I'D FINALLY AGREED TO TRADE STRATEGIES WITH CORIOLANUS. I've cut out my lunch hour today to sit with him instead of Felix, and I feel incredibly guilty about it as Felix is struggling with his own emotions--one of his closest friends was murdered in such a graphic way and he was there to witness it.

"You zoned out again," Coryo tells me with a playful smile.

I meet his gaze and purse my lips. "Sorry. What were you saying?"

He's looking at me like he's in deep thought, like he's contemplating whether or not he should ask me what's on my mind. He doesn't. "I think your tribute--Mia--and Lucy Gray should form an alliance since, you and I are allied now."

My eyebrow raises in amusement. "Since when are we allied?"

He opens his mouth to say something, but after seeing the playful expression on my face he sputters out a loose and rugged laugh.

I take a bite out of my chocolate chip cookie. "I mean, I'll tell her, but I thought she should ally with the sick girl."

"But she isn't going to last overnight?" He says, confused.

My face lights. "Exactly."

I watch as a thousand thoughts cross his mind. It's a beautiful thing, seeing his entire face morph into pure thought. I'm fascinated by the way his brows furrow together and how his lips move ever so slightly--almost as if he's trying to speak the words but only to himself.

"But Mia has already defended Lucy Gray once. Lucy Gray will know she should trust her."

"Hypothetically, I guess, but," I shrug. "Lucy Gray could also take advantage of that to kill Mia."

He analyzes me for a moment before cutting a small smile but only with the one side of his face. "You're right."

I almost want to mimic the expression but I don't quite want to give him the satisfaction yet. "So, any other ideas?"

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