It's Kind of a Dangerous Story
So I read the Hunger Games and went to see the movie and absolutely fell in love with Cato. Obviously, Alexander Ludwig is an uber hottie, but I just liked how they added more to the character. The Glimmer/Cato thing was kinda cute and I loved how at the end Cato does his speech about how no one gets out of the Hunger Games. I really dug it.
Anyways, since Cato is now one of my favorite characters (though he can't come back in the other movies so I'm super disappointed…) I've decided to write a fanfiction for him and the Hunger Games. Just a heads up, I'm rather horrible about completing my chaptered stories and I rush things to get to the smut scenes, but I'm going to try to be better. The last time I've written anything creative was over 3 years ago and hopefully I've developed some sort of discipline in the meantime.
As for my character, Emmalyn, she's based off of Emma Roberts' looks. I have a girl crush on her, what can I say? And so if you were trying to get a mental picture of the characters, Alexander Ludwig and Emma Roberts are the people you want to look up, though obviously the characters in the story are not Xander and Em.
On to the story!
I lied! Disclaimer! I don't own squat!
Now to the story!
"You look beautiful, Emmalyn," Emma's father said to her as she emerged from her bedroom. Sneaking a glance at the floor length mirror, Emma shrugged. She supposed she did look very pretty, with her dark hair falling naturally into waves just past her shoulders, something that she gained from her mother, she's been told numerous times. Her dress was rather simple: just a silk blue mini dress that she accessorized with a studded belt.
"Thanks dad, but you know I don't like when you call me Emmalyn. Makes me think I'm in trouble!" She went to hug him. "I just don't get why we need to dress up for the Reaping Day. Unless of course, you are planning on volunteering, then I guess you'd want to look nice. But I have zero to no desire to participate in the Hunger Games."
"Did I tell you that I'm so proud of you for getting in to Oxvard? Your mother was the only one in her family to go to University and now you are continuing her legacy," Her father hugged her back. "Though I'm glad that you aren't volunteering because those heels are ridiculous. You'd fall if you'd had to climb up those stairs."
He was referring to Emma's caged stilettos, the real reason she went the mini dress route. They were her favorite shoes, but due to her fairly empty social schedule, she never got enough chances to wear them. "Oh father." She swatted at him playfully. "This is my skill. I freaking rock high heels. If I made it into the Hunger Games, I'd walk around in 12 inch heels and gain all the sponsors."
Her father shook his head at her. "Hey, let's not joke about the Hunger Games. This is your last Reaping and even though your name is only in there six times compared to the hundreds of other kids who put their names in as many times as allowed, let's not knock it. You are all I have left."
"Daddddd…" Emma went and gave him another hug. "I love you. But on the rare chance I get picked, all those other kids, the Careers, they would volunteer. They've been training their whole life for this opportunity and I'm sure there are a few people from my graduating class that want a stab at it." She kissed his cheek. "I'm going off to the town center now. I'll grab something for dinner and then come back and we can play a game of chess before the Hunger Games talk takes over our television."
"Hey Babe!" Emma greeted Gideon with a quick peck on the lips. "Ready to go?"
Gideon took a step back and looked Emma up and down. "Wow Em, you look great. Why don't you let me show you off in public more?" he joked.
Emma stuck her tongue out at him. "Because you say every time we go out, my heels get higher and higher and eventually I'll be taller than you! But it's not my fault that I'm only 5'2 but have the heart of a 5'9 girl! "
Grabbing her hand and placing a kiss on her pouting lips, Gideon laughed. "Well you better not make yourself 5'9. I'm only 5'7 and I'm not about to be the short one in this relationship." He smiled, "Come on. Let's go to the Reaping."
Allowing him to lead her, Emma and Gideon went to the town center to check in. As she waited in the girls' line, she found herself drifting off into her thoughts. What would happen to her and Gideon when she went off to University? They had been dating for roughly a year, and though he was Emma's first real serious boyfriend, Emma was almost certain she was in love with him. Both social wallflowers, they bonded over their hatred of the Hunger Games and how they decided not to train to be a Career tribute, which was the minority in District Two. The prick from the blood sample brought her out of her thoughts. "Ouch!" she said, rubbing the tender area.
"Emmalyn Gilner, confirmed. Go on and stand with your age group," drawled the check in lady. Emma shook her head. She could never understand why someone would want to work in any area that had to do with the Hunger Games. Knowing that two of the people that you took blood from would most likely die in the next couple of weeks for a stupid competition would definitely leave some mental scars for Emma.
Emma headed over to her age group and took a look around. The children were herded towards the middle while the nervous parents stood in the sidelines. Emma's father stopped coming after the first couple of Reapings once he realized that there would always be a volunteer to take Emma's place if she didn't want to go. Too many kids in her District invested money and years into training for the Hunger Games to let it all go to waste. Emma, on the other hand, spent her childhood studying to join the medical field. It had been her dream ever since she found out that her mother, who had died giving birth to Emma, could have been saved had the doctors acted differently. Then again, District Two citizens were known for being warriors, not doctors.
Pantil Dipstock's voice rang over the crowd thanks to the microphone she was using and the many speakers set up around the square. "Good afternoon District Two and welcome to the Reaping for the 74th Hunger Games!" She paused to let the crowd cheer. "I know you are all waiting to find out who will be your tributes this year, but first, a word from the Capitol!"
Sighing, Emma turned to the screen in the center of the square. It was the same video every year, explaining the districts, the Hunger Games, and hyping up the slaughtering of children. "Gag me," Emma muttered under her breath.
When the movie ended, Pantil clapped her hands and moved the Reaping along. "First, let us have the boys. I know, I know, normally, it's ladies first, but let's mix it up this year!" She stuck her hand in the bowl containing the males' names, gave her wrist a flick and grabbed a slip. Unrolling it, she read, "Simun Lapios!"
The boys from the 15 year old group started to shift around as if to let the person through when a voice called out, "I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!"
Turning her head toward the voice, Emma saw a boy from her graduating class throw his hand up in the air. Pantil smiled and shooed the original tribute away. "Don't bother coming up here Simun, we have a volunteer to take your place!" Directing her attention to the volunteer, she asked, "What is your name? Normally volunteers wait til the original tribute at least make it the stage; someone's excited! Come on up here."
"Yes!" cried Cato, doing a fist pump before bounding up the stairs to the stage. He gave Pantil's hand a shake and took his stance on the stage, beaming the audience a grin. Speaking into the microphone, he boldly said, "Cato Gudjudge."
Emma released the breath she didn't realize she was holding. No Gideon. Thank God. She rolled her eyes at Cato, though. They were the same age, and though they only had a physical training class together, that was enough exposure to have Emma judge his character. From what she's seen, Cato was extremely strong and surprisingly quick for his 6'2 frame and muscular build. He was a Career Tribute, through and through. Because of this he was extremely cocky and arrogant, which led his and Emma's interactions to be rather short and few. It made sense that he would be so eager to volunteer; this was his last Reaping and he wouldn't want to miss his chance to put his training to the ultimate test. The next name took her by surprise. "Emmalyn Gilner! Come on up!"
It took Emma a few seconds to realize that her name had been called. The girl standing next to her, someone she recognized from around school, gave her a nudge toward the stage. Shaking her head, Emma strode up to the stage and managed to climb the steps rather gracefully (Take that, dad!) and stood on the other side of Pantil. "Well isn't she just adorable!" crooned Patil. "What an attractive pair of tributes we have this year!"
Glancing at Cato, Emma saw her point. As much she found Cato to be annoying, he was rather handsome, especially when he was dressed up. His height and his strength add to his looks, but his face was a photographer's dream. He had deep blue eyes, and a strong jaw line. He tended to smirk quite a bit too, and though Emma hated it, she had to admit that it worked for him. "C'mon Em," Cato turned that smirk on her. "This will be fun."
Emma smiled back, "Thanks but actually I was hoping for someone to volunteer for me." Addressing the crowd, she announced, "I feel like there are better qualified women out there. Anyone willing?" Immediately hands shot up and names called out, but the first girl who volunteered was actually the girl that nudged her towards the stage. A bit surprised since Emma would have never categorized her as a Career, Emma waited for her to climb to the stairs and introduce herself before she took her leave. Apparently that girl's name was Noelle Starke and though she was a year younger than Cato and Emma, Emma was more than happy to give Noelle her place as tribute. Shaking both Cato's hand and Noelle's, Emma said to them, with a playful tone, "And may the odds ever be in your favor!" Before leaving the stage and heading back to her spot in the crowd. She found Gideon staring at her and sent him a reassuring wink before turning around and heading home, realizing that she had dodged a most certain death and being extremely grateful for it.
The next few days were rather relaxing for Emma. She had just settled into her favorite sofa chair with a good book when there was a banging on her door. "Dadddddddd! Can you answer that please?" The knocking continued, louder this time. "DADDDDD. THE DOOR!" Finally, when it was rather obvious that her father wasn't going to answer the door, Emma got up and did it herself.
She was greeted with Pantil's smiling face and about a half dozen cameras pointed in her direction. "Um, hello. Did I miss something? Was I suppose to be dressed up for our apparent meeting?" Emma asked.
Pantil's smile just grew bigger, looking almost painfully forced. "Emmalyn, honey, I have some exciting news. So Noelle, you know, the girl who volunteered for you. Well turns out she is three months pregnant and we can't be having a pregnant girl in our Hunger Games and the Game Master feels it would be too much work to arrange for all the females to get together again to have another volunteer so congrats! You are going to be District Two's Female Tribute!" She hugged the dazed Emma who could only awkwardly pat Pantil's back. "You'll get two hours to say goodbye to everyone before you get put on the train to the Capitol. Emma, honey, you don't look so good. Emma?"
And that's when Emma's world turned black and she collapsed into Pantil's arms. "Oh great," snarled Pantil. "She fainted."
Hopefully this has enough to keep you going. I already have this story mapped out in my head but unfortunately finals weeks is coming up and I have a poopton of work but I really do love this couple so I'll try to keep it going.
Oh and I have no clue what Cato's last name is, and apparently Cato means "Good Judge" hence "Gudjudge." Lol. That's horrible, sorry. I suck at making up names.
Please shoot me a review and let me know how you feel. Honest is the best policy. :]