I listen intently to my instructor teach some more combat techniques, while grabbing my favorite knife from the table. I resume carving into the side of the desk, barely paying any attention to my instructor now. I finally finish, and I stare at the letters fixedly. Cato. Right now I am thankful that the boys part of the academy is separated from ours keep us more... Focused. That is definitely what I need, more focus.
"Now class, the reaping is in 3 days. It's time to see who our top student is. And as always, she will be our volunteer for this year." She has my full attention now. I just hope it's not me. But it can't be me; I'm not even 18 yet.
"The top student for this year is Clove Cadon. Congratulations Clove, you will be representing district 2 in the Hunger Games this year." My heart is beating furiously, and a cold sweat breaks out all over my body. This can't be happening.
"But Ms. Toreta, this doesn't make sense. I'm not even 18 yet!" I object.
"My dear, your skills with a knife have put you at the top of the class. It does not matter if you are not 18. If you possess skill, there is a possibility that you will be chosen as a tribute." She says flatly. I stare down, contemplating what could happen in the arena, when I catch sight of those letters that were carved into my desk. Cato. I'm not sure what to do. I'm certainly going to volunteer- I have to- but I don't know how to tell everyone that I might be dead in a few weeks.
"Hey Clove, how was class?" Cato asks me, giving me a hug.
"Oh fine, nothing special." Yeah right.
"Nothing special? Weren't the district tributes chosen today?" He laughs.
"Oh yeah, I forgot. Who was chosen as the boy tribute?" I ask.
"Dorell Rimos. Who is our girl tribute this year?" I gulp, trying to make up a story on the spot.
"It's uh, Liece Fisca." I lie. I know I can't tell Cato the truth, but I can't just choose not to participate in the Games. Because even here in district 2, we are forced to fight. Though it seems we are all bloodthirsty animals, we're not much different than the kids in the outlying districts. Most of us don't really want to fight either, but we train for our own survival- to get rid of the competition as fast as possible so we can return home. We put on our masks and pretend we enjoy watching kids like us die. We do it for the Capitol, because if they ever get bored, who knows what they can unleash in that arena.
I am able to keep the fact that I'm this year's volunteer far away from Cato. I decide to just enjoy my last few days with him and my family, before I am forced to say I volunteer as tribute.