Yours [Prim/Cato]

Chapter 8 - Training Day #2

Just another chapter for y'all. I think this one is exciting. Happy reading!

Day two. Day two of training. I wasn't even sure that I could handle day one, but I did, and after surviving the first day, I figured I could make it through day two.

Yesterday was pretty interesting.. to say the least. I'd worked up the courage to speak to Cato, and it had worked in my favor, I hope. I don't know what tempted me to approach him, and so I was surprised that he'd even acknowledged me speaking to him. I was more surprised that he didn't yell at me for it after how he'd attempted to threaten me, and the other tributes, yesterday. I imagine he believes he's better than the rest of the pool, but failing at herbs threw him off.

I know that none of this matters. Though yesterday was good, today can be something totally different. 

After a quiet, lost in thought morning, I dress in the black jumpsuit that everyone had to wear for training. It was a bit uncomfortable to wear considering how tight it is, but whatever... it's only one more day.

There was a knock at my door.

"Yes?" I called.

"Hey, are you ready? Effie's nagging for us to hurry," Peeta's voice calls back.

I hurried to put my shoes on and ran to the door, swinging it open quickly to be met by Peeta.

"Yes, I'm done. Let's go." I pulled the door closed and followed behind him. 

"So, are you ready for day two of this hellhole?" Peeta asks. We walk to the elevator, gladly without Effie, and press the button that goes down to the training center.

"Um, yeah, I think so," I say. The elevator makes a ping sound and we step inside, pressing the T button to the training center.

Peeta interrupts the silence. "So what happened to you yesterday? One moment you were with 11 and then I didn't see you for a while."

"Oh." Could I really tell him where I went and that I was with Cato? I don't know. "I was helping out another tribute with herbs. It took a while." I sigh, glad that it was technically still the truth.

Peeta smiled wide. "Wow, getting us allies huh? Well, who was it?" he asks.

I widen my eyes. "Oh, no one too important. I don't think we'd be allies. It was just a little help."

The elevator stopped and the doors slid open, exposing us to the training center. We stepped out and I immediately saw Cato sparring with the girl from his District. He turned and saw me, and as we made eye contact, he grins.

Peeta saw it and frowned down at me. "Did you see the way he just looked at you? He looked at you like you were something to eat," Peeta said with disgust.

"I don't think it was that serious," I answer quickly. 

"But it's just the way he looks at you. Like he's gonna attack at any moment."

I glanced back at Cato. "I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe it's his way of trying to intimidate me before the Games," I said, trying to reassure him.

Peeta eyed Cato warily. "I don't know. Come on," Peeta grabbed my hand, "let's go work on some camouflage techniques." He pulled me by my hand towards the camo section.

I glanced back at Cato, who is seemingly upset at the sight of us two again. I blushed and turned away quickly, slowly removing my hand from Peeta's. 

Camouflage was actually a useful session with Peeta. As he'd been the cake decorator in his family's bakery business, he was almost a better trainer in the skill than the actual trainer was. We worked on technique, learning how to blend in with settings ranging from jungles to tundras. It was fun.. it had made me feel like an artist that was free just for a moment, even though I was chained down in these Games. It was so cool learning how to use different resources to blend in with the environment.