Cato and Glimmer: After the Games

"Loving him was red."

Chapter Six

I tell myself that there is nothing to worry about. I don't think Dazzle would do anything reckless or ask for anything stupid. He's a mature young Gaze and I am sure that Cato can handle him for several given hours.

Taking a left turn, I finally arrived at what seemed like a land full of... technical materials. Several Capitol families were enjoying the company of the people they love as they lay out their picnics. Much to my dismay, this wasn't a park I highly expected. Everything is metallic, even the tress. Oh, the bushes are different. They're completely virtual. Has the Capitol even seen grass, much less feel it?

Ignoring it seemed like the only way to tolerate it. My sisters didn't exactly mention which part of Central Park should I be waiting for Amabel. The park is huge and anyone can get lost if you don't memorize the entire place. Before I could fish out my phone from my pocket to call Shine, an eerie cry of delight made me jump.

"Glimmer!"

A few kids stared at me and started poking their parents in excitement then pointing at me. The parents looked up to me and smiled before patting their kids by the shoulder, continuing whatever they were supposed to do. I guess I'm going to have to get used to the popularity around here. It's not everyday the Capitol resurrects a Tribute from the dead. Well, they didn't exactly resurrect me. I was alive the minute the hovercraft took me. I didn't know that because it was either I was unconscious or I really felt like I had just died, and done by a seam girl, too.

I turned my attention back to the person that just yelped my name and I couldn't help but cry out in delight as well. A fiery red headed girl with burning grey eyes collided with me into a hug. In that moment, I swear, I will thank Cato and the Capitol every single day for keeping me alive after every reckless step I take. Amabel was the only decent friend I had back in the Career Tribute Academy. Apparently it's because she's not like one of those typical pretty red heads that uses looks instead of smarts. Maybe that's why they didn't get into the recommendation under the Board of Judges. I'm glad Amabel wasn't one of them and Amabel seemed more than happy to get away from a group of narcissists.

"Is it really you?" Amabel asked, pulling away to examine me. I arched a brow at her and grinned, nodding. "Let me take a moment to process this, okay? Cause as far as I've watched The Hunger Games; my best friend was killed by a seam girl from twelve and a really hot District 2 guy just screamed bloody hell about your death. Please tell me I am not hallucinating."

I put my hands on her shoulders before slowly reciting, "You. Are. Not. Hallucinating."

Amabel blinked her grey eyes before shrugging. "Okay, but I do need some catching up. I cannot believe you actually snagged a hot tank."

"I'm glad you're alive too, Amabel." I laughed, shaking my head in the process. "And that hot tank is named Cato."

"Nah, I prefer calling him hot tank." Amabel waved away before jumping up and down. "So it's true? You're dating the young, handsome hot tank from Two and you're getting married? I mean, oh my God, Glimmer... I can't believe you didn't actually tell your sisters that you're getting married to this Cato guy; like, seriously, they're your sisters so..."

God, Amabel is still a chatter-box even until now. Yet, the news that she babbled on made me flustered. "Wait... married? What are you talking about? Cato and I aren't getting married."

Amabel's face fell before she looked around the area. I followed her gaze and saw a couple of Capitol people staring at us. It was either they're irritated of how Amabel speaks, or they just can't believe the words that were flowing from my best friend's mouth. I grabbed her wrist a little too tightly and pulled her away from the Park. She spoke not a word as I dragged her across the street. I'm surprised she didn't even yelp from my grip. When we've finally arrived at corner, away from Capitol people ear shot, she began speaking again.

"Wait a minute. You're the bride and you didn't know?" Amabel seemed dumbfounded. "It's... all over the news."

"What the hell are you talking about, Amabel? Cato and I aren't getting married. Well, not yet anyway but..." I sighed. "Look, you know how the Capitol is. They make up things and they hide things under a beautiful facade to make them less intimidating. If a news about me and Cato getting married is coming from them, don't believe it. I'd rather you hear out the actual people that are mercilessly dragged into the rumor."

"But they said it's not a rumor." Amabel insisted and I glared at her. Apparently, my glares don't affect her that much. "Caesar Flickerman said so."

"Listen to me, Amabel." I sighed, looking around to see if there were any eavesdropper before whispering, "Cato and I are not getting married. I don't know when that'll even happen, seeing the progress that he's going through with my siblings. Not to mention my dad. You've seen my dad, right? You've seen how he blanches at the mere sight of Shine's first boyfriend? Look, you've known me for eight years and I'd rather you believe me than a government that's as insane as you are right now, not unless you stop ogling over a fake marriage announcement."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." Amabel exasperated. "But before anything else, um, grip?"

"Oh, sorry." I apologized before loosening my grip on her wrist.

Amabel massaged her wrist, then spoke. "Right, I forgot all about your sisters... well, there's your Dad too. Have you introduced him to them already?"

"Yeah, but only to my siblings. Dad hasn't met him yet." I spoke nonchalantly, like it wasn't a big thing - but deep down, it really is. I ran a hand through my blonde locks before admitting, "Amabel, I'm dying here. Shine doesn't like Cato and so does Velvet. I'm glad Sparkle is making him feel a little at home and hopefully, he's fixing things with Dazzle. I'm supposed to be in an arranged marriage with Mayor Jewel's son, but Shine asked Dad to cancel it to give Cato a chance."

"Tell me again how that's a problem?" Amabel arched a brow at me.

I rolled my eyes at her. "You know how my sisters are! I mean, especially Shine. You know how that woman hates men! She's not going to go easy on Cato. Remember what she did to Opal when he broke up with me because he's moving to the Capitol for god knows what reason? She almost killed him, Amabel."

"Relax, okay?" Amabel shook her head as she put her hands on my shoulder. "Listen to me. I've seen the way you and Cato acted around each other during the Hunger Games. Now, I don't know if that's just all for the games - but if you believe that it's real, there's no point in giving up on him. Giving up is not a option and it will never be, Glimmer. I see you really love this guy and if you believe that he really loves you, then there's nothing to be afraid of."

Words of wisdom from the great Amabel herself. I will never regret meeting this woman. "I really love him, Amabel. Losing him... will probably be the death of me."

Amabel rolled her eyes, finding me reluctant. She looped her arm around my left arm, leading me down the street. "And you won't. Jeez, hon, stop being so paranoid. Why don't we go and get some snacks while we're at it? And tell me more about this Cato of yours, I'd really like to meet him. You've got to tell me how you two sexy beasts came to be."

I grinned at her impishly, forgetting everything about my sisters for a little while. My being paranoid will be the end of me and I'm not sure I want Cato to live like that again. Amabel and I came to a halt before a brand new fast food restaurant. I knew it was brand new because it had a large Grand Opening in Alice in Wonderland font digitally moving in green against a black screen. Can't the Capitol have normality every once in a while?

Snacks went well with Amabel. We ate burgers, fries and had waffles. I will completely admit that it's a weird setting, but Amabel and I have known weird ever since we met. Amabel is a headstrong girl and she's quite the optimist. Although she's very reluctant sometimes, she's still in for things even though she dislikes it. She's met every guy I've liked and had. I'm rather thankful she's not that judgmental like my sisters. Otherwise, I could have gone running for the hills and away from civilization as much as possible. I've had enough of people trying to control my life. Amabel only trained for the Career Tribute Academy for three years because her family is practically saving up for their own business. Fate is to thank for her not being reaped anytime soon.

I guess you could say at this point that I sometimes trust her more than Shine and Velvet. Amabel's two years older than me and she's turning twenty next month. I wonder what it'd be like if I didn't come to District One because I was dead? I tried not to think of the possible reactions of the people I would leave behind if it so happens that the Capitol didn't discover that I still lived. Amabel would have a birthday without me for the first time, my siblings would take a long time to mourn like they did when Mom died, I wouldn't really know what Dad's reaction would be. Oh, then there's Cato. It's hard to know which one of them will suffer the worst.

"I have to get back to District One now," Amabel snapped me from my reverie as we left the restaurant and ended up walking down the street again. "My mom's going crazy and my dad will probably ground me because I didn't ask permission from them to come here just to see you. And even if I did ask them, they wouldn't let me go any other way. You know how my parents are."

Ah, yes. My best friend - the rebellious one. Her Uncle, whose a Peacekeeper in the Capitol, has given her the full map of the Capitol as a birthday present. Amabel has strange photographic memory. The last thing she'd probably do is spark a rebellion against the Capitol, which I do not recommend her to do for she was too horrified of the story about District 13. No one in District 1 likes mentioning about them. We're the fragile district and beloved for the Capitol because of the fine jewelry we make for them. They should damn well be thankful or they wouldn't be so glamorous now.

"Thanks for coming to see me, Amabel." I told her, grateful as I pull her to a hug. "Do you know your way to the train station?"

"I know the Capitol like the back of my hand." Amabel proclaimed before pulling away and planting a kiss on my cheek. "Introduce me to Cato when you're living with him, alright?"

I roll my eyes, but I grin at her impishly. "I'll try if ever he's not wrapped around Shine and Velvet's little fingers."

The minute Amabel left, I checked my phone and it seems that two hours have already passed. I might as well get Dazzle from Cato, not unless they're having a good time, then I don't mind leaving Dazzle to Cato. Dazzle's a responsible young boy and I know Cato, he'd never do anything reckless with my little brother. Heaving a sigh, I went down the curb and back up to the Capitol Victor Village.

Five seconds after the knock, the door was pulled open and before me was Cato sweating. Oh my. I tried not to make it obvious that I am utterly turned on, but even I can't fool myself. I'm known to be read like an open book.

"Hey," I mustered, then swallowed. He was wearing grey sweatpants that hung on his hips, a sleeveless white shirt and oh my. His abs. My subconscious slaps me in the face and throws a bucket of ice cold water at my face, keeping me at cool for the time being. Yes, I have never seen Cato shirtless. Is that a problem? Well, not incisively. I'm not really that persuasive. But this Greek god before me is inevitably real and am lucky that he's not a statue that I can just gawk at like an idiot.

"Glim," Cato greeted, using that nickname he often calls me to. He scratched the back of his head before saying, "I'd kiss you now, but I'm really, well, sweaty."

"Hmm." I murmured softly before grabbing the hem of his shirt and pulling him down to me. When our lips met, I wrapped my arms around him. Jeez, I don't care if he's wet from a fresh bath. This man captivates me in so many ways that words cannot begin to explain the rest of what I'm currently feeling. When he had wrapped his arms around my waist, I pulled away from him and he groaned in dismay.

"Sweet Panem, Glimmer," His voice is low and husky, making shivers run down my spine. He rested his forehead against mine, with eyes still closed. "You're killing me here."

"If I were, perhaps I might have already done that in the arena, Cato." I whispered before planting a firm kiss on his lips. His eyes finally fluttered open as his blue orbs met my emerald eyes. He pulled me into his home before shutting the door behind me. Grinning at him, I ask, "How's my brother?"

"He's alright. He's upstairs playing video games." Cato pulled back a little.

"May I ask why you're so sexily sweating right now? Are you... working out?" I managed a small laugh.

"Nah, Dazzle and I just got back from Frisbee. I didn't know your little dude liked sports." He commented as he led me to a couch. "He did ask me something, though."

"I'm sure he prodded for information a lot more than needed." I roll my eyes at such a revolting thought. "What did he ask?"

Cato pursed his lips, as if he's having second thoughts whether he should tell me or not. Sighing, he gave up and began, "He asked me if I can teach him how to use a sword."

My eyes narrowed at him almost immediately. To put it in conditional terms, I think I should be mad at Dazzle; he's the one who asked for it. Not unless, of course, Cato taught him.

"Well, did you?" My voice couldn't hold back the tightness and anguish. I swear if Cato taught him...

"No! God, no." Cato's eyes widened in surprise. "Glim, despite how adorable his pout face was upon asking me, I did not teach him. There was no way I'm going to teach him knowing that you'll get mad at me if you found out."

"But if I hadn't found out, you'd do it anyway?"I ask, slightly irritated.

"Of course not." He seemed a bit too perplexed, but I guess he's just frustrated. "Glimmer, he's your little brother. He's of reaping age and I know that you don't want him to participate in the games by not training him. Like Connie, I don't want him to get into a game where his elder siblings barely survived. I'd never teach him unless you wanted me to."

I shook my head, scared. "Please... just... don't teach him. He's so young, Cato. Probably as young as your little sister. If his innocent facade begins to reek havoc... I don't know what I'd do to myself."

"I know, Glimmer..." Cato kissed the top of my head. "I know."

A/N: I'd say "sorry" for as much as I can type, but I fear that my fingers would go numb and I might not write the recurring chapters of the story. I am immensely apologizing for barely updating even though my Hiatus has simply but ended merely two months ago. School gets in the way and life is just one big ball of hell for me. Since it's New Year, I'm making up a New Year's Resolution to update my stories more often; even though Finals are fast approaching and Prom is becoming a huge trend in the school. But I will still continue writing this story. I might have lost a few sense of inspiration from the lack of reading books, but I will still pursue this. To those who waited, I am terribly sorry. To those who will continue to stay, my big thanks to you.

I am not making any promises as to have Chapter 7 posted within this week or the next. But perhaps the last week of January, I might update since it's the week of my School's fair and we're free to do whatever we please. Again, thank you for reading this update and if you're still with me; I would like to give you one big virtual hug. *one big virtual hug from pouting Maedelle*

Follow me on Twitter to get excerpts on the recurring chapters of all of my THG stories: reynaskippy (expect a follow back from me)

- EMPG22HoPe