Fire and Ice // Cato Hadley

Walking into the room where the chariots were being prepared for the tributes made anxiety wash over me. I hated being center of attention, and since Cinna had something special planned, there was no avoiding it. Luckily the outfit he had placed me in made me feel more confident. If I had been plastered in front of the crowd naked I would have had a meltdown. Instead I was in a black leather material jumpsuit that fit like a glove. It hugged every curve in my body and I was so thankful that I wasn't in a dress. I would definitely fall and make a fool of myself. My hair was pinned up in what my mother used to call milkmaid braids, small pieces framing my face hanging in the front.

My eyes scanned the room, seeing all of my opponents in person for the first time. My stomach churned at the thought that I would have to kill someone in this room, more than one, if I wanted to live. I could feel eyes on me as I walked across the room to where Cinna had told me District 12's chariot would be located. I shook off the gazes and continued to hold my head high. I approached Peeta and Cinna who turned around as soon as I approached. Peeta's eyes widened as he scanned over me, his eyes finally meeting mine.

"You look good" he said simply with a nod. He wore the same outfit as me but instead of long sleeves, his arms were bare showing his large muscles.

"Thanks" I returned quickly. "Not too bad yourself."

"You two ready?" Cinna asked from beside the pair of us, making our eyes turn to him instead of each other.

"No but I don't have a choice" I said with a small laugh.

"Come on, being in front of people should be the least of your worries" Peeta said quickly.

"Thanks for reminding me" I replied, my face falling into a scowl. Cinna reached into his pocket, pulling out two matchsticks. My eyes widened as Peeta's did the same.

"Hold on, you're gonna light us on fire?" Peeta questioned nervously.

"It's not real fire, your outfits are specially made, you won't feel a thing."

"Looks pretty real to me" I said with another nervous laugh. I bit back my nerves allowing him to light my outfit first as a loud voice came over the speaker, counting down from 15. The parade was about to start. Cinna was right. Nothing hurt, only a tingling sensation took over my arms and my back, but no pain. He proceeded to do the same to Peeta before helping us into the chariot. The horses from the chariot pulled us forward, falling into line behind all of the others.

"This years tributes!" the familiar voice of Caesar Flickerman filled the room as the doors ahead slung open. Each chariot ahead of us began moving through the doors, cheers from the stadium filling my ears. Suddenly I looked over to Peeta and his eyes became just as wide as mine.

"Woah" we said in unison. The flames were much bigger now. We looked as though we were truly on fire. We were. Suddenly the cheering grew louder and I looked to the side to see everyone shouting at us with ecstatic faces. I looked onto the screen ahead and could see myself now. I had on dark eye makeup and a dark red lip. I didn't look myself at all. I looked pretty. I looked breathtaking. I felt a hand touch mine and I quickly pulled away, looking to Peeta who laughed.

"Come on they'll love it" he said and I bit my lip. He was right, and I needed sponsors. I slipped my small hand into his large, strong one and we lifted them in the air. The crowd went insane, roses and other riches being thrown to us. I waved to the crowd almost as if it was instinct. Our chariot circled, facing us towards the crowd ahead, all of the other chariots laid out to my right.

"Welcome, welcome" A voice boomed out. Snow. "Tributes we welcome you, we salute your courage and your sacrifice."

My blood boiled as I looked up to the man, the disgusting, cold hearted man.

"We wish you a happy hunger games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

**

"That was amazing" Cinna stated in awe as he approached us with Portia, Peeta's stylist. Effie and Haymitch trailed behind them, a bright smile on the woman's face.

"We are all anyone will be talking about!" Effie exclaimed in excitement, the thought of all the attention didn't make me as happy. Instead it scared me. I wanted to be in the shadows. I needed to.

"You did good sweetheart" Haymitch said softly as he patted my shoulder. I let out a genuine smile and thanked the man before I saw his face fall, his eyes looking behind me. I scrunched my brows together, turning my head to see where he was looking. My eyes fell on the boy from district 2. His eyes were trained on me, his lips pulled upwards into a smirk. My body froze and I felt my heartbeat rise as the boys eyes burned into me. He looked like he wanted to wanted to eat me alive, to be fair he could've. He looked much larger in person than he had onscreen, maybe because he wasn't amongst all the the other large careers from his district. Or maybe the fact that I was 5'1 and he looked to be taller than 6 foot.

Suddenly I remembered where I was. That I couldn't look scared of the boy. So I snapped the thoughts from my head and stared straight back into his eyes, letting a malicious smirk cross my lips as well. His blue eyes scanned my body slowly before meeting my eyes once more. He raised his brows and let out a bigger smirk before turning back to his mentor. I felt Haymitch grabbing my arm, pulling me away. I turned to him and the expression written on his face made me second think what I had done.

"Let's head up now" he said, pushing me ahead and smacking my arm as I turned to take another look at the career boy.