Plan

" Well, if that's the case, they're sure sucking at it." I noted unwrapping myself from Cato's arms.

They were more in the back, like we couldn't see them. I mean we need to act like we can't see them.

" Watch the TV!" Koa and Neffy scold.

We both turn our attention to the TV, which was probably a good thing. One of them would look in our direction eventually.

There was Sam and Tess, they're outfits were bejeweled in all different colors making them look like a disco ball.

Dezzy and Dom had their white outfits on staring at everyone, confidence dripping.

The favorites were 1,2,4,and 12 it was going to be entertaining for them to watch. They probably will purposely leave them until further in the games.

We can't let that happen.

They all circled around when Snow gave his speech. I noticed Dom and Dezzy looking over my Evie and Fero, watching.

Evie did the same looking over, they held eye contact before smirking at eachother, hopefully the crowd likes that.

Like I said, they rushed them back. I could see all the tributes grip their handle bars on the ride back.

Soon the chariots were coming back in the tunnels, horsemen taking the horses, detaching the chariots.

I go grab to 12, both jumped down taking a sigh of relief. " I hated that." Fero said.

I smile nudging him. " You made a good first impression. Come on, we have stuff to talk about."

" Long time so see." River says practilly jumping in front of me.

I raise my brows, " Little Odair." I say bluntly.

" What? Using Hadley's terminology now?" He asks.

I roll my eyes trying to pass him but he blocks the way.

" Move." Fero demands.

River scoffs, " Oh, 12 has some kick don't they?" He mocks taking a step closer to Fero.

" Let them go 4." A male voice says coming closer.

Poulter comes over, along with Shimmer who was staring intently at me.

" Just talking 1." River says giving his smirk.

This is so staged it makes me sick, who do they think they are..trying to outsmart 2? I manage to hold in my eye roll.

" She's trying to get through, let her go." Poulter says.

River glares at me before walking away , and I guess I need to play along.

I smile at Poulter " Thanks."

" Anytime..ally. When can we discuss further plans?"

Think Kaylaya.

" We can meet on the balcony tonight I suppose." I sound disinterested.

" Just me and you?" He asks grazing his hand down my arm. Hopefully Cato is not watching us.

" Your not going to do anything if you touch me like that again." I grit.

He smiles backing up. " What time?"

" 10. Sharp. Otherwise the alliance is off."

He smiles. " Perfect."

I walk past them, looking at all of them as we passed.

" We're teaming up with 1?" Evie asks.

" We'll talk about it once we get upstairs."

" Why can't you tell us now?"

I turn aorund, the two almost bumping into me. " I said I'll tell you upstairs. Do you understand?" I snap.

They look surprised but they follow not saying another word.

I look around, Cato was scanning the room his eyes meeting with mine. He walked urgently up to us "What was that?" He asked.

" Don't be so loud." I hush him also glancing around the room for anyone who could be watching.

He rolls his eyes waiting for me to talk. " That.. was the most staged thing I've ever saw." I whisper.

" What do you mean?" Dezzy asks.

" Let's go upstairs." Cato says. He leads us to the elevators, glaring at anyone about to go in or close to so we had it to ourselves.

The elevator dings at our floor, as soon as the door shuts they all sit down waiting for us to explain.

" So we have 2 options." Cato says pacing back and fourth. " 1: we have two career groups, option 2: We go along with their failed plan and kill 1 was soon as the bloodbath is over." He states saying it more towards me then the kids.

" What failed plan?" Dezzy asks looking between the two of us.

I sigh crossing my arms looking between all of them. " 1 and 4 are already allied. I suppose that was the smartest thing to do considering you 4 already know eachother."

" So..they are acting like they aren't...why would they do that?" Dom asks.

" Because they would get info out of us, they probably would kill us in our sleep or report back to 4" Evie says annoyance laced in her voice.

" What do you think we should do?" Fero asks.

Me and Cato look at eachother, honestly not sure, but Cato answers.

" Keep them on the side for right now, we can't let them know that we know." He says.

" Use... mind games, grow a 'realtionship' with them, talk about personal stuff see if you can get anything else from them, 1 is good with bow and spears supposedly. Just..don't tell the full truth. I have a feeling they're doing the same." I add.

" You 4 figure something out, make a plan what to say and what to stick to." Cato dismisses them making them all stand up going into one of the rooms.

" We'll see how they can pull this off." He mutters.

I pick at the material of my clothes, Cato grabs my hands holding them in his, " Your not stressing about this ok? We have this under control."

" It's not even about that."

He playfully pushes me back a little bit before pulling me back in. " Then what are your worrying yourself about?"

" If we pull this off. They'll need to kill eachother."

He looks over me for a brief second before he looks back at me." A career didn't even need to touch another career in my games. I highly doubt all of them are going to be alive by the 4th or 5th day."

I sigh, knowing he's right.

" We are supposed to meet Poulter at 10."

Cato's face hardens, " When did he say that?"

" When you were apparently watching me and didn't offer to help." I say sarcastically.

" I'd get yelled at if I did something and I get yelled at if I didn't" he jokes, but by his tone I know he was a little serious.

" I'm joking Cato."

His lips curled in a small smile, " So..did he offer or did you?"

" He asked when we could 'talk' so I made the meeting place and time."

" Which is?"

" The Balcony."

He nods. " Well, I guess we should get there a little early? Make sure theres no secret meeting going on before hand?"

" I suppose that's a great idea. But what about the kids?"

He scoffs, " They're the careers. I don't think we have anything to worry about. Come on." He offers his hand, I take it going out of the room.

We go to the elevator again hitting the top button with a huge B on it.

The memories flood back to that night, the hurt I felt mentally and physically all came back.

The door dings, opening up to see Poulter already there, turning around quickly to see us, his face serious turns into his normal cocky grin.

" I see you had to bring Hadley." He says walking up to me about to kiss my hand.

" Like I said before if you touched me again the deal is off." I warn.

He sighs pulling away, " One day you'll just accept it Kaylaya."

" Highly doubt that." Cato butts in.

Poulter smiles, " Time will tell."

" Where's your other mentor?" I ask, trying to ease some of the tension.

" I think she's been paying some visits to River."

I glare, slightly smirking " I envy the amount of money that was given for that."

Poulter scoffs, " Shimmer is a nice girl, she reminds me a lot of Glimmer I mean Cato used to love her." He says smiling at Cato.

" Shut up and let's get this over with." I snap.

He puts his hands up, " Ok, go on."

" They're together until 4 is dead. That's it." Cato says.

Poulter looks at Cato carefully, determining what he's going to say.

" Why the hesitation?" I ask.

" Why only until 4? I think there's a couple more who should be taken down."

" Like who?" Cato asks.

" 5 and 6"

I glance at Cato.

" What about 5 and 6?" I ask.

" They have a small group themselves. Everyone has allies, not a one is on their own. They especially want your blood."

" Why?" I ask.

" Because you killed 6's Future mayor. I guess that poor family went through alot. The mentor was a cousin. It won't be your blood personally but, it will be blood from 2."

I bite my tongue, Cato clenches his jaw trying to contain the anger Poulter is giving him. Poulter knows what's he's doing.

Clouding.

" It's the games, maybe someone should've volunteered." I say simply. " You know our terms so do you agree?"

Poulter smiles, " Of course I do. Whatever to win and survive right?"

" Right." I assure quickly giving a smirk.

" Right." He says is smile reappearing, bough it wasn't as bright. " Well, this was lovely. Kaylaya, sleep well. Cato.." He trials off.

He goes to the elevator pressing a button, the doors closing. His face falls a second to fast, his confident smirk wipes off to a cornered scowl.

He has 2 very powerful districts on his sides , which one is he going to take? No doubt 4 said the same about us.

He's not dumb. He knows he needs to play this right, but he failed already.

" You ok?" Cato asks.

I turn from the elevator. " Yea. I can't wait to wipe that smile off his face myself."

He nudges me, " Hey." I look at him, his eyes apologetic " You know he was just trying to get under your skin right?"

" I know."

" So that might've been false."

I chuckle, " Probably not, his brother did try to kill me."

Cato grabs my face, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. " That's in the past. Can't change the past right? Let's get some sleep."

He starts walking to the elevator, I follow trying not to feel the guilt of what Poulter just said.

We get to our floor quickly sneaking in so we don't wake anybody. I'm glad we convinced him for right now as long as the kids can act like they're allies this should be over soon.

The next morning we were woke up my Neffy's pounding on Cato's door. " Come on everyone! Has no one have alarms set here?!"

" I'm going to throw the alarm clock at her." I hear Cato say.

He rolls over looking at the time, sighing. " We have 5 minutes Neffy!" He yells.

" Your going to need those extra minutes!" Neffy yells back.

I sit up slowly stretching. I hear shuffling of movement, at least the kids are up and moving.

" I'll meet you for breakfast." I say getting up.

" Just wait." Cato says rolling over, he pulls me towards him kissing me.

" Ok, now you can go."

I smile to myself as I walk out back to my room getting ready then going to get some food.

When I get done, there all the kids had maroon workout clothes on with their district numbers on the back.

" If you didn't know already, there's two training days. Remember what we said, do weapons your mediocre with and don't tell the truth, or stretch it a little bit. Did you guys figure out a plan?" I ask.

" Yea we did." Fero says.

" Great. And please, stay together. Do weapons and survival, that'll give a good guess on what the arena will be. Me and Cato will be around watching, we'll see how everyone else is."

" And if 1 or 4 come up to us?" Dom asks.

" Go along with the plan." Cato says flatly coming from down the hall. " You 4 should get moving, 2 should always be the first ones down there."

" Why does it matter if we're down there first or not?" Evie pipes in, getting a look from her allies and from me.

" Because it's an act of dominance." Cato says glaring her up. And down in disapproval.

" Ok everyone, let's all go before Hadley throws a-" Evie didn't finish before Cato has her by the neck slamming her on the table.

Her eyes are wide scratching at his hands. He presses down harder." When I tell you something, I recommend doing it without any commentary. Do you understand me?" He asks.

" Cato-" I try to get him away but he stops me with his other hand I look at him then at Evie. She looks at me wide eyed.

" Let go." I demand.

" Do you understand 12?" Cato asks.

She looks from me to him, holding eye contact. I got to give it to her, she has guts.

I give her a look just to say it, " I understand." She says barely.

He let's go, she gasps for air, looking at Cato with pure hatred. He looks up to the other tributes, "Anyone else had any problems?"

No one says anything.

" Dominance creates respect. Respect is a boarder for not just anyone to cross, especially in there. It holds other tributes from killing you so you can kill them first. If they know you all are a threat they will run the other direction."

He looks at Evie, " We don't use that power to control, we use it as a survival tactic. Now go."

Everyone gets up walking out, me and Cato follow. I give him a look before walking out. We arrive at the training center, luckily no one was there yet.

" Pick your poison." I say giving them a grin.

All of them scatter to do their own thing, all hitting or slicing the dummies with wicked precision, if I was in the ring with them I would be a little worried.

Soon I hear the elevator ding, making my way to the viewing deck. It was 10,the boy and girl were 16 about. They look at our 4 tributes before looking back at eachother uncomfortably.

They go to axe station, taking a set of double sided axes swinging them around. They were fast but sloppy.

Soon one by one each district came down, conveniently 1 and 4 came down at the same time. Me and Cato exchange a glance at one another.

" Idiots." Cato mocks getting a grin from me.

They go their separate ways, Poulter and Shimmer come in some time later coming to the viewing deck with the other mentors.

" Kaylaya, Cato..." Poulter says saying Cato's name like it was sour.

" How about we act like adults?" I suggest looking between the two. I don't want to listen to their bickering.

Poulter smirks, " Sure."

I roll my eyes looking back at the tributes. I watched 1's tributes they go the the spears throwing, they were good, not great.

" Were those two in the academy?" I ask.

Poulter leans on the railing watching, " Yes, they aren't as serious as last years, I'd much rather train last years then them. They're grandparents won the games, it's in the blood."

" Training determines if you win or not. Not your name."

He smiles, " How's 12?"

I shoot him a cocky grin." Watch for yourself."

He chuckles looking over to watch them.

Cato was giving me a look, I excuse myself going over by him.

" Both are watching you like a piece of meat." He whispers.

" Let them, what are they going to do?"

" 1 isn't that special."

I chuckle, " I know. They should be easy to get rid of."

" I was looking at 9, the girl is pretty good." Cato says.

I cock my brow, " We just need to watch her." He says.

I decided to watch our tributes, along with the others away from Poulter and Shimmer.

I just so happened to look at Dom walking past the boy from 4, when they walk past the two boy bump shoulders.

Dom turned around almost instantly, here we go.

I turn quickly making my way down the small flight of stairs towards the two.

They were exchanging words, face to face about ready to kill eachother.

" Hey, step away." I say walking up to them.

" Learn how to walk 4." Dom spits, " Hey." I snap giving him a look to get walking.

Luckily he does, " Yea, be a little bit-" the boy from 4 mocks walking behind us, not ready to be done.

I spin around separating them, " Touch my tribute again. I dare you." I spit.

The boy comes closer, " What will you do huh?" He mocks.

" Keep talking to her like that and you'll find out." I hear deep voice behind me, Cato was by my side getting up in the boys face.

I grab his arm," Cato-"

" Stay away from my tributes 2!" ..River.

I sigh, He comes right up also by Cato, Finnick following with the same annoyed face.

" Your Tribute was trying to start something." I state crossing my arm to glare at the Odairs.

River looks at me, " Yea, I'm sure he started it."

" He bumped into Dom, I was taking care of it until he went to grab my tribute."

" How does that turn into Hadley trying to fight with tributes..again?" River spits back.

" Come on." I tell the boys. Evie, Fero, and Dezzy were by us now glaring back at everyone. Ready to jump if we say the word.

As we were walking away Dezzy yelled back saying they're first. The rest of training was quiet, everyone kept out of the way of our tributes, they were displaying their dominance well.

They did as we said the two days of training, along with scores, all scored 10's showing their potential.

Now it was time for interviews.

The Capitol liked all of them, they saw what they could do, they saw their scores. I'm just nervous how they will carry themselves through interviews.

We wake up again, same time though it always seems to be earlier.

" Interveiws everyone! Come on we need a good breakfast!" Neffy chirps strutting down the halls making sure we all hear her.

" Interviews aren't for another 12 hours." Cato grumbles running his hand through his hair.

" It's Neffy. What do you expect?" I yawn.

He rolls his eyes getting out of bed, going into the bathroom to take a shower. I go to my room doing the same.

Today is their last full day here.

Tomorrow by this time all the mentors will be plastered to a TV screen for the next couple of days seeing how long their tributes last.

I hope they will be ok.

3 of them will be dead all to soon.

That feeling makes me sick as I think of them. I've kept it together this long, one more day.

I get out and get ready so I don't need to think about it . When I'm done I go out to the main area where all the tributes were sitting, normally they are talking but right now they are quiet.

" Morning." I say giving a smile.

They all say Good Morning but not much after that.

I pause looking at all of them before speaking."Why is everyone quiet?"

Cato comes strutting in looking around at everyone.

The tributes stay quiet. Cato sits down next to me, "Good talk." He says sarcastically.

We all ate quickly, " Interviews start at 8, the stylists will be here for you around 4, so you guys are free to do whatever you want until then." Cato says.

" Sweet." Dezzy says plainly getting a glance from Cato but luckily he doesn't say anything.

They all trickle out slowly retreating to their rooms. I wait for the last door to click shut. "Why were they all quiet?" I ask quietly so they don't hear me.

" Though they will never admit it, they're not stupid. Realization is probably hitting them, they know all or 3 of them will be dead soon. They're a good group, like last year you don't want anything to happen to eachother." Cato says.

I run my hand through my hair, knowing he was probably right. Though everyone thinks 2 is brainwashed, we just put on the best show proving we do. We all care about eachother, the careers care about eachother, it's easy killing but watching someone kill someone you grow to care about is hard.

" How can we make it better?" I ask.

Cato looks at me, " The most we can do is give them support and motivation to go out and win."

I pick at my food on my plate losing all my appetite. So nothing, just more propaganda.

" Just last for one more day ok? That's what you can do for those kids Kaylaya, ensure them it will be ok." Cato whispers placing his hand on my thigh drawing shapes.

" I'm going to rest for a little bit." I say getting up quickly.

" Kay-" Cato says but I keep walking. If I stay out here anymore I might break.

I go to my room sitting on my bed, shortly after I just flop backwards letting out a huff.

Soon my door opens revealing Cato looking at me. He walks in locking the door quickly coming to the bed.

He wraps his arms around me placing a kiss on my shoulder." Remember what I told you? We got through out own games, we go through our tours, we can get through this ok?" He says.

" Kaylaya!" Neffy comes down the hall, knocking vigorously on the door.

" Can't come in, we're having sex!" Cato yells back, I laugh hitting him in the chest, Neffy gasps quickly walking away.

" Seriously?" I ask chuckling.

" I knew that would cheer you up." He says a crooked half smile appearing on his lips.

I smile leaning in, Cato meets the rest of the way kissing me lightly. " All better?" He asks. I smile, "Yea."

We sit in my room for the remainder of the day watching all different kinds of TV shows, laughing at Cato's commentary on anything and everything.

When you get past the very, very thick, hard, arrogant, scary exterior..Cato is fun. His real laugh is just so contagious. I could listen to it forever.

He's just..prefect. Ad not just perfect, but perfect for me.

I just look at him with a small smile on my lips. He was looking at the Tv, soon he looks at me with the same love struck smile. But it turns more amused when he realizes I was looking at him "What?" He asks.

" Nothing." I say still smiling, more now.

" What?" He asks again a little louder, his smile growing.

" Nothing, really!"

" I highly doubt that."

I just shrug, he tackles me pinning me to the bed. "Tell me." He pushes.

" It's nothing really!" I say again.

" Then why are you smiling?" He asks again.

" I just thought you looked cute." I say a little shy, I could feel my cheeks heat up.

He processes this, making his smirk come back. He leans closer kissing my lips lightly, then with a little more force, moving down to my neck.

" Time to get ready!" I hear the stylists say. So glad I don't need to deal with them, to bed for the kids.

" Time to get ready." Cato mocks. I laugh pushing him off of me, he chuckles falling in the side of me.

" Wear something a little fancier." Cato says.

He walks out to get dressed as I rummage through my closet. I found a tighter fitting dress throwing that on leaving my hair down.

Kaylaya's dress

Once I was done I went out waiting around for the other tributes to be finished, I can only imagine what they're putting them in for tonight, last time dressing them up before the games.

Cato comes out next, his hair messy. He must've thrown something on not fixing his hair.

" Come here." I say walking towards him.

" What?" He asks giving me a kiddish frown.

I roll my eyes. " Fix your hair."

" What's wrong with my hair?"

I ignore his question going on my toes to reach his head going through it. When I was done, he was just looking at me.

" What?" I ask.

He smirks " Nothing." He says on a girly tone trying to mimic me.

" Very funny." I mumble.

He chuckles, " It is."

Soon the tributes come out, their clothes not as bad as I thought they were going to be.

2

12

Both the districts outfits matched them perfectly, matching as close as one possibly could.

" You all look great." I say a smile pulling at my lips.

They all smile lightly. " You 4 remember what to do right?" Cato asks.

" Powerful, not cocky. We know." Dom says.

" Don't reveal to much about yourself, leave that for the ring. The less the better, if they ask about alliances it's just 1." Cato says looking between all of them.

They all nod.

He smirks, " Good. Now let's get this over with."

We go down to the back, some tributes were there already. When they saw us they looked in awe or fear. 4 and 1 look in our direction though I couldn't tell what they were thinking.

" Stay in your seats. Don't talk to anyone."

Again they all nod, getting sick of all the instructions but we need to keep them reserved, they'll have all the attention they want as soon as the gong goes off.

The mentors go by the large TV, Ceaser was just getting out to stage his white teeth gleaming.

" Good to be back! We have a lot potential this year ladies and gentlemen!" He yells laughing hard after.

He was trying to hard. It was so fake but they were eating this right up.

I bite my cheek, trying to hide the disgust. " Without further ado..ladies first coming from District 1...Tess Lovegood!"

She comes out in a small tight red dress, sparkles falling off of it as she walks, I don't know if that was intentional or not but Ceasar loved it.

" Mind if I join?" A girl said, I didn't recognize the voice. I looked over to Shimmer, she has a small smile on her face.

" Sure." I moved over a little bit closer to Cato, he was glancing at her no emotion on his face.

" Cato." She addresses formally.

" G-Shimmer." He stammers. She rolls her eyes before a small smirk appears.

" Where's your partner?" Cato asks.

" Don't know, as long as I'm far away from the cocky prick I don't care where he is." She says.

She doesn't like him either, she just grew on me a little bit.

Cato laughs to himself. " I think we can all agree at the statement."

" Hopefully Sam will win so he can replace him, or he'll decide not to mentor next year."

Cato shrugs, " We can all dream."

" You don't like him?" I ask.

She looks over at me with a 'really' look. " Not at all. Your sick of him after being by him for minutes. Either he's trying to get in your pants or he's a cocky prick that thinks you can't breathe the same air as him. And once in a great while he can be decent, but highly unlikely."

I smirk" I'm glad we share the same resentment."

Tess seemed plain, not much of a personality. She just laughed, at everything. Caesar seemed annoyed after the second question, cutting it a little short.

Shimmer sighed as she walked off the stage. Then was Sam, he was cocky saying he was excellent at everything. Yea. Ok.

Then I saw him I didn't think he was anything special. He can still kill, but ours could kill him first.

One he walked off Shimmer pushed herself off the wall. " That was fun, good luck tomorrow." She said annoyed at her tribute's performance.

I smiled as she walk away. " I need some mentor advice." I whispered towards Cato. He looked down at me amused, " She likes you, she's not as sneaky as Poulter or anyone else here."

" Oh. Good, I guess."

Next was Dezzy, she went on the stage a confident smirk as she walked. Caesar asked her the questions. She took her time, considering them all saying her answers cooley.

She sounded sure of herself, when asked about her score and weapons she said there's a reason why people are betting for her and they will need to wait until tomorrow to find out.

Another reason I want them to be quiet, is because anything-even a mention something or someone- could be used against them.

I should know. Sometimes inspiration finds them.

Next was Dom. He blew off all our advice being cocky, though the people liked it saying he was good with a sword and other bigger weapons.

" Is he stupid?" I ask in bewilderment.

" Apparently." Cato says not taking his eyes off the TV. " He's giving them what they want."

I shake my head, " Idiot."

When he walked off, Cato went to have a 'chat' with him. I warned him not to do anything stupid or hurt him for tomorrow which his response was 'no promises'.

Maybe I should've followed him, but I know Dom will shut up and take it, instead of fighting with him like what I used to do.

He should've have anything dislocated or strangled. Hopefully.

4 was like a peacock. Tiberius and Shell.

They smiled,made eye contact, winked at the crowd while giving smart remarks just like Dezzy winning many people over.

I barely paid attention to the others until it was time for 12.

Evie was first, she was the one I was worried for no matter who or what it is, she'll answer truthfully-bluntly- if anyone here would diss the Capitol it would be her.

She walks out, she doesn't smile but she doesn't look mad either just..cold I suppose.

She was secretive which was a good, almost every question was very short and broad, assuring in the arena it'll all make sense even leaving me intrigued.

Caesar kissed her hand, she looked around like she owned the place.

Fero was last, he did the 'charming' act. Being dead nice saying he's killing for the better of his district finally bringing 'pride and recognition' back.

At last it was done.

We gathered all our kids walking back to the elevator.

When we passed 4 Finnick and River were talking to their tributes. " Good luck tomorrow, you'll need it." River said.

" Same goes to you." Evie pipes in.

" Says the one from 12." Shell says.

" Ignore her." I say.

Of course Evie doesn't listen.

" Evie.. Cato warns.

Instead she walks towards them, " Go back to the room." I tell the others.

Cato takes them giving me a concerned expression but goes anyways.

I try to grab her arm but she tears it away from me giving me a look. " It's going to be real embarrassing when a Career district get's killed by the poorest district in Panem." Evie sneers.

" Exactly, your a poor district. Act like it, without the name of 2 you would be by yourselves waiting to die." Tiberius says smirking.

Evie chuckles, " Say that when I'm killing you slowly. Your going to see just how deadly this poor district is." She sneers walking away. " Your going to live until the finale, they want a good show, I'll give them a hell of one!" She yells.

All of 4 looks taken back, though they try to cover it up. They know she's not messing around.

None of us are.