Tributes

I wake up on the train alone, why didn't anyone wake me up,I lay looking at the ceiling for a moment.

What time was it? I rolled over looking at the clock,9:30.

My eyes widen before I spring out of the bed. Today was supposed to be the Reaping day for 12.

No way I'll make it home to watch, I try to think where else I could go..the training center.

Just what I need, especially today.

I tore through the clothes that was on the train, throwing on a Sherpa sweatshirt and leggings before getting off the train.

The cold made me shudder, I wrap the sweatshirt tighter around my body, hopefully it wasn't in already I guess no one ever clarified what time this thing was supposed to be on at.

I was deep in thought, about the reaping, how will out kids here react, where do I start, how do I know what weapon they will be bet in, what about me and Cato?

I bumped into someone, almost losing my balance. " Oh! I'm so sorry I wasn't looking-" I looked up to see an familiar face, one I didn't exactly want to talk to at the moment though.

" I guess I can forgive you." Vad says readjusting his jacket.

I squint my eyes, " Very funny."

" Where are you heading?"

" Um. The Academy, 12's mentor died so their reaping is today."

He smiles, " Oh yea, I heard about their excuse of a victor dying, whose the poor souls who's training them now?"

I give him a look before I close my mouth, his eyes widen just a bit, " Ohh.. You volunteered to take them?"

I take a breath before looking back at Vad, " The other victors volunteered me. Couldn't get out of that so..here we are."

I walk past him, " I didn't mean to sound rude or anything." He says as he catches up with me.

" I didn't think so." I say simply.

" Wait why wouldn't go home and watch them with Hadley?"

I roll my eyes at his nosiness, " He forgot to wake me up."

" What happened now?" He ask.

" Just another dumb fight."

" About?"

" Nothing." I say trying to keep off the subject.

" Let me guess, he got jealous...someone-probably a guy- was talking to you."

I give him a look with a small smile, he knows him to well.

He tilted his head giving me a smile, " How accurate am I Musak?"

I scoff, " Finnick Odair was taking to me."

He sucks in a breath, " Then I'd be worried to."

I shoot him another look. " Finnick or his brother would be the last people I'd get with. We were just having a conversation. Hadley had his girls all over him." I say bluntly.

" Girls?"

" The female victors. I wasn't happy about it but you don't see me making a whole deal. But I guess Finnick talking to me is my fault."

Vad looks over at me, surprised. " Oh."

" Yea. But I'll deal with that later, I just want to see my tributes then I'll go deal with that."

" I'll come with, I have nothing better to do."

Cato wouldn't be to happy if he found out, I guess I won't tell him. I don't want to tell Vad no either, since our 'truce' we've been civil, but I still don't entirely forgive him.

It'll be fast, then we'll be on our way. It'll be fine.

" Ok."

For the rest of the walk it was silence. We get to the training center where a few kids were training, all look younger. The older ones are probably home waiting to watch the kids they hope to kill.

I try to shake the thought as we go to the lounge part of the academy where there was big TVs.

I turn on the channel sitting down, hopefully they're fine, older. What if they're young? What can I do with that?

I found myself running my hands together, take a breath Kay.

" Are you ok? You seem tense." Vad asks.

I pull my hands apart sitting on them," Yea. Perfect."

He looks at me with a 'you think I'm dumb expression'. " Yea ok."

" Really I am."

" Kay."

" It's nothing I can't handle." I say back with a smile.

He knows he's not going to get far with me so he just leaves it alone. Finally after a little while it comes on.

12 looks rough, worse then I can remember. The people seem so malnourished, I know whatever kids are going on that stage are going to look just as bad.

The Capitol should at least feed them something. We all know they have enough food.

They all have worn down dresses, all faded colors of what would be generations of reaping dresses. They all look absolutely livid to be doing this such a early time.

Though it's not the best situation, coming here they will have a warm meal and nutrition. I hope they won't look like they came from 12 when I'm done with them.

Their District accomplice-Koa-comes up to the mic.

What a wonderful feeling to be back here in such a short time!

As you know with the passing of Haymitch our districts is in need of a new victor to take his place.

With careful consideration, and much thought and effort we have came to a complete solution.

I roll my eyes" Yea, nominating me took  'so much' time and effort."

I hear Vad chuckle under his breath. I mean it's true.

You know her, love her, The captions rising star.. coming from district 2 Kaylaya Musak!

A loud music played as clips of me rolled on their screens, Some of my finest moments in the arena and out on tour played.

The cameras scanned the crowd, some of their faces were impressed, some rolled their eyes, and others had the stone cold face of 12. The face of nonstop disappointment. None come out alive especially from here.

Oh isn't she just lovely! Koa shrieks.Now without further a do... Ladies first!

I have a nervous knot in my stomach, I feel nervous for them. It wasn't that long ago I was up on that stage, getting reaped or there for the tour.

She walks with to the huge bowl, names practically falling out from so many using the tesseract.

She clears her throat looking out in the crowd creating more expense, " Laynie Sins."

A wail runs within the crowd, a mother trying to grab her child, a small 12 year old girl, trying not to cry.

" Oh my gosh.." I feel sick, I feel like crying also. This is literally sick. She's just a kid, a little baby.

Vad looks at me, I needed to pull my eyes away from the screen.

" I volunteer!" I heard a girl yell, my eyes snap back at the Tv, did I hear that right? The whole crowd for silent. A tall girl pushes through the crowd, she doesn't seem scared, angry more or less.

She finds the  little girl hugging her. She whispers before guards take her by the arm. She shoves them away walking by herself looking out to the crowd. Venom and anger laced in her whole expression and body language.

" What is you name dear?" Koa asks.

She looks at escort up and down before answering. "Evangeline Marcos." She says so bluntly you could see the dismay of the escort.

The escort clears her throat before moving unto the boys.

She digs her hand into the bowl, knocking out some names from it being so full. I know everyone was hoping their names were on the ones knocked out.

She holds the name out infront of her, " Fero Mosinee."

Luckily it was a lost boy from the 18 year old section, he closed his eyes for a moment, accepting his fate before walking up. He was tall and had some muscle development on him, which I supposed was a good thing.

" Both of you guys shake hands!"

They look at each other shaking eachothers hands. They were escorted to the building which I don't understand why, " There you go! The tributes of district 12!" Koa applauds, I don't think one even clapped they all looked displeased.

She quickly walks in the building also before the cameras cut going into another channel.I shut off the TV, taking a huge sigh. " Well, there you have it."

" At least you seem to have strong spirited kids, and that Girl volunteered. That's a good sign." Vad says trying to sound positive.

" Yea, I suppose it is."

I sit there for a moment taking it all in. These are my tributes now.

I stand up, turning to Vad. " I better get home, figure out everything."

He gets up also. " I'll walk you out."

We walk out of the academy, it was later afternoon and the town was quiet. Finally peaceful, something I feel I haven't had for awhile.

He waited with me until my car came to pick me up, " See you later?" He asks.

" Yea." I say quickly wanting to get home as soon as possible.

He quickly wraps me in a hug. Why is he hugging me? I let my arms dangle for just a moment before I loosely put one on his back. " Let me know how hot it goes with Hadley, if you need anything.." He pulls away giving a small smile.

I nod before he let's me go, I get into the car leaning on the window looking out. I daydream until we get to the house, I just have a bad feeling about this.

I walk in, as soon as I walk in 3 heads turn to look at me.

" Where were you?" Enobaria asked crossing her arms.

" I was at the academy. Thanks for waking me up by the way." I informed cocking my head glancing at all of them.

She turns around looking at the boys, " I told one of you to wake her up."

They both look at her blankly. Figures.

" Did you even bother to watch the reaping?" She asks.

I nod " Yea.. I did. Evangeline and Fero. They seem half way decent."

We were only a couple feet from eachother, she furrowed her brows, " Are you sure you were at the academy?"

Cato now turns his head slightly, interested in the conversation.

I cross my arms," Yes Baria! Where else would I be?"

" I can smell cologne all over you. And it's not Hadleys."

Cato snaps his head in my direction, if looks could kill.

Oh here we go.. And I was hoping I wouldn't have to mention Vad.

I sighed running a hand through my hair " I ran into Vad, he watched the reaping with me."

Cato scoffs getting up to go upstairs. I follow him with my eyes closing them for a brief second.

Brutus now gets up, giving a look to Enobaria. " Why did you need to say something Baria? Now she's going to have her hands full with him." He snaps at her, " I can go talk to him if you want-"

" No. It's fine." I say quickly.

I glare at Enobaria, she just rolls her eyes before walking out.

I throw my hand up in fraustration, attempting to rub my temples from the headache this was causing me but in the process I knocked over a vase.

Great another thing to add to today!

" Shit!" I yell.

I lean down attempting to pick up the broken pieces, but in the process I lost my balance, putting my hand on one of the broken pieces.

I wince in pain pulling the glass shard out, I pick the rest of throwing it away, but I still feel a tiny piece stuck in my hand. I go upstairs to my room to try to find a tweezers to pull the piece out.

I go in the bathroom trying to get better lighting to get it out but I couldn't do it by myself.

I roll my eyes before taking the tweezers and reluctantly walking down the hall knocking on Cato's door. Normally I would just go in but seeing we aren't exactly good right now I though it be better just to knock.

" What?" I heard him say through the door.

" I need you help."

" With what?"

" I have a piece of glass stuck in my hand."

" Don't throw vases next time."

I close my eyes taking a well needed deep breath before replying.

" Actually my sucky coordination knocked over the vase and it also made me fall on a piece of glass, can you help me..Please?"

I wait for a response, the door opens and he looks at me for a second then grabbing my hand. " Come here." He mumbles taking me to a small lamp by his bed.

I sit on the bed holding my hand to the light. He takes his two thumbs squeezing them together to try to attempt to pop the glass out.

I wince trying not to pull my hand away or make a sound, tears prick my eyes from the small annoying pain. But he gets it to come out enough so he can pull it out.

I sighed in relief as he pulls it out. " Thanks."

He glances he at me doing a fast nod. Still I look at him wanting to talk, to figure this out. "Cato." I say softly tipping my head to the side.

" What Kaylaya?" He asks shooting his eyes up to meet mine.

" I want to talk."

He rolls his eyes, " I don't want to."

" Your angry still."

He shrugs " I don't care."

" Well obviously you do when you again go storming off."

" Sorry.. Didn't know I couldn't get mad when my girlfriend is alone with a guy that wants her."

I frown, " He invited himself, I didn't want to tell him no."

" I would've." He says stubbornly.

" You know nothing would've happened. And if he did do something I would tell you, you know I would tell you. You need to trust me, I want you and only you."

" Then maybe start acting like it." He blurts his face growing red.

I scoff, is he actually for real?!

" You know that's really great..coming from you especially."

He raises his brows letting a small chuckle escape, "Really? How so?"

" Do you really want me to start?" I ask.

" Yea. I do."

I stand up taking a step towards him, " Hmm let's see... Oh! You made our relationship at first a bet, if Vad didn't tell me that I know you never would've. Not to mention yesterday, you let all those girls touch you when I was literally right next to you! You think I'd be ok with that? You didn't even bother to look at me."

His face straightens, " That's a low blow Musak. And that's how they always are-"

" I don't care if it's how they are! Why would I want them to be close to you like that? But I'm a bad person for Finnick talking to me."

" There's no reason Finnick should talk to you."

I shake my head, " Maybe you should've got your head out of your ass and told those girls to get lost so I didn't need to talk to him, But nope..let them keep feeling you up."

He stays quiet glaring at me before he stands up,"I'm done with this conversation." He makes his way to his door.

I go by the door standing in front of it. " No your not. You want to leave because you know I'm right and you don't want to admit it! What did I ever do huh? You can't even say one thing I ever did."

He leans roughly on the door frame," Yea I can, actually."

I cross my arms waiting for this answer, " Ok."

" You were by Vad today."

" After you left me in the train! You could've gotten me up to come watch the reaping with you! Where did you think I was going to watch it, huh? By the time I got home it would've been over and Baria would've chewed me out even more. He invited himself, how dare I allow that?!"

" You know I don't like him that's what bothers me."

" The only reason we're civil again is because we both lost someone in that accident. There's nothing more then that I don't see him like that any more."

He pauses, " Anymore?"

Crap.

I bite my cheek shrugging, " That came out wrong. I mean.. I thought maybe we could've been something when I came back. When I went to that party..you didn't let him in the house..then. But then we happened-"

He scoffs in disbelief. "- Go have him I guess.-"

I look at him in disbelief. " -You know what... I'm done trying." I slam his door going into my own room grabbing a bag stuffing clothes in it.

Cato came storming in " Where are you going?"

I ignore him stuffing more in the bags. Whatever I put in he pulls out. " Stop!" I yell.

" Your not leaving. I'm not letting you." He says.

" You can't tell me what to do, I'm serious. I'm done, I'm done with all of this. I'm sick of this, I'm sick of us fighting like this."

Tears threaten to fall. No, I'm not crying. Just fraustrated, your fine.

He puts down one of my shirts, his face contours into something more amused and mad combined." Choose your next words wisely. Is that what you really want? You want to be done? After all we've been through?"

I clench my jaw looking down at my bag then back at him who now looks more amused then mad. He thinks I won't. I don't want to be together if he's going to be like this.

He waits tilting his head just a little bit.

" I don't know."

His face frowns, his eyes boring into me, " What do you mean you don't know?"

" I don't know Cato!"

He tensed, " It's a yes or no question. Do you want to be done or not? Not you don't know, don't give me that bullshit."

I look away from him back to my bags putting a tee shirt in one of them. " So your done?" He states.

He was glaring at me already, anger seeping from his expression.

" No-" He didn't let me finish, I could see he was shaking from his anger though he was trying not to show it.

" If that's what you want." He says. Before he leaves he takes one of the full bags throwing it into the wall slamming the door behind him.

That's all I could say without crying. I look to the door walking out, refusing to cry, not when he's here.

I try my beat not to cry. We just broke up, I just broke up with Cato.

I curl up in a blanket holding one to my face as I cry so he can't hear any cries, I almost pass out from having the blanket pressed so hard on my face, refusing to let any air in.

I let it all out, as composed as I can do which was decent. I smell Vad's cologne on me, I don't know how it could've gotten so stuck on my when we barely even touched.

I ripped off the clothes, stuffing them in the back of my closet hoping to never see them again. I take a shower to get any other scent off of me.

I can't be here anymore. Are we going to fix this? Not sure. Do I really want to fix this?

We always seem to fight, we pent up our emotions until we explode, it always end up in us locked away from the other. Until one decides to apologize, which seemed always to be Cato. We tell each other we love them and it's fine until the next blow up.

Maybe it was better if we were seperate.

Separation completely might be what we need.

I get out of the shower, pull out my high velocity blow dryer, take out new warm clothes and I pack.

I hear Cato go down stairs, I hear the oven turn on and the smell of food, I'm starving but I can't right now. I can't see him right now.

I pack more clothes, any personal belonging I may need and I wait for tonight, I call a driver to pick me up around 1 A.M when I know he's asleep.

I take a nap until then, when I hear a alarm go off, I grab my bags and head downstairs trying my best to be as quiet as possible.

I smell the familiar smell of alcohol and a passed out Cato on the couch, a half drank cup of bourbon in his hand.

I take the blanket hanging in the chair and drape it over his body. Of course the Tv was left on also so I turn that off.

I take one last look around the house, I know I won't be back for a couple days, but the train isn't bad, I just learned to like this house a lot more.

I look at Cato passed out on the couch, how he's always so relaxed when he sleeps, the burdens disappear when he sleeps making him look like the boy he is.

As much as I want to give him a kiss I won't it won't make this any easier, leaving a note isn't nessasary either. He'll find out soon enough where I'm going.

I see headlights pull in and know it's time. I take my bags opening up the door walking out of the house.

I get in the car, they'll be taking me to the train station where then I'll be traveling to 12. Get to know them and hopefully-maybe- have a fighting chance at the games.