It's crunch time

I was to mad to sleep last night, But I guess I was also bothered with myself.

I think we both screwed ourselves. He has his team and I have mine, but in those teams there's the boy and girl that would win.

What would keep them from killing us?

Let's just hope I can think of something.

I get up, putting on the grey version of what I wore yesterday to training. I put my hair up and away I went. I didn't see the boys so maybe they left already or they were till sleeping.

Cato wouldn't be sleeping yet. He's probably itching to get out of the hospital.

When I arrived at the training center basically everyone was already there. I looked at the time, I wasn't to late was I?

I looked at the time.. no they're just severely early training. I get a pit in my stomach, they don't want me to see them train?

Was I really that threatening? I already know the answer to that one..

I walked over to the group, Prim was the first to see me. " Morning." She says.

" Hi." I went past her to grab some daggers and knives walking to the simulation.

I could feel their gazes, I did't care at the moment I just need to release some tension.

I start it, I saw it was on an easier setting. If someone wanted to turn it up, by all means. I'm just to lazy to change anything.

I wait for it to start. I see the hologram above me, she had a bow aiming it at me. She was just about to release it when I rolled throwing a knife in her leg causing her to fall.. killing her.

They all were coming slower then the first time though I didn't mind, I guess I'll just take it easy.

I was just turning when the hologram appeared right in front of my face. It was young Enobaria about to bite my neck.

She almost got me, I dropped to the floor dragging my dagger through her stomach on the way down.

That one I did feel bad for. I'm getting soft and it's not even the games yet.

The lights brightened, mentioning the simulation was done. I braced myself for whoever will be watching this time.

With a sigh I turn to see my team, and out mentors, along with Cashmere, Cato, Aspen, and 1.

I roll my eyes walking out the door, " Don't any of you guys need to train." I muttered looking briefly at all of them before walking to the life size dummies.

I grab a carbon sword, they're lighter. I still feel riled up so away I went with the sword slicing every limb they had. I even sliced their torsos and legs no..theres just an array of parts lying about.

River comes up to me, though he looks a little cautious doing so. " Bad night?" He asked.

I must've gave him a dirty look because he looked uncomfortable swallowing a bit.

" Just..." I trailed off. " Yea.. It wasn't the greatest night after we left."

He sighs, " Cato did something again?"

" More like what I did to him without realizing... I don't really want to talk about it. But that mixed with a small dispute with Aspen and lack of sleep." I say softly running a hand down my face.

I feel his hand go down to mine, grabbing the sword,I eye his hand then went back to his eyes " What you need is just a rest. Not tearing apart the dummies.. poor things did nothing to you." He joked making me smile.

I see Aspen and Cato talking. I was surprised Cato was already out of the hospital considering it was less then 24 hours ago when I put a knife in his shoulder.

" Come on." River says taking my hand. HE was looking directly at the boys which Cato and Aspen was staring at my hand as we walked away.

That will so be a subject later.

" where are we going?" I ask.

" Back to my room?"

I stop making him pull my arm. He turns around a confused expression goes on his face, before it goes to a smirk. " Not like that.. If I went to your no doubt Cato and Aspen will beat me ass. We're just talking."

" Ok." I agreed though I'm still a little skeptical.

Once we got into their room River went right to the couch. " How about we see what's on?" he says quickly, he sounded a title nervous.

I sat down also giving a smile " Sure."

We turn on the Mainstream, the capitols main channel with the lastest drama.

" Oh my gosh.." There I saw myself walking off the train with Cato, him looking at me, glaring at the many guys so tried to touch me. It showed every public interaction we've had.

Him flirting and helping me in the parade, us talking to eachother at the dance. Though we were fighting it looked like our expressions were giving a whole other story.

One of the Capitol's reporters flashed on the Tv " Our sweetheart from 2 and our heartthrob from last year folks! They are deemed some of the most attractive people in Panem! Will there be more Kaylato as the games progress?"

No way. We were there and off the screen before I even knew it moving to the next juiciest topic.

" They have a ship name for you two?!" River said chuckling .

Kaylato. Why would they call us that?

I flush in embarrassment. " I knew they liked me but I made it on the mainstream, I think that's better then the games." I say slightly proud at myself but for the wrong reasons.

I can feel Rivers gaze on me. I feel him inching closer.

" Are you nervous for the Games?" he blurts.

" Terrified, honestly." I answer, I mean that's why I'm so tense.

" I thought 2 would never be scared in the Games, they would dream about it and count it as a good dream." He says shaking his head, eyes set on the TV.

" Honestly I think a lot do. We are taught at a young age how important it is to us and the glories it gives"

He nods at my response, " A girl and boy have to win this year."

I stared at him, unsure where this is going. Is this why he's suddenly so nervous?

" If your breaking our alliance I might actually punch you." I state.

He pauses, a smile creeps on his lips " No.. I'm not. I wanted to say I want to win with you, if everything works out."

Is this some sort of sick test?

I look at him in shock, " What about Prim? You can't just leave her River your better then that! Like you said the first day I met you, leaving your partner is a bad move. "

He's not going to do what Aspen did to me it's not right, I don't care if you like your partner or not it's like ancient code to stick with them.

I still want to stick with Aspen, I just don't know how to now with us being in different groups.

" Prim doesn't deserve to win Kay, you don't know her like I do. She told me she wanted me dead."

" Why?" Then again I was shocked I knew they didn't really talk but still they are partners.

" Because she's a hateful person, she used to like me but I didn't like her and I told her that and now we were reaped together, conveniently. She knows.." He pauses looking at me.

" What? She knows what?" I say pushing him on.

He let's out a deep breath I didn't realize he was holding in.

" She knows I took a fancy to you, I saw you volunteer for that girl, you didn't care you wanted to protect her. You looked powerful honestly we wanted you dead We didn't consider Aspen you were every ones target, but the tributes saw your kindness to that kid and your hatred towards the careers- well- 1."

So they do deem me as a threat.

That also explained why she was looking at me and River they way she was

" So Prim wants me dead to?" I say slightly annoyed.

" No, she likes you, and she knows you fancy someone else.." he looks at me slightly disappointed.

" I don't like Cato." I say quickly.

" I never said you did."

I shut my mouth. I still don't, he's an ass. I don't know why the Tv made us look like there was... something there.

" Your making it feel like I do, I don' t. He told me he wants me dead. Not tehcnically I guess but he implied it last night."

River laughs. " You did get yourself in quite a situation."

I did.

I did by volunteering, I did by telling 1 to screw off.

I did by showing to much I guess.

Now I need to get myself out of it.

When I looked back at River I saw it in his eyes. The liking to me, and though I'm not one to play with feelings, I think I need to take one out of Cato's book to get exactly what I want.

" That's ok, otherwise I wouldn't have met you." I say smiling at him. He smiles back, I lean in. He looks a little nervous at first but as soon as my lips touch mine he relaxed.

I pulled away first, " Sorry.. I-" I purposely paused.

" No.. your fine." He reassures.

" I.. Um. Maybe we should keep things a little down low until after the games?" I suggest. " I don't want to cloud your judgement or-"

" Kay.. Your alright." He reassures.

Dang.. This is maybe a little to easy.

" Just know I got your back in there." He says.

" And I got yours."

I'd do just enough to keep River like a puppy whether it's looks or just a small grazes of my hand 'accidentally'. I need to make sure he's wrapped around my finger before anything else.

The days were getting down there and I still have no idea how to get Aspen somewhere where he can be safe.

I can only think at the moment is letting my team get killed or killing them myself in do time. But considering it's quell I'm not sure if that's the greatest idea either.

That night we all gathered in 4's apartment to talk about ratings the next morning.

" All try your hardest, use as many weapons as possible or any skills you know your good at." Enobaria comments.

" And don't associate with any of the other mentors, I bet Cato will probably try to start something." Finnick says though I think he directed it more towards me then anyone.

" what about interviews?" Prim says, she's always one step ahead. I suppose that's a good tactic to have.

" Another day, another conversation. Right now focus on getting a good score you you can talk about it in your interview." Enobaria says.

Prim rolled her eyes, but she looked down so Baria wouldn't see. Good choice.

As they talked the realization hit me just a little bit more. All but two will be dead, I could be dead.

I don't plan on dying, but you never know. I visibly shuddered though none but lilli noticed.

She was beside me, I felt her hand give me a small reassuring squeeze. I glanced in her direction She had a small smile.

Great, I looked weak.

But I smiled back, I make sure I keep my emotions in better check.

After we were all done talking, everyone went back to their rooms. River wanted me to stay but I told him I was tired, so he told me I needed to sleep.

Thanks Captain obvious.

But I pecked him on the lips telling him night.

Enobaria was looking at me the whole time, as soon as we got in the elevator she stepped in the way of the door as it closes.

" Again... What was that?" She asked.

I sigh leaning on the wall, " That... is collateral. I think I messed up Baria."

She cocks her eyebrow " How so?"

" Well, He admitted they all think I'm a threat. And a couple days before that Me and Aspen had a fight. The night we left the hospital actually."

She to leans back now listening as I continue, " We basically showed it selves we're screwed. His team has a boy and girl who want to win together, while mine had two."

" So..? Your using River to make sure he won't kill you?"

" A boy and girl have to win. They don't need to be in the same district."

" But you want to win with Aspen?" She asks.

" Ofcourse I do, I always wanted to. He's the one that left me." I say almost embarrassed at the last part.

" Did you tell him that?" She asks.

I gave her a look. She laughs to herself rolling her eyes, " You and Cato are to much alike. Never want to admit anything to make yourselves appear weaker. And this love bit...Classic Cato."

I smile faintly, " That's where I got the inspiration from."

Her smile fades into a stressed face, " I wish we had this conversation sooner. Now we're in deep with all these districts. But, we'll figure this out. We'll need to talk to the boys eventually."

" What if he doesn't want me back?"

Baria laughs, " Oh trust me, he wants you back. Cato has been on him to get you back. Cato wants you back."

I squinted confused at her, " What do you mean Cato wants me back?"

She smirks looking down at her shoes.. or maybe the flooring. " I think he misses your bickers, He always asks where you are, or if your by everyone else his eyes are glued to you. He'd love to have credit when you guys win this."

He's just in it for the credit. And to see if I do have flaws, so far I don't think he's found any in me yet.

We get to our floor, where the boys were. " Do we need to talk to them now?" I ask.

She shakes her head, " No. I'll wait until ratings are done, we all need clear heads, no mixed emotions." She states.

I sigh in relief. " Ok."

She opens the door, " The boys must still be training. But since we're here alone..let's go through some things before the games, things I don't want the other districts knowing about."

Scores are only a percentage. You in action is a whole different thing. They will see that in the blood bath or as they are watching the games, also in the interviews.

As for the games, we stay together no matter what, if Aspen decides to stay with me, Baria also said we need a group. Not sure which one, I think mine would be the best bet since my relationship with 1 is...rocky.

It's quell. We need a group.

Eventually someone will die, that made me shiver talking like that but we all know it's true. We find eachother as the time is counting off, if one is missing we all look as a group, grab as much stuff as we can.

" And as tempting as it will be to get at 1,leave them alone. You see them-you run -or take them on depending on where you all are..I'd run. The boy is huge and won't have a problem taking you out." Enobaria mentions.

" Noted."

" He's on a high calorie and protein diet. He never rationed in his life, give him a couples days and his body will crash, that's when you attack." Enobaria adds.

I nod in agreement.

" What about the girl?" I ask.

I'm planning on killing her...personal reasons of course.

Enobaria gives me a warning look. " She doesn't seem to advanced in anything, but good enough to kill. You get her ONLY if any competition is killed off and she's alone. Clove last year...obsessed with killing 12. She had her but gloated and didn't keep her mouth shut, look where that got her." She says solemnly.

Clove was killed by Thresh, the boy from 1 killed the little girl from 11, Clove gloated and thresh heard, he smashed her head in the cornucopia.

" Emotions are a dangerous game Kaylaya.... As much as you want to get her right away wait, it'll be worth it killing her further in the games."

Out door opens revealing the boys. Cato and Aspen give me a look. " Where do you and stream run off to?" Cato says grabbing some food.

I see Aspen smirk at the two of us. I glanced over at Enobaria who was giving me a ' Told you so' smirk.

" Believe it or not Cato.. it's not what you think."

He turns, he found a bag of cherries in the fridge we had. " Oh yea?" He asked as he popped one in his mouth. " What were you doing then."

I smile in amusement grabbing a cherry from his bag, I know it drives him crazy waiting so I slowly put the cheery in my mouth tugging the steam so slowly you could hear the 'pop'.

He watches intently waiting. I slowly eat the cheery maintains eye contact with him, while his lust and annoyance grew.

" I.. Found out I'm a huge threat, and he likes me." I say slowly though I feel a smile creep on my face as I lean on the counter close to him.

His face falls, " That's it?"

I hum.

I see him poke the inside of his cheek, his face was frustrated making me smile even more. " Yea, I also found out his liked this trick." I put the stem that was in my hand in my mouth tying it in a knot before taking it back out.

Cato looks at the stem then back to me.. he was so bothered it made me smile. " Maybe.. it was kinda what you thought." I state before walking to my room.

I kinda forgot Aspen and Enobaria was there, watching the whole thing. I feel flushed but luckily I was in my room at that point.

Soon Aspen came in. His face looked flirtatious, " I think I'd needed to cut that tension with my sword." He says.

" No idea what your talking about." I say plainly, Now he'll talk to me?

" I'm saying... Cato went to take a cold shower."

I turned my head, " Actually."

He just laughed.

Mission accomplished.

" But seriously? What did you find out?" He asked.

I give him a smile, " I can't actually say yet. But I don't like River like that if that what's bothering the two of you."

" I'm not bothered."

I shrug... Oh he's bothered. Those two are like jealous brothers.

" But I will find out, right?" He asked.

" Yea. We just need to get through ratings. So I'm guessing possibly tomorrow?"

He looks unsure, annoyed even.

" I have nothing against you Aspen. I want you and I both to make it. Now go." I say dismissively.

And he didn't put up a fight. I'm sure he's going to tell Cato but I'll let Baria deal with that.                       

      —

Time for ratings.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I've been working to hard to get a bad score.

Just don't let the pressure get to you Kay.

Stylists brought an uniform for us to wear with our district number on. It was a black spandex top and leggings for me with a big red 2 on the sleeve.

I take a breath before putting it on, I put my hair in a bun slicking it down.

I go out to the main area where everyone else was, though Aspen wasn't dressed yet he was eating.

" Don't you need to get ready?" I ask sitting down.

He looks at the time. " I have 5 minutes yet."

I chuckle taking an banana to quickly eat before we leave.

Me and Baria went to meet our team while Cato and Aspen go to theirs.

" Did you talk to Cato?" I ask when we reached the elevator.

" I mentioned it."

" And?"

" He needs to talk to Aspen. I think after scores we can discuss it and figure out what we need to do." Baria says.

" Ok."

My group was already down there whispering amongst themselves. When they saw me River smiled coming up to me.

" Hey." He says cheerfully.

"Hi."

He inspects me, " Are you nervous?"

" Umm.. yea."

He pulls me a little closer, " Well, don't be you'll do great."

I manage to smile just a bit, I happened to look to my side to see Cato staring.. Cashmere by his side. I see her whisper something while looking at me, Cato smirks.

" Wondering what they're whispering about." I mumble.

" Don't worry about it." Prim says giving me a reassuring smile.

I half smile back before going to my assigned seat leaving the group.

Cato and Cashmere were all over eachother and doing whatever PDA in front of me. Soon Aspen sits next to me.

" Cato I don't feel like throwing up before we go in, go in the back to the room." Aspens says so the whole room turns their attention to them. Cato gives Aspen a glare but scoots Cashmere along looking at me winking, I returned it with a ' that's the best you got?' look.

Cato glares before they walk out with some of the other mentors.

Aspen looks at me and gives a chuckle. " You know you really push his buttons. He really has an obsession with you."

" I don't blame him. " We both look at eachother smiling. Aspen shakes his head.

" I've been kept up at night by Cato and his girl. I swear he runs on sex I'm surprised he survived not trying to get you after all you put him through."

" Do you really think I'd ever get with Cato? I mean.. It's Cato." I tell him giving him a look.

" Ooo.. sorry. I didn't mean to push your buttons Musak." He laughs.

" Don't call me Musak."

Aspen gawked at me, " Why? Because that's what Cato calls you?" He teases.

" No." I mutter.

His smile falter just a little bit.

I know Aspen was never was a fan of Cato, I don't know how he feels now but I do know he has had a huge crush on me. I guess all the games I've been playing hasn't been helping our case here.

I just hope we can talk about getting back together after ratings.