The Hunger Games: A Change In Heart

Chapter 9

I stared at Cato, still in shock.

"Katniss?" Cato said wary. 

"You like me? Since when?" I stutter. 

"Well Uh since you volunteered for Blondie." Blondie?  

"You mean Prim?" 

"Yeah and Katniss I like you because you were so brave to volunteer. To be District 12's first volunteer since your District is filled with a bunch of cowards."  

I didn't like that he was trash talking my District but I was speechless.

"Katniss, you're brave and selfless and I wish that there was more people like you in the world. You are better then all of this. Better than the capital, the hunger games, me." He finishes.

I look into his blue eyes. They look different from his icy blue eyes, they were warm, inviting.

"I will protect you. I will make sure you make it out alive and back to your family." I believed him. Who knew how different Cato could be.

"Training is over. All of you need to return to your mentors for dinner."

"I gotta go." I tell Cato and I see that he is upset that I didn't say something that made him feel like I wanted him. Truth is I don't know if I do or don't. It's a lot to take in. I turn away from the boy who just poured his heart out to me and started walking to the door. I spotted Peeta and made sure I stayed as far away from him as I could. I headed to the elevator and clicked my floor button. I tried to understand everything that just happened. I ditched Peeta and joined the careers. I fight with Cato and he tells me he is going make sure I make it out alive. He also told me likes me. I don't know if that means like he is in love with me bit he has feelings for me he told me himself. It was weird to think about. I walked into all three of them waiting for me. Peeta glaring at me, Haymitch looking impressed and Effie filled with worry.

"Way to go sweetheart! Joining Careers and all you did was work on your weaknesses!" Haymitch applauded.

"She is going to get herself killed Haymitch. How can you be HAPPY for her?" Peeta says disgusted.

"I agree. How will we know what they say is true and keep her alive?" Effie mumbled.

"That's what trust is you two. Plus Katniss could take down a career or two before they even lay a hand on her." Haymitch told them confidently. Haymitch is growing on me. He reminds me of my father a lot. I just wanted to finish my stew and go to bed. I excused myself from the table with all of them still arguing. I plop down on my bed and curl up under my covers a fall into a dreamless sleep.

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This is the day we had all been nervous about: Alone session with the game makers. I felt like I was going to throw up. Haymitch came up to my room and told me to come down for breakfast. I followed him to the table. Peeta wasn't even looking at me.

"Alright guys today show these game makers what you got. Don't hold back today and try and get the highest score possible." I went over what he had said in my head over and over in my head as we headed to our seats. Cato walked up to Peeta and me. I could see Peeta shift his weight in the corner of my eye. Cato bent down next to me.

"Good luck Katniss." he whispered into my ear. He leaned back up and walked to his chair. I heard Peeta mumble something along the lines of "using you" but I ignored it. It felt like we had been sitting there for hours and we probably have been. They call the Districts in order and then girls first. Finally District 11's boy tribute went in. Which meant I was next. He was in there for about fifteen minutes when they announced 'Katniss Everdeen' on the intercom. I felt Peeta grasp my wrist.

"Good luck." he says. I was happy that he wasn't angry enough to not give me any encouragement.

"You too." I say. He let's go of my wrist. And I walked through the heavy set doors. They closed behind my when I entered. They were eating, drinking, laughing and talking. I had walked over to this silver bow. Much nicer than the one I have at home. I said my name introducing myself to the gamesters. It became silent as I picked up the bow. I looked at them, they were watching me. I readied my bow pulling the arrow back. My target was the red circle on the dummies chest. I released the arrow. I missed! I didn't even hit the dummy! The people watching me laughed and turned back to what they were doing earlier. I grabbed another arrow, frustrated, and readied my bow again. I took a deep breath and released. It hit the red circle on the dummies chest. I smiled and looked up at the game makers. They weren't even looking. They were too busy admiring the pig with its mouth opened and in apple in it. I was too angry to rethink what I was about to do. I grabbed another arrow, aimed, pulled back the arrow and released. It pierced the apple right in the middle, yanking it out of the pig's mouth and hit the wall, staying in place with a thud. The gasped and turned towards me.

"Thank you for your consideration." I bowed slightly and walked to the exist. I should've turned around and said sorry bit I didn't. I joined Peeta and Haymitch on the couch and told them what I just did. Peeta and Effie were not happy, yelling at me. Haymitch laughed when I told him.

"You showed 'em what the girl on fire can do." he laughs. District 1, 2, 3 got relatively high scores. Cato got a nine. The only other stick out numbers were from 11. The little girl, rue pulled out a seven and the big boy tribute, Thresh got a nine. He would be a problem in the arena. Now our District's turn.

"Peeta Mellark" Ceasar Flickerman's voice rang. "Eight " Peeta looked surprised as his stylist team cheered and we congratulated him.

"Katniss Everdeen" Ceasar said. I didn't want to hear my score I probably only got a one. I should have said sorry. Why am I so stupid! "Eleven." Every one cheered. What! An eleven! I got the highest score out of everyone. I smiled getting hugs from everyone.

"Now let's get you to ready for the interviews tonight!" Cinna said and with that, we were whisked away to our rooms