Game Plan

I always had nice things, my family was never short of money but this strain makes me look poor.

It was beautiful.

Just everything seemed so much better, even the wood on the walls to the paintings. They just look so much more expensive, I mean..I know they are.

Me and Aspen make our way down to the first cart where we were supposed to meet with our mentors.

When we arrived they were all talking, they all looked up at the same time inspecting us. I don't know why, but my eyes went right to Cato.

Who was also looking directly at me, his face looked annoyed. Maybe it was from me volunteering or a couple weeks ago when I glared at him for the Aspen comment.

Enobaria was the first one to speak, " Nice too formally meet the new face here." She smiled, I think it was genuine. " Please, sit."

I did, sitting directly across from Cato, who was still had his gaze on me.

" I'm sorry, what was your name again?" Enobaria asked.

" Kaylaya."

" She's Kane Musak's kid." Cato piped in.

Enobaria looked surprised, " Oh."

What does oh mean?

" Is that a bad thing?" I ask, intrigued.

She shakes her head smirking, " No, I know Kane well. He helped train me when I was a tribute, he's very skilled."

I smile.

" I don't think I've ever trained you, I would've remembered you if you were his kid." Enobaria says leaning forward a bit.

I shrug, " I got pulled out when I was young."

The whole conversation Cato was just listening. Still I don't think his eyes ever left me.

" Well, I'm Enobaria but Baria is good too. I assume you already know Cato." She says more to me then Aspen.

I look at Cato, " Somewhat, out parents are close." I say simply before looking back at Enobaria.

She glances at Cato before looking back at Aspen, " Well, I'm glad you didn't skip out."

Aspen chuckles, " Would never."

Baria smirks folding her hands on the table. " I'm sure Lexus will get plenty punishment from the district for not volunteering, serves her right. But let's talk about what you two can bring to the games now since we have Kaylaya."

What am I supposed to say? I can't say anything about combat yet, but Cato answers for me.

" I don't think she'll bring much considering my dad just begged me before we left to bring her back home." He mutters.

I scoff a little bit looking at him, " I have plenty to bring, thank you very much."

He lifts his brows, " Oh yea? Like what?" He asks.

" I'm smart." I mean, I'm a lot more then smart but he'll figure that out soon enough.

Cato smirks leaning forward, " Smart? Fox face in my games was smart, she killed herself with berries. Smart isn't going to get you far."

I flash a smile, " She almost killed you with those berries. Lucky for you, your little friend from 1 told you they were poisonous. Otherwise I don't think you'd be here right now."

He clenches his jaw, I see Enobaria look between us with an amused smile. She must be enjoying this, and Aspen.. it looks like he just saw a ghost.

What? No one dares say anything to the great Cato?

" The most you could do is make traps." He spits.

I cock my brow, " Traps killed many kids in the games."

" First you'd need to get through the bloodbath."

" Easy. Run, kill, get supplies, leave."

Cato chuckles, " You act like it's that easy. Then what about days after?"

" I know what plants and berries to eat. My father taught me." I snap.

Keep you cool Kay.

He looked like he enjoyed making me annoyed, " Ok, what do you do if someone comes at you with a knife?"

" I think I'll be ok." I challenge.

" How can you sound so sure?" He questions.

That questioning could go different ways, it's a trick question.

I lean back, keeping my cool. " Your the mentor, aren't you supposed to tell me how to do that. Or.. are you just here to get with Capitol women because you used all the ones back at home?"

Enobaria was drinking something, she snorted it almost went all over me and Aspen. Cato opened his mouth just a tad..speechless..he was speechless.

I continued, " I'm pretty sure a couple weeks ago I nearly knocked out your best kid for the games. If he's the toughest... I think this will be a breeze."

" I like her." Enobaria says giving me a wide smile.

I smile a bit to looking at Cato. He rolls his eyes " I'm going to get a drink, especially if I need to deal with her." With that he leaves.

" You guys better rest up a little to. We'll see you later for reapings." Enobaria says. " Go to the next cart, pick any room. Aspen, you stay here."

I get up, I'm not losing my cool this early here, especially with him. Now I know why our fathers kept us seperate. We'd never get along.

Total dick personality.

I find my room, it was cute. Clothes and everything were included, the Capitol's finest fabrics. Everything about this was luxury.

I showered throwing on different clothes laying in the bed. I hear a knock on the door, debating whether to open it or not. I decide to, hoping it wasn't Cato. No, he wouldn't come see me.

I open it slowly peeking out to see Aspen, he's looking down at me.

" Hey." He says.

" Hey."

He came in his arms crossed.

" What's up?" I ask.

" You really screwed up you know."  He states, he looked mad.

I gave him a confused look," How?"

" Well for starters Cato is mad. He's refusing to mentor us. Baria is trying to talk to him."

I seriously bruised his ego that bad?

I chuckled " Let him cry about it then, if he wants to be like that we'll just listen to Enobaria then. Let the big baby-"

" This isn't a joke Kaylaya! " He yelled, he came a step closer, I stood my ground looking  him blankly.

Aspen closes his eyes taking a breath before I continuing. " This is the Hunger Games. Not to mention quell, they'll have more sick ideas, more danger, more everything. We need all the help we can get. We need Cato, he's the best 2 has ever seen for mentors, not to mention he can persuade almost anyone to get what he wants. We need him."

I sigh, I will admit maybe I did lose my cool a little bit.

But Cato did start it, but obviously couldn't finish it.

But I know Aspen will try his best to protect me, so I need to try to protect him the best I can. Even if that means apologizing.

" I'll talk to him, I'll apologize. I'm sorry." I mumble.

" Ok, good. Thank you." He says calmly. He backs up " Sorry I'm just nervous. I don't want anything happening to you."

" It's fine, I told our mentor he was a man whore, I should be the one apologizing." I say giving a small grin.

His straight face soon turned into a smile, he shook his head looking at me. " I mean.. You probably weren't wrong."

I cocked my head, giving a grin. " I'm never wrong."

" So.. what do you think the game plan is? I mean about what they'll know and not know about you?"

" I don't think Cato should know I know how to fight... not yet anyways. If he doesn't want to help now, I know he won't if he found out his dad trained me and not him. They know we're friends. I guess just be a duo, I'm the brains your the muscle. We can figure out the rest once we watch the reapings."

Aspen nods, " Good enough, speaking or reapings.. We should go they'll be on shortly."

I start for the door, " Well, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

We walk to the main cart where everyone was, looking at us as we walk in. Cato made sure to give me a glare. I looked away, not wanting to make anymore conflict. I happen to see out Escort Neffy now here.

Neffy gasped smiling widely, " Oh goody your here! I was just about to go get you two. The reapings are starting soon!"

" That's what we're here for." I said, why else would we be here, to be social? No way.

There were only 4 pieces of furniture, Cato was hogging the whole couch, 2 people could sit on it easily but I don't think anyone wants to anger him right now. I can tell you right now, I'm not going to baby him like everyone else does here.

Aspen gave me the chair to sit on while he sits in between my legs. I know he was stressed, he was rigid, I know some of that stress was from me so I felt a little bad.

I started massaging his shoulders talking amongst ourselves since the others were talking to each other. We didn't realize they were looking at us confused.

Cato decided to break the silence, of course.

" I thought you said you two weren't together." He says smartly.

Me and Aspen just look at each other, we both smile laughing almost. " We aren't. Just friends." I say with a smile. Cato was about to make another comment before the Games sound comes on, here we go.

Caesar Flickerman flashed on the screen, he is bright smile is all that you could see. His face looked so painted on it was almost embarrassing.

Ceasar has been the host for as long as I could remember. And through the years I don't think he's gotten any older. There is not one fine line on that man.

" Doesn't he just have the most beautiful skin!" Neffy said. I roll my eyes, " I wonder how much he would melt it I put a lighter to his face."

Neffy gasped at my remark,I heard a snicker from someone - in fact - it was Cato, I glanced in his direction before looking down at my hands smiling.

" Welcome to the 75th Hunger Game Reaping Report! Not to mention the 3rd quarter Quell, Let's not waste anymore time let's jump right into 1." He says flashing his bright white smile. His attitude was always so cheery.

I wonder how he acts as soon as the cameras cut. I've always wondered if they really were that cheery.

The tributes from 1 were impressive not going to lie, the girl had bright blonde hair and big.. gold eyes? "Why are her eyes like that?" I asked.

" 1 is all about looks it's pretty much a mini capitol." Enobaria said.  " Don't be fooled though, they train too. Not as much as us, but they can still be deadly."

The girl was around 5'7 she wasn't really built or had any muscle. " She must be bow." I thought out loud, oops.Everyone just looked at me. Enobaria nods a small smile forming. "Lucky guess." Cato says glancing at me.

" Don't count me out yet." I chimed. Nice going Kaylaya.

" I wouldn't sound to cocky yet techy." He mumbled. "She doesn't look as much of a threat, she seems to involved in her looks." He says.

" It's either they have skill or they'll die of not having enough hair spray got it." I say taking a mental note of that.

The boy was super tall and muscular, he had to lift weights so he must be trained in hand to hand. He could definently throw a spear or handle a sword.

" Great we have Cato with us" Aspen whispered to me.

I stared at the boy on the screen feeling a bit nervous myself.

" Yea, he looks like a little bit of a problem." Cato says sarcastically.

I shoot Cato a look, " He has a lot of muscle mass, yea, but he couldn't run far distances, he'll tire out quick but until he does I guess run fast. But I know me and Aspen can climb trees. If he's anything like you, or your attempt with the girl from 12 he'll have a sore ass."

Cato gives me a look, Aspen squeezes my leg a little bit warning me.

" I didn't mean it in a bad way, but I am right..right?" I ask trying to sound like I don't know the answer to that question.

Cato just rolls his eyes and looks back at the screen.

I was right.

Next it was us. We all looked so relaxed knowing who was going, Lexus was called you can clearly see me looking at her, then at Nelly, I didn't realize I was walking to the stage before saying anything, both mentors were looking at me. I see Cato give our parents a look before looking back at me.

Anyone could tell something was up.

I saw Aspen looking at me shaking his head, I didn't see that. I looked the part that's for sure. I strolled effortlessly to the stage as I meant to be.

Frankly I looked good, I have a killer body literally... I'm 5'11 which is pretty tall for a girl, all the training made me have a defined, toned body. You can see some muscle on me. Aspen was already out of the crowd when he volunteered.

He's taller then me, and quite muscular. He looked scary though I know he was actually mad since I was up there. No one else knows that, they just think he's tough.

It looked like we were squaring each other up when we were staring at each other, no fear. It'll get us noticed for sure. Cato and Enobaria lifting out hands already made it look like we won.

Already a known threat.

The only other districts that caught my eye was 4 and 7. 4 has some careers, they train freely it's not required. Everyone does train just in case they are unlucky and get picked. Of course the male was an Odair... River Odair. It pans to Finnick he has a smirk, clapping. He knows he was on TV.

The girl was shorter then him, by a couple inches. She wasn't thrilled that's for sure. She didn't look scared either, mad I guess.

Then 7, twins were picked, they looked shocked more then anything. They till look like they could do damage. 7 is lumber so carrying wood made then fit. They'll be axes, and I know they know how to handle one.

By the time they go through the tributes it was late, all of us yawning. " We'll be in the Capitol later in the morning, but we still need to get up and ready!" Neffy says getting up.

Enobaria rolls her eyes following " Rest well everyone.", Aspen gives me another squeeze getting up, same with Cato.

Time to apologize.

" Cato, can I talk to you." I blurt.

He stops looking a little apprehensive, " Please." I say trying to sound sincere.

He sighs sitting back down.

Baria looks between the both of us before walking out. Aspen gives me a small nod doing the same.

I smile a little bit sitting back down in the chair.

" What?" He asks. I see a small smile form " Are you going to apologize?" He teases.

This is why I never take the high road.

" I do, actually. What I said.. I shouldn't have said it. I'm...sorry. I get if your mad at me but don't take it out on Aspen he didn't do anything. If you don't want to train me fine just leave Aspen out of this."

" Fine, I'll leave him out." He says.

I think that meant it's forgiven.

" I didn't think you had it in you to apologize." He adds.

Yea, I wish I could take it back."

I just rolled my eyes and smiled, " I'm full of surprises."

I got up to leave but Cato got to the door first.

" I actually have a question for you." He says standing in the door way.

I take a deep breath, " Yea?"

He smirks, " How did you know he was behind you?"

" Who?" I asked though I already know.

" The kid you punched."

" I heard him. It's not like he was quiet."

" You also knew where to punch him? You had good form."

Now it's my turn to smile, " Was that supposed to be a compliment?"

" No. It's not. I'm just wondering who taught you that?

I make sure I'm keeping a level face, " My dad. I need to know how to at least punch. You and I both know what he wants me to be."

He half nods, " Well, if you don't know already. I took care of the kid. He won't be pulling anything like that again."

I scoff, " My punch wasn't enough for him?"

" And not even a thank you?" He asks. " It took a lot of work to break that hand."

I furrow my brows, " Was that my mom's emergency patient?"

" Maybe."

I couldn't help but laugh, he'd do anything to beat someone up. He looked proud, but his smirk faded as he studied me.

This is my que to leave.

" Well, I'm going to bed."

" Yea. Be ready in the morning." He says.

I walked past him holding in the sigh I so want to let out.

" Oh, Kaylaya!" He says.

What now? I turn.

" There's a med cart, for your hand it still looks a little rough. Maybe I should train you so you actually know how to punch."

I bite back a snarky remark and glare. " I'd appreciate that. But I should be fine."

I've also seen his hands, his knuckles. I know he did more then 'Break his hand' his knuckles are just as much banged up as mine are if not worse.

If there's an opportunity for Cato to fight he'll do it. It wasn't for mine or anyone's good except for his own.

I turn back around walking down the hall to my room.

This is going to be interesting.