Bet

I woke up with a better attitude then before. I can just be myself, nothing forced and that makes these last couple stops all the more bearable.

They put me in the flashy dress to represent technology, though it was still kinda transparent it was pretty, for being a Capitol design.

I put the dress on, they put my hair in a fancy side braid, then I was off for the tour.

I walk in, and no one really minded me except Cato. I'm always amused for what he'll say when he sees me, maybe I like the constant interest he gives me.

This time was no different, as soon as he looks my way his eyes change. He always looks tough but they soften, just for a moment before they fill with other things.

" Beautiful as always." He says coming up to me taking in the dress, mostly the neckline.

I wait for him to notice I was staring at him. Soon his eyes travel to mine who looked amused.

" What? I like it." He says smugly before kissing me.

" They're ready whenever Kay." Enobaria announces." Just make sure your still sad from River  being crazy." She adds.

I'll try..

I go by the door, Cato comes to my side.

"Ready?" He glances from the corner of his eye.

" Ready."

" Solumn Remember." He restates.

" Your walking with me?"

" Yea. We don't need anything else happening to you, And I know I'll look better leading you."

Doesn't bother me.

With that he opens the door. I let my nerves take over so I don't look excited.

Cato leads me into I the crowd, keeping me close so no one would touch me.

He helps me up the stairs, where the whole crowd of skeptical people were looking at me.

He makes his way to where he normally would stand, behind me. That I didn't like, but it makes sense, why would he have the attention?

Though I liked having someone to stand by. I feel small, but I shake that feeling for right now taking a deep breath, beginning my speech.

Telling them this was a nice district, River would've enjoyed it. I said he liked visiting all the districts. I thanked their tributes for their sacrifices before ending the speech.

Not to shabby, I noticed I did sound shaky, of course they'll pick up on it. It still will make well for our story ending.. So sad.

As soon as I said my last word, Cato was right there, taking my hand leading me back to the train. As soon as out hands intertwine I feel my confidence come back.

I happened to take a little glance at him before we walked, he was already looking giving a kiddish grin.

Once we get in the train Neffy was there informing us what we were to do next.

" We'll be at 2 by noon, we decided we will just get the speech done right away, then we'll have the rest of the day before the celebration. After the celebration we'll leave for 1 then come back to 2." She says very formally looking between me, Baria, and Cato.

" Then we're done." Cato said, a smile coming across his face.

" Then we're done. I'll be a retired mentor, finally." Enobaria chuckles.

" Then we get to train our kids." Cato said un enthused.

I internally roll my eyes,thinking about all the girls trying to hard to get Cato's attention.

The stylist take me soon after, for two they wanted me in a whole other look and dress.

They plastered me in more makeup, putting champagne colored highlight and eye shadow on me.

They pulled my hair into a sleek high pony and added gold eyeliner.

Neffy came barging in, scolding them for forgetting the dress, it gave me warrior god vibes.

They put it on me, Neffy stood there with her big smile on her face.

" Absolutely beautiful Kaylaya! 2 will be so jealous of you, and with Cato by you side.." She says giving me a wink.

I chuckle rolling my eyes, 2 barely knew who I was now, I'm the center of attention and hated for having 2's most wanted man.

Neffy grabbed my hand, shooing the stylists away, dragging me to the main area.

Stylist were getting Cato ready, he was wearing all black, but they were adding some gold rings and small necklace to match me.

There was a stylist I didn't reconize, she seemed to be around our age, she was all over Cato. Touching his chest or getting really close in his face.

He looked annoyed, looking all around except at her.

I felt a small tug to stab her, jealousy. Yea, she was to close.

I walk up to them, planting a small kiss on his cheek. " hey." I say with a smile.

He glances over, eyebrows cocked. " Hey."

I look at the girl, she was staring at me now, if looks could kill.

" I think he looks good." I say giving her a smile.

" I wasn't-"

" I think your job is to make him look good. You did your job.Be useful somewhere else." I snap shooting daggers at her.

She closed her gaping mouth and wandered off to wherever.

I watched her until I see her pastel pink hair disappear around the corner. I felt warm hands go around my stomach.

" Ooo, I like that side of you." Cato whispers in my ear before kissing my neck quickly.

He scans my outfit, his smile increasing. " And I LOVE your outfit."

" You don't look horrible yourself." I try to say as levely as possible, now is not the right time to be kissing my neck.

" Now I have to make sure Blake doesn't even look at you, or any of the guys for that matter."

I kiss him lightly before giving a small frown," Don't be mean. You know I'm not even looking at any of them tonight."

" Doesn't mean they'll try to get your attention." He says.

" Cato." I warn.

" Beautiful."

I glare back, Cato is smiling like a idiot from his comment, knowing I couldn't be mad.

" Just behave, please? For me?" I pout.

" Fine."

I smile kissing his cheek again.

Soon we pull into 2. I go to one of the windows looking out. You can see the rolling mountains and pretty woods, leaves turning all different colors.

" I missed you." I whisper, I can't help but smile. I'm back home.

" Kay come on!" Enobaria calls.

I come by the door, like I did it seems hundred times before.

This time I'm not nervous, I'm excited.

Cato comes gripping my hand. " Ready?"

" More ready then I've ever been."

Cato nods, with that the door opens. It takes me a second to readjust to the light. I hear the people yelling, screaming, throwing flowers.

Cato leads the way, hand gripped tight with mine. I smile, waving at whoever.

He lead me to the stage, last time I was up here was for the reaping. And I was with Aspen.

I look up to see his photo on the huge bill board. He's smiling confident,  unafraid. He thought he was going to win.

There below was his family, his mom, dad, older brother and younger sister. They had a small smile.

They treated me like a second child, I was always with Aspen, so he was at my house or I was at his.

I didn't make a speech, I didn't for the others, but it felt like I should've. Here goes nothing.

It's great to be back with you all today celebrating my victory.

You never know how much you miss something until it's gone. if you guys knew me before the games you know I was always with my district partner.

We've been together everyday up until the last day in the arena. He promised he'd keep me safe, he always kept his promises.

I never thought I'd be coming back without him.

But I know he's watching over me.

Aspen, I love you. And I can't wait until we meet again..thank you.

The crowd claps, Cato comes from behind me, grabbing my hand lifting it up in the air.

" To our Victor!" He yells, the people cheer louder.

I look at him, a smile pulling at my cheeks. He looks down smiling at me, he leans to whisper in my ear.

" I wonder what would happen if I just kissed you right now."

That could go a couple different ways.

We both smirk at eachother, I bet the cameras will eat that right up.

Guards make a path for us to go through again, We decide to take cars to our houses to rest for a bit.

As we walked I scanned the crowd, seeing none of our parents. I feel a small pit in my gut, no it's my day I'm not letting anything or anyone ruin it.

The town disappears soon after, not it's just rows and rows of victor houses.

" You did great." Cato complimented giving me one slow look as he ventured down my body.

" I bet the cameras will eat up when you whispered to me."

He shrugs, " They should know the two of the hottest victors will end up getting together." He says smugly.

" I'm the hottest?" I question giving a playful smile.

" I always thought you were."

" Even before.."

" I was going to find a way to talk to you eventually. You volunteering just made it work out better."

I shook my head, " Your way of flirting was being mean to me?"

He gives me a straight look making my smile grow, " You were an ass Musak."

" You started it."

He looks out the window, " I think they're gone now."

I cock a brow, he unbuckles himself coming over to my side of the car. " I want my kiss." He says quickly before his lips were on mine.

I laugh lightly at his impulses, but I happily agree leaning back a bit more.

" Have you ever had car-"

" - Do you really need to ruin the moment?"

" It was worth a try." I mumbles.

I push him lightly, " Your horrible."

" Do you see yourself, you'd be the same way."

We arrive shortly after, " Do I look ok?" I ask.

" You mean does it look like you just didn't make out with me?" Cato jokes leaning in again.

I push his head away making him smirk. " Cato.."

" Yea you look fine."

" You need to fix-"

" I don't care what I look like, I want everyone to know I have you."

The car stops.

When we get there I see Nelly, Archer and Vad come out of Enobaria's house, running out to meet us.

" Of course they're here." Cato mutters.

I look at him, reminding him of his promise.

I see my parents and the Hadley's come out of our house. That's where they were.

As soon as the car stops, I rush out hugging my parents. " I missed you!"

" We missed you too, hun." My mom says.

I just so happened to glance at Cato and his family, his mom and dad were saying something with smiles on their faces.

Cato started crying wrapping is mom in a hug.

" Kay?" My father said .

" huh?"

" Stop drooling over Cato and pay attention." He said loud, purposely saying it loud so Cato would hear.

He wipes his tears before looking at me, trying not to laugh.

" I hate you." I mumble to my dad, which he laughed.

" We'll let you kids rest for a bit before the celebration tonight." Mrs. Hadley said.

My dad didn't like that idea but he left anyways, with the help of Mr. Hadley. He said if we get pregnant at least we can afford it, getting horrified looks from our mothers.

Cato just laughed, making me so embarrassed.

We need to leave this situation.

We walked in the house, I flopped right on the couch. Not there was kinda a new scent, Cato and me combined I guess. It smelled nice, I missed this place.

" Ughh... I missed this place."

" Yea." Cato was just standing there looking at me.

I sit up giving him a look, " What?"

He smirks walking so he's right in front of me.

He leans down grabbing my hand so I would need to stand up again. His face looked serene, full of likeness. It made me flush with curiosity.

He agin wrapped his arms tightly around me" They told you about my mom, how she's getting worse. Someone heard and contacted the Capitol. Someone sponsored medicine for her. She's healed, she hasn't had symptoms since she took it."

I couldn't help but smile, wrapping my arms around him, giving him a huge hug. " Oh my gosh! That's great! I'm glad she'll be ok."

Cato pulls away from the hug. " Kay-"

" What?"

" Your the only one that knew about her."

" Everyone else knew, maybe they said something."

" Hmmm.. I doubt that."

I was about to say something else when Cato took my face, kissing me. I happily agree, kissing him back.

" I literally love you so much it almost hurts." He mumbles.

I smile to myself, he pauses for a second " When all of this done, will you marry me?" He blurted.

I look at him in shock, did The Cato Hadley, the biggest player in Panem ask me to marry him.

His cheeks flushed red, " Sorry, I didn't mean-" he stutters.

" Yes! I can't believe you would want to marry me." I chuckle.

" Well, your very special I guess."

He takes off the smallest ring he has putting it on me.

" So they know your taken, and until I get one for you."

I kiss him one more time before I go upstairs taking off the dress. I wonder what dress they're going to put me in for tonight?

I put my hair down, brushing through it. I go back down stairs sitting by Cato, who was laughing at me because I kept looking a the ring.

Soon the stylist were back at the house, they touched up Cato before they straightened my hair, redoing my makeup so it was simple and Smokey.

They put me in a short black dress with heels to match.

They brought me back downstairs where Cato was waiting.

He scans me before looking at the stylists. " She's not going out like that."

I look at him to see if he was joking, I don't think he was.

" Why not?"

He looks over at me, " Because it's way to short."

" But you were fine with the other dresses from the tour? You were fine with the one I was just wearing?"

" But it was long on one side and it still covered enough."

" I'm wearing this. I'm going to be by you the whole night."

Cato glares at me, but I don't budge. He knows he would physically have to tear it off of me if he wanted it off.

" Let's go then." He says walking to the door.

I follow, the driver already waiting for us. Cato stands there mentioning for me to go in first.

I go, sitting on the furthest seat, Cato comes in next looking at me.

" Yes Cato."

" Your staying by me the whole night, thinking about the guys looking at you makes me sick."

" Ok."

" Ok."

Soon we get back into town, they had white lights everywhere, people running around, talking, laughing and enjoying the night.

Cato gets out first, lending me a hand. I take it and we walk into town.

" The cameras won't be here will they?" I ask.

" So if they are?"

" Don't you think it'll look bad if they see us together? Since River?"

" Then I guess if they are, we can go back to the house and have a party." His hands drops lower, he gives me a playful grin.

I punch him in the arm, " Not funny."

He couldn't help but laugh. " You didn't say no sweetheart."

" Shut up Cato."

We go into the pub, Cato orders a drink for us, both bourbons on ice.

" You know, I wouldn't have took you as liking bourbon." Cato says taking a drink of his.

" I've never liked fruity girl drinks."

" Of course you haven't" He laughs.

I see a group of guys eyeing me and Cato. " Kiss me."

" What?"

" Kiss me? Those guys over there are looking, minus we'll give them a show."

Cato smirks looking up to see who was looking, when he sees them his face falters a little bit, but looks quickly back over to me.

He was taking to long so I kissed him, turning so I could look at the boys, flipping them off.

" Did you just flip them off?" He mumbles into my mouth.

" Yep."

He laughs shaking his head. When I look back they were gone, but soon I see them coming up to us. I see Archer, Vad and Nelly with them too.

Nelly looked older, putting on more makeup, hickies littering her neck.

The boys, shake and fist bump Cato, saying he has quite the girl, they somehow convinced him to go take a shot with them. So much for him saying I'm stuck at his side.

Vad stayed back with me, " Long time no see." He says showing off his white smile.

" I know, it feels like forever since I was here, and talked to you. How are you by the way?'

" It's been the same I guess, partied, training repeat."

I laugh," No girls to catch your attention?"

" No, mine was away on a tour."

My face drops, confused for a second. He means me. I smile softly, " I'm with Cato."

" So? You were supposedly with that 4 boy. You can't tell me you and Hadley weren't together then."

" That was different. I don't cheat."

" How?"

" Rules the Capitol made us abide by, or ones the Odairs made to save themselves. I needed to."

" Was him going insane part of it too? Or did Cato get jealous?" He scoffs.

" That's not funny. Cato didn't ave anything to do-"

" Is there a problem?" I heard Cato's voice behind me. I feel one of his arms wrap around me.

I look back to just see Nelly and Archer with him. The rest were stumbling out of the bar.

" No there's not. Me and Kaylaya were just catching up." Vad says eyeing Cato.

" Hmm... Is that why she's flustered? I would leave Blake."

" We were just having a conversation-" Vad starts but Cato cuts him off.

" What did I tell you before huh? About talking to her? Your lucky your even looking at her." Cato snaps gripping harder.

Vad get's closer to Cato pointing a finger, " And I would watch your mouth Hadley."

Cato steps around me to get to Vad. " Or what? What are you doing to do?"

" What I would say would do a lot more damage then what I would do Hadley."

Cato's face straightens, knowing what Vad meant.

Cato turns to face me, grabbing my hand." Kay we're leaving."

Cato grabs my hand walking me out.

" Funny how Hadley can go quiet from a BET he MADE!" Vad yelled after us.

I turn around to see Archer giving him a look, he did it now. Nelly looks at Vad to me, worry in her face. I look at Cato who was looking to.

Though his face was a mix or anger and panic. He looks at me, " Don't listen to him, let's just go."

Oh, I want to know.

Cato mentioned he's good at bets, what bet is he talking about?

" What bet?" I ask Cato.

" Not here."

I pull our of his grip going my Vad and the others, "What do you mean bet,Blake?"

He smirks, " Cato didn't tell you?"

I shrug looking at Cato then at him " Spit it out then."

" Kay-" Cato grabs me but I back away.

" You were a bet. Hadley always said he'd find a way to get you. After the games he said he could get you to kiss him, or I guess date him in your circumstance." He spits, " He said it would be payback for his dad, I guess he didn't think he'd get caught up in his own lies."

I look at him, trying to process what he just said.

He wanted me to like him, then he'd what? This..what we had.. was a bet.

" What?"

I turn to Cato, he looks from Vad to me. " No, that's not what-" He grabs my hands softly but I pull away.

" That's why you were so nice when I woke up when Riv-"

I couldn't finish the sentence. When River said all those horrible things, when I was at my lowest..it was all fake. I gave him the PERFECT gateway in.

I gave him our bet, he was so determined..

It was all fake, every single thing. I felt betrayed, purely and utterly betrayed.

I opened up to him, defended him, helped him. Every single moment we shared..

Fake.

Everything that had happened the last couple months was fake.

" How do you feel about him now?" Vad says smiling.

I turn back around punching him in the face. I hear the crack so loud, it almost echos. Archer and Nelly liked wide eyed at us.

They all knew. What did I ever do to them?

Nelly. After what I did for Nelly!

" All you guys are disgusting."

I look at Nelly. She was looking at me, guilty as ever. I point at her, " And you? After everything I did for YOU! I went in those damn games for you! I went through all of that for you!" I feel tears brim my eyes, " I watched my best friend die..for you."

I scoff, " I wish I didn't, that would've saved a lot of pain and suffering."

" Kay-"

I push her hand away. " Your dead to me."

Then I look at him.

I feel absolutely broken inside, I feel betrayed, broken, sad, mad, used.

I knew he was hurt about his dad.

But after all that I said to him, after I apologized.

He still wanted to go through with this.

He physically finches when I look at him. I laugh to myself, " Good acting. And congratulations." I look down at the ring he gave me throwing it at him.

I needed to leave.

" Kaylaya." He tries grabbing my arm.

" Don't touch me!" I grit.

I feel tears welling up in my eyes even more, everything since the games has been a lie? Did he really care?

I rush to the car, "Take me home." I choke out, they go right away not even asking about Cato. I sit in the back trying my best not to cry.

Once I get back to the house I run upstairs in my room,locking the door.

I throw off the stupid dress, I wash off the makeup and change in to sweats and a crop.

I felt so gross and used, it literally made my scream. I throw whatever I can find, I punch the walls, kick the doors until I'm absolutely exhausted.

I see headlights come down the road,pulling up to the house, Cato jumps out before the driver fully parked. I hear him run through the house and up the stairs.

He tries opening the door,"Kaylaya open the door, let me explain...please." He begs,talking a mile a minute.

" Go away Cato." I say in between sobs, accidentally letting one out.

Cato shakes the door handle desperate to get the door to open.

" Kay please let me in, baby that's not what happened please.." I could hear him choking up, making me infuriated.

" Your the last person I want to talk to Cato, what the hell is wrong with you!" I scream, sobbing uncontrollably." Just leave me alone." I whimper.

There was silence for a second, I know Cato better then that. He wouldn't leave I know that for sure.

I hear a wiggle on the door before I hear a click, he picked the lock the door opening quickly. He shuts it behind him locking it, it's not like anyone else is here.

I sit there looking at them, more tears streaming down my face.

Cato sighs sitting on the bed, " Don't come by me." I spit.

" Just let me explain-"

" No! I don't want your explanation! I want you off my bed, and out of my room." I say sobbing.

I get up, to go to the bathroom, " Honestly screw you Cato."

Cato gets up and grabs me.

" Let me Go!" I scream, beating on his arms.

Cato holds me, not letting go,waiting for me to be done.

I hit him till I couldn't no more, he had me to close for me to do any damage. All I could do is cry.

" I hate you so much right now." Is all I could whimper.

" I know."

" How could you?"

He sets me back on the bed, I scooted back by the head board to be the furthest away from him.

" I made that bet even before I said anything to anyone. The day in the hospital before everything happened."

I stare at him, not saying a word.

" And when I saw you cry for the first time. I knew I needed to protect you."

He chuckles to himself " When we got back, I got in a fight with my dad about you, all those feeling came back, I mentioned something to the Blake's Archer was the one that said I should do it, if it'll make me feel better."

He took a breath, " So I walked back to the car determined that's what I was going to do. Then you came shortly after, mad about your parents. I know the feeling when they look at you differently, then you mentioned they said I was a monster."

I see tears glaze over his eyes, " I've been called that so many times, but maybe only a couple to my face. They never wanted me to talk to you because I was a monster. Then you said I wasn't, and I believed you."

I see him smile, " I held on to those drunk words you told me like they were my lifeline. After all I did to you, you still didn't think I was. That's when I realized you were different."

I wanted to believe him, I really did.

" Then I saw you with Vad, he wanted you just as much as I did. Your so intoxicating." He said softly.

" When I saw you on him, I felt jealous. I haven't felt that way in forever. That's when I knew I wanted you. Not just for the bet, I wanted to know you. You remind me of someone I used to-"

" I remind you of Clove?" I say, wiping off the tear on my face.

Cato's face stiffens. " Me and River watched your games. She didn't drool over you either so that made her desireable."

I bite my cheek looking him square in the eye. " Or was she a bet to Cato? Was the whole realationship a lie too? I don't think it was, and I don't think you would've done this either to her. Not in a million years, not ever."

Cato looked at me speechless, " Don't bring her into this."

I laugh" Why not? I know you wouldn't of. What? You couldn't live without her so I'm like her so you said why not?"

" Your not her."

I feel my heart string break, " Yea I know. I was her distraction."

" No, Kay your better then her, I loved her. But she never had mercy on anyone, barely myself. You do, you take care of people. And if I needed to choose. I-I would choose you."

" Don't say things you know you don't mean." Tears streaming down my face again.

I see tears now coming out of Cato's eyes " I do, I really do mean that. I wouldn't be sitting here crying like an idiot, I would still be at that party, drinking, hooking up with girls. And I've never even thought of marriage until you."

Cato takes my hand, " Please don't leave me." He cries.

I pull my hand away. How can I even trust him?

" I don't even know what to say right now, I don't even know what was real or not."

" All of it-"

" That's a lie and you know it!"

" No it's not Kay, all that I said...it was all true."

He shakes his head, " Now thinking about it, taking the bet was the dumbest thing I ever did, and I'm so sorry. I love you, I do, I really do. There were nights I'd stay up thinking about telling you, and I should've. But I didn't...And I regret it. Just give me another chance Kay." He begs.

I stay silent, unsure what to say. Is he serious or does he want to finish this sick bet?

" I need to think."