A/N: This will be Cato and Cloves PoV! Happy reading!
Cato's PoV
She sits in a windowless room, nothing but a couch and small lamp placed on top of a mahogany dresser. Her dark brown hair falls in beautiful ringlets down her white tank-top, her pale white skin showing beneath, I am un-aware of her name but I have loved her since I was young, and the fantasies have only just started. I enter the room silently staring around at the small compacted room that be-holds such a beautiful creature such as her. When I reach her a smile plays across my lips my hands rest on her shoulders as I lean in and kiss her cheek. Her skin is soft and smooth, minor flaws that are hardly visible. A soft gasp escapes her lips as my lips reach her skin. As I pull back she turns back to me her dark eyes glistening in the dim light reflecting my smiling face. She lashes her tongue over her lips moistening them before she cocks her head to the side, a smile faintly showing upon her flawless lips, that I am so eager to kiss. Her eyes lustful in anticipation before I lunge forward my hands pressing against her smooth cheeks my lips pressed against hers. Her lips fit perfectly with mine. Her lips are slightly cracked but it doesn't affect anything. We only break away to take a breath and she beckons me over to the other side of the couch, I follow her directions and sit down on the red velvet that sinks slightly beneath me. She climbs upon my lap a leg on either side before her lips press against mine again, I begin pulling tugging at her shirt before there's a knock at my door, and I'm taken back to reality.
My eyes open quickly and I look down to my pants, my hand is still gripped on tightly on my newly erect cock, before I can do anything my door opens, slightly creaking on the hinges my sister steps in and raises her eyebrows. "Oh sorry. Were you about to orgasm?" Asks Havana from the corner of my bed. As a matter of fact I wa-" "Hey hey, careful there, I was joking, now quickly get your hands out you pants pervert, moms coming it's almost One o'clock, reaping's in an hour! UP UP UP! "She screeches. A groan escapes my lips as I pull out my hand that is still located in my boxers. She rolls her eyes before turning around and leaves closing the door behind her. I sit up and swing my legs off of the side of my bed the soft feeling of the carpet beneath my feet sends chills down my spine for an unknown reason. I pull the string enabling my curtains to open as I walk over to my dresser, a grey shirt and black pants lay there and I grab them swinging the door open and walking to the bathroom. The house is enlightened by several lights, as I reach the bathroom I switch the light on and close the door behind me throwing my clothes on the bench beholding the sink and a soap bar, I suppose we're tidy, or at-least my sister and mother are. My father on the other hand, who I have never actually met, is probably messy like myself.
I peel off my clothes and throw them into the bath, then grabbing a white bathmat placing it on the floor. My hand enters the shower and I turn the nob left three times before placing my hand under the boiling hot water. I wince and pull my hand back quickly then turning the nob right once and placing my hand resentfully under the now perfect temperatured water. I step in as the water falls down my back, as I do so I close the shower curtain. I wash my hair and grab the soap bar rubbing it up and down my body. I could probably catch up on my masturbating but I really need finish up here. I turn off the tap and step out reaching for a towel before wiping down my body drying off all the excess water droplets still on my skin. The bathroom is filled with steam and I can hardly see myself in the mirror but a rough outline is visible. I wipe the mirror with my hand and it sends chills through my arm. I grab my white shirt and pull it over my head then pulling on my underwear and grey pants. I stare at my tanned face in the mirror, staring down the person that I have become. I'm not planning to volunteer this year, at-least not until I'm eighteen which is coming up in two years, by then I will be prepared. Havana knocks on the door. "Speed it up, we have to go, like. Now!" She snaps from behind the wooden door. "Okay! Okay!" I reply before picking up the towel and threading it through the hanger and grabbing my pyjamas from next to the bath. I swing the door open and I see my sister, her golden hair glistening in the light, she's smirking at me. "What?" I ask with frustration, I shove past her and she almost falls over. When I make it back to my room I throw my clothing on my bed and walk back out, closing the door from behind me. Noone needs to see my bedroom while we're at the reaping, so I don't need to keep my door open. My mother and my sister make their way to the door, myself following behind. I step outside before being slapped in the face by the ice cold wind. It doesn't really bother me, so I continue walking not bothering to look back to see if Havana or my mother are trailing behind me or not. I kick the dirt beneath my feet as we make our way to the city square.
I walk to the sign in area and they prick my finger, it's a sharp but short pain that doesn't make me think twice about what's going on around me. I walk directly to the place where the sixteen year old boys stand before the clock strikes two. It makes only two dings and four people come rushing out of the town hall building, three of which are the previous victors from District Two, Enobaria, Brutus and Lyme. They take their seats before the Escort Antoinette Flowers prances out towards the microphone. She taps it twice before her voice expands across all of District Two. " Welcome Welcome. The time has come to, select on courageous young man and woman for the honour of representing District Two, in the 74th annual Hunger Games."
I look around at the boys surrounding me, they're all not very good and I don't think they would have a chance, but myself on the other hand. "Firstly I would like to show a video all the way from the capitol!" She quirks before a screen is projected on the wall of the Town Hall.
I tune out and stare at the ground before I hear a quiet whistle and look up at Antoinette; her voice had always had a slight whistle to it. She's reciting the words, with what she thinks is silently, but actually you can hear everything she's saying. The video finishes and everyone turns back to her. "I just love that!" She quirks before pulling off one of her bright blue gloves and then doing the same with the other one. "As usual, Ladies first!" She smiles making her way towards the glass reaping bowl containing thousands of slips of paper, some of which have my sisters name, but I know that she could survive the odds.
Her thin fingers enter the reaping ball only to be pulled back out just as quick. She makes her way to the microphone and opens the slip of paper. "Clove Anguston!" She announces.
My eyes dart to the girl who makes her way out towards the stage. She mounts the steps and stares out at all of us. She looks scared, but strong at the same time. The dark hair, the pale skin, the skinny figure. That's the girl! That's the girl I've loved since forever.
Then it dawns upon me, she's just been reaped. She's going to die. She can't die! "Any Volunteers?" Antoinette Asks. Noone steps forward. "Well then! Now for the boys!" She smiles and walks over to the other glass reaping bowl containing the male names, four of which are mine.
She pulls out a slip of paper and trots back to the stand beholding the microphone. She opens the slip of paper speaks into the microphone. "James Lisfer" Oh my god. When things couldn't get worse. He steps forward onto the stage and Antoinette asks for any volunteers. It takes me a moment to register before I lunge forward, I have to keep Clove safe, I love her. "I volunteer." I say in a stern voice.
It echoes around us and the guys all look to me, before James steps down off the stage and I mount the steps. I stare at Clove while Antoinette continues to ramble on.
"Let's give a big hand for our two Tributes!" She leans over to me and asks my name. "Clove Anguston and Cato Stone!" Few people clap and Antoinette steps back so we can shake hands. I stare at Clove in deep bliss before holding onto her delicate hand and shaking it. Before she releases staring back out at the crowd. We're taken in by peacekeepers to the Town Hall. We're both sent into different rooms. When I enter, the door is closed behind me with a quiet bang.
I stare around at this extravagant room, which is surrounded by many pictures. In the centre of the room there is a red laced couch, I walk towards it and sit down. My fingers dig into the soft leather as I reply my fantasy that had happened just hours before.
The door swings open and my eyes open quickly too. My mother and sister walk in, Havana rushes towards me wrapping her arms around me. Havana and I get along I guess, but we're not close. But at the moment, she's everything to me.
My mother on the other hand stands by the door her head slightly leaning to the left. Havana pulls back and turns to my mother. "Wow, you really are so kind hearted aren't you mom." Havana, speaks her mind, she's honest. My mother obviously wants nothing to do with me so she just scowls. "Times up!" Calls the peacekeeper and Havana stands up before kissing my forehead. "You're gonna win, and don't let that pretty little brunette stop you, Understand?" I don't say anything I return, because I know that replying the truth wouldn't be such a good idea right now. My mother walks out without glancing in my direction Havana shortly follows, a sad smiles appears on her lips when she turns around almost out the door. "It's her isn't it?" She asks.
I avert my eyes from hers and stare faintly at the floor, not daring to make eye contact again with her. The door clicks shut and I stare up.
I wait along ten minutes before the peacekeeper tells me no one else has come, It doesn't bother me that much, I guess.
I'm taken out of the extravagant room, only to see Clove sitting so elegantly on the white sofa in the waiting area, she looks up at me then at Antoinette who is smiling happily. "Off we go then!" She quirks.
She walks over to Clove and extends her arm for her to hold, to lead her to the carriage I'm assuming. Clove refuses and stands up quickly, her eyes skirt mine for a long second before Antoinette breaks the silence. "Well, what are you waiting for?" She laughs skipping infront of us. Clove and I follow her, trying to keep up with her skipping.
The closeness between myself and Clove makes my heart throb and I can help but quickly glance at her every few seconds.
We are brought to a white carriage cart that is led by two beautiful black horses. I step up and sit down, Antoinette and Clove hop in the other side and we're off and going.
"Now we will be in the Capitol in two short days, if you need any assistance whilst being there, do not be afraid to ask. Myself and the previous Victors would be more than happy to help you out, with anything you need! You will each have a separate cabin, fit with a bathroom, with nonstop flowing hot and cold water, with just a touch of a button! There will be unlimited food, but I don't advise you eat too much, you could be sick, and we wouldn't want that, now would we?" She taps my shoulder and it startles me slightly and I nod once. "The train is extremely fast but you won't feel a thi- Oh look we're here!" She laughs and two people come and open the doors for us.
We're at the train station and it's crawling with photographers, I look down hiding my face as I step onto the train, I almost fall over Clove who has rushed before me into the train. The black door slides open and she steps in, I shortly follow, I am also followed by Antoinette, the escort and Enobaria, a previous victor from out district.
I stare around, flawless chandeliers, that sparkle in the light that they produce, soft leather couches, beautiful mahogany tables, and an amazing painting pinned up on one of the far walls. I walk over to the couch and sit closest to the window, Clove sits next to me and Enobaria sits across from us.
She smiles, her steel teeth glistening in the light. "Welcome Tributes!" She says smirking.
"Looks like we might have a winner this year. Firstly I would just like to state that I won't be saying much, there is plenty of time to explain your survival technics later in the week! Just get settled in and you're set. Secondly, Cato." She looks at me. "Your bedroom is down that hallway and the third carriage, Clove" She looks to Clove. "Yours is the one behind his. And I think that settles it! You can go there now if you choose; the Avoxes will knock on your door at about 6 o'clock to remind you that it is dinner. And I think that's it!" She smiles and stands up, walking out of this carriage, Antoinette stands there staring at her nails before she smiles and leaves also.
Clove and I sit in silence for a long half an hour before I turn to her. "So, were you planning to go into the games this year?" I ask. "Obviously not. You clearly were though, volunteering and everything, trying to be a tough guy, hey?"
Her answer startles me slightly. "Sorry." She mutters. "Don't apologize" I say staring into those eyes that could melt anyone's heart.
She stands and leaves, going to her cabin I'm guessing. I also rise and go to my own cabin.
As I stare around at the small room that I will be living in for the next day or so, I notice all the smaller things that I probably shouldn't. Like there's a small camera implanted in the top left hand corner, personally I think that is wrong, and is invading people's privacy, but it's not really my choice. The bed is fitted with white sheets and next to it on either side has a small bedside table, a lamp situated on top of it. I run and jump on my bed, the springs bounce beneath me and I close my eyes, I could use some rest.
When I wake again it's to a knock on the door, it must be an avox. I swing my legs off the side and the door opens automatically. I nod once at the avox and she walks away quietly. I make my way to the dining carriage and when I make it there, Enobaria, Lyme, Brutus, Antoinette and Clove all sit down waiting for me. I take my seat next to Clove, and she shifts slightly away. "Well go on, eat!" Antoinette laughs. We all dig in and eat, not bothering to see what we shovel into our mouths.
"So Clove, what are you good at?" Asks Brutus. Clove turns to him and she cocks her head to the side, thinking. "I'd have to say, throwing knives, I guess." She smiles. "Oh yes, would you care to, demonstrate for us?" He asks kindly, this is unlike our district, all kind and nice but, I kind of like it. She shrugs and grabs a knife from the table.
She turns around to the wooden frame about five metres behind us and throws it, it hits exactly in-between a line where It had been carved. "THAT!" We all turn to Antoinette who looks like she's about to cry. "IS!" "Don't' steal Effie's line!" Snaps Lyme, who has hardly said a word all night. "Effie, what?" Antoinette asks confused. "I don't know." Lyme replies. "I just- it came to my mind and it just came out!" Lyme laughs and we all awkwardly join in.
"Well, we're all done! You can go off to bed, now or you can do whatever, it's only 7 o'clock but you'll want to get a good night's rest!" Antoinette smiles. I rise and give my farewell to everyone and Clove stands up and follows me. I enter my room and she steps inside also.
"Uh, hi." I say confused. "Hello." She replies, her voice is soft. "Can I help you?" She nods once. "Yes you can."
My eyes fill with lust, and I step closer to her. "I don't have any towels, and I was wondering if I might be able to borrow one of yours?" She asks. Damn. I nod once and make my way to the bathroom taking out a towel with me. I hand it over to her and she smiles in appreciation. Before I know it she's gone, and out the door. I climb into bed, because I'm still partly tired.
The bed is cold, I just wish that Clove could be here to keep it warm with me, but I know that is an unlikely thing to happen.
I close my eyes and drift off to a dreamless sleep.
Authors Note: I know the ending sucked, but this chapter could've gone on for ages, and we don't want that! Review please! Thanks!