I look at Rachel who's smiling enthusiastically across the table. "It was good," I mutter, looking down at my plate. I hope she'll never find out that I almost shot one of the Gamemakers with an arrow and fled. I wasn't able to concentrate. The things that happened last night lingered on my mind. Even now I can feel Blaine's lips on mine, his hands on my neck, his smooth body on top of mine, the soft flesh of his hips beneath my fingertips. I shift in my seat, trying to keep my face neutral. I remember Blaine's proposition and realise that we haven't decided what to do yet. I guess we were busy with... other things.

"Kurt, are you blushing?" Quinn's voice makes me jump. I try to smile at her and shake my head.

The scores are being televised tonight, so we gather around the television in the sitting room after dinner. My palms are sweaty when I hear the anthem playing on screen. I'm anxious to see how low my score is. Quinn must have done good though, she's been smiling a lot throughout dinner.

First, they show a picture of each tribute, then the score flashes beneath it. The Careers pull a score between eight and ten, as usual. I'm surprised to see that Becky, the girl from Blaine's District, comes up with an eight. I make a mental note to never underestimate the competition. My heart jolts when I see Blaine's picture on screen. I feel Jesse's suspicious look on me but don't bother to care. As the number ten flashes on screen, I smile. Quinn pulls a nine. She squeals, throwing her arms around me, and laughs. "Shh, Kurt's up next!" Rachel glares at us. I swallow hard. I see my face. And the number eleven... Eleven?

"Kurt!" Rachel shrieks. Quinn laughs and leans in to kiss my cheek. Jesse is the only one that doesn't seem impressed. "What did you do, then?" he asks, still looking suspiciously at me. I clear my throat. "I- I shot a few arrows and... yeah. That's what I did." He narrows his eyes but doesn't say anything. I glare at him, knowing he doesn't belive a word. Rachel seems to notice the tension because she quickly jumps up, grabs Quinn's hand and drags her out of the room, chattering about dresses and make-up. Quinn shoots me one last pleading look before the door closes behind them.

I turn to Jesse and see that he's still glaring at me. "What?" I snap. "I don't like you, Hummel." I roll my eyes at him.

"There's something about you," he continues, "I don't know what it is. Try to use it in the arena, and you'll get out."

I look at him warily. Is he trying to give me advice? "Look, I don't know how you of all people won The Games because as far as I can see you're an idiot but I'll need your help anyway. You have to tell me how I can protect Quinn and... my allies."

Jesse raises his eyebrows. "I didn't tell you to find allies, kid." I scoff at him. "That's right, you didn't tell me anything useful and-" - "Kurt, stop," Jesse interrupts.

I start, surprised he used my first name instead of Hummel, and look at him.

"You- You're strong, Kurt. You're brave and compassionate and you could win this thing. You could go back home to your family." I take a deep breath. Shake my head.

"I don't... I can't come out there alive. I- Jesse, I need Quinn and... the others to survive. I know there's only one victor but... I need it to be one of them. I can't explain it to you. I just need you to tell me how to protect them."

"You don't... You don't want to go home?" Jesse asks, surprised. I shake my head again. Before he can ask for the reason I say, "Don't ask. Please." Jesse nods. I know this isn't over yet though.

"So... who are 'the others'?" Jesse asks, and I'm glad for the change of topic. "Well, there's Quinn, of course, and... and both tributes from 11."

Jesse snorts. "What, the hobbit and the handicapped kid?" I glare at him. "Kurt, you can't be serious. Those two will just hold you back. Quinn may not be strong but she's fast, and she's actually from your District. Why are you making things harder for yourself?"

"Jesse, please, just help me." A moment later, he nods. I sigh in relief.

"I have to be honest with you, kid, you're not making it easy for me, or yourself." I nod, waiting for him to continue. "Okay, so... You said you wanted to protect three people? That's going to be difficult-“ - “I know,” I interrupt him, “I'm not looking for easy. I want them to survive.” Jesse huffs. “No talking. Just listen. As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, it's going to be difficult to make sure everyone's safe. You have to be the one to grab everything you can from the Cornucopia, food, water, weapons, blankets. Tell the others to hide - if that's possible of course. They have to get as far away from the Bloodbath as possible. Then you have to find shelter; a cave that's not in plain view would probably be best. Maybe Hobbit can help you with-”

“His name's Blaine,” I whisper, barely audible. Jesse stops mid-sentence and looks at me. Intensely. “Wait,” he breathes, “you like this guy.” I feel my cheeks get warm and look away. “That's why you care so much about him being safe. Kurt, you- that's dangerous. You know you're gonna have to kill him at some point, even if he's your ally or lover or- right?” I feel tears stinging in my eyes and nod. “Please... Jesse, just keep talking about how I can protect them. Please.”

“Okay... So, after you make sure you have supplies and shelter, you wait. Let the other tributes fight among themselves for a bit. That way you have less to worry about. If someone finds you, you fight. The hobb- I mean, Blaine's good with knives, right? He can help you. But if you really- I mean, you lov- like him then... figure it out.” I nod, thankful for getting a bit of useful advice at last. I know it won't be easy but it's worth a try.

I make to stand up, but Jesse's hand on my arm stops me. “Kurt, I- I know what it's like. I mean, with you and- I've been there.” My eyes widen, and I open my mouth to say something, but he stops me again. “Just- Be careful. Don't fall too hard. And if you have the chance of killing him or letting someone else kill him... you do it. Trust me.”
I swallow hard and nod one last time. Suddenly Blaine's proposition pops into my head, and I find that I already made a decision.