Against All Odds

Victory? I think not...

A/N: Look who's updating againnn :D As a quick note, I did add in a cast for this book, which follows the original Hunger Games cast, so you can check that out if you haven't already :3 I'm actually updating 2 chapters today, one in Katniss' POV and one in Cato's POV (so we can all find out what happens after Rue offers Cato help :)) I think my author notes always end up being too long, so without further ado, here's the chapter!

(Switching back to Katniss' POV)

I can barely hold in my smug look as I beat Cato and Clove on the climbing net. I beat them by a long shot too. But I really can't afford to get arrogant, so I push the victory out of my mind. Focus, Katniss. Control. I can't help but let my grin spread even wider at the sight of Clove and Cato both struggling back to the ground, with Clove looking slightly green, and Cato swaying a bit on his feet. When he notices my smug smile, Cato scowls and glares. I can't help but grin even more. He challenges me to another round tomorrow, the second day of training. I agree. To be honest, I was actually holding back when we were racing. I really can't afford giving away any talents I have. I even "stumbled" a little on the net, just so Cato and Clove will think that I can't climb (not that Clove really had the time/effort to put into looking, because she was already having enough trouble keeping her own lunch down...). Ha. Cato thought I couldn't climb. I have proved him wrong. Victory for him? I think not. 

I can feel his icy blue glare on my back as I walk away, towards Peeta. Oh right. Peeta! 

Why does Clove call him 'Lover Boy'? Is it because she thinks he's soft...? He loves everyone?

I give up after awhile because careers are confusing. They think differently. I sink into a seat at the camouflage table next to Peeta, forgetting about his desire to train alone. 

"So, how's the camouflage going?" I ask casually, watching him paint his other arm into a green berry bush this time. I have to admit, it looks amazing. The detail in the leaves are so delicate and precise, it looks real. Although I suppose if Prim grew up decorating cakes in the bakery, she could very well be just as good by now. She has the patience. I'd rather be out hunting, not wasting my time frosting pretty designs. 

"Great! I saw you climbing the net with the careers. You should be careful, you never know how low they might stoop. You don't wanna get hurt," Peeta frowns, with genuine concern in his soft blue eyes. Less intense compared to Cato's eyes... Wiat what? Why am i even thinking about Cato? I brush it off as victory getting to my head. 

I force myself not to snap at Peeta, saying that he isn't my dad. He doesn't need to protect me from anything. Instead, I opt for saying, "I'm fine, I was just showing them that I'm not completely useless."

"But Haymitch said-"

"I know, as long as I don't let them see me with my bow it's fine!" I let a bit of frustration creep into my voice. Hopefully he didn't notice the small face off going on between Clove and I, and how I showed her what I can do with a bow. I can't resist adding, "You're the one that told Haymitch that we should train seperately!"

Peeta flinches slgihtly at that. "Look, i have my reasons, if you'll just let me expl-"

He's interrupted by Atala's voice calling out, "Training for today is complete. All tributes will return to their rooms now. Your mentors will inform you of what is happening tonight, and your stylists have already finished your dressware for the upcoming event. Good luck."

Event tonight? Dressware? I have no clue what she's going on about, but I know better than to ask. It can't be good. I should enjoy not knowing. As my mum always says, Ignorance is bliss when it comes to the capitol. I stand up and walk towards the training doors. How will I tell Peeta that I will be joining the careers? I shove the thought away. I'll have to face it sometime soon in the next two days, before the interviews, when Haymitch is likely to reveal it. But for now, it can wait.