Clove's POV

I awoke before the sun could even rise. It was a mandatory thing for those in the academy to arrive hours before the reaping, and train one last time. After all no one truly knew whose name would be chosen for the "honor" of representing District 2. Even then, no one truly knew who would be brave enough to shout "I VOLUNTEER!" Everyone training in the academy talked with such strength and so tough- but when the moment of stepping forward to take an unlucky person's place, there was only one. There would be only one female that would say it, and one male.

The training center is only a mile and a half from my house, which happens to be next to Cato. Cato is a friend of mine; he's two years older than me, and much stronger. The two of us became friends through the training. And then we learned about how close our houses were. After that we've been arriving at the center together ever since. I knock on his door, his younger brother answers.

"You want Cato right?" he seems annoyed almost.

"Yeah. I do. Tell him I said to get his ass down here. I want to get some training in."

The boy rolls his eyes and calls out for his brother, who comes tumbling down the stairs in a flash.

"Morning."

"Beginning to think you weren't coming." I say.

"I was working on something."

My eyebrows rise in amusement. Checking my wrist watch I realize what time it is. There is only an hour and a half before reaping.

"Damn it! You made us late. Now what I thought could be a nice jog, has to be a sprint."

"Let's go then!"

The two of us sprint to the building. We both go about the same pace, despite our age and strength differences. Cato is eighteen, built like a monster, and is probably about six four. I'm sixteen, fierce and stand at only about five four. We make it to the building just as our two peacekeepers are locking the doors. During training hours no unauthorized individual is allowed in. They recognize the two of us, and let us in without any problem. I rush right over to the knives station. There are only four of us there, and each of us has our own dummy, and a wall in between us. That's how it is for the rest of the training center too. I'm throwing knives and hitting the dummy's heart every time. Bull's-eye.

I'm so caught up in the throwing- I don't even hear the announcement at the time.

Half hour before reaping- which means the training center is closing and will not be open the rest of the day. Cato comes up behind me; I have a knife in my hand and almost cut him.

"Easy there babe." Why does he feel the need to be charming, I'm not another one of his girls. With looks like his, he really can have any female he wants, but I'm not the least bit interested. We train together. That's all we do. At least that's what I tell myself.

"Don't sneak up on me and we won't have a problem." I sneer, throwing the last knife.

He looks surprised, but I don't read too much into it. He knows I can throw. The last words over the speaker are;

"We at the center wish you all the best. May the odds be ever in your favor."

We leave the center, no more words spoken to anyone. There's really no need to. We will be seeing everyone in just a short time. Cato and I let our paths diverge.

"Good luck there Clove."

"You too Cato!" I shout back.

We don't see each other until the reaping.

CATO'S POV

The walk home seems short, and there are now peacekeepers everywhere. Neither of us says anything. Neither of us really know if the other will be brave enough to do it.

We go our separate ways. She hasn't said a word, so I shout to her;

"Good luck there Clove."

She responds; "You too Cato!"

I want so badly to tell her. But I can't. Not today. I stroll into my house and take a quick shower.

My mother laid out my clothes for the day; a pair of black dress pants, a light purple button down, and a pair of shoes to match.

After dressing quickly- because I only have about ten minutes to get to the city hall, I debate waiting for Clove. I shouldn't, because I might really be compelled to tell her. I've already decided today was not the day. I make it to the city hall with a moment or two to spare. I check in, and do the same damn proceedure I have been doing for years. No one has to accompany me, my family will make their way down soon. I take my place in the boys older section. Being as tall as I am, I am able to see over the crowd. I spot her. She looks- amazing. She has on a pale orange dress, it hugs her in all the right places I might add. Her hair is in a bun, with a matching ribbon.

Seriously, I could've sworn she told me months ago she hated buns. All the other females are looking around, bewildered I suppose. But Clove, not Clove. Her eyes aren't wondering, her head isn't moving. She looks strong; fierce from where I'm standing. This female from the capitol starts the show.

"I bring you a video from the capitol." Her voice booms into the microphone. After it's all over she announces how it is such an honor to fight. Basically the same thing I've heard every year.

"Ladies first, as usual." Her hand goes scanning over the bowl of paper. There is a pause, she is waiting. The crowd is silent. From what I can see, all the females are just exchanging glances. They say they're weak, that they can't do it. She starts to open the card, but a voice stops her. It's a voice I know.

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" The crowd isn't really surprised, this happens almost every year. But as for me, I'm a bit caught off guard.

That voice was Clove's.