now you tell me you're scared?"
"And you're not, Clove? How could you not be scared about this? Over the next few weeks we will face death every day, and you're not scared?"
"Of course I'm scared, Cato. How could I not be? I just wonder why you'd volunteer for this... death game."
"I don't know why I did it." He admits.
"To save me?"
"I always have saved you. Always. But your face up there on the stage when that other kid got chosen... You looked so upset, so angry. I just had to... Now I regret it."
"Not surprised."
"Are you not pleased?"
"I'm not sure how well me killing the other district 2 tribute would go down back home to be honest."
"Would you really?"
"Yes!" I say, bursting into a fit of giggles.
"Psycho lunatic." Cato says, a huge grin spread across his face.
"I wouldn't kill you though." I say.
"I know, Midge." He says, and leans down and kisses my cheek.
"I can't believe this is the last night of everything being remotely normal. This is the last night where I'll be able to cry about home, and the last night where I can enjoy time with you and not be jealous of Glimmer."
Cato looks down at me. "You can do that in the arena, you'll just look weak. But you won't to me. And don't be jealous of her, you mean more to me than she ever will."
"I'm scared, Cato."
"Show no weakness, Midge. Never show a weakness."
"I try, but it's hard."
"Tell me everything about home. Get it all out, it'll help. What's your favourite colour?"
"Red. I don't know why, it's just a nice colour. Bright, bold, angry." I close my eyes and lean into him."
"What do you like to do?"
"Read. I love reading. And beating people at school." I smile. "School means little to me, but beating people in training shows I'm not someone to be overlooked."
"That's the attitude you need!" Cato grins. I duck out from under his arm, and look him in the eyes.
He grabs me by the face and kisses me on the lips, roughly.
"Don't worry, Clove. You'll be alright. I'll be with you until the very end."
I smile and look into his piercing blue eyes again.
"Thank you." I whisper.
* * *
I wake up in my bed, alone. I can see the wrinkles in the pillow beside me and I know he stayed with me for a while. I remember falling asleep in his arms on the roof. He must have carried me back inside.
Today is the first day of the games. Today I have to face myself and show no weakness. Isn't that what Cato said?
I walk out into the main room where Cato, Emille, Amelia, Bailey, Lalon and Cato's stylist are sitting. I was always the last one to be up.
I take my seat opposite Cato and take my usual breakfast of bread rolls and meat. I only manage a few bites before I can't eat any more.
Amelia, Bailey and Emille share their usual awkward looks and Lalon sits at the head of the table acting superior.
I notice Cato hasn't eaten much either and I examine his face for any emotion. He doesn't show any, and for that I am grateful. If he shows fear, I won't be able to cope.
"We'll go down to the centre in an hour. Go and prepare yourselves. Wash, cry, drink, eat, anything you want. It'll be the last time you can do that properly until someone goes home." Bailey says bluntly.
I get up and head back to my room. I stand in the shower for 15 minutes then dry my hair and brush out the knots. I smooth lines from my face and practise my composed, tough girl look in the mirror. I have to make sure I don't look weak.
Lalon comes in and insists on doing my hair as he places the clothes for the arena on my bed. I let him, and before I know it, my dark hair is in a high ponytail with three balls of hair going down the length of it. It makes me look like more of a bad girl, I suppose.
The clothes are boring, just a black t-shirt and greeny bottoms. I slide them on and they fit perfectly.
"Lovely." He says. He pauses, and puts a hand on my shoulder, then leaves the room.
I sit on my bed and let a few tears fall. I'l be okay. Show no weakness.
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Finally! I'm going to start chapter 9 as soon as this is published, can't guarantee I'll finish or that it'll be posted, but that'd be nice. Anyway, sorry about the delay- exams, and home stuff came up. Sorry it's not that long too. Next chapter will be in the arena, so should be longer. :)
Fan, vote, comment, like, tweet. Much love. <3
