A/N: Hey guys, this originally started off to be a one shot about Clove and Cato but I have decided to continue it after this chapter so I can include Cato's first meeting with Clove and how their friendship progresses. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Clove awoke from her sleep, feeling ecstatic. Today would be one of the most influential days in her life. Today she would begin her training at The District Two Training Academy. She had spent the last six months completing a variety of tests so that the academy could decide whether she would, after her training, be capable of killing other children without remorse and whether she would have the intelligence to survive the tricks and deceptions used by the Gamemakers and other tributes in the Hunger Games. It turns out that the admissions board loved her cocky attitude and her sarcastic and intimidating nature, despite her being only twelve years of age and couldn't wait to see her with a weapon.
Clove lifted herself out of bed and walked to her wardrobe, pulling out a box. She opened the box to find her brand new training uniform. She then walked into the bathroom turning on the shower to find that the peacekeepers had cut off the hot water, again. Great, she thought to herself. Another cold shower. After Clove had finished washing herself and her hair, she stepped out the shower in her towel and began to put her uniform on. After she was dressed she walked back into the bedroom and pulled her hair into a tight ponytail.
She skipped down the stairs and into the kitchen of the small house that twelve year old Clove shared with her mother. "Good morning Clove." Her mother greeted, smiling warmly at her daughter. Clove's mother was a kind woman. Always doing things for others, not caring how it affected her. She suffered from arthritis which meant that she couldn't walk long distances so Clove would have to walk herself to school and back home Because of her mothers condition, Clove would have to work as a cleaner at the Training Academy to ensure that they would have enough money to buy the basic things they needed to survive. With only the two of them, Clove's mother struggled to provide for herself and her child but would happily go without meals for her daughter, who she loved with all her heart.
"Morning mum." Clove replied, beaming at her mother. Clove's mother almost laughed at the excitement on her child's face.
"Well I'm glad to see you're so excited about your training today, sweetheart. You did brilliantly on your tests!" She praised her daughter, putting a bowl of oatmeal on the table for her. Clove sat down and begun to eat her breakfast.
"Thanks mum." She said while beginning to eat her breakfast. "I can't wait to figure out what my weapon will be!" She announced, between mouthfuls of oatmeal.
"Well you be sure to sit with me later and tell me all about it. I can't wait to hear how about much you impress everybody today and all the friends you'll have made." She told her daughter, the enthusiastic smile never leaving her face while she spoke. She then walked to the refrigerator and got out a carton of milk, pouring some out for Clove. When she handed her the glass, Clove drank it quickly after finishing her breakfast. She then stood up and went to brush her teeth.
After putting on her coat; she gave her mother a hug before they said their goodbyes and Clove walked out onto the cold streets of District Two. She walked to the Academy; thinking about what the day could bring. Would they be impressed with her? Would she disappoint the trainers? Would she let her mother down? No, she couldn't. Her mother was all she had left and seeing her sad broke Clove's heart. The walk to the Academy would take approximately half an hour since the poorer side of the district was further away from the T.A.
When Clove arrived she checked her timetable to find she had weapons training. She walked towards the gymnasium and pushed the doors open, walking over to where a group of children stood. She figured since they all appeared to be her age they must be her class. As she walked towards the group, she accidentally stepped on another girls foot, causing the girl to turn around and roughly push Clove across the room.
"Watch where your going moron!" The girl yelled angrily. Clove's cheeks flushed pink as she looked at the other girl.
"I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" Clove said to the older girl, embarrassed. This caused the girl to laugh and the rest of the class to echo her laughter. Clove walked away not looking at the rest of the class, attempting to blank out the laughter. She almost felt as if she could cry but then reminded herself that crying was a sign of weakness that would only induce more laughter from her classmates.
The trainer then stepped into the gymnasium, walking to the front of the class as she called for them to be silent. "Hello students. Today will be very much the same as your previous weapons training classes. You will continue to use your previous weapon." She informed the group. "We will also be welcoming a new student who recently passed her survival test, beating our previous high score. Her name is Clove Sevina. Has she arrived?" Clove stepped forward.
"Yes ma'am. I'm here." She said confidently. She hoped to be giving off a better impression to her instructor than she did to her classmates.
"Welcome to the Academy, Clove. Work hard and with our help you could be a victor of the Hunger Games someday." Clove smirked to herself. Oh I intend to be, She thought to herself.
Next Chapter...
Clove discovers what her choice of weapon is!
Clove meets Cato!
Clove makes her first friend!
Please review! Thanks for reading!