Mentors

It's been a couple weeks since everything has happened. It's been different, I haven't been in town to much since it happened, when I'm there it feels like I'm back on that night.

I can still smell the smoke when we drove past, or the sterile smell hospital rooms have.

The Hadley's have been checking in frequently, making meals, or just coming to make sure we were good on everything. It was always entertaining having Cato and his mom in the same room they bickered all the time.

Neffy volunteered to take my mother for a little bit, so she's not alone and when she was here, they hit it off very well. My mom hasn't been out of the district in a long time, she was do for some new scenery.

Needy mentioned it t me she was going to try to get my mom into therapy, to help with the whole situation.

Some days were better then others. Vad has been by Enobaria a lot, and she's been here a lot so..Vad's been here.

Cato didn't like it. At all.

He knew better then to say or start anything, I can just feel it when I'm around him. The awkwardness in their conversations trying to be civil for my sake.

But he's trying, that's all I can ask for. He's honestly been great, He rarely left my side getting me whatever I needed.

Training started a couple days ago, we didn't bring up what happened, everyone knew already. And I deem them responsible for what happened, I hate them for it.

But I can't change it, so it's just going to be what it is.

———————————-

Yesterday was a long day, so much so when I woke up it was 10:30 normally I wake up around 7.

The one thing I hate doing in a day is wasting it, Now It'll feel like I barely got a full day in. I look over to the side of me, no Cato.

I was surprised I didn't hear him wake up.

I get up throwing my hair up in a bun going downstairs, the smell of breakfast hitting me.

" Morning Sunshine!" Brutus says looking past Enobaria and Cato.

I pause looking between the 3 of them," Why are you two here?"

" Haymitch Abernathy- District 12- died last night. He got alcohol poisoning." Cato said flipping some pancakes.

" What does that have anything to do with you two being here?" I ask them again.

" 12 has no more mentors, so we need to have a mentor meeting with all victors on who will mentor the tributes." Enobaria says plainly.

She sounds like she's not happy about it. I know I'm not, I'm nervous to meet all the victors. Nothing like being the new face.

" You get to meet everyone early! I'm sure they will love you." Brutus says trying to hide a smirk.

" What does that mean?" I question eyeing him up.

Brutus cocks his head." Your very popular, mentally and physically, I know there will be some victors who will want to talk to you."

" She's not talking to any of them." Cato interrupts.

I give him a look, " I think I can handle myself." And I will, I've had so many flirt with me, I don't give them the time of day. I don't care if your a victor.

" I agree with her, I think it's not her you need to worry about." Brutus teases.

Brutus and Enobaria chuckle. Enobaria looks over at me, "If you think he's bad with my brother, your in for a ride when we get there."

" When do we leave?" I say out of bitter curiosity.

Enobaria leans back into a chair, " Tonight. We'll arrive at 1 around afternoon tomorrow."

Cato turns his head towards Baria, " It's in 1.."

Great. I think instantly of Poulter.

She gives him a wicked smile in amusement, " Did I forget to mention that part."

Brutus looks at Enobaria, then at Cato, wide smile plastered on his face. " This is going to be a fun trip."

" Get out, I need to talk to Kaylaya." Cato says sternly.

" We'll come back when it's time to leave!" Enobaria yells shutting the door.

Cato watched the door shut, then letting out a big sigh. " Sometimes I want to actually kill them."

I smirk " You and me both."

Cato eyes me worriedly. " What?" I ask.

" Your not allowed to talk to any boys unless I'm by you."

I study his face to see if he's being sarcastic... He's not.

" I don't think anyone is openly going to come talk to me, especially if I'm by you. And the ones that would would be who? Poulter and the Odairs? The rest are all low districts."

" They're more victors in those districts."

" Victors or not Cato.... I wouldn't talk to them if the conversation wasn't friend rated. "

He shrugs turning to grab something from the cupboard " You never know..."

I stop completely.

I waited for him to turn around to see his smirk or any indication he was joking. But no, he glanced at me before going back to his food.

" What the hell does that mean." I ask.

I cross my arms waiting for a answer but he looks at me annoyed. Does he think I'd talk to someone else..or cheat?

But by his abruptness, he's serious.

" You know I wouldn't cheat.. Right?!"

" You never know-" He tried saying.

" - I would know! Cato, I would NEVER do that! And for you to think otherwise.."

Cato makes a move towards me, " Ok, I'm sor-" he grabs my hand but I slap it away.

" Ow." He whines.

" Your lucky your not any closer Hadley, otherwise that slap would've been for that big head of yours." I snap.

I'm not dealing with that. I go wherever he wasn't.

What an ass.

I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me what Cato said. Never once had I did anything, I could've said something about that stupid bet.

That would've shut him up.

But I'm the one that can't be trusted?

But it wasn't worth it, I don't like to think about it either. It still makes my blood boil he did that. If he says something again I'll gladly bring that up.

Soon it was time to go to 1 to decide who the mentors were going to be. I got up from the bed throwing on warm clothes to ride in.

I go downstairs where I see Brutus and Enobaria just coming through the door to come get us.

" You ready?" Brutus asks.

" Shut up." I say before going through the door.

I hear someone ask a behind me what my problem was, Cato responding about earlier. I heard Brutus laugh about him being in the dog house or something. If Brutus doesn't shut up soon though, I'll cut out his tongue.

The train was already waiting for us, it was the same one when it took us to the games.

All the other mentors from 2 go into different carts while Me, Enobaria,Brutus, and Cato go into the first one.

I go into our main area while the others go into their rooms or wherever they decided to do with their time.

I look out the windows watching our district disappear again, down the hall I hear footsteps approaching.

I don't bother to look who it was I could smell his cologne as he sits down next to me.

" What Cato?" I say tirelessly.

He shifts his weight closer to me." I hate when your mad at me."

I scoff. " Then don't make me mad."

He tenses his jaw sighing. " I said I'm sorry, and I really am. I shouldn't of said that, you've done nothing wrong."

" I know I did nothing wrong."

" I know you didn't. And I shouldn't have thought you would ever do that."

I try to hide the smirk on my face " And..."

A small smirk tugs on his lips, " .... And your hot."

I turn giving him a dirty look, but his smirk makes it hard for me to keep the scowl I had on my face.

He leans in, kissing me. I lean into him, kissing him back.

" I love you." He whispers

" Love you too... I guess"

Cato gives me a look of disapproval at my answer, I couldn't help but laugh.

We soon arrive at 1, it looks just like the Capitol, but smaller, a tad plainer. Again I wonder why would they be in the games? All the houses were beautiful, all the people looked modified but slighter then the people in the capitol.

" Just whatever you do.. unless its girls try it to stay by my side. Or don't start a fight, I want to get in and get out." Cato said lowly in my ear.

When have I ever started a fight? I should be worrying about his short ass. But I just take a breath and agree.

" I can assure you I won't be talking to much. I just want to see who's getting 12 and leave."

I take a deep breath, Cato grabs my hand, giving it a small squeeze " Don't be nervous."

" I'll try."

We reach the building where the meeting with all the victors would be. Enobaria and Brutus took the lead, bursting through the doors.

Everyone stopped to take a look who came in. They seemed to pass the two in front of us, looking at me and Cato, especially me.

But I guess this would be the first up close look of me everyone would be getting. Maybe they saw me on tour, maybe not.

" Fantastic! 2 is here." Seanca Crain announced, giving us a wicked grin.

" Good to see you again Seneca." Enobaria cooes flashing her teeth at him.

He gives her a small smile before turning towards me.

" How's our most recent victor?"

" I'm great, loving the life." I make sure to give him a smile, all about appreciation right?

" How are you since your father?"

How does he know about that?

" Coping."

He smiles again, " Good, all takes time."

I flash another smile before walking to the seats. The other victors were staring a hole through me, judging me, seeing if I'm worthy or something to talk to me.

Cato moves his hand from mine to my waist, I noticed they looked away when he looked at them, a kid years younger then them scares them off.

" Glare if you have to. I know you have a dirty one." He whispers in my ear.

" Don't I need to be nice?" I question looking over.

" Not when they're looking at you like that."

" Kaylaya!" I loud voice booms from across the room.

Kill me.

I look over my shoulder glaring at Poulter.

Cato groans lightly also looking over at him, I'm the one who needs to be watched?

" Nice seeing you again Poulter." I say plainly.

He flashes a smile, " Have you used the little present I gave you?" He asks, he's basically right on top of me looking down, to close..

" Yes, to men I don't want to talk to. I always give a warning so.. back up."

He chuckles taking a step back, his eyes flashed to Cato, hardening his stare. " Cato."

Cato rolls his eyes before pulling me to get up from where we were sitting, conveniently the only other place to sit was..by 4.

I guess we'll just need to sit here. I take the chair by Finnick, If Cato sat there no doubt one of them will punch the other.

On the other side of River was a girl, she seemed younger when did she win?

Lexi Parri

She was a darker toned girl with curly dark brown hair, she was shorter them me about 5'6 but well built, must've been good with spears.

Finnick was looking our way already, patting the seat next to him for us to sit "Welcome to the party." He says with his signature smirk. " What's your first impressions?" He leans over whispering to me.

So he's talking to me? I don't think to much into it, I guess it's better he is then both of us being silent.

I give a faint smile." So far not a fan,people seem incredibly distant or... Poulter."

Finnick snort trying to hold his laugh, " I think it's good your humbling him. I thought I was vein."

I smile, looking down in my lap. I feel guilt as I sit my him, we were the reason he and his brother were back in the Capitol. How am I supposed to act?

" So.. you and Hadley now? Officially?" He whispers.

I glance over to Cato, who... had a whole group of girls by him... 3 girls from 8,4 and 10.

I'm literally right by him..

And I can't talk to anyone... I roll my eyes looking back at Finnick. " It kinda just happened. I'm as shocked as you are."

He chuckles, " So who's the girl?" I ask mentioning to her. When did she even get up to go on the side of me?

She was fluttering her eyes at him and running her hand over his arm. Why isn't he pulling away?

I clench my jaw glaring. She happens to look up staring right at me, her face falls a little bit moving her hand back on the table.

Maybe I will start a fight.

Finnick looks over me glancing at the girl, " Lexi, victor of the 68th games. Sweet girl, after the games she went mental, she just got out from Capitol rehab a month ago."

Still I was glaring at her, " She'll be back to a hospital if she can't keep her damn hands to herself."

" Calm down 2, She's more of the nervous type...I saw her move her hand."

" Won't watching the games relapse her?" I ask adverting my attention back on Finnick.

He gives a sad smirk, " No, she gets shots. Tracker jackers, the venom helps her to not freak out or something. I never really asked."

"Oh."

The door opens again revealing Johanna, she looks banged up. Of course she was fighting, she looks at me and Finnick rolling her eyes before going to sit by 11.

" Her attitude never changes." I chuckle.

" How are you doing after.." Finnick's trails off.

" My dad?" I ask.

" Yea."

" How did you find out about that?"

" I think you forget your father was one of the top Peacekeepers in Panem. It made national news."

I stiffen a bit, right." It still bothers me, it always will.. but day by day, it numbs a bit.."

" Well.. my condolences." He sounded so genuine.

I was about to thank him when Crain stood up clinking a glass. " Hello all! Thank you for being here..."

I didn't really follow what he was all saying, I needed to go to the bathroom anyways so I got up.

Once I get out of the bathroom, outside there stands Poulter.

I glance at him before walking past, I feel a cold hand grab my arm, stopping me.

" Going so fast?"

It grab his hand,tearing it off my arm. " I'd be careful what your grabbing 1. This pretty face can have a temper."

His smile grows, " Ooo... temper, temper. I just want to talk."

" Then talk."

He looks me up and down, licking his lips. " I like your outfit."

I roll my eyes walking away, but he grabs my arm again, before I have time to react hands were on his throat.

" Leave..Her...Alone.." Cato growls as his hands tighten on his throat.

Poulter eyes Cato, his face turning a red-purplish color.

He roughly lets go of Poulter, he scurries off back into the room gasping for air. I watch him before looking over to Cato.

" Great timing."

" I saw him watch you as you were leaving, then he left so I decided to come just in case, good thing I came."

" Thanks."

" Anytime." Though when he said it he didn't sound impressed at all but I ignored it.

When we walk in everyone was looking at us, " Well now she's here." Someone said.

I look around perplexed " What?"

" Everyone thinks it would be good if you trained 12, Since you have the highest kill score in the arena." Finnick says unamused.

I look around at everyone, " Does that mean I need to live there?"

" No not nessasarily." Crane answers.

It's clear no one wanted to train 12, they all looked at me or with their heads down to avoid any conversation.

I sigh unamused, " I guess I don't have a choice then. Can I make some requests?"

Crane smiles, " Anything darling."

" I want them picked in the next 48- hours, then they can come to 2? I want to train them."

He smiles wide in excitement, " Great! We can broad cast it, the Capitol will love it! Meeting dismissed, thank you all for coming."

Everyone gets up rushing to the door, I watch them all leave, a knot in my stomach.

" Great meeting." I mumbled to our group.I walk out, making my way to the train.

" See you at the games Kaylaya, I'll be waiting!" I hear Poulter yell.

I don't pay any attention, instead I keep walking, "Your to ugly for me 1, get over yourself!"

Once I get on the train I go to my room, shutting the door. Now I need to train the lowest scored tributes, try to get them to win or at least look good.

No pressure.

I hear a knock on the door, " Come in."

It's Enobaria, alone.

" What can I do for you?" I ask blandly.

" I wouldn't feel so down, I think we can make them look and do good."

I roll my eyes laying down to look at the ceiling. " All of them threw me under to just take them."

" Your new. Nothing to personal other then them not wanting to do it. We're 2, we can get them to look good."

" What if our kids don't want to team up?" I ask.

" We'll get there when it arrives. If we train them hard enough, they'll have allies."

I play with the strings on my blanket, I guess she's right, these will be the best kids from 12, they will sleep better knowing they have training.

Enobaria nudges me, " Nothing to lose sleep over Kay. Go to bed we'll be back home soon in the morning."

She gave me a smile before walking out, leaving me with my thoughts again.

I flip through the channels of the TV, trying to find something to watch, I landed on the game channel where it replayed all the games.

I rewatched one of the games where a younger girl from 5 won Electra Reign, I swore I saw her but she aged a lot.

Soon Cato comes strolling in with a bottle of whiskey in his hand.

I look at him wearily, " Where were you?"

" Enjoying some alone time."

I look in his direction, " Alone time for..?"

" Means I was trying to think Kaylaya." He snaps back before taking a swig of whiskey.

Anger slowly starts to bubble, " Ok, Hadley I didn't want a snobby answer I was asking."

He rolls his eyes before plopping on the bed. " When did you and Odair start being good buddies again?"

So this is what it's about...

" Never said we were, we were just talking. I'm pretty sure you were talking to that girl-just wait let me rephrase that- Girls."

He smiles before taking another drink," They were just asking me how I was."

" So was Finnick. And asking how you are doesn't involve any of them touching you."

" And you talking to Finnick doesn't involve him mind fu-"

" What's your deal Cato?!" I interrupt.

" You not listening to me is my problem."

" Not listening? Not listening to what exactly?"

" I told you not to talk to anybody!" He says raising his voice, taking another drink.

" I'm going to talk because he was talking to me. He was making the conversation, not me! Your were talking to those girls."

" So what if I was talking to them? Lexi touched my arm..big whoop." He shook his arms lightly trying to mock me.

" Ok, you need to get out..." I snap.

Cato glares at me not moving. " It's healthy to talk out problems Musak.."

" Not when your acting like a complete jerk, I'll happily talk to you when you aren't drunk."

" I'm not drunk."

" CATO I'm not dealing with you right now, GET OUT."

He glares at me slightly swaying, he takes a big sigh before getting up, almost falling over.

" Fine, I'll leave. Kaylaya is always right, right?" He blurts.

I turn to face him " I never said I was right about anything, I'll gladly talk to you when your not drunk. Go to bed."

He walks off, leaving me alone again.

I look at the door for a second. ' big whoop' ? if Finnick touched me, I know Cato would've been escorted out by peacekeepers.

You don't touch someone's girlfriend or boyfriend. And they shouldn't let anyone else touch you.

But you know I'm so bad for having a conversation?

Can't be trusted right?