A/N: This is my story first ever. Sorry if it's chizz

Disclaimer: nightlock475 does not own anyone :(

Clove POV

As I close my eyes, I see the tunnel that I have to keep away from. But it draws me closer, like a moth to a flame. I have to keep away from it. I can't let him go. I can't. But as I draw steadily closer to the light, I think about what I've done. I think about my life. I heard that people who have near- death say that they saw their life flash before their eyes.

"Today in class, we have a new girl. This is Clove. I expect everyone to make her feel welcome to our class."

I stand in front of my new classmates. I hope to see a nice face, a gentle one. I don't find any. The bell rings, and I go to next period. I'm swept up in the other kids tidal wave. I can't find my class. There are too many people. I start to feel faint. A hand appears out of the crowd pulling me out, fishing me out.

"I thought you needed some help. Hi I'm Cato. I'm in your homeroom class."

"Oh, hi Cato, I'm Clove. Thanks for saving me. Can you help me find my next class; I think I might be lost. It's room 475."

"Really, I have that next too! C'mon, before we're late."

He grabs my hand in his warm hands, and we run to our next class.

I remember that now. Meeting that boy Cato, him ushering me to all my classes. Making sure I was never bullied in training, training for the Hunger Games.

I remember being so short, too short the teacher was going to make me go to a younger class. Everyone laughed because they knew I was their age. But no one said anything.

Then Cato stepped up, "Mrs. Gelatin, I will train Clove. I take full responsibility of her training."

Mrs. Gelatin had looked at Cato for a real long time, before agreeing.

Cato comes over to me and asks what am I best in? I answer him truthfully. Knife throwing. It almost looks like he's about to laugh. I'll show him I think to myself wrathfully. I walk over to the knives, and pick one up. I feel the weight of the finely crafted weapon in my hand. That feeling comes upon me, that sense of sureness. I lift it up, and feel it leave my hand, I twist my finger at the last second, to make sure there is a twist to it, and let it go. It zooms toward the bulls- eye. I suddenly feel the eyes of everyone. I turn around and catch everyone's stares.

I face Cato, "Well?"

He quickly shuts his mouth and grins. A boy comes up, "So, she can throw a knife. Who cares? I can beat her in everything else I bet. Go ahead Clover, pick a station. I pick hand-to- hand- combat. This boy just doesn't know what he's in for. Cato looks worried. I tell him, "If I fall, pick me up OK, and finish my fight?" He promises me, no matter what; he'll always be there to pick me up. By now everyone is watching, even Mrs. Gelatin, and they're all betting on the boy. I'll prove them wrong though, I vow to myself. A bell dings, and he throws the first punch. He doesn't know I trained with my brother. I dodge and counter his punch with a jab half way up his arm. He looked at me in surprise. He snarls and lunges again at me, but his arm droops down. He looks up in fear, and I give a snarl of triumph. I draw back my fist and jab his other arm. Now both arms are lying, useless by his sides. I kick at his shin, and he collapses with a howl of humiliation and pain. I grin at him, my fists up and feet ready. He's on the floor, staring feebly up at me.

"My name is Clove buddy."

Cato takes my elbow and leads me away, before I can lose myself. I walk away, but the boy staggers up to deliver one more punch, Cato blocks it and knocks him in the jaw, before I can even move a muscle.

"I said I would always be there for you, didn't I?"

"Yeah," I said, softly, "you did."

He would always be there for me. All except this time. The one time I needed him. But I can't hold it against him. And I hope he doesn't blame himself. I see him, telling me not to go. But, it's too late. I'm gone.