Hello everyone, this is obviously my first fanfic here, I am co-writing this with a friend of mine. I personnally love Catoniss, I mean Alexander and Jennifer together is just amazing. Anyway, here is the story. Hope you like it. And please, review. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games. If I did, it would have been a love square, not triangle. :D
The story of opposite people that have never met but have the same heart. The story of cruelty, hardship intertwined with love and romance. A story that touches the anger deep set in your heart and will set a tear rolling down your cheek.
Cato woke up, sweaty from a horrifying nightmare. He gasped for his breath. It wasn't his fault, everybody has the right to feel fear in their hearts. It was Reaping Day.
He started to breath normally again and look at the clock on his side. It was only 5.30 in the morning, but he could barely breathe, let alone sleep. He ran his hand through his blonde hair and got up.
He made his way through the coal-ridden streets of District 12, to the Meadow. It was a place only a few brave souls dared to venture, or more likely in District 12, where a few hungry mouths desperate for food. He slid under the fence that was supposed to be running with high-voltage but since electricity is as rare as food, Cato could easily slide through the loose gap. He jogged across the empty plain towards the green lush forest, dark but he has been used to it. It has become his place of heart for many years. Cato tried to calm down, breath slowly but the horrifying thought kept that at bay. Would she survive the 74th Hunger Games Reaping or will she be shoved into a deep dark destiny filled with blood and violence?
The mere thought sends a blood curdling scream to escape his mouth.
Suddenly, he hears a sudden movement in the bushes by his right. As his hunter's instinct kicks in, he swiftly turns to face him. His brother, Peeta. Only a year younger but the age difference is very visible. Him, being tall, slightly darker, dark blonde hair, blue eyes but Peeta was different. He was shorter, fairer than him, bright blonde hair that shone as the sunlight hit it, and his eyes. His eyes were the most perfect color of blue, almost sky like, as if his eyes were painted to match it. He was carefree and kind unlike Cato who was hostile and stubborn.
. "What are you doing here?" he asks him meeting his eyes, only a breath away. Peeta just shrugs.
"I heard you go out, so I decided to follow you. I know how you feel, Cato, but just let me help you. Please" you could practically hear the pleading and sorrow in his voice but it was quickly masked by his smile.
"There's nothing you can do, Peeta." He says knowing that Peeta knows what is on his mind. As he walks away from him, he stops when he hears his sentence. "I know you love her, Cato." Peeta says keeping his steady eye contact on his brothers.
Tears rim his eyes and just as one falls down his cheek, he quickly wipes it away harshly with his sleeve and turns. "Yes, I love her. But as I said, there's nothing I can do. I am powerless over the reaping" he says keeping his wobbly emotions as steady as he can, but it was like an inexperienced tight rope walker on his first show. He slumps his body on a nearby tree. Peeta walks towards his brothers, a cloud of depression hanging over him. "I-I well. I know, Cato. We'll have to see." Was his only answer, sane enough for this crazy moment.
Cato sits there, just until noon. The time came inching nearer and nearer, death was as close as can be. He sighs but makes his way home, preparing for either the break of his heart or the relief of it. But something in his heart keeps saying that the odds were not in her favor at all.
Deep into the woods, Gale and Katniss were feasting on their game, with bread that Gale traded the baker for, along with Lady's, Prim's goat, cheese.
"We could do it, you know." He suddenly says, turning to Katniss, who was looking at him questiongly. "Go to the woods, elope to the woods. We'll survive." He pauses, to see that his companion was staring at him incredulously. "If we didn't have our families of course." He quickly continues, afraid of the look in her eyes.
In fact, Katniss didn't mind escaping. Not at all. But she minded the word he used. "Elope". That word made them look like lovers. When in fact, she was against all nice feelings. The only love known to her was her sister's love, and that's it. A love from a mother was put in question, because her mother wasn't exactly an appropriate one, have fallen in depression after her husband's death.
The mere thoughts of her father brought tears into her eyes, she quickly packed and went back to her house, where Prim and her mother, were waiting for her. Prim was in her sister's previous reaping outfits. Nevertheless, she looked beautiful in it.
"You look beautiful, little duck." Katniss referred to her sister's nickname, trying to ease up the tension. It worked.
"Quack quack." Prim replied. They both laughed.
After showering and wearing a blue, hand-me-down, velvet dress, the 3 girls (that's what they were, because Mrs. Everdeen's state of mind enabled her of being an adult. So you can say she was a child trapped in a grown woman's body.) waited in the living room. Feeling the urge to do something reassuring to her sister, Katniss crouched down to her sister's level, put one hand on her cheek in reassurance and offered her, her father's mockingjay pin. A golden circle, with a mockingjay in the middle, a bow sticking out of its mouth.
"To protect you." She says, smiling. Prim looks down with surprised eyes.
"Really?" Prim chokes out. Katniss nods, flashing her beloved little sister one of her rare smiles.
Suddenly, the honk sounded, breaking their little bubble. It's time to go to the Reaping.
The static of the microphone sounded throught the Town's Square as Effie Trinket, the district 12 escort, walks out of the Justice Building, looking bubblier than ever, all in pink. That's why her pale white skin stands out. Is that her skin color or is did she drown in powder?! Katniss will never ever understand the Capitol's fashion.
She stands in front of the microphone, and looks out on the district. She is thinking about the filth and poverty of the district, and praying to God, like every year, to get shipped into a better district. She opens her mouth and delivers the famous lines "Happy Hunger Games. And May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor." She says it in slow motion, building up the anticipation. Little did she know, that everyone was dreading these few passing moments.
The screen projects the annual video about the war and the Dark Days. Already having to watch it before, Katniss turns around and glances at Gale.
Unsurprisingly, he's starring right back at her. One look at her facial expression, and his usual smirk falls. He mouths the words "Everything's going to be okay." but deep inside, they both know it's not. But Katniss just nods, and for the sake of their four years friendship, she throws in a nervous smile.
She loves Gale, as a brother of course. He's always been there for her. They hunted together, joked together, and supported each other in every single way. Gale was the second person she let in after her father's death, after Prim of course. Her mother was in no shape to be trusted. Both physically and mentally.
Everyone around them suspected of a little fling going on between the two of them, but they just laughed it off, earning her loathful glares from the girls in their school, and he jealous glances from the guys. They could've been a couple, if it weren't for Katniss ignorance in the matter. Everyone saw the way Gale looked at her. Everyone but her.
She was one of the most coveted girls in the district - heck, even in the entire district- because of her olive skin, chocolate hair, her attitude, but importantly, her eyes. Those grey orbs that set everything and everyone on fire. The eyes that reflected the burning desire in her to protect her loved ones. No matter how much of a mask her face was, those eyes were the giveaway. Under the layers of stubbornness, there was vulnerability. It was what attracted most to her. Everyone wanted to make it up for her, even if she didn't know it.
The video's over, which makes Effie Trinket bounce over to the girls' ball, and dig with her manicured fingers a little deep, and choose a lone paper.
Everyone's holding in their breathes, awaiting to hear the name of the misfortunate ones. You could hear a pin's drop because of the silence.
Before Katniss could wish for anyone's safety, Effie was sauntering over to the microphone, and speaking into it.
"Primrose Everdeen."
No, no, no. Katniss thought to herself it's impossible, her name's been only there once.
Before Prim could even make a step forward, Katniss's voice filled the Square.
"I volunteer. I volunteer as tribute." Gasps could be heard from all around. No one ever volunteers in District 12.
But one blonde guy in the audience, wasn't surprised at all. He feared this. He knew if her sister got picked, she, in no doubt, would volunteer to save her.
A lone tear slid down his cheeks, as he mentally said his farewells to her.
Cato Mellark was going to lose the love of his life.
A. N. How was it?! Good? Bad? Tell me all about it in a review!:)
Love.
Line & Lea.