Summary: Clove always knew who she was. She was a blood thirsty killer, but things change when she volunteers for the 74th Hunger Games. She starts to develop feelings. Feelings that are unnatural to District 2 tributes. Clove doesn't know what's wrong with her.
Disclaimer: I, sadly, do not own the hunger games! BUT if I did, I would change a few things… BUT, since I don't own the hunger games, nor most of it's characters, the lovely and brilliant Suzanne Collins does :D
Author Notes: Okay guys, so, this is my first fanfic that I have published on this sight, so yay! I did usually publish my work on tumblr, but that's okay! Please go eay on me Hope you all enjoy!
It is the day before the Reaping, and I'm pumped. In District 2, the day before the Reaping is the day you fight to see who will volunteer for the Hunger Games. I'm finally old enough to compete in the Selection, as we call it. The girls I'll be competing against are tough, but I'm tougher. I'm small though, in fact, too small. I'm only 5'6, which is small for District 2. I know I'll win. I always do win, and everyone knows it. Everyone but Cato.
"Clove!" Cato shouts. At the sound of his voice, I feel like punching him. He's my next door neighbor, and the only person who has the balls to stand up to me. He struts over to me, his golden hair a mess, and tall, lean body relaxed.
"You scared Clove? Is wittle Clove scared?" He was teasing me. Again. In reply to his question, I try to punch him in the abdomen, but he catches my hand. He pulls me in close and smiles. I smile back, and then knee him in the groin. He falls down in pain, but I don't care enough to look his way. Instead I turn my back and walk away.
I arrive at the training centre just on time. Mick, our trainer, is sorting out the fights. The girl's fights are first. My first opponent is Maggie Hark, a freakishly tall girl who has absolutely no coordination at all. I beat her easily, and wait for my next few opponents. In a matter of minutes, I'm crowned the victor of the girls. As I am about to leave, Cato stops me at the door. His cocky grin even cockier than usual, which makes me want to throw a knife in his heart.
"That was pretty impressive. You've got a lot of skill. It'll be a shame when I kill you!" Cato whispers in my ear. My face turns red and I grab the knife that is hidden in my pocket. When I pull it out, Cato backs away, his hands up in surrender. He laughs and walks away to the training area. His fight will be soon, and I hope he wins. I want the pleasure of killing him.
As I walk home, Ty approaches me. Ty and I have this thing, nothing serious, but when I see him, my stomach turns inside out.
"Hey Clove! Congrats on winning" he says, and gives me one of his adorable dimpled smiles. He drapes his arm around me, and when a group of boys stare at us, he glares at them till they run away. Ty is too old to compete in the Hunger Games, but he is still feared by all. Well, everyone but Cato.
"When I get back, I'll be living' in Victor's Village, baby!" I laugh. We walk to my house, and Ty comes inside. I live in one of the best houses in all of District 2. My family has been rich ever since my grandma won the Hunger Games years ago.
"Listen babe, I've been thinking," Ty says "I think we should call it quits" I look up and stare at him with astonishment.
"What!" I scream. How could he do this! We had been together for months!
"It's not you! But I don't think this is going to work out!" he explains. He continues on, but I am no longer listening. I begin throwing every item I find at him. He dodges them, and heads out the door. I grab the sharpest knife I can find and follow him. When he's out of the door, I hurl it at him, and it hits exactly where I was aiming for, his upper thigh, just centimeters apart from a very important body part.
He crumbles down in pain, and I smirk. When I turn around, Cato is standing behind me, an amused smile plastered on his face. We stand there for awhile. We don't talk, we don't move. We just stand there. I can't stand the silence, and he knows it.
"What!" I bark. I'm in no mood for his games, and he sure as hell knows it. That was the thing with Cato. We've known each other since the day I was born. My mother and his so close, it made me want to gag. Ever since I could walk, we competed with each other. Whatever I did, he tried to do better, and vice-versa. He knew all my weak points and pet peeves, and I knew his. I hated him for that, but it somehow comforted me.
"Nothing, just thinking that I should never break up with you." He smiles. And oddly enough, I smile too. This is why I hate Cato. He can make me angry, but everyone does that. He can make me competitive, but that's not hard to do. The reason I really hate him, is because he can make me truly smile, which is near impossible.
Cato ruffles my hair and heads inside his house. He is in the doorway when he turns back and says "I'll see you in the arena"
Cato's words hang in the air, and it takes me a while to decipher them. Then it hits me. Cato won the fight. He'll be the male tribute of District 2, meaning he'll be my enemy. Once the thought comes to mind, a deadly grin spreads across my face. I walk inside the house and dream of how I will kill Cato Limper.
…
My mother storms into my room, her bright and happy face is nauseating. She is wearing a bright pink dress, and her hair is draping down her back in many curls. In her hands is a gorgeous dress. It's an amazing shade of light blue that would make my eyes stand out, and compliment my body in ways other clothes won't.
"OOH! My baby is gonna be a victor! OOH! You're gonna looks so pretty today!" my mother squeals. My mother has an annoyingly high voice, which is incredibly infuriating. And every day I am thankful that I take after my father's side of the family.
My mother dresses me, and does my hair and makeup. It is a rare thing for me to wear makeup, so my mother beams with pride. She had always wanted a girly daughter, but she never got one.
I am now wearing the beautiful dress. It's flattering, and makes me feel mature. My long hair is tied up in a neat pony tail, and my makeup is almost undetectable, making me look naturally pretty. My mother looks at me one more time before dragging me out to see my father.
At the sight of me, my father's face goes bright red. He is staring at my curves, which is being emphasized in this dress. He looks away in shame and embarrassment, which makes me laugh.
"Daddy, are you okay?" I ask too sweetly.
"You should change your dress." He mumbles. My mother rolls her eyes and banters with him, but I don't stay for it.
"Goodbye! I'm going to the City Square!" I yell to them.
My house is relatively close to the City Square, so it will not be a far walk. Unless Cato decides to join. I'm half way to the City Square when he joins me. As we walk in silence, he stares at me, looking at the full length of my body.
"Wow! You're actually hot!" he says. I stop walking and turn around to hit him. It's a stupid thing to do, but I can't help it. I'm still mad about Ty, and Cato is the only person who can take a punch. Cato smiles and shakes his head. He walks ahead of me, his stupid smile still on his face. I want to punch him again. I know it's not right. I know I have anger issues, but I can't help it.
I sign my name off at the reaping and go to my age area. Donnie McKinley stands on the stage. Her hair so big, it could fall off at any minute. "Welcome, welcome! Now, Ladies first!" she beamed.
Donnie's hand hovers above the Reaping bowl, then it dives in with great precision. She picks out a name and reads it aloud.
"Claire Dove!" Claire is close to the stage. She's a tiny little thing; probably just turned 12. She starts to walk up the steps. I raise my hands and say in a clear voice, "I volunteer!"
Claire's eyes are full of gratitude, and she runs down the steps and to the arms of her mother. I make my way to the top of the stage.
"What's your name, sweetie?" Donnie squeaks.
"Clove Dander" I say. My chin is held high, and I'm sure I look fearless. It's the complete opposite to how I feel, but I try hard to not show it.
Donnie pulls out the name for the male tribute. His name is Luke Jasper. The poor kid is shaking, and I know who he is. His older sister, Enobaria, won the Hunger Games years ago. Unfortunately, he is nothing like his older sister. Cato raises his hand and volunteers. As he walks up the steps, he hoots and pumps his fist. The crowd goes wild for him, and my hatred grows larger.
Donnie asks for his name, and he tells her. "District 2's tributes for the 74th Hunger Games are Clove Dander and Cato Limper!" the crowd screams and shouts. I can see my mother fanning herself with her hands as tears run down her face. She hugs Cato's mother's arm as they both smile and giggle.
We are taken to the Justice Building, and wait for our visitors to come. My mother and father come by; they tell me how to survive. Many of the girls from my class come by and wish me luck. I want to punch them all. They just want to be a part of my wealth when I win. The last person to visit me is little Claire Dove. Her small frail frame is shaking and she slowly walks over to me. Her golden curls are loose and her bright blue eyes are the size of golf balls.
"Thank you" she whispers. I roll my eyes. Is this kid joking? Doesn't she realize I was going to volunteer anyway?
"Whatever. It's no big deal. I was gonna volunteer from the beginning." I wave my hand, to show how stupid the whole thing is. Claire stares at me, obviously shocked. My answer did not go down well with her.
"It is a big deal! What if you die! Don't you care!" her tiny voice is shaking, and I feel horrible on the inside. The little girl is on the verge of tears, and I, myself, am so grateful I volunteered for her. If I didn't, she would be dead in a matter of minutes. On impulse, I hug her. I pat her head and soothe her with my voice. I don't know what's wrong with me! Usually, I would roll my eyes and tell her to go. It must be the Reaping that's making me soft.
The Peacekeepers come in and take her out. She gives me one last look of thanks and she is out. I wait in complete silence till all of Cato's visitors have left. I wait for another half an hour.
…
On the train, it is dead quiet. No one will speak. It annoys me. I look over to Enobaria and Calsh, our two mentors. They just look down at their food. Even Donnie won't say a thing. And Cato, he just looks at me with a tiny grin on his face. I really want to punch him, but now that we are officially apart of the games, it's against the rules to hurt your opponent. Damn that!
"Speak already!" I scream. Every face at the table looks up to me, even the Avoxes. Good. I like that.
"What do you want us to say? Good job? Congratulations? Sorry honey, but I just want to eat my food and go to bed!" Calsh sneers. I hate him already.
Enobaria looks over to Cato. "Thanks, for saving my brother. I know you don't care that is was his name, but I do." She stands from the table and leaves. I didn't think my first night would be like this. I thought we would be celebrating, ordering food we know we would barf up in the morning. This is just depressing.
I stand up and bow my head over to Donnie and say my thanks. I go to my room and go under my covers. The words of that little girl ring in my head. What if you die? I never thought about that possibility, and it scares me.