"Bloody train." I hissed, gathering myself up again after being hurled into a wall when the 'speed of light' train jolted on the tracks. I heard a laugh splutter into a pillow behind me. I turned my head slowly towards Cato who had his eyebrows arched and one of the midnight blue pillows masking a grin.
"Careful there, Clove." He chuckled, rocking back and shooting up from the plush couch and over to the buffet cart. Glaring into his shoulder blades, I followed. My stomach rumbled defiantly when I refused a bread roll from an Avox child. I craved cooked food. Cato's blonde tufts poked out in every direction, after he lolled and rolled about on the couches earlier.
"It's a shame; you should have watched the reapings with me and Electra." Cato mused as if he actually cared, throwing a bread roll in the air before shoving it back on top of the pyramid of pastry.
"Frankly, I couldn't give a shit." I replied, plopping a mound of mashed potato into the center of my plate. He sniffed in response and returned back to the sofa with a plate piled high with savory snacks.
"Your face is comical. I really think you should see it." He prodded the circular red button on a remote and the television in front of him hummed to life, a bright screen casting shadows over the floor. I threw myself down on the sofa opposite him, a silver fork in hand and I delved into the mashed potato. It took a few seconds for him to rewind the program, and I briefly caught my fellow tribute's faces.

"I might as well go from 1, I wouldn't mind seeing the blonde girl again." A playful smile tugging at his lips. Licking the mash potato that strayed across my cheek, I rolled my eyes at Cato. It was just like him to notice the blonde bombshell from District One. The television blared into life suddenly, and the Capitol's Seal flashed up as they played the anthem. I scowled into the yellow mush before me, I hated them. Stupid Capitol, if it weren't for them, I wouldn't have to leave my family, my friends behind to fight in this pathetic Hunger Games. But I guess it won't seem so bad when I bring glory back to District Two.
"So, when does it come on?" I cock my head to the side and frown at Cato, who had swung one leg over the back of the couch and one arm was up behind his head, his fingers running through his golden hair.
"If Electra saw you she'd have fifty fits." I chortled, his mouth was bulging with potato chips when he grinned over at me.
"Oh wook, itsh on fow!" He yelled, not being quite understandable with the chips crunching in his mouth. Shaking my head, I turned to the television, whoever District One escort was, I am terribly pleased I don't know them. He pranced around the stage like a purple gazelle, his chrome silver corkscrew curls bouncing around his surgically enhanced face.
"It gets better." Cato mumbled; his mouth clear and he too seemed sick of this man on the screen's behavior. After a millennium of a speech and a sack full of giggles, he finally drew the female tribute's name from their jewel encrusted bowl, and she stepped forward. Her golden waves danced around her face as her emerald eyes gleamed in the broad daylight. A daring smile played across her lips as she strode confidently in a pristine white dress towards the stage. She was the prime example of District One offspring. She was beautiful.
"Gorgeous or what." Cato nodded in approval as she blew a kiss to the screen, almost as if she knew he would be watching. I glared into the corner of the room until he read out the male tribute. From what I listened, his name was Marvel. And from what I could see… He was considerably tall, and even lanky – but there was muscle there. His aqua blue eyes shone and his mouth was pulled back in a cheeky grin.

"Ooooh…" Cato chuckled, gradually erupting into laughter. I flashed a dangerous glare at him.
"What?" I snapped, leaning forward and pushing the mash aside, folding my arms across my chest as I watched him shake his head and waggle his finger at me.
"I see what's going on here, you like him." He grinned and his eyebrows flicked upwards. I felt my cheeks flare red and I glared ferociously at Cato.
"I don't think so!" I yelled, "And I don't know how you dare tell me I like Marvel when you basically drool over that Glimmer girl." I countered. He raised his eyebrows and his arms lifted over his head, in what seems to be surrender.
"Well, at least I can admit it. Wait, don't we share the train with the other districts? Wait! I know! We can call Marvel in here and tell him!" Cato sat up with a look of sarcasm about him. I stood up from my perch on the seat, my fists balled and ready to pound straight into his dumb face. I hated Cato. He wouldn't dare. Besides, I didn't even like Marvel. I was trained to kill, to fight. Training first, feelings second. Not like there were any feelings there. People feared me back in two. Yes, all of them were taller than me, but that was nothing on my skills compared to theirs. I was the best knife thrower back in my District, could even hit a target backwards if I wanted to. And the other trainees in two knew to stay well out of my way. I didn't even have any friends back there, they were too hassle and all.

Cato cupped his hands around his mouth and took a deep breath.
"Marvel! OHHH MARVEL!" He bellowed. He didn't have time to react before I lunged at him. Pouncing on his chest, I grabbed his wrists as he writhed them around in the air around my face. He choked on the chips in his mouth as he tried to stop laughing. My grip was like steel on his hands, but size beats all in the end. With one sharp tug of his arm, I was sent flying onto the blood red carpet. Cato rocketed up from the couch and flew through the doorway, skipping as fast as I can run.
"Get back here you stupid pig!" I yelled, clawing at his cotton shirt but not quite getting a grip on it. He was howling now, as he led us both towards the end of our carriage and to the door that divided us from One. He stopped abruptly and grabbed my shoulders, hauling me to a halt.
"Get off me you bastard!" I growled, but he shoved me into the wall and pressed a finger against his lips. He pointed towards the door. I followed his finger and glared into the cherry wood.
"What?" I hissed as he released his grip and crept towards the door. Whatever it was, it had caught his attention, very quickly.
"Whatever it is, its saved you from a black eye." I whispered, following him on the balls of my feet.
"If you could reach short arse." He whispered back, creeping towards the door, leaning forwards as he moved. His hands carefully pressed up on the door, as his eyes moved towards the keyhole. Squinting, he peeked through, and his concentration face soon curled into a mischievous grin.
"They're all in there." He held back laughter as he leant back onto his heels away from the door so I could see. I squinted and drew closer to the golden keyhole. Through it, I saw the same designed living area as ours, except their sofas were bright pink and their walls were decorated with detailed gold swirls and floral print. Looking around, I finally saw the blonde girl sat cross legged on one couch, fascinated with whatever was on the screen that hid behind a florescent flower arrangement. On the other end of the couch, sat their escort, twiddling with his ringlets within his slender fingers as he gazed into the screen also. Then the boy, laid on his stomach like a kid with his head resting on his elbows on the carpet, his eyes straining up to the screen inches from his face.
"That girl from five should REALLY get those ends sorted out!" The escort exclaimed, genuinely shocked at how ill-treated the tribute's hair was. Glimmer nodded in sarcasm and Marvel didn't even seem to be listening.
"Well, I'll be sure to tell her when I rip her throat out." Glimmer mused, flicking her legs out in front of her and bouncing up off the couch, towards the bar.
"Soda please." Marvel called after her, his eyes not distracted from the screen.

Leaning back I looked over at Cato, who was biting his bottom lip as if he was wanting to tell me something.
"I've got a game." He sniggered
"Oh yeah?" I raise my eyebrows. If Cato was anything, he was just a big kid at heart. I had to admit, a little fun wasn't going to hurt. I leant onto my knees awaiting his response.
"Knock-a-door-run."
"Oh my god, Cato! What are you, five?"
"You look it."
"Yeah because that was so original…"
"Are you in or not!" He snapped in a hushed voice. I nodded and pursed my lips. It was so childish, yet one of the best games going. Besides, if Cato was involved, it wasn't going to be the normal gist. He sat up and bounced on the balls of his feet, assessing whatever he had in mind. I got up and his head was even with mine when he bent down and rested his palms on his knees. He crept up to the door and strained to see down the crack between it and the door frame.
"It's unlocked." He whispered, a grin playing on his mouth. I shrugged, not anything in the world could have prepared me for what he did next. He pounded on the door with a balled fist, threw it open, and shoved me inside. Slamming the door behind me. All three heads snapped towards me, shocked expressions glaring me up and down. My mouth opened slightly and my eyes widened like a deer in headlights. My hand fumbled around behind me for the door handle, gripping it, and finding Cato had a hold of it on the other side.
"Um… Sorry. Um, he's got the door…" I blurted out, spinning round to tear at the door with both hands. I could hear him sniggering at the other side.
"Let go of the door, you bastard." I seethed, tugging as hard as I could.
"I don't think so." Only quiet enough for me to hear. Soon, footsteps behind me were apparent and when I twirled round, my dark ponytail slapped Marvel across the cheek with a satisfying thwack.
"Sorry!" I squeaked, as he staggered back clutching his face desperately. Glimmer shot up and grabbed his shoulder, her emerald eyes scorching holes into my skull. Suddenly, he broke into a fit of laughter and drew his hand from his face and it danced around the air above him.
"Got you!" He beamed at me and moved closer, passed me, and gripping the door within a steel grip himself.
"You won't be able to open it, he's pretty strong." I explained, Glimmer was breathing down my neck now, and I froze. Peering to my left I saw her shoulder and a neat plait down her chest.

"That would be Cato, right? The boy from the T.V?" She looked down at me, intrigued.
"Well, no, he's from District Two but I guess I can get where you're coming from." I replied dryly. Her glare drove into my head, but I kept my vision on Marvel.
"C'mon man! Let her back in!" He sighed, leaving go and stepping back. Breathless from trying. I smiled faintly, knowing he'd tired himself to help me. I guess he seemed quiet friendly, and willing. I could get along with him, maybe?
"I'll handle this one." Glimmer stepped forward, flicking a plait over her shoulder and kneeling towards the door.
"No offence, One. But nothing you can do that Marvel can't that will open that door." I folded my arms and stood as tall as I could. Marvel exhaled heavily and shook his head,
"Ah, you would think that, but Glimmer has tricks up her sleeve." There was no excuse for not calling her by her name now.
"What was your name anyway?" Glimmer frowned over her shoulder at me. I opened my mouth to throw a snotty answer back at her before Marvel jumped in.
"God Glimmer, if you were watching the reapings at all, you would know that District Two female tribute was Clove." He stated, folding his arms over his chest like I did, and nodding his head – proud of himself for his good memory.
"You'd know." She countered, peering through the keyhole. His smile soon vanished and he glared over at her his arms fell to his sides and his fists balled, but I still couldn't take him seriously.
"Cato? You there honey?" She had a sweet tingle to her voice, and the sniggering from the other side of the door fell silent. She grinned over her shoulder at us, proving that there was things she could do that Marvel couldn't.

"Pretty please could you let Clovey here back in? It's just that, we'll get in trouble for hosting unauthorized guests…" She trailed off and sighed dramatically. Before she could stand up properly, the door swung open and Cato towered above us all, even Marvel – and he was lanky.
"Come in then, derp." He mused, standing aside for me to enter. Somehow his attempts to look not as awkward and stupid as he really did. A wicked smile curled my lips, knowing I had won this one.
"Thanks babe." Glimmer winked and took the door from him, gently closing it and locking it from their side.
"And you just got told by your blonde bombshell." I skipped past him and through to the living area, pleased how Cato looked like such a twat in front of his precious.
"And, this isn't over."
"OKAY!" I drove a fork off cold potato mash into my mouth, doubting Cato's words, before he disappeared to his bedroom.
"Today, the train. Tomorrow, the games." I muttered to myself, shoveling another dollop of mash into my awaiting mouth.