Chapter 1: A Crazy First Day of School

Beep, beep, beep! Cato groaned as he clumsily slapped his hand around the nightstand, trying to reach the snooze button. The beeping ceased when he succeeded, and the thrill of victory surged through Cato's mind, awakening him.

Cato rubbed his tired eyes and gazed at the calendar as his vision sharpened. It was September 1st, meaning…

Suddenly, Cato leaped out of bed and hastily shoved his school uniform into his trunk. The trunk bore a gold Panem Academy symbol with his status typed in bold letters:

Cato Corp; Age 16; Year Six; Career Dormitories

Down two flights of stairs, his mother was yelling for him. Cato hurriedly ran out of his room, dragging his suitcase along with him.

Cato's house was larger than a normal one, yet was not big enough to call a mansion. However, the gleaming jewels embroidered on each wall and chandelier made up for it. Precious metals and gems were used to make "paintings", polished marble and granite were scrubbed and clean as Cato descended them slowly. He was glad that this was going to be his second-to-last year at the academy.

"Hurry up, Cato," his mother snapped. She shoved a plate laden with waffles, eggs, and bacon and hastily squirts maple syrup onto the waffles. Cato slowly dragged his feet until his mother strolls over to snatch his arm.

Cato tried vainly to eat his breakfast but only managed to swallow a delicious piece of bacon. "I'll really miss your cooking," he sincerely told his mother. She smiled, still looking very grim, and takes his trunk to the car. Cato decided that he isn't hungry and followed her.

"Here's some money, $100 in total, for your entire school year," Cato's mother said, stuffing a wallet into Cato's hands. He nodded and got into the car. The drive was quiet, except for the occasional comments and criticism from his mother towards the news. When Panem Academy came into sight, Cato's mother clapped her hands and sped up.

Panem Academy would be a wonderful view if Cato did not know the horrors inside the building. It was marvelous, made of marble and bricks that were painted gold. Windows gleamed, recently washed, and stained glass shone with dignity, reflecting on the translucent staircase that lead up to grand doors. The doors had golden handles and was cleaned so often that it often blinded passing students.

Down below, Cato watched as students piled out of a train and clambered onto the platform. Many raced to different directions, trying to snag a comfortable velvet armchair. Immediately Cato noticed a girl he had never seen before. She was quick to claiming a chair; she had shoved her body through the crowd and darted with such speed that Cato had a difficult time watching her. When she sank into a chair, Cato could see no tiredness but gleaming eyes and a strange smirk that seeming to be smacked onto her face. Cato didn't know why she looked so dangerous; the girl had a scrawny body and long dark hair that would distract her when running. Nonetheless, her aura was those of a threat.

"Look at those people," Cato's mother smirked. "Trying to scramble for some cheap chairs while we have jeweled art at home. You could tell just by looking that they're poor." She turned the car so severely that Cato got smushed into the window.

"Goodbye, Tocato (Geddit? Tomato?)!" his mother shrieked after him. Cato groaned. His home was far away. Now, he has to endure boring lectures, stressful exams, and most of all… girls.

Just as he thought of that, a beautiful girl bounded up to him. Glimmer lived up to her name, with sparkling green eyes the color of emeralds and flowy blonde hair that gleamed in the sunlight. She noticed Cato staring at her hair and took advantage by flipping it in a way so that everything seemed to be in slow motion. Cato continued goggling at her. Glimmer giggled and pushed some boys out of the way.

The sixth-year girl strutted towards Cato and said, "Cato, tomorrow is my seventeenth birthday and I'm inviting people who would make me look good in public. How 'bout you pretend to be my boyfriend for the day?" She flashed a flirty smile and flipped her hair again.

Cato was stunned. Pretend to be her boyfriend? As pretty as she was, Cato had no feelings towards Glimmer and was sometimes even annoyed. His best friend, Marvel, had confessed his love for Glimmer to him, and Cato was rooting for Marvel to win her heart. Noticing Cato's silence, Glimmer added, "And in the end, we might do something more than pretending…" She giggled and batted her eyelashes.

"Oh, um, look at the time! I better get going to the dormitories now," Cato quickly said.

He had barely gone up the third step when Glimmer grabbed his arm. "Slow down, cowboy," she said. Her voice had lost its flirty quality. Glimmer noticed and said in a girly voice, "Remember I'm also in the Career dorms? I'll come with you." She hastily climbed up the stairs, still clutching his arm, and pulled Cato along with her.

When they reached the door, Glimmer yanked it open and barked to the people inside, "Outta my way, people!" Glimmer sashayed through the path that had been created by the sea of people, half-dragging, half-guiding Cato with her. The boys were staring intently at Glimmer and drooling slightly while the girls were checking out Cato's muscular arms.

Suddenly, the scrawny girl appeared by his side. Cato gave a loud yelp and people craned their necks to see shy. The girl glared at him, and muttered, "I know why you look so uncomfortable. That girl's a nightmare. I had to sit next to her on the train. Still can't believe I'll be sharing a dorm with her."

"Ahem!" Glimmer cleared her throat and shot the girl a nasty expression. "This is MY boyfriend, Clover."

"Clove," the girl whispered.

"Whatever. The point is, back off!"

Cato expected some tears to appear in the girl's eyes, but instead she glowered. Clove suddenly grasped Cato's arms and Glimmer gasped. Glimmer swore loudly as she let go to rip Clove off. Clove took advantage and pelted at full speed towards the stairs that lead to the dormitories. To Cato's surprise, he was being dragged with ease. However, Clove was still slowing down and beads of sweat trickled down.

"I've… carried… knives… heavier… than this!" Clove gasped for air. Cato was alarmed. Knives?! Cato started to grab railings to stop them, but Clove always managed to yank him off. When they reached the top of the stairs, Clove let go and collapsed.

"Are you okay?" Cato shrieked as he scrambled to check her pulse. Clove made a feeble laugh as Cato pressed various parts of her wrist.

"You obviously are not skilled at medical injuries. It tickles when you press that spot." Clove stuck out a part of her wrist and Cato gingerly touched it. She burst out laughing but was interrupted by a fit of coughs and wheezes.

Clove got up to her feet and wobbled slightly. Cato swiftly supported her with his arms and lead her to the Career dorms. He felt strange being so close to a girl that he was caring for, and decided he liked Clove as a friend.