I finally walked back into the dining room, now dressed in a comfortable grey t-shirt and black leggings.
“Where have you been?” Cato whispers, as I sit next to him.
“Just thinking.” I reply plainly, looking down at the multiple towering piles of delicacies in front of me, though I had been starving before, my stomach was in knots now, and I could barely even look at the food without feeling sick.
“I’m not really hungry either,” Says Cato, looking at me with what I think was concern. “but you really should eat something.” He said, pulling a role from the basket, and handing it to me. Why was he doing this? It was only going to be harder on us in the arena if we became friends, one of us would have to die.
I looked at him, not wanting to, but pulling the small toasted roll up to my lips, and nibbling on it slowly.
I had no appetite what-so-ever, but I was glad that he convinced me to eat, because I knew that I was hungry, even if I didn’t want to eat.
He then turned back to his own plate which was appropriately decorated with different types of food, nothing fancy; vegetables, a few plainly grilled meats, a bowl of fruit. Only the things you need to stay healthy. He was a big player in these games, and he knew exactly what to do. This scared me too. I really wanted to trust him, but I didn’t know if I should, or even if I could.
After finishing my roll, I sat quietly at the table, my hands folded in my lap, just watching the others eat.
After a few minutes however, I cleared my throat softly, but still firm enough for me to get the other’s attention.
“So, Enobaria, do you think that we can start talking about strategies, you know for training as well as in the arena?” I asked quietly, Enobaria’s cat-like eyes burning into mine as I spoke.
“Don’t be such a pansy, make them afraid of you. You know, show off a little, make them think of you as such a huge threat, they won’t ever want to come within range of you in that arena.” She said, turning back to her food, and tearing her sharp canines into the dark steak she had on her plate.
Did I freak out when she called me a pansy like all of you probably expected me to? No, I’m not a hot-head, I listened to her advice, and yeah, I was desperate for it. So there probably won’t be any more knives chucked at my mentor now. She’s the only person I can trust 100% right now. Even Cato, I had to be wary of.
Enobaria pushed back her plate. “I’m finished.” She growled, standing, and exiting the room.
”Yeah, I’m not all that hungry either.” I murmured, standing as well.
Cato walked over next to me. “I’ll walk you to your room.” He said.
I could handle myself perfectly well, but, why not, he was just being friendly. Right?
I merely nodded my head, and allowed him to guide me out of the dining room and into the halls for the rooms. We didn’t stop until the very last room.
”So, um. Goodnight.” He murmured quietly.
”Um, yeah, see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, um, Clove?” I turned to face him.
”What is it?” I asked, he looked troubled, then all of a sudden his lips were on mine.
My heart melted.
He broke the kiss just a moment later, and I felt emptiness in my soul. I didn’t want it to stop!
“Goodnight, Clove.” He said quietly, before turning on his heel, and walking back down the hallway without another word.
I couldn’t speak, I felt numb, and so confused as I closed the door of my room and laid down on my bed.
Did that just happen? Did Cato actually kiss me?
I pondered these questions for hours, until my eyes closed, and I fell asleep on top of the covers, still in the clothes I had been wearing to dinner.
