star crossed lovers ➸ cato hadley

vii. unexpected visit

As Natalie sat on the roof, she swung her legs off ledge as she watched the people below her. She wished that she was at her home, hunting with her best friends but she was here and she hated it with a burning passion.

Ever since the day in the training room, Cato has been glaring at her and boy, didn't she know it. He always made sure that she failed in someway or making it seem like she was a coward.

However in training, Natalie was always moments away from punching him on several occasions but as usual, the peacekeepers separated them before anything could happen.

But as Natalie sat on the roof, this was finally the spot when she could feel peace; even if it was just for a moment. However, it was soon replaced with someone's heavy footsteps and a groan escaping their lips.

Natalie made no attempt to move, nor to hide herself from the incoming threat. Instead she sat perfectly still, thinking of a millions things to say to get her out of trouble. However the only thing she could think of, was punching the person and make a run for it.

"Do you always have to ruin things for me?" The unknown voice questioned. Automatically, Natalie knew the voice. The guy who hated her and who she hated. But even as he grew closer and placed himself next to her, but not to close, she still didn't move.

They sat in complete silence, having no idea what to say to one another. The two tributes stared at the crowded parade, listening to the dreaded sound they called music. "I'm sorry" Cato whispered under his breath. Natalie could barely hear him, but when she did, she didn't believe a word he said. "I know that you don't believe me but I'm sorry"

"For what exactly?" Natalie remarked. For once, Cato sat in silence. Deciding to drop the subject, she handed him half a chocolate bar that she managed to smuggle away. Cato looked at the chocolate bar before looking at her. Natalie forced a small smile on her face and placed the chocolate in his hand. "Thank you"

After that, they didn't seem like two tributes, instead they was like two strangers getting to know each other. Natalie realised that Cato had a younger sister who was almost identical to him and though Cato knew that Peeta was Natalie's brother, he learned that she had two other brothers.

But as usual, the cheers from the parade died down and the sun was beginning to rise. They began to say goodbye but realised they couldn't. The two teenagers learned so much about each other in such a small space of time, feeling like normal teenagers should and they didn't want to let it go. But he was a career and she wasn't. He was ruthless and bloodthirsty; she was the opposite. They were two completely different people but yet, deep down they was the same.

In the end they decided to go to the training room instead to their rooms. However they found, the other ten tributes already there. But only the rest of the careers and the younger twin looked in the direction. The latter had a unusual expression on his face but the former had almost a proud, humorous expression.

At that moment, they departed. Not because they didn't enjoy the other's company but afraid of what the other will think. Natalie looked at her brother with an raised eyebrow. Peeta returned the expression but with his arms crossed. "Why was you with Cato?" He questioned. Natalie sighed and started painting on his arm. "I wasn't. I was on the roof, he was late. That's all"

Peeta didn't believe her but he didn't question her any further. However on the other side of the room, the careers was talking in hushed voices. All the careers had a smirk on their scheming faces. "So did it work?" The blonde haired female asked. It was impossible but somehow, the smirk managed to grow on Cato's face. "She believed it. By the time the interviews ended, she will be in love with me"

And just like that, everything Cato had said to the trusting sixteen year old, was a lie.

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sorry it has been forever, but honest opinions on this?