Capitol

" Rest well, we will have strict times to get you ready!" Neffy said managing to get up with that dress on.

Dezzy and Dom stand up stretching, Fero was just about to when Evie gently pulled him back down.

" Night guys." Dezzy says, Dom follows.

Neffy was waddling out, now it was just me, Cato, and 12.

" Kay, can I talk to you?" Evie asks.

" What do you want 12?" Cato asks.

" Cato.. your name isn't Kay." Evie retorts sending him a look.

" We're both your mentors, so what you say to Kaylaya you can say to me." Cato countered.

Evie glares at him, I know she's thinking.. debating whether or not to say it.

" Any weak spots we should know about." She says slowly watching Cato's expression carefully.

I was doing the same thing.

" Weak spots?" Cato questions giving somewhat of an annoyed look.

" Hey." I shush him, I don't need a break in our alliances with our tributes, they need eachother.

Cato rolls his eyes.

I need to be careful what I say, they all need an equal chance...and honestly there's really no holes in either of the pairs.

I need an answer that will satisfy Cato and 12 without much conflict. The only thing I guess I notice with 2 is their bond.

" They don't have a strong bond, they fight a lot." I tell glancing at them, then at the door making sure they're not coming back.

" So....they could be shaky in our alliance?" Fero asks apprehensive.

" They know how the alliances work. Even if they didn't want to be in alliance with you, they know you two are their best bets. You have a loyalty to eachother now." Cato says crossing his arms looking between the two.

I stay quiet. I feel bad talking about them blind sided.

" Now, you two go to bed. I'd be careful what you say and do 12...you don't want to break off something before your even in the arena. You have a big enough target on your backs already." Cato warns.

He doesn't wait for any further commentary before grabbing my hand, leading us to his room locking it.

"Why did you lock the door, I need to get clothes to change into?"

" Because I know Evie will be at your door asking more questions along with Fero following like a puppy." Cato bluntly said.

He went to his closet throwing me a shirt, " Here."

I grabbed it going into the bathroom to change. Already there's tension and I don't like it. I'll need to talk to them, just telling them to..trust.

That's such a fragile thing, especially for what they're going to be doing in a week or so.

But they need to know. Like Cato said, they both need this just as badly.

I shake the thoughts for right now going back by Cato, he was already in bed, clicking through the channels.

I crawled in the bed quietly flipping over on my side trying to go to bed.

" Kaylaya." He says.

" Hmm?" I mumble.

" I'm not letting you talk to them for all of our good. Trust me, we don't need them breaking the alliance they'll pick out weaknesses themselves, along with 2 doing the same. If they want to talk, they talk to eachother."

I stay silent for a moment, deciding what to say."Ok."

Cato grabs my shoulder rolling me on my back. " Is it ok?" He asks eyeing me.

" I trust you."

He looks taken back, that wasn't what he thought he was going to hear.

I rub a hand down my face," I mean, Enobaria taught you I guess.. I'm here just to learn"

He nods, " Ok, I just didn't want you to be mad. I know you guys are close, and I know you want them to come back."

" We'll just need to tell them the importance of trust."

He lightly smiles, " We will." He leans in kissing me "Night."

" Night."

His alarm woke us up to soon, I didn't miss these strict schedules waking up. One plus is I don't need to get all glamored up anymore.

Me and Cato get up, going into the main cart, Neffy will have the tributes up pretty soon.

Cato looks out the window, " We're in 1 right now, we should be there in a couple hours."

" Hurry, come along! We need to eat then get you guys ready!"

Me and Cato look at eachother smiling. Yep, Don't miss Neffy nagging us.

There the 4 were.

All looking dead. They look like they barely slept, the annoyance of Neffy was dripping off their faces.

" You all look so excited this morning!" Cato said all to happy, making them all look at Cato even more annoyed.

" Sit down and eat..you can't get much better then this." I say.

As soon as they sit they dig right in, they look at eachother in disbelief at how good the food is, which makes me smile down at my plate.

Once they are done, Neffy gets the stylists to take them away to get into their dresses and suits to walk through the crazy line of Capitolians.

Which makes me roll my eyes.

" Good luck!" I call after them, making them all exchange glances.

" They have no idea what's coming." Cato says.

I chuckle. " No idea."

He stands, " Well, we have a little bit of time. What do you want to do?" He asks.

I shrug.

" Well, I have some ideas." He says coming up behind my chair, kissing my shoulders.

" We don't have that much time Hadley." I give him a grin looking at him.

He stops looking at me. " Don't call me that."

" Call you what?"

" Hadley."

I scoff " Why."

" Because, you called my that when we hated eachother, or when your pissed at me."

I hear aggressive muttering and clicking of heels, Neffy was talking to herself before she pauses looking at us.

" WHAT are you two doing! You need to get ready!"

" Neffy we have a good 20 minutes before we even need to stand, we don't need to spend 5 hours getting ready just to look like.."

Cato looks at her gold get up, he had her hair in a slick gold wig, her makeup all gold along with her tight gold dress and heels.

He points at all of her." Gold participation medal."

Neffy gasps, he grabs some of the fruit throwing it at him...because that does so much damage.

" This OUTFIT is worth then your whole existence! Do you hear me Cato! Kaylaya.. your going to let him talk to a woman like that?" She yells.

Cato looks at Neffy wide eyed, then looking at me.

" Your right I shouldn't.." I say...time to stir the pot.

I slap his cheek, not really that hard, smirking so I don't laugh.

" Hmm..That's what you get Cato... You better be ready otherwise I'll throw more then just fruit." Neffy threatens clicking away.

Cato touched where I slapped him. " Ohh your so paying for that later."

I smiled quickly kissing him where I slapped him, "I'm going to get ready... don't be late otherwise you'll feel Neffys wrath."

He laughs, " Shut up."

I laugh walking down the hallway to my room to see what I could make.

I found a tan two piece deciding to put that on, doing my makeup as minimal as possible. I wonder what everyone else's looks are?

I can only imagine what their dresses look like. I go back out waiting for them to come out. For the first time I was the first one out.

I sit down looking out the window, we were incredibly close, the shimmer of the glass like buildings of the Capitol were just around the corner.

The fake beauty covers up such ugly, barbaric things they do.

I take a deep breath, composure. I need to keep all negative emotions tucked away until we get back.

" You glad your not in that ridiculous dress?"

I chuckle, Cato.

" That blue dress did not fit me one bit."

He had on a blueish colored shirt on with black pants. " I thought you'd be wearing black, I wanted to match." He says " But I guess that looks good too." He smirks.

I smile, " Maybe tonight we can match."

" I look like an ugly Anne doll!"

Evie.

Me and Cato look at eachother, ready to attempt not to laugh.

" We all look stupid, so will the other tributes." I hear Fero say.

Evie comes out, her dress looked similar to mine from last year, except hers wasn't as poofy and has no sleeves.

Fero had the same color on, his pants had ruffle on the bottoms. He looked so much like Aspen.

Soon Dezzy and Dom come out, hers also looks like mine and Evie's, same with Dom.

They all match.

Why do they all match? They're seperate districts.

" Where's Neffy?" I ask to the group.

" She was talking to the stylists." Fero says.

I nod walking in the direction they came, curiosity takes over.

She steps out of the one door, almost bumping into her. " Oh! I'm so sorry!" She says.

" Your fine Neff. I just have a question."

She gives me a confused look, but I continue. " Why do they all look the same, the girls and guys outfits match except the colors are barely different."

Her smile grows, " Wasn't it a great Idea! It was Elsie's and Aelin's idea!"

I furrow my brows, " Who's Aelin?"

" Oh! She's 12's designer! We thought it would be lovely to match Panem's strongest tributes with the..weaker one."

" They're not weak. They don't train. Tell them not to do it again, it's purposely putting a target on their backs." I warn.

" I'm the escourt, I decide what and what not to put on them..along with 12's Koa-"

" And I'm their damn mentor Neffy. It's my job for them to get back out...They're not matching anymore."

I walk back out taking a breath of composure, we were just pulling in, perfect timing.

The tributes were by the windows waving, the Capitol people screaming and waving, some try to jump on the train.

" Come here." I instruct, they pull away coming by me and Cato. " You want them to like you, smile..they like smiling and they will try to touch you just act like you love it..easier said then done I know. When we get in the building you'll get ready for tonight."

They all nod, Evie rolls her eyes but the rest should half way enjoy it.

The train stops, " Stay with your partners." Cato says.

" I thought we went with them." I whisper.

" How are we supposed to do that with 4?" Cato questions. I sigh, Cato wraps his hand in mine.

I feel the nerves again, just like last year. The only difference is that this time me and Cato are walking together as a couple instead of two headstrong kids that didn't like eachother.

" I still think you look the best." Cato says running his hand down my arm, making goosebumps form.

I smile, " I guess you look good to."

" I always look good."

I roll my eyes. He gives me a look, " I do, that's why so many girls want me."

" But they can't have you."

" No. Same with you, if one of these freaks try to touch you I'll kill them."

" You didn't think that last year."

" I did. I glared at any of them that touched you remember?"

Maybe I do remember that. even when he hated me he still didn't let anyone hurt me...except for him at first.

Avoxes open the doors for us, the screaming piercing my ears. This time they had some sort of glass to seperate us from the people was we walked, but they still pushed themselves on it as much as possible to get closer.

They all did great. They smiled and waved, looking so happy to be here, that should gain favor.

We went into the tall building, the tribute center, the stylists already lined up waiting for their tributes. Neffy was there with Elsie and what I'm assuming was Aelin and Koa...all of them looking a little stern.

" Guys, these will be your stylists.. and 12 there's your escourt, finally deciding to show up." Cato remarks.

I squeeze his hand a little bit, telling him to stop.

Koa rolls her eyes, " I'm here. I've been told we don't want to match 2 and 12?" She asks, looking directly at me.

I don't like her already, and I'm not liking Neffy right now either.

Cato was also looking at me, confused what she was saying.

" I didn't want them to match, that proves more loyalty causing pre made targets for them, they are not district partners, they are allies from SEPARATE districts." I snap.

" Then we won't match them." Elsie says simply, Aelin nods " Agreed."

I smile, " I'm glad we agree."

The tributes were swept away, if only they knew what this all entails.. I'm sure we'll hear all about it from the stylists and tributes tonight.

" So...what do we do now?" I ask Cato.

" We go settle in our rooms, then we need to go down in the tunnels marking sure our chariot is ready."

" I like this a lot better then being a tribute." I grinned.

Cato chuckles, " Yea, I think anyone would."

He leads me to the elevator, all of the memories come rushing back to me, some I want to remember. Most I would do anything to forget.

The elevator dings, we're on the 2nd floor the sweet smell arrives in my nose. The keys were in a pristine white bag hanging on the door knob with our district number on.

He grabs the bag unlocking the door, the smell of cologne and alcohol hit my nose, I smell Aspen's cologne.

My throat tightens, I thought I was doing good. I wasn't thinking about him as much and when I happened to it didn't hurt. Now it's like a new wound reopened.

I look around, nothing was touched since we closed the door around the same time last year. I walk forward, running my hand on the red wood table.

" Do we still have the same rooms?" I ask Cato.

" Yes."

Mine was close to Cato's and directly across from Aspens, or now whoever will be taking it over. " I'm going to take a shower, I didn't take one this morning, you'll be ok right?' Cato asks.

I smile the best I can trying to convince him " Yea I'll be fine."

" Ok, there should be all new clothes in your room if you want to change.  Once the tributes pick their rooms Avoxes will bring theirs in."

" Ok."

He goes in his room, I walk over by the main area sitting on the huge couch sighing. I look around, this year was going to be the same but so different at the same time.

Those feelings were slowly creeping up, I swallow hard. I can't. Not yet.

I hear the shower come on, I decide you go into my room, wanting to change into something different before the tribute parade.

I get up walking down the long hall, slowly. I'm not sure why I guess I'm nervous to see my room, or see the door across from it.

As I get closer I look more and more at Aspen's door, does it still smell like him? I wanted to know, I opened the door on such impulse flinging it open.

His smell hits me like a brick I couldn't help but take a deep breath. I feel a tear well up in my eye. I blink rapidly, I know I should close the door but instead I walk in, closing the door behind me.

I walk carefully through, going on the bed trying to breath in as much as him as I could.

" I could really use you right now Aspen, Life's been rough." I choke, I lean my head on the wall I felt a tear but wiped it of.

I hear the shower stop.

I know Cato will check on me, he knows me to well probably thinking I'm crying already, I mean he's not wrong, but he told me I need to be strong.

I go off the bed going into my room, going on my bed turning on the TV. as soon as I get settled Cato opened my door.

Hopefully he can't see I was crying. " How are you taking it?" He asks.

" I'm adjusting." I say, though my voice sounded clouded from the sniffling.

He sits on the bed, pulling me in his lap. " Ok, now tell me the truth."

" I'm fine."

Cato stared at me, looking at my face. " You've been crying. Why? Actually I know why, I can smell Apsen's cologne on you."

I bite my cheek taking a breath. " It's ok if your still not over him you know." He says hugging me on his lap.

" I know I should be.. I thought I was doing so good then I walked in here, all the memories came back I..."

Cato takes my face, " It's ok to mourn yet, we didn't have time to."

" Tell me how you did it Cato." I pull away leaning my forehead on his, " How did you deal with it?"

" I'm still trying to figure that out. You helped greatly."

I grip into his shirt, he rubs my back soothingly, " I'm trying to keep it together.. I really am."

" I know you are, it's ok." Cato says.

I pull myself together, pulling away from Cato he looks at me, kissing my forehead. " We got through getting reaped, we got through the games, we both got through losing our district partner who we cared deeply about, we got through that horrible tour, now we can get through this together ok?"

" Ok."

He smiles sweetly, " Good girl. get dressed then we can probably start going to the tunnels."

I nod getting off his lap, soon his hands find my waist again turning me around. " Remember to match with me."

He was wearing black again, this time a little less extravagant.

" I'll be waiting outside." He says walking out.

I go to the closet, sighing at all the options. They are way fancier then what was on the train or what the brought me at home.

I managed to pick something out that was half way normal and not as fancy, and match Cat's outfit.

I put my hair in a low bun going out by Cato. "Ready?"

" Ready."

We go to the elevator, Cato presses the lowest button going down to the tunnels. As we get closer the elevator got darker and darker until it lit up again, the doors opening.

We were some of the first ones there. I think 5 and 6 were down there with their kids, looking at us quickly before they talked more glancing in our direction.

" What are they looking at?" Cato spits about to walk over by them.

" Hey.." I say softly putting my hand on his chest.

He looks at me before glaring at them.

" We're not in the games, you don't need to look like your about to tear their heads off." I chuckle.

" Victors or not, they better fear and respect us. And not look at us." He spits.

" Go check on the chariot for me." I say, that'll give him enough time to cool off.

He walks away, looking in their direction again. I glance over my shoulder looking at them also. It was a boy and girl, unsure which is from what district.

They were looking at me, making me a bit annoyed. Maybe I should've let Cato say something, but I don't need him fighting my battles or stand up for me.

" You need to take a picture?" I ask.

They look away quickly. Good.

I roll my eyes walking by Cato as more people were coming.

" Do you want me to say something to them?" Cato asks.

" You heard that?"

" Yes I heard that Kaylaya, they were half way across from you.. I'd figure I'd ask first."

" No. I'm fine, If they do anything I'll deal with it myself."

The elevator doors open, everyone' eyes dart to the doors seeing who was coming. This will be the first time seeing all the tributes in person.

It was 12, Aelin and Koa were leading them like prized possessions, I guess they are they are by far the best ones they've ever had.

And they were showing them off..a lot.

" I'm basically naked." Evie growls.

Aelin was about to touch or fix something when Eie snatched her hand.

" Let go." I order.

Evie looks at me before roughly letting go of Aelins hand.

" I look rediculous." She spits.

Fero on the other hand was also uncomfortable but he was way different showing it. He had his robe covering his body.

" Let go." I say to him. " Everyone is watching you. Confident remember?" I whisper to him.

He lets go taking a deep breath looking around. "Your part of 2, you look until they look away." I whisper.

These designs had nothing to do with 12..at all.

" This is new. What does this deign mean?" I ask Aelin.

She smiles, " They're nothing we've seen before. They've been in the riches, they have the opportunity to clear their record and win for luxury!"

I look at the clothes, I guess that makes sense.

" By being naked?" Evie questions.

" Your perfectly covered." Koa pipes in, getting a warning glance from Evie.

" You both look fine." Cato says.

" I think that's the nicest thing you've said to me Hadley." Evie says.

" I'm just trying to make you feel better." He says bluntly.

The doors open again revealing our tributes, looking fierce as ever.

It represented our district well. There was metal all along the dress and suit, both had gold makeup on.

They both walked infront of Neffy looking-scanning- everyone. Their faces stone cold.

They find us walking a little faster. " You two look good." I say a smirk pulling at my lips.

" No one good is here yet. When 4 arrives you ALL go straight to them and talk, don't offer yet." Cato instructs.

They all nod. Dom looks at Evie's outfit, looking her up and down. " Like the outfit."

" If you like your balls Dom, I'd shut up..I'll cut them off and choke you with them if you keep talking." Evie growls.

Dezzy and Fero smile, while Dom looks shocked shutting up. Cato has his eyebrows raised surprised she said that.

And all the designers and escorts look appalled something like that would come out of a young girls mouth.

A couple more districts came down, not to special. Then 7 came with Johanna. She looked at us not giving a second glance.

" What's her deal?" I ask Cato.

He chuckles, " She's not a fan of me. And Enobarias not here. So she won't talk much."

I look at her, who was saying something to another district. " Lovely."

The elevator opens again, there they were.

The boy and girl from 4 looking unamused I wonder if it's an act or they just hate the fishnet dress and suit.

They look over in our direction, the 4 tributes were looking at them already..good it gives them the upper hand.

" When do we talk to them?" Dom asks, fixing his collar.

" Wait a couple minutes, ask their names and small questions. If they ask you.. don't say the exact truth." Cato says.

Dom curves his lips in a small troublesome smile nodding before going back to the group.

Dom said something to the group, making them all turn and look at 4, which River noticed. He said something to his tributes making them turn looking.

Dezzy and Evie took it upon themselves to walk over, the boys following. River was glaring our way, a small scowl tugs at the corners of my lips.

" I have a feeling that's not going to work to well." I whisper to Cato.

" Then as soon as 1 comes down, we approach first." Cato says.

" Are you are that'll work?" I ask. " I mean I didn't side with them."

Like their ears were ringing the elevator opened, revealing the white haired boy with his cocky smirk infront of his tributes, coming right this way.

" You got to be-" Cato mumbles.

" Kaylaya! Looking good, Cato.." Poulter says glaring at Cato at the end. " These are my tributes Sam and Tess, I hope our tributes could ally."

This was our chance.

" Cato, how about you grab our tributes?" I ask.

He looks at me like I spoke a foreign launguage. He clenches his jaw looking at Poulter " Touch her and your dead."

" I think she can handle herself." Poulter smirks.

I give him a look, he walks away going towards 4.

" How are you-" Poulter begins.

" What are you two good at?" I ask the tributes ignoring Poulter.

" Spears."

" Archery."

I suppose we can work with that, extra protection I guess.

" Tributes to your Chariots!" Someone calls.

" I guess we'll need to discuss this later." Poulter says.

I sternly nod, he brushed past me 'accidentally' touching my hand.

I roll my eyes, walking towards the small group. "Did he just touch your hand?" Cato asks looking at me then at Poulter before his eyes come back to me.

" Yea-"

He pushes past me " I'm doing to kill-" I grab his shirt pulling him back with all my might, " No..your not." He clenches his jaw staying close to me. "How did it go with 4?" I ask the 4 of them.

" Horrible." Dezzy says.

" Fine, then we need 1, he..likes me so we have his tributes." I say to the group.

Cato shakes his head, " We'll discuss..all of this after."

" Deal, I'll take 12 and you stay with them?"

He nods.

I walk with 12 to the back of the line to their chariot. " Look confident, wave, don't smile, look like your here to win, anything to make them love you." I say.

I help them up, " And hang on tight last year they ran us back."

They both nodded nerves getting the best of them.

I hear the hooves of the first chariot. I rush back to watch the big Tv, I find Cato along with our escorts and stylists.

When I went by Cato he was preoccupied staring-glaring- at someone. I try to look in the direction he was staring.

There Poulter was with River and Finnick, talking. With Poulter was a girl well dressed.

She looked oddly familiar.

" Who's that girl?" I whisper to Cato taking another look at her.

" Shimmer Belcourt..Her twin was in my games, Glimmer."

I slightly remember her from watching the games videos, she was obsessed with Cato. It looked like Clove tripped her when running away from the tracker jackers.

" Kay." Cato says quickly.

I look at him, He wraps his arms around me resting his head on mine. " I think they're trying to play us.. They already made an alliance."