This Soon Shall Pass

For You

Cato's POV
"So you told her how you felt?" Calpurnia asks.
"Yeah." I reply.
"Just like that?"
"Pretty much."
"Wow. That's a big step."
"I know."
"You're smiling."
"I haven't stopped since it happened."
"That's sweet." She says and smiles.
"So it doesn't bother you that she doesn't want an official relationship until after the games?" She asks and I shrug.
"Not really. It's not like she doesn't want an official relationship period. She just wants to wait a little." I explain.
"But she's still open to acting like you're in one? Is that what she meant?"
"In private I think. Maybe a little in public. I don't really know."
"Don't you think you should clarify that?"
"Are you trying to ruin this for me?"
"No. I'm just trying to understand."
"I'm happy. For the first time in a long time, I feel like everything is coming together. Let me be happy."
"I never said you shouldn't be happy. This sounds good for you. You've been waiting for this for awhile."
"Thanks."
Glimmer's POV
The soothing sensation of my mother brushing my hair keeps me from curling into a ball and crying all over again. I barely speak as I get ready and get into the car. The trip there is silent as I take deep breaths, trying to separate the breakup with Marvel from my special day. A girl only comes out to society once. I step into the hall and smile at the gorgeous winter themed room. I see Sagara, Sirena, Clove, and Cato already talking to each other.
"You guys are here early." I comment as I approach them, pulling my jacket further around me.
"We wanted to make sure you weren't alone." Sagara states. I smile slightly as Sirena rubs my arms.
"Could a few of you help us please?" My mom asks and Sagara, Sirena, and Clove go to help her with bringing in clothing and presents. I turn to look at Cato, who is simply beaming.
"Looks like you had a good night. Did you talk to Clove?" I ask.
"Yeah. We're... unofficial. She wants to wait until after the games." He replies and I squeal, excitedly hitting him.
"Yay!! I'm so happy for you two."
"Waiting until after the games, that makes sense right?"
"If you're okay with that then yes it does. Clear headspace."
"That's what I thought too. I... I'm really happy, Glimmer."
"Good. You deserve it, so does Clove. I'm glad Marvel didn't mess that up." I say and sigh. Cato nudges me in the side and smiles.
"Marvel sucks. He doesn't deserve you and he doesn't deserve to ruin anything."
"Cato, Marvel is your best friend."
"No, Clove is my best friend."
"No, Clove is your unofficial girlfriend."
"Right. I forgot about that." He says, blushing and I giggle.
"Either way, Marvel loves to blame me or you for something he did. He sucks." Cato insists.
"He's just insecure and lost." I reply.
"Are you defending him?"
"Yes. Marvel and I... we were suppose to be it for each other. It's laughable how quickly we ended. I can't help but defend him."
"Well, once he gets his head out of his ass he's going to realize how big of a mistake he just made."
"I hope so. I miss him." Cato awkwardly pats my shoulder as my mom beckons us to our respective dressing rooms. I enter the girls' dressing room and Sirena is already blasting a female empowerment song.
"We're getting pumped, Glimmer!! It's your night!!" Sirena exclaims as she hugs me. I smile as she and Sagara begin putting makeup on.
"Hey, Glimmer, could you help me?" Clove asks, looking like a deer in the headlights with all of the hair and makeup products.
"Of course." I say, giggling as I go to her seat on the end and plug in a straightener. I begin brushing her hair.
"So Cato told me about your unofficial status." I whisper. I watch Clove's eyes widen as she bites back a grin.
"Oh?" She replies.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. He just looked so happy I figured something happened with you."
"Yeah. It's... new and scary." She admits.
"Are you happy?" I ask and she slowly allows herself to smile.
"Right now I'm more nauseous about looking good. His ex girlfriend knew much more about presenting herself than I do."
"Well, let's one up her then. I mean, not totally one up because it's my party, but-"
"I know what you mean." I get to work and less than an hour later I stand back to admire my handiwork.
"Clove, you look so good." Sirena says and Clove blushes.
"Thank you." I reply and giggle as Clove fiddles with her hair.
"I look so... old. In a good way." Clove mumbles, her pin straight half up half down hair reaching the middle of her back. I slide a silver headband onto her head and she puts on her dress. The satin cornflower blue dress goes down to just above her knees and hugs her tiny frame. I smile as she nervously fiddles with the straps of her silver shoes.
"I'm going to freeze." Clove comments, Sagara and Sirena laughing as they return to their makeup. Clove reaches for her sweatshirt.
"No, no. This is intentional." I say and knock her hand away.
"Why?"
"If you're cold and show or tell Cato, he'll either give you his jacket or put his arms around you to warm you up. You want to be cold."
"I can keep myself warm, I don't need a boy to do it."
"I know, but why not have him show you how much he cares through making sure you're warm. It's cute and harmless, Clove. It's not an attack on independent women. At least try it tonight."
"Fine." As I change into my silver dress, I hear a knock at the door. Sagara zips me up as Clove opens it.
"Whoa." I hear Cato say and I rush to the door.
"Doesn't she look beautiful?" I exclaim as Clove nervously fidgets next to me.
"Beautiful." He says and smiles. I beam as the two of them look at each other.
"Was there something you had to tell us?" Sagara asks, ruining the moment.
"Oh, yeah, Marvel is here." Cato blurts and I feel my blood turn cold.
"What?" I ask.
"Tell him to leave." Clove orders.
"It's up to Glimmer." Cato says.
"I... I should hear what he has to say." I mumble and grab my sweatshirt before leaving the dressing room, Clove and Cato following me down the hallway.
"Are you okay?" I hear Cato ask.
"Yeah, I'm just cold. I left my sweatshirt in the dressing room." Clove replies. I hear them stop walking and turn to see Cato wrapping his blazer around her.
"It's a little big, but..."
"Thanks." Clove says, making eye contact with me as she tugs the jacket closer around her, smiling. I begin walking again once they reach me and turn to see Marvel sitting in the lobby. He stands up when he sees us.
"Hey." Marvel says, not removing his eyes from mine.
"Hi. Why are you here?" I ask.
"I'm your escort."
"I..."
"I told you I would be your escort. No breakup is going to change that. That is, if you'll have me?" I turn to Cato and Clove, Clove shrugging and Cato glaring. I turn back to Marvel and sigh.
"Fine. You're sharing a dressing room with Cato." I say stiffly, turning on my heel and walking back to my dressing room. A few minutes after I enter, Clove opens the door. She enters the room, sans Cato's jacket.
"Cato is going to kill him. I hope you realize that." Clove states.
"I know." I reply.
"What happened?" Sagara asks.
"Marvel showed up to be my escort."
"And you agreed to let him?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It was the plan. It was always the plan."
"Plans change." Sirena mentions, fixing her dress.
"It would have messed up the whole thing. I can't be escorted by my ex boyfriend. It's too weird."
"Glimmer, Marvel is your ex boyfriend." Clove corrects and I take in a sharp breath of air. Oh. Right.
"I... I forgot. Either way, it's my party and what I say goes. Got it?" I order and look at the three of them.
"Yeah. Got it." Sagara mumbles.
Cato's POV
After the entrances, the six of us sit at the head table as Glimmer's dad makes a speech.
"How was the dressing room?" Clove whispers.
"Silent." I reply, looking at Glimmer's dad.
"Hey." Clove says softly and I turn to look at her. She raises an eyebrow and I give her a small smile.
"It was. Really. I didn't even come close to hurting him."
"How? I would have."
"I just pretended he wasn't there. Besides, Glimmer would be mad if we got into a fight. I didn't feel like being the bad guy tonight."
"Fair." She replies and rubs her arms, watching Glimmer's dad. I grab the hand closest to me and intertwine our fingers, moving my chair closer to hers.
"Softie." She teases, not removing her eyes from Glimmer's dad.
"The night is still young." I mutter and she elbows me. I suppress a laugh as the speech ends.
Glimmer's POV
I eat my appetizer as slowly as possible in order to avoid the inevitable: dancing. I could just avoid Marvel during all of the slow dances. I could go to the bathroom or talk to my parents or...
"We're gonna go dance, want to come?" Sirena asks and I take a deep breath, nodding as I slowly get up from the table. I meet Sirena and Sagara on the dance floor, which slowly becomes crowded with half of Area One in attendance. As each song gets more and more people on the floor, I actually begin to have fun. When the DJ announces dinner, I am almost drenched in sweat. As I sit down, the waiters having placed the food already, I realize how hungry I am and dive in. I barely look up from my food for the entire dinner portion. I feel someone tap me on the shoulder.
"It's time for your speech." My mother states and hands me a microphone. I stand up and the room quiets down. I take a deep breath.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming. Turning 18 is kind of scary, but having all of you here lessens my fear." I say and the room claps. I nervously laugh as I wait for them to finish.
"Everyone here tonight is special to me in one way or another, but there are some specific people I really need to thank. First, my parents. I would not be who I am if it was not for you. Every accomplishment I have is directly attributed to you two pushing me to do more than I ever thought I could. Not to mention, I would not have been able to have this party without you two, so thank you." I say and my parents quickly hug me before letting me go back to my speech.
"I'd also like to thank my friends for putting up with me as I planned this. Sirena and Sagara, thank you for all of the hard work you two have done. You two are the sisters I never had, and I'm so grateful for your place in my life. Cato and Clove, I know you two don't like gushy sentiments, so I'll keep this brief. Thank you for standing by me and supporting me this past year. I'm so happy we're closer now." I say and look at my table. Sirena and Sagara are beaming. Cato nods at me as Clove gestures towards Marvel. I sigh.
"Finally, I have my partner. Marvel, you have been my closest friend since we were little and I couldn't have imagined being partners in the games with anyone else. We have our ups and downs, but I always know you'll show up. Eventually. With that, it's time for the father daughter dance. If my dad could please join me on the dance floor, along with anyone else who'd like to join." I say and the party applauded. I avoided Marvel's gaze by looking at my dad as he approached me, eventually taking my hand and bringing me to the center of the dance floor. We begin to dance.
"It was very nice of you to thank Marvel, even after all he's done to you." My father says.
"Dad, I broke up with him." I remind.
"You only did that because he wasn't treating you like the princess you are. I don't know why he thought showing up here was appropriate, but you have handled it with grace."
"Dad, stop."
"Stop what? Being angry at the boy who hurt my daughter? I hardly think you could ask that of me right now."
"I know." A few minutes later I see Marvel approach my dad, tapping him on the shoulder. I hold my breath as my dad slowly turns around.
"Mr. Cantrell, may I cut in?" Marvel asks.
"No." My dad says and I sigh.
"Dad-" I say.
"You want to dance with him?" My dad asks, turning to me. I open my mouth, but no sound comes out.
"Whether she wants to or not, sir, it's tradition. Glimmer is just trying to have the party she wanted to have, before I ruined it." Marvel says, saving me from having to answer. My dad turns to Marvel again.
"Be careful." He says and walks away.
"I'm not used to your dad being mad at me. Usually I'm the only guy he likes hanging around you." Marvel says, looking at me finally.
"I know. He thought you were the only gentleman left after Cato and I broke up." I reply. Marvel takes over my dad's position and we begin to dance.
"Why did you come?" I ask, looking up at him.
"Because it's you. I'm always going to be here for you, Glimmer. Even when you're mad at me and I've screwed up, I'll be here." He explains.
"Why are you here for me more when you're my friend than when you're my boyfriend?"
"I... I have a lot going on right now. I didn't mean to not prioritize you, but I guess I did. I'm sorry about that."
"What's going on?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"It's not my secret to tell. I think this is for the best. For now, at least." I suddenly feel a surge of anger overcome me.
"What is wrong with you?!"
"What-"
"Tonight was supposed to be a night to say goodbye to my childhood and hello to the scary future. It was supposed to be about thanking the people who've helped me get to where I am today. Then you show up and are secretive and say that it's good we broke up? It hasn't even been 24 hours, Marvel, aren't you the least bit sad?"
"Of course I am, but-"
"No buts. I am tired of buts. Just... leave."
"What?"
"You heard me. Leave. You never should've come."
"I thought-"
"I know what you thought." I spit, removing myself from his arms. I glare at him as he refuses to move.
"I think it's time for you to go." I hear Clove say from behind me. I turn to see her, arms crossed.
"Clove-" Marvel begins.
"I know what you wanted to happen, but you can't play the good guy card. This whole breakup is not on Glimmer, it's not on Cato, it's not on me, it's on you. Accept it." Clove orders. Marvel catches my eye.
"I never meant to hurt you." He states.
"You never mean to do anything. You just do it." I reply. With that, Clove follows him out of the room. I slowly follow behind them. The moment Marvel is gone, Clove turns around and sees me.
"You should go back to the party. I hear we're doing cake soon." Clove says and I swallow a sob.
"I don't really want to party right now. I kind of just want to lay in my bed and die." I reply.
"If it makes you feel better, the only reason Cato didn't physically remove him from the room was because I told him not to."
"And he just listened?"
"He's been working on his anger a lot recently-"
"And he adores you."
"I guess so. The only reason Cato and I are in this place is because of you. You really had an impact on him."
"You really had an impact on him."
"Fine. We." Clove starts to head back into the banquet hall and, after a few moments of stalling, I join her. The moment I walk in everyone begins singing happy birthday. I blow out the candles on the cake and try my best to smile.
Peeta's POV
"What are the odds that I'm reaped for these games?" I ask Haymitch as he chews a piece of the loaf of bread I brought him.
"I'd say anywhere from 60% to 95%." He mumbles.
"Great. Just great."
"If it makes you feel better, Everdeen's odds are 99% to 100%."
"It doesn't."
"Oh well. At least you'll get to spend more time with me as your mentor."
"Well that just makes up for everything now doesn't it?"
"What has gotten into you, boy? You're much more feisty than I remember."
"I just... I want to leave last year's games behind me. It did nothing but screw with my emotions and my health and I'm tired of it."
"Oh poor little Peeta, stuck in a relationship with a girl he loves-"
"A fake relationship."
"And has to move to the Capitol where he'll never worry about feeding himself again-"
"I can never walk without a limp again."
"Well at least you've got something to live for." I'm stunned into silence.
"Haymitch..."
"I would kill to have a fake relationship with the girl I love, but I can't, because she's dead. You have a limp? Who gives a crap? You're lucky you didn't lose your entire leg."
"I-"
"You are one of the most ungrateful people I have ever met, second only to Everdeen. You have a decent life, it's not perfect, but it's decent. Don't question it." Haymitch orders and takes a swig of beer. I open my mouth to apologize, but he holds up his hand.
"Don't. The fact of the matter is, you and Everdeen are gonna be in the games again. I don't know what you two have been doing recently, but you better prepare for another love story angle, because it's coming. Effie has been working on it since the day the Quarter Quell was announced."
"We don't really interact all that much, besides the stuff you make us do. I've definitely angered Gale Hawthorne though."
"That's not my problem, nor is it yours. Enjoy the next two months, because after that we're going full force."
Prim's POV
"Prim!!" I hear Rory shouting and turn around. He joins me at my side on his new bike, a gift from Mace I'm assuming.
"What?" I ask, blushing a bit due to the fact I'm wearing the dress he gave me over the summer.
"Gale is going on a date." I stop walking and turn to look at Rory.
"With who?"
"Madge Undersee. The mayor's daughter. Isn't that great?"
"Gale and the mayor's daughter? It's weird is what it is."
"Madge is nice."
"I know, but..."
"But what?"
"But what about Katniss?"
"What about her? Isn't she dating Peeta Mellark? Aren't they in love?"
"Well, yes, but you know what I mean. I always thought..."
"Gale and Katniss? Really? I don't see it."
"They were always so connected, I don't know. Wishful thinking I guess."
"Yeah. Gale seems kind of excited, in his own way."
"What are they going to do?"
"I think he said they're going on a picnic. You know Gale, not one to share much." I nod as I begin to walk again.
"Can I ask you something, Rory?"
"Of course."
"Are you really going to ask Lace to the Valentine's Day dance?" He sighs and evades my glance.
"I'm thinking about it. We've been flirting for awhile and Mace and Sapphire are going together, so maybe a double date. How did you find out about that?"
"Ivy. She has history with Lace and Sapphire. Apparently all they could talk about was you."
"Really? Well, we are friends."
"It wasn't like that. According to Lace you have the most breathtaking eyes she's ever seen." I recite and roll my eyes. He laughs and glances at me.
"Well, don't I?" I chuckle.
"I guess. I don't really look into that many peoples' eyes though, so I doubt that means much." We reach my house and I see my mom sitting on the front stoop. I run over to her and sit down, checking to see if she's injured.
"Mom, are you alright? Why are you out here?" I ask. She doesn't react.
"Mrs. Everdeen, it's me, Rory Hawthorne. You probably remember me as much smaller, since the last time we really interacted was at the ceremony, remember? Your husband and my dad were both honored?" Rory says and sits down on the other side of her. My mom's face twitches in recognition.
"Yes. Your brother is in the house. Very loud." My mom mutters and shivers. I wrap my coat around her.
"They're probably fighting about Madge." I state and Rory sighs.
"I'll help your mom inside, you go talk to them." He offers and I freeze.
"I don't know..."
"Prim, you can trust me."
"Wouldn't it just be easier for you to talk to them and I can stay here?"
"What are the odds Katniss and Gale listen to me?" I sigh at his point.
"Fine." I squeeze my mom's shoulder and then stand up, entering the kitchen where Gale and Katniss are yelling.
"Ahem." I say, not caring whatever it was they were trying to say.
"Prim. Hey." Katniss says immediately, Gale taking a deep breath.
"Our mother is on the front stoop. Did you know that? She's nearly freezing to death because you two are too loud." I snap.
"Oh. Well-"
"Well what?" I ask as Gale darts behind me, helping Rory walk my mom in.
"I wasn't really paying attention."
"Clearly. I can't be the only one who pays attention to her, Katniss. I won't always be around."
"Prim-"
"I don't want to fight. That's all I have to say. I'm going to start making soup for mom." I begin getting out the ingredients and avoid Katniss's stare.
"We're gonna head out. I'll see you tomorrow." Rory states and he leaves with Gale.
"Gale has a date." Katniss says after a long silence.
"I know." I reply.
"With Madge."
"I know."
"He's only doing it to get back at me."
"If you say so."
"It's true. I'm with Peeta and he's mad about it so he's dating Madge."
"Seems pretty immature of him."
"I agree."
"And of you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you're dating Peeta, a guy who genuinely cares about you. You haven't even given him a chance because you're so wrapped up in what Gale thinks."
"It's more complicated than that."
"I just feel like if you're dating someone the least you could do is actually go on a date with them. It doesn't make sense to me."
"At this point, maybe I should date Peeta. That'll show Gale."
"That is not what I meant."
"It's what needs to happen. Two can play at this game."