𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙁𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉
—𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴—

     𝙄 𝘿𝙄𝘿𝙉'𝙏 𝙆𝙀𝙀𝙋 track of time after that. I seemed to be in a daze for the rest of the night, even as Johanna would repetitively ask me what happened with Cato, I would simply shake my head, and give her a weak smile. But I couldn't hide the tear streaks on my face.

River and Finnick seemed to be worried, as they asked several times if I was okay. But I just ignored them altogether, and picked at the food on my plate. I had lost my appetite, and I wasn't sure I would regain it anytime soon.

At some point late in the night, after dinner was over and interview plans were already discussed, River had stepped into my room and requested to stay the night. My response was a shrug, and he took it as a yes, telling Finnick that he would be back to his living quarters by mid-day tommorow.

"You know, the training scores are about to come on," River says, nudging me with his elbow. "Don't you want to go watch them with everyone?

I shake my head, not feeling up to any sort of task that would involve movement.

"C'mon, Case," He begs, his eyes sparkling as they bore into mine. "At least tell me what happened. I may be able to help."

"No," I say softly, pulling at the frill of my fluffy blanket. "No one can do anything about it. It's already done."

"What's already done?" He presses. "What happened to you?"

"River, I told you it was nothing," I snap, shaking my head as I look up at him. "Just leave it, okay? It's better that I just forget about it.

"I'm not going to stop asking until you tell me." He states firmly, his eyes growing expectant as he stares at me and sits down on the edge of my bed. "I have all night."

"It's none of your business, anyway," I say smartly. "You should be with Finnick and the others watching the scores. Not in here with me."

"Lets go watch," He grabs my hand, pulling me from the bed with a tug. "And I'll let it go for the time being. But I will get an answer."

With a heavy sigh, I follow him into the living room, where Reena, Johanna, Finnick, and Aspen sit. Johanna glances up at me with a sympathetic expression, before patting the spot on the couch next to her.

I decide against it, being stubborn with her pity as I sit on the floor in front of the couch. I lean back, resting myself on River's knees.

"And now for the scores," Caesar Flickerman announces from the projection screen.

His hair is as blue as ever, and he wears a navy suit to match. He sits at a large desk, with the tribute pictures to the left. There, a picture of Glimmer flashes across the screen.

"Glimmer, from District one," He says, his eyes flicking down to the paper that rests in his hands. "With a score of nine."

I don't seem to pay attention to Marvel or Clove's scores, as I'm fidgeting to know my own. But my attention is swept away from my score when a picture of Cato shows on the screen.

"Cato, District two," Caesar pauses again. "With a score of ten."

I flinch in my place, wrapping my arms around my knees. Frowning, I continue to one out as the scores go by. Finnick goes rigid from behind me when River's score flashes- a solid ten.

I almost crack a smile at the happiness that radiates from both Finnick and River. But I'm shaken up again when Aspen's picture flickers.

"Aspen, District seven," Caesar says. "With a score of nine."

Reena applauds him from behind me, along with Finnick and Johanna. But neither River or I make a move to congratulate him. He doesn't deserve it.

And then my picture expands on the screen. I stiffen in my place, my breath getting caught in my throat. "Casey, District seven. With a score of..."

I grit my teeth, crossing my fingers.

"Eleven."

And that, my good people, is how you start a riot.

___♕___

"It's nice to see you again, Ace," I smile lightly from my spot on the prepping table. "Long time, no see."

"I would've met with you earlier," Ace says, pulling a dress from behind him with a smile. "But as your stylist, I'm supposed to make an impression with your interview dress."

"It's beautiful," I murmer, hopping from the bed to marvel at the dress. "Ace, this is amazing."

"Not quite," He chuckles, pulling the plastic from it. "It'll be amazing when it's on you. And how long did it take for Anala, Huler, and Vaslin to do your hair, makeup, and nails?"

"Two hours," I say with a huff. "You'd think it wouldn't take that long of a time."

"I'm guessing Reena woke you early this morning," He says, helping me from my robe. "You look exhausted."

"Is it that obvious?"

"It wouldn't be noticeable if I didn't know you." Ace states, turning to face me. Like usual, I can barely notice the white eyeliner that coats his lids. "Do you mind telling me what's on your mind?"

"It's Cato," I say softly, not meeting his eyes. "He. . . he's not who I thought he was."

"Johanna told me about that," He frowns, placing his hands on my bare shoulders. "And I'm going to help. Trust me- after he sees you tonight, he'll wish he never thought about leaving you."

I nod, slipping the dress up over my waist and chest. Turning around, Ace laces up the corset of the dress tightly, but loose enough so that I can sit down, move, and breathe properly.

I stand in front of the wall-length mirror, gasping at the girl that stares back at me. My hair is curled neatly with small braids, and swept to the right side of my head, where it falls over my shoulders. My eyelashes are the longest they've ever been, curling perfectly over the peach and golden eyeshadow.

The dress is a cream white with small peach, blue, and soft red flowers on the material. The chest is pulled into a neat button at the center. At my waist, the rest of the dress flares, and reaches my knees.

"It's perfect," I say to Ace, glancing at all of the details.

"I'm not quite finished," He says, stepping from the room for a short moment, before coming back with a pair of cream material pumps, and handful of small silk flowers that match the ones on my dress.

He lays the heels by my feet, allowing me to step into them. And, surprisingly, they're as comfortable as the shoes we wore during training.

"I custom made them," Ace says, reading my mind. "I slipped some memory foam into the soles to make them comfortable."

He then proceeds to place the delicate flowers in my hair, one at a time.

"There," He steps back to look me over. "Now I'm finished. You look gorgeous, Casey."

"Thank you," I smile.

"Congradulations on your sessions score, by the way." He says, putting his hand on the small of my back as he leads me from the room, and down the hallway. "It was incredible."

"So was Katniss Everdeen," I snort. "She got the same score. I couldn't have done too well if she got the same."

"You're forgetting that the careers got eights and nines," He smirks. "You got a higher score than Cato."

"I'd be more than happy to hear that it ticked him off."

Stepping backstage, where Johanna, Finnick, Aspen, Reena, and several others stand, I say goodbye to Ace.

"Show him what he's missing," He says lowly in my ear, gesturing to Cato, who stands only feet away from us. I watch as Ace leaves, feeling nervous as to what I'm going to do for the interviews.

I make my way over to Johanna and Finnick, joining in on their conversation.

"River knows that, right?" Johanna finishes as she turns to look at me. "Well, don't you look great."

"Only with makeup." I chuckle, trying not to let Cato get to me. "So, what am I supposed to be doing? You didn't exactly tell me what to say."

"I already told you," She shrugs. "Just be you."

"But don't you think I'm boring? There's no way I'll get sponsors by being myself."

"You'll get sponsors," She states confidently, sending a look in River's direction. "Believe me."

River then decides to join us, glancing at me. "You look beautiful," He smiles, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"You don't look too bad yourself," I say, eyeing his yellow and white suit. "The suit really brings out your eyes."

"Why thank you," Aspen says snarkily, stuffing his hands into his pockets. His suit matches my dress; a cream color, with a flowered bow tie and handkerchief.

"Nobody wants you here," I snap rudely, making sure to get my point across. "So just leave."

"I would, but I think it's time to tell River about your little secret," Aspen states with a smirk. "Don't you?"

"Listen, I'm trying to forget about that," I growl, narrowing my eyes. "In case you didn't notice, none of that worked out. Keep your nose on your own face."

"Well, speak of the devil and the devil shall appear," Johanna mumbles, her jaw clenching as she looks over my shoulder. "Casey, you have a shadow."

"Can we talk?" A familiar voice asks, a strong hand being placed on my arm. Tingles erupt from his touch, and my instinct is to jerk away.

River's arm tightens, and Finnick pulls Johanna away from the four of us. "Finnick, let me go! That asshole ruined her!"

I choke on a sob, yanking away from the blonde-haired boy behind me.

"Cato, I don't think you should be here," I state coldly, sucking back my tears. "It's over."

"Casey, what is he-?"

"She's a package deal," Aspen pats River's back with an evil glint in his eye. "You get Casey, you get secrets."

_______