Danger

Tesla let herself be pulled away, not that she had much of an option. When it came down to it, she knew Andy was very strong. As soon as they were in the hall she pulled her arm away from him, his fingerprints still leaving their red print on her skin long after he released her. “What?” She asked with a dead stare.

It was out of character for Tesla but she still rose her voice, “HEY. You don’t get to call me that.” It felt good to stand up for herself. It felt good to speak up. “I don’t care if you think I’m bossy. I am not a slut or a hoe or a bitch or a cunt. You don’t get to call me that.” One of the career tributes who was near enough smirked and smacked the arm of what was surely another career tribute. Catching sight of them, a strategy-always-first Tesla quickly balled up Andy’s shirt and brought him down to her height to kiss him so that they would confuse her anger for passion. Her eyes remained wide open. 

Tesla tried not to make any sounds but with Andy’s weight crashing against her lower back she couldn’t help but gasp in pain. The more pressure he applied the more tears piled up in the corners of her eyes. Still, she refused to verbally give up, so much so that Galaxy was forced to come in and break it up for them. As soon as Andy let go of her she dropped flat against the ground, her whole body aching. She slowly got on her knees and stood up. “Play smarter, not harder.” Now Tesla wanted to punch Galaxy. With every passing moment she was feeling even more humiliated and forced to be looked at as the weaker one. “Does he understand that without me he won’t be getting any sponsors?” Tesla spoke swiftly and the vein on her forehead was back. “He needs me just as much as I need him and he knows it. You know it.” This was the first time Tesla had said anything even mildly above a monotone voice towards Galaxy. “If I have to play smarter, then he has to keep up.” 

I don’t know, was Tesla’s immediate response but she knew not to speak useless things so she remained quiet as she struggled beneath Andy’s grip. She spat at his face which backfired a little bit because her own saliva landed on her as well but a good part of it dripped on Andy’s nose after which she head butted him, which also backfired but served its purpose in getting Andy to move enough to shift her weight and push him off her. 

“Don’t test me.” Andy’s voice went low and frightening but Tesla didn’t flinch. She lowered her head but glared at him. She would never get an opportunity such as this one ever again. “Do not tell me what to do, Andrew,” she shot back. Something about the control over her tone and her breathing was terrifying, a robot like quality similar to Galaxy’s. Without warning she shot forward but slid in between Andy’s legs using her small frame to her advantage. From behind him, she kicked him so that he fell forward. “Bone density, Tesla,” Galaxy urged. And so Tesla listened, punching Andy in the back of his neck with the strength of her elbow. A complete sense of satisfaction filled her with every successful hit. 

Tesla gave a half hearted nod. As the Games approached, she realized that so did the end of her life. She was determined to give it her all but was discouraged by how everyone else seemed to believe her “all” wouldn’t be getting her past the cornucopia. Regardless, she stood and followed Galaxy out of the floor. Once they were out in the hallway, she reluctantly took Andy’s hand but didn’t look at him. She felt sick but knew now was not the time for dramatics. So she attempted a small smile until they entered the training center. “Ok.” Galaxy broke the silence. “Hand to hand will be priority. The greatest concern will be after you dispose of the tribute from Ten. He will protect you for only so long. From there, you will be on your own. So take position here, Andy you stand over here.” Galaxy moved them around and then commanded they imitate her posture.

Pietro scoffed under his breath and Tesla knew it was for her. His arm was still linked with hers and while normally Tesla would opt for the lesser amount of physical contact, she felt a degree of comfort. “As for you, I went through your file.” “We have files?” Tesla asked immediately. “District Three has files, transcripts from the academies. This is how I know you excel in the sciences. So I have chosen a less traditional route for you. Bombs, explosives, poison even, the like.” “That weapon will get me immediately killed in close combat,” Tesla said thoughtfully. “You’re a little over 5 feet and 100 pounds, any weapon in close combat will get you immediately killed.” Tesla was beginning to resent the lack of confidence that everyone seemed to have on her but she said nothing of it. “That is why you’ll have him,” Galaxy said, referring to Andy. “You’re long distance, he’s close combat. You will complete each other.” 

Galaxy had to know that Tesla would protest because as soon as Tesla felt the urge to say something, their mentor’s eyes were already glued on her. She did not want to play a helpless damsel much less one that was in love. “Ok. I won’t argue. But you won your games just by being intelligent.” “And heartless.” Galaxy responded without missing a beat. “Which you are not, no matter how much you wish to pretend you are. The matter is not up for discussion.” Galaxy crossed her arms and looked over at Andy. “Your job is to protect her. Even if you split up after the first day, you still have to protect her, at least that one full day. Sponsors line up on day 1. If you can be convincing, their gifts will have been bought and they cannot take them back, even if you do split up on day 2. So the plan for the arena is that you more than tolerate each other for a full day, from there on I won’t care what you do except for attempt to survive with the gifts you earned.”

Tesla took a long, long shower and scrubbed her skin raw until she felt some form of comfort in the cleanliness of her burning skin. She was disgusted, not with Andy, but with herself and of her past. She had just turned off the water when the whistling came from the living room. She would be a minute late but her care for the matter was decreasing with each passing day. She put on a new outfit provided by the avox and quickly untangled her hair. By the time she made her way to the living room everyone else had already assembled. “Nice of you to join us,” Galaxy said, but there was a large touch of sarcasm in her words. “Take a seat on the table, we’re going to discuss a few things of importance, and because we have agreed that you two will be working together in the arena, we will discuss this as a team.” Tesla didn’t make eye contact with Andy but was instead met with Pietro’s gaze who had walked by her side and linked his arm with her. “I’m sitting next to you,” he said protectively. It made Tesla want to smile and she nodded as they moved to the dining room. 

When Andy’s voice rose Tesla moved away from him until she was off of his lap. “Can’t do what?” Tesla asked, her eyes had become cold from his reaction. “You can’t tease me like this.” Tesla stood up, offense-taken heavily written on her face. Her voice was low and calm, but stern. “Me kissing you is no indication that I have to sleep with you, Andrew. And if you think that stating that you love me while I’m in here is what will lead to that, then you are heavily mistaken.” 

Tesla was all too happily kissing Andy with a sweet sense of satisfaction obtained from knowing that he was enjoying this just as much, if not more. His voice grew quieter and his hands were softly stroking the visible skin between her blouse and her pants. “You know I would never do anything to hurt you,” he said, and Tesla opened her eyes, keeping them open even as he kissed her. She could feel his own excitement in his pants and suddenly grew stiff. She wanted him. She knew that much. But her mind was stronger than the rest of her, shouting a big strong N O. He was wrong before he had even finished his next sentence because he already had, he already had hurt her and she was still in the process of recovery. “I’m so glad that I’m here with you.” She stopped kissing him back and spoke when he noticed. “You love me,” she said softly, her hand on his chest with her eyes staring deep into his, “So then you’ll understand. I’m not going to sleep with you.”