I don't own the Hunger Games.

Please rate and review. Thanks!

"TO LOVE IS TO RECEIVE A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN."

~KAREN SUNDE

Katniss's POV

Cinna pulled Peeta and I out of the chariot, as Portia extinguished the flames.

"I'm going to our room, okay?" Peeta muttered.

"Sure," I smiled. He gave my hand a squeeze and trudged away through the crowd.

We were amazing. The crowd loved us! I couldn't believe that people had actually been throwing flowers at me. I even blew kisses at them. That side of me had never been seen before. Glancing around, I noticed that all of the tributes were sending threatening glares at us...except one.

A muscular boy, with blonde hair, just laughed in my direction. I checked behind me, but nothing was there. Confused, I peeked at him again, yet he was the same as before.

What? Why was he laughing? Noticing that my gaze had stopped on him, the boy winked at me, still smiling.

"Well done, sweetheart." I turned around to see Haymitch behind me. He frowned, realising where my attention had been. "He's from district two I think. Part of the Careers so he's trouble."

Slowly, I returned my sight to the boy, who was now talking to his prep team. "What's his name?" I murmured, my eyes still glued to him.

"Does it matter?" Haymitch sighed, "Katniss, stay away from him."

"His name?" I asked again, stubbornly.

"Cato. Don't do anything stupid okay?"

Cato. Cato. So that was his name. I couldn't help, but wonder why he was laughing. It probably didn't mean anything. Was he just doing it to unnerve me? If that was it, it was definitely working. Or maybe he knew something that I didn't. Could it be that - "Katniss! Are you listening to me?"

"Hmm? Yeah."

With a shake of his head, Haymitch said, "Just go to your room and get some rest. Keep away from all the Careers." It was an order instead of a request this time. Deciding that clearing my head would probably be a good idea, I made my way to an elevator.

After pressing the button to my floor, I leaned against the wall. Exhaustion took over, and my eyes drifted shut as I listened to the doors closing. When they were only slightly ajar, a slow, deep voice surprised me.

"Room for one more?"

Opening only one eye, I shot a sceptical glance at the man before me, who held the door open. Surprised, my breath hitched at who it was: muscular frame, ruffled blonde hair and those icy turquoise eyes. Of course it was none other than Cato.

"Do what you want." My voice was quieter than I had meant for it to be and it embarrassingly had a slight shake to it.

"Hm? I didn't quite hear you."

"Do what you want," I repeated, my voice slightly louder and firmer. With a mental pat on the back for my voice not quivering, I straightened myself and looked directly up at Cato, staring him down with a refusal to appear weak. His intense, blue eyes pierced through my dull, grey ones; it took all of my willpower to not flinch away. Slowly, he stepped forwards and cocked his head to the side, leaning towards me. It wasn't until I hit my back on the side of the elevator that I realised I was backing away from him.

"I don't think it would be a very good idea if I did whatever I wanted," he murmured, his face now so close to mine that his breath was tickling me. The doors shut once more, leaving me to be the prey of this ruthless monster.

"Why's that?" I gasped. He had a cruel smirk on his face, whilst he put his hands up on the side of the elevator on opposite sides of my head.

"Because," he whispered into my ear, "It would cause a lot of trouble for everybody else." I couldn't reply. Cato knew he had me trapped and enjoyed watching me squirm.

"So what? Go cause trouble if you want to."

He chuckled drily and said, "Maybe I will, fire girl."

"Katniss," I corrected. "My name's Katniss."

I expected him to come back with a snobby answer on how if you're from District 12, then your'e scum who's name doesn't matter, but after a moment of silence, he finally went a couple of steps back. As my personal space returned, I let out a breath that I didn't realise I was holding.

"Nice to meet you, Katniss." The way he said my name rolled off his tongue easily. There was a pang in my heart when I noticed that I liked the way it sounded.

Wait. I didn't like him, did I? No, of course not! He's a Career. That's ridiculous.

My cheeks reddened into a warm blush. He grinned, amused. The smile was genuine, unlike the capitol's fake ones and there was a twinkle in his eyes. Those eyes! There was a hint of playfulness in them now. Somehow, even though he was still messing with me, I ended up getting a small smile too, feeling more comfortable.

"So you're not going to tell me your name?" I teased, attempting to clear my thoughts.

"Well, I expected for you to already know." Keeping a straight face, I raised my eyebrow.

"Cato," he laughed. "Career from district two." I looked him up and down, sniggering at his golden Roman costume. "What?" He pouts, searching around him for whatever it was that I found amusing.

"It's just," I giggled, "As if anybody can't tell that you're a career from that ridiculous outfit."

"Ha, bloody, ha." Despite his sarcastic tone, he had a large grin and...so did I. What the hell? I was actually enjoying myself with a Career like him. What's wrong with me? As I cleared my throat, I suddenly jumped from the doors opening.

Without glancing back, I rushed out, leaving my strange conversation with Cato behind.

Please rate and review. I would love to know what you think. Thanks!

-Burning Bunny Books