Chapter one of "Clove's Story". She might be a bit OC for now same with Cato. But I think they'll seem more like the characters in the book soon. Please no Career hate messages. They had reasons to win the games too! Please tell me what you think- I'm kind of new to writing Hunger Games fanfics. Hope you enjoy!
I take a deep breath as my aunt clasped the silver necklace around my neck. I am wearing a gold dress that is sleeveless and goes to my knees. On the skirt of the dress, is a huge black flower; on the top there is only a black neckline. My dark hair is loose instead of in my normal ponytail, and a small white flowered headband holds my bangs back.
Today is the reaping day. The awful day where twenty-four kids, one boy and one girl, from each of the twelve districts are chosen for a fight of the death that happens every year. This year is my third year being eligible for the Hunger Games.
And truth be told, I'm terrified. Not just for me, but for my friends. Avalon, Josh, Sophie, Drew, Abigail, and Cato. Every year I'm frightened that one of us will be pulled, splitting our group apart. I look at the pictures that hang on my mirror. There's one of my aunt and I, one of my guy friends being idiots, and one of my girl friends trying to get me to look at the camera. The last picture is the one I treasure the most. It shows Cato and me after he snuck up behind me and grabbed me by the waste.
I smile at the memories of these pictures. "Clove," my aunt's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I look at her. "Its time to go, sweetie." I nod and grab my sweater, getting the feeling that this day is not going to go well.
I stand in the town square, looking at all the families. Mothers not wanting to let their child go, fathers stone faced as they tell their wives that everything will be fine. Even though we live in one of the wealthiest districts, where every kid is illegally trained in combat, we still dread this day. I get lost in my thoughts about the games in the past, how much the capitol has made us go through because of the people seventy four years ago stood up for what they believed in. It's all just crazy.
A hand lands on my shoulder and my body goes from being tense to relaxed. "Hey," Cato whispers in my ear. He wraps his arms around my shoulders. "you doing alright? You seem out of it today" I shake my head.
"I have a really bad feeling about today." I whisper back. He stays quite, but his hug tightens and lets me know that he's right there for me. We stand there silently. I listen to his breathing, steady and calm. Wrapped in his arms I lose track of time, but even the comfort I get from him isn't helping the feeling that something bad is going to happen. A bell rings to signal everyone to get into his or her places. Cato grabs my shoulders, and looks into my eyes.
"Remember, if you get scared, don't show it. It's going to be fine." I nod slightly and he wraps me in another hug, then we walk to our places on either side of the stage. Girls between the ages of twelve and eighteen surround me; on the other side of the stage are the boys. I look over there and see Josh looking at me. You're going to be fine, he mouths to me. I nod in understanding, and he gives me a small smile.
"Everyone, quiet down please," Dantrell our capitol representative says. Every year he dresses really stupidly, but this year he just makes me want to through up. His skin is silver, his hair is bright blood red and in his face, his tux is puke green, and his shows are sky blue and pointy like an elf's.
"He looks ridiculous." Avalon whispers in my ear. I smile and agree.
"Happy Hunger Games everyone!" Dantrell continues. "Now, please welcome our president, Cornelius Snow!" The audience applauds, but only slightly. Snow's head appears on a giant screen and gives us a speech about the "dark days," and why the games matter, but I just block it out. After the speech, Dantrell claps wildly for the president. "Wasn't that just magnificent ladies and gentlemen? Now, let us learn what the names of our lucky tributes are going to be for this year."
"Ha, 'lucky tributes' more like dead tributes." Sophie whispers to Avalon. I watch as Dantrell walks over to the glass orb that has all of the names of he girls. He grabs a single slip of paper and waddles back to the microphone.
"Clove White." Sophie, Abigail, and Avalon all gasp and grab onto my arm. I shoot them a look that says get he hell off of me! I make my way to the stairs and onto the stage, trying to keep my face from showing the fear I feel. I see Enobaria and Brutus, the mentors of the kids for this year, look at each other, and then look at me. Dantrell asks for volunteers, but none steps up to take my place. I look at my friends out of the corner of my eye and see that they are like stones. I find my aunt in the audience and see the same expression on her face. I tell my self to breath as I keep my chin up and my face looking proud like how we were taught to do during training.
I don't hear anything that happens next. I see Dantrell walk over to the boy's orb and he pulls out the slip of paper. He goes back to the microphone and reads the name. Up comes a young boy, who's small and very week looking. I don't know him that's for sure. A thought actually crosses my mind that makes me calm down; I don't have to go in with any of my friends. Dantrell asks for volunteers and there's a moment of silence.
"Me," a boy says. My head turns to the voice and my breath catches. "Get back there, kid." Cato quietly growls at the boy. The kid listens and goes back to his place. I see Cato introduce himself, but my mind is on the fact that my best friend and I have to go into the Hunger Games together. One thought stays in my mind.
Cato, my best friend, and I may have to fight each other.