Hey (: this is my first story and the first one I've done outside of school... I'm obviously obsessed with Cato. This is CatoxOC, but I promise it's not like any amateur Cato story on this site. This one has actually been edited and proper grammar, spelling, etc was used. I think your going to like it! Please review. Anything: mean, nice, constructive. Just tell me what you want improved next time. Also, this is just a short prologue. I promise there will be more next time. Thank you, and enjoy! 3 xo
~Alana
Chloe DeBenedetto
"Ladies first," her hand reaches into the bowl and she fishes around for a piece of paper. "And our girl tribute this year is Clove -" I interrupt Zorrelia Moonhaze's obnoxious Capitol accent with a yell that's loud and clear:
"I volunteer as Tribute!"
Zorrelia's gaze finds me in the crowd. At first, her face shows annoyance. I know I'm supposed to wait for her to ask for volunteers, but then I wouldn't be guaranteed a spot as District 2's tribute for the 74th Annual Hunger Games. I stride to the stage with confidence and flash my best smile at the crowd.
"Very well," she regains her peppy Capitol mood. "What's your name, dear?"
"Chloe DeBenedetto," I say proudly. I'm seventeen, and even though I'm supposed to be volunteering next year, the trainers at the academy have all agreed I'll be a great Career.
"Excellent! Now, the boys," once again, she thrusts her hand into bowl, and I watch her fingers lightly touch the slips of paper until she finally finds a suitable one. She clears her throat: "Alexander -"
"I volunteer as Tribute!" the exact words I've said just a few minutes ago are repeated. I scan through the crowd until I find who's said this: he's approaching the temporary stage in our Town Square with just as much, if not more, confidence I had.
He's intimidating; nearly 6'4 with a lot of muscle. I've seen him before in the training center… he's not in my age class, so I don't see him too much. He's good with a sword - a lethal weapon. A good ally, I decide. The Careers are going to dominate this year, as usual.
"What's your na -" Zorrelia is interrupting again.
"Cato Vindisi."
"Shake hands," she commands. "I give you District 2's Tributes for the 74th Hunger Games!" I slide my hand into his and he gives it a good shake, with a smirk. It's already becoming his signature thing.
We're ushered into the main building in Town Hall. Zorrelia, after showing Cato to his "good-bye room," shows me to my own. It's a little taste of the Capitol - a neon yellow couch and love seats, intricate glass coffee table, and abstract paintings everywhere. I think a paint explosion went off in here…
Mom and Dad appear in the doorframe after opening the diamond doorknob, careful not to break it.
"We're so proud of you!" Mom throws her arms around me. I awkwardly hug back. I loved my parents, but I've never really had a close relationship with them. This is the first time any real interaction has happened between us.
Dad's eyes carefully scan my own. "You could have used one more year of training."
I look down, my face stoic. "Don't listen to him, honey. District 2 is going to have another Victor this year!" She pauses, excitedly. "Your skills with knives are phenomenal. Hell, you can even kill that boy in the next room!" she refers to Cato, I think his name is.
"We're Careers. We're going to work together."
At that very moment, four Peacekeepers take Mom's and Dad's arms (two for each of them.)
"Time's up."
"You're coming home, Chloe Elizabeth DeBenedetto. You're coming home to us!" Mom yells. Tears are freely falling from her eyes, dripping onto her expensive clothes.
"Good luck, kid," Dad says as he's dragged out by Peacekeepers. "You got what it takes."
Then, I realize: I may never see them again. And I gave them the cold shoulder. Shut up, Chloe. You're a Career. No emotions! What good do they do anyway? Distract you from the Games; distract you from life.
I sit down on the neon yellow couch. I try not to look at it, it gives me a headache anyway. A couple minutes later, my deep thoughts are interrupted by Zorrelia. Cato's standing behind her, towering over the petite woman; he has a good foot and a half on her.
"Our glorious Capitol awaits!" she smiles, flashing her tinted light blue teeth. Me and Cato glance at each other, and I can tell he's thinking the same thing: Overly peppy freak.