Effie stared across the table from her at a rather exhausted looking Ophelia who Gale had tried to speak to multiple times, only to received a hum or one worded answer in response. He'd awkwardly laugh it off every time and continue his yapping. He seemed to be oddly chatty that morning.

Effie however was more concerned for Ophelia who had yawned more than she'd spoken. She even laid her head against her palm for about ten minutes only disrupted by Gales hands smacking the table before he stood.

She watched as Ophelia braced herself to stand up but cut in by leaning across to place her hand on top of the girls, "stay back with me for just a moment hm?" She cooed with that large smile she'd always wear. Haymitch leaned forward only to receive a shooing motion from Effie to insist he leave the two alone. Effie would smile and wave him off like butter wouldn't melt, like she hadn't shooed him away, "are you alright this morning, dear?"

Ophelia yawned again before she spoke, kept awake through the night from the touch of Cato Hadley replaying in her head. Was it a good idea to meet him that night again like he'd told her to, maybe not, but would she, yes. She would then smile before she said, "just didn't sleep well is all Effie" she watched Effie's distaste and clear doubt, "will that be all?"

"No Ophelia, it will not be all" Effie stood her ground with the girl, "I want you to know you can talk to me" she beamed, "think of me like a m—" stopping herself before she dare finish that sentence.

"A mother?" Ophelia's voice was cold, distance not that of the tone you'd expect a girl to have while talking about her mother. Any mother.

"Sorry, That isn't quite what I meant" Effie tried to defend herself but Ophelia would interrupt.

"Please don't apologise Effie" she smiled, "I appreciate that you are trying, that is something my own parents—mother—never did" she laughed as she spoke but Effie could feel the pain and years of suffering behind her words which resonated with the older of the two.

"Well we cannot have that" Effie tried to smile to avoid a tear falling. She stood and made her way around the table reaching a hand out to Ophelia for her to take which she would, "you're going to be late for your training today I'm afraid" she led her into her bedroom and urged her to crawl back into her cosy sheets which she didn't have the strength to resist.

Though, she would say "what about Haymitch?"

"I will deal with Haymitch, now—" Effie tugged the duvet up and over Ophelia's body, "get some rest, I will be back to awaken you in the next few hours dear!" She waved exiting the room that Ophelia had already fell back asleep in.

Gale hadn't thought much of Ophelia not attending the morning session, knowing she'd appear for the afternoon based on what a rather pissed off Haymitch would say before he'd left that morning. He had wondered why she'd give up a day of training to save her own life but according to Haymitch who was irritatingly quick to stick up for the girl, it was none of Gale's business.

Gale hadn't noticed not paying any mind to her absence. Though Clove had noticed, Clove had noticed and found herself pulling Cato to the side. Despite his coy attempts of 'why would I care?' She would still make it known to him. She'd then watch while he watched Gale the entire session.

Clove hadn't known what was going on between Cato and Ophelia but she knew it was something. His late night disappearances. The awkwardness that consumed everyone when they were close by one an other. Cato wasn't as slick as he believed himself to be.

Cato after three hours or so would make his way over to the archery station, coincidentally being where Gale had found himself.

The pair stood in silence for the first few moments until Cato spoke up, "where's your girlfriend this morning?" He smirked hearing Glimmer giggling behind him, "had another argument?"

Gale had to take a deep breath before he'd respond, "Phee is busy" he smiled in turn, watching Cato's gut churn at the nickname he'd given her. A nickname Gale had never uttered to Ophelia herself but he'd do whatever it took to drive Cato away from her. Cato couldn't be trusted and Gale found himself wanting to keep Ophelia far from him. He'd deliberately not been defensive over Cato's calling her his girlfriend, "as for arguments, we have been pretty sweet as of late" Gale lifted an arrow to inspect, reminding him of Katniss back home, "just had a few disagreements but it seems we are on the same page now"

Cato's grip on the bow he held got tighter, squeezing until a snap could be heard, like a tree branch.

"I'd love to believe that Gill but given she's hiding from you, it seems pretty hard to believe" Cato knew damn well his name was Gale but this was much more entertaining than calling him Two, he didn't deserve to be called after the same name as Ophelia.

"It's Gale" he'd mutter through gritted teeth, "she's not hiding from me" Gale knew he shouldn't lie as such but he couldn't stop himself, "in fact she wasn't hiding from me this morning"

Cato then slammed the partially broken bow on the table causing Glimmer to gasp, "Cato! What's going on?" She near squealed.

Cato would walk around the table to stand in front of Gale ripping the arrow from his sweaty hand and throwing it to the ground. He watched any colour drain from his face as he gripped the collar of his zip up and tugged him forcefully, "you think you're funny, tough guy?"

Cato had been so zoned in on Gale he hadn't realised the furious brunette storming their way until he felt two hands shove into the side of his arm. Turning to flip out at whoever it had been he'd met her eyes. Ophelia, looking livid and sleepy at the same time. She'd then grip his upper arm, eyes instinctively widening when her hand would even reach around half of the muscle he had but nonetheless she'd tug and to Gale's surprise he'd let her. Cato would let go of Gale and step backward raising his hands defensively.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" She'd fume to Cato before turning back to look at Gale, "are you alright?" Gale would only nod timidly making Cato's eyes role to the back of his head, "seriously what is your problem?" She looked between the two men, "overwhelming testosterone and the need to prove you're alpha males?" She'd scoff not noticing Cloves smirk of approval, "you know what, kill each other what do I care" she turned back around before Cato could stop her but he'd watch as Gale followed behind her like a lost puppy saying her name in an attempt to stop her.

Glimmer would laugh obnoxiously, "isn't she a little cracker" Marvel laughed from behind as he would over practically anything Glimmer, Clove or Cato would say.

"I thought it was pretty badass" Clove would mutter just loud enough for Cato to hear from his side.

Cato wouldn't respond, he'd just watch Ophelia enter the elevator and shoo Gale away telling him not to follow which he'd refrain from doing pathetically. Instead he'd make eye contact with Cato again narrowing his eyes before heading god knows where. Cato didn't care. He just watched the elevator rise and rise until it had reached the top floor. Not the twelfth. The thirteenth.

The thirteenth floor had been where they'd go for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day but if you walk far enough you'll find a cozy room. A room, two of the outside walls surrounded by windows, filled with beanbags and silence. Ophelia had found it when they had first arrived trying to find time to herself. Cato had found it after his first run in with Ophelia. She didn't know that he knew of the area which would work to his advantage.

So he'd make his way to the elevator and head up to the thirteenth floor seeing Gale's dirty look follow.

The kitchen had been empty given they'd not long before been served their lunch but Cato didn't stop to look around he just made his way to the quiet room in the corner. Peaking around the side through the glass door to see her lying on a beanbag with her eyes shut. She looked peaceful almost, unlike five minutes prior when she'd been boiling with anger.

Perhaps it had been a bad idea to enter but he didn't care, he instead just wandered in closing the door behind him and turning the lock. If she hadn't wanted him to follow, she would've locked the door. He'd then tug the blinds so they'd fall down and cover the door.

He knew if she hadn't already heard his entry, she'd have heard the blinds even if she didn't open her eyes. She only spoke just above a whisper to say, "what do you want, Hadley?"

He smirked, how had she known it was him? Because he wasn't yapping or yelling immediately like Gale would have. Because of the scent that followed him, whatever aftershave or shower products he used—they were unique.

"Who's ruffled your feathers today?" Was all he'd say making his way over to stand over her.

She still hadn't opened her eyes, "sleep deprivation perhaps" he couldn't exactly argue with that. If it wasn't for him near always being infuriated by those around him he'd be his grumpiest after a lack of sleep, "not to mention having to save my district partner from you"

"Save him?" His laugh would be as cocky as him, "that would bruise his ego, you should say that to his face"

"My God what age are you? Twelve?"

"Eighteen"

Ophelia would huff again, "I wasn't meaning literally" she'd finally open her eyes being in direct line of his knee's and slowly trailing her eyes up to find his face before standing up herself, "I came up here to nap without Haymitch's insufferable wake up calls, so if you could—" she nodded towards the door with a sickly sweet smile. An innocent smile on a not so innocent girl.

"How rude of you" Cato cooed stepping closer, "this room isn't yours alone, what if I wanted to nap too?" She'd laugh at that, "I'm tired of your boyfriend and his hissy fits"

"How'd you think I feel?" God he loved when she belittled Gale.

"I hear you two are pretty sweet" Cato recalled Gale's earlier exaggeration, "in fact I noticed he's even got a cute little nickname for you, what was it?" He revelled in her confusion, tapping his chin thoughtfully while she reached up to smack his hand away near playfully, the pair both laughing at his humming.

"Seriously—" she sucked in a breath, "what did he call me?" A smile, a genuine one at that, still on her face.

"I believe it was Phee" the smile drained from her face at that.

"That bastard" her brows knitted, "he called me Phee?" Cato nodded, instead of flying off the handle over something that would seem so small the girl would take a few deep breaths before saying, "thanks for telling me" and making her way past him only for him to gently grip her wrist to stop her.

This had to have been the most gentle touch Cato had ever made and Ophelia would notice it too. He hadn't said anything, just stared down at her when she'd look at his hand on her skin, massive in comparison. Her eyes trailed up his arm until she'd reached his chest which heaved up and down more and more each second. When she lifted her gaze to his face she'd see his parted lips, as if he had something to say but couldn't say it. Wouldn't say it.

"Cato—" his heart tugged at that sound. She'd said his name, she'd practically hummed his name and he'd never wanted to hear it come from anyone else's lips again because it would never sound the same.

Thumping on the door fairly violently snapped the pair out of their staring and Cato's hand dropped from hers while she scrambled to the door to open it.

"Ophelia—" Cato knew that irritating voice immediately watching as the tall brunette pushed through, "you're with him again?" Gale would fume, "he just tried to kill me Phee—"

And at the she raised a hand and smacked his cheek as hard as she could muster.