I do not own The Hunger Games or the characters. (But if I did? Well, that would be stupendous!) Enjoy :)


I just wanted to get Cato home. Even if I didn't make it, I did everything I could.

And maybe he can, but he'll be on his own now, I think to myself. I'm lying in a pool of blood on the soft ground. That girl from District Twelve had better win with Lover Boy if I can't with Cato.

The monstrous boy from Eleven sure did a good job of smashing in my skull. Stars spin across my vision and I hear something. I think someone's calling my name…Cato? At least I'll see him before I fall to an endless sleep.

He's coming closer. I can hear the hurt in his voice, and it makes me want to cry with him, but I'll be strong when I die. I'll be tougher than they expect because we didn't think it would happen like this.

Cato's reached my side and cradles my bloodied body in his arms. "Clove, please! Stay with me! Please!" And now I feel even worse. "Don't die, please!" His voice quiets to sobs and I can't help but shed a tear.

The sky overhead is a baby-blue, but it's just a projection. It's just a mask, hiding the real sky from me. I see a butterfly flutter past me and think of better times. Of laughing with my brother. Of hugging Dad when he came home from the blacksmith shop. Of talking to Mom on the worst days and making it so much better with her.

I shouldn't have been so eager to be in the Games. What a sick and pitiful state we humans have come to. I thought I had a chance, and maybe I did, but it's gone now.

And I look up at Cato and see his face, tears falling from his baby-blue eyes. He was gentler than he appeared, more loving than he showed. He put up a mask, a projection of brutality that I saw past. I felt something different for him. Not a lust to kill him, a need to protect him.

I guess I'll say it. There's not much else that matters to me now. "…Cato?" My voice is weak.

His eyes meet mine. "What is it?" Desperation is clear in his words.

"Win…for us…"

His lips meet mine. My first kiss. And this is how it happens.

"I love you," I whisper, locking our gaze.

"…I love you, too, Clove," I'm slipping away from him. I wish I could hold on longer. Go home with him and live 'happily ever after'. But I guess that only happens in fairytales. At least we have now.

One more kiss is placed on my lips. I smile, and look up.

Before I close my eyes, I look into his. My first love.

And my last.


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