I didn't have any trouble sleeping the night before the reaping. Tension and anxiety were pervasive throughout the entire nation. It was like an exploding cannon that prevented anyone involved in tomorrow's ceremonies to get barely more than a moment of rest. I, along with just about everyone else in the Career districts, slept soundly. Everyone knows we dominate the Games nearly every year. We're brought up in the confidence that no other Districts have an outstanding chance against us, we're even taught to think of ourselves as the best of the best; that we will end up successfully taking out the other Careers and our fellow District tribute.
The Hunger Games are seen as cruel and unusual punishment to most people. To us, it's just as the title suggests - a game. Games are supposed to be fun, something to look forward to and to be eager to participate in. If we're to die, we die not only knowing we gave it our absolute best, but also that we should have made our 'best' be something more.
It never crossed my mind, not until recently, why everyone else dreaded the Games. I couldn't care less about seeing the tributes and their parents struggling against intervening peacekeepers to embrace while violent sobbing and screaming. In fact, I found it pathetic and weak.
It was while I was watching the broadcast of the reapings from around Panem on the train ride to the Capitol, along with my mentor, escort and the other tribute from my District, Clove. It was something I watched from the comfort of my own home for as long as I could remember. A smirk spread across my face when the first sob stories appeared on screen. After a few more highlights of distraught families of tributes were shown, everything felt so different. My smirk fell into a thin line and the air dissipated from my lungs. An uncomfortable clenching feeling seemed to enclose my body, mainly my stomach. I can say it's not a sensation I'm familiar with.
Watching those children receive hugs and affection from their parents after desperately fighting against the peacekeepers hit me in a way that caught me completely off-guard. My parents never did that, nor would they ever. I'm glad for that. I don't need my parents to make such a humiliating spectacle of themselves. How would I react to that? But there's a part of me that wishes they did do that. Now that I think about it, I remember they wouldn't even look at me when my name was called. I shot a glance over at them; both of them were staring straight forward at the escort on stage as if they announced some stranger's name ..or like they had no kids to worry about in the first place. It didn't affect me at the time, but now it almost feels like it hurts.
I tried to focus on the video, but the rest of it was a blur. I was too preoccupied trying to sort out these alien feelings spinning inside of me. Everyone else was focused on what was playing on screen, so I was left alone to just think.
For the first time, I wanted something from my parents that they never gave me. I wanted them to care about me. Watching those kids being pried from the loving arms of their parents has inspired me to feel sympathy towards them, if only a little bit. For once, it wasn't embarrassment on their behalf.
My steady thoughts were finally interrupted when my silence prompted my mentor to ask me what I thought of the video. I immediately snapped back to my old self.
"They're nothing." I grinned snidely, "They won't have a chance against me out there. None of them have probably even seen a weapon in their lives."
"Don't get too cocky, Cato." My mentor warned, "While the odds are undoubtedly in your favor as a Career, there have been times where overconfidence clouded a Careers' judgement and costed them the Game. Don't let that happen to you."
"Yeah, okay..." I scoffed as he pointed at Clove and I, attempting to convey that he was serious. Clove simply nodded, with the sly little smile on her face that she often wore.
"Alright, get some sleep." He commanded, "We got a long day ahead of us!"
I rose to my feet, towering over both my mentor and Clove and headed straight to my room. I was in no mood to be around anyone but myself right now. Shadows of passing trees zoomed by in front of the moonlight shining through my window while I sat on my bed, unable to even consider sleep. I was too caught up in these new thoughts to really notice much of what was going on around me. Why is this happening? Why now, when the moment I've been preparing for my whole life has finally arrived? The only moment that my life was meant for, really.
I've never felt so out of focus before. My mind kept flashing back to this morning when my name was called; the thrill and honor that I was overcome with at that very instant and the unexpected disappointment over my parents' indifference towards me that finally hit me hours later. Disappointment. Is that really what it is? If so, it's not something I would ever admit to.
Why do I give a shit anyway? I groaned and turned away from the window. Exhaustion was setting in. I managed to avoid any sort of haunting dreams while I slept. In fact, when I woke up, I completely forgot I ever had those strange thoughts. I was myself again and not a moment too late; it was time to focus on the Games and nothing else. I'm not a fan of wasting time.
I admit, the Capitol was breathtaking, even to someone like me who found it difficult to be impressed by much anymore. Everyone knows that the District where I come from has a close bond with the Capitol, but this is the first time that I've ever been here.
Won't be the last. I told myself.
Clove seemed genuinely enthralled with the sights. Looks like it was her first time here as well. I tried to keep a cool profile, even though I was also taken aback by the vibrance of our nation's center.
"Whoa! Cato, look at that!" Clove beamed at me, pointing at some towering structures not too far in the distance that shone in all colors imaginable. I felt like this is what a babysitter must've felt like. Still, I retained most of my focus on the destination before us.
"Clove, get a hold of yourself." I waved her off, barely acknowledging what she was so excited over. Funny how she can go from being like a hungry fox that's all too eager to go out on the hunt to a spastic child on a sugar high in a split second. Not something I'd expect from a fellow Career. Perhaps it'll work to our advantage in throwing the enemy off. I'm well aware of what she's capable of; the girl can be vicious when she wants to be.
In no time, we're swarmed by our respective prep teams and stylists to prepare us for the opening ceremonies. I felt like I'd been through this process a thousand times. I can thank the Career lifestyle for that. We're basically handed a script of what we're supposed to do if we're in the Games.
However, there was nothing in the script about being upstaged by the least likely District in Panem.
I was ready to consider our debut in the Games a success when Clove and I got a louder reaction from the crowd than District 1 did during our triumphant ride through the parade. As always, the cheering simmered down after we neared the end of the road. The Careers were always better at working the audience than anyone else, so I was confused as to what the sudden eruption of applause was all about towards the end of the parade. What was going on?
My answer came when I glanced up at the large screens to see the faces of the District 12 tributes.
"This's gotta be a joke.." I said incredulously. Clove glanced up at me with the same look of disdain that adorned my face. I took an immediate disliking to those tributes at that moment. They were on fire for fuck's sake. I bet that's the only thing they have up their sleeve. Do they honestly hope to get by on cheap tricks like that? A corny stage magician would do better in the Games than they would. How pathetic.
I must've looked like an angry bull right then; my muscles were tensed and my nostrils flared as I glared at them when they pulled into the court. I tried to ignore them and pay attention to our President while he spoke to us, but all I could think about was the relentless praise they seemed to receive from everyone.
Well, it's not like they'll last long in the Games. First out. I assured myself. I couldn't stop sneering at them as they received gratuitous approval following the ceremony. It was ridiculous. All this over some flashy special effects? Neither one of them looked like they'd hold out for very long in the arena. The girl looked as if a rabbit could spook her and the guy was barely any taller than Clove. I'm not sure why, but those two irked me for a reason I wasn't entirely sure of - especially the guy. There was something about them that pissed me off.
"You realize the Games aren't for another two weeks right?" Clove chimed in, interrupting my thoughts.
"What?" I asked, wondering if I missed something.
"You look like you're ready to get a head start and kill them right now." Clove nodded in the direction of the District 12 tributes, "I bet they end up being sliced up in the bloodbath."
I chuckled internally at her echoing my exact sentiment. "We're more alike than I thought."
"Well, we are Careers after all." She smirked cunningly.
Speaking of Careers, I searched around for the District 1 tributes. It didn't take long to find them, they were decked out in hot pink after all. I took solace in the fact that Clove and I weren't the most ridiculous looking tributes, but I was in no position to make jokes about them. They will come to be our most loyal allies in the Games.
Clove and I walked over to them and introduced ourselves. The girl's name was Glimmer and the guy was Marvel. Luckily they seemed like people I'd get along with. But in the end, was that really a good thing? Whatever. All that matters is what's happening right now.
Glimmer kept batting her eyelashes and flashing a bright smile at me. I grinned back at her. It was obvious she was into me. It's just too bad nothing more will come of it.
"So, what weapons do you guys use?" She asks casually, with a vague tinge of flirtation in her voice as she glances at me.
"I'm good with a machete." I say and turn my attention to Clove.
"Knives are my specialty." She states, her lips threatening to curl into a mischievous grin as always.
High-pitched laughter draws our attention from our conversation and back to the District 12 tributes where several people have gathered. Their violet-haired escort seems pretty enthused about something; no doubt that it's over the positive reception her tributes got during the parade.
"Heh. Let them celebrate now while they can." Marvel scoffed, "Like District 12 has ever had a chance of winning."
I was relieved to hear Marvel voice his displeasure. This makes our alliance that much stronger. "Can't stand them either?" I ask almost facetiously.
"They disgust me." He spits out bluntly while staring them down.
"The girl looks so stuck up." Glimmer shot them a glare before shaking her head and rolling her eyes, "The sad thing is, they probably think they can win this now."
"..Because a lifetime of training is nothing compared to a fake burning cape!" Clove snarked. We all got a good laugh from it.
Finally, we were summoned by our respective mentors and escorts to be shown to our own private rooms in the tower. I felt very fortunate to have such worthy allies in the Games with me. I couldn't wait to train with them and see what they're all capable of. The best part about this is that we all seem to agree on one thing:
District 12 needs to be taken out as soon as possible.
AN: So, I've been in love with this series for a couple years now and I came to love this pairing even more since the movie came out, so I decided to give writing my own fanfic of them a shot. Hope you guys like it! I know it's kind of a slow start, but it will get better once things are set in motion. Reviews are very much appreciated!