Disclaimer: All canon characters, settings, concepts, etc. belong to Suzanne Collins. I own nothing.
A/N: Fist of all, thanks for clicking on my story and giving it a chance. This is my first full length story and is my imagination of a bit of what Clove's and Cato's lives were like before the games. It is in third person from Clove's POV. There is not much action in this chapter but I promise there it will come. I really appreciate reviews, they help me improve and keep me motivated. I hope you enjoy. :)
Clove Sevina's sweaty ponytail slapped the back of her neck as she finished the end of her grueling ten mile run. She breathed hard as the treadmill slowed down and eventually stopped. She grabbed her water bottle and downed the remaining gulps. She pressed a button on her athletics watch and started checking her stats. As she was recording her work out details a hand clapped down on her shoulder.
"Hey Cato," Clove greeted without even turning around.
"I'm ready to go whenever you are," Cato Hadley said sitting down next to her on the wooden bench.
"Oh cool, just let me change quick," even though Clove and Cato had walked home together every day for years she still got butterflies.
After Clove had changed out of her sweaty clothes she met Cato in front of the looming stone building that was the Career Training Academy.
"Are you ready for testing tomorrow?" Cato asked as they stated down the cobblestone path that led out of the school building.
"Of course I'm ready," Clove answered excitedly.
Testing was a big tradition for potential career tributes. It was a four day process when everyone attending the Training Academy was tested on their health, physical fitness, knowledge and personality. After the results were gathered and compared they made a list of five girls and five boys in each age group 12-18. Then a boy and girl are selected from each grade. Those kids competed until there was one boy and one girl. The winners weren't automatically in the Hunger Games but the tributes who were selected by this process were always better off. They always got tons of sponsors and were told they had the best chances.
"I don't even care who gets chosen," Cato said, "I'm volunteering. This is my year I can feel it."
"I'm not even worried, I know I'm going to get chosen," Clove stated with an arrogant smirk on her face.
"Yeah well, I am too," Cato responded sounding suddenly defensive.
"Sheesh, you know we could both get chosen?"
"I don't want us both in the games," Cato stated firmly.
"I know, I know. You're going to win and I'm going to win the next year," Clove recited talking about the plan she and Cato had devised when they were kids.
"It's a great plan Clove. Please don't do anything to ruin it," Cato growled, losing control of his temper again.
"I won't Cato, calm down."
"Good," Cato elbowed Clove. "I wouldn't want to have to kill you."
"Kill me? Kill me? I don't want to have to kill YOU," Clove laughed.
"Cato! Clove! Wait up guys!" a squeaky voice called out behind them and footsteps pounded on the path.
"Uggggh, I swear that girl is like the plague," Clove whispered standing on her toes to reach Cato's ear. Cato chuckled as Ellary Taylor bounded up and pushed her way between her two fellow careers. Ellary had been Clove's "friend" since they were five. Clove had always hated her but no matter what she did Ellary still adored and clung to Clove. When they were six Clove was moved from the public elementary school to the career academy and she thought she had finally ditched her. One year later Ellary had somehow gotten into the career academy too. Clove assumed her parents had bribed her way in considering Ellary had no skill whatsoever. She was, in Clove's opinion, a tad overweight, sensitive, lazy, weak and whiny.
"So did you hear about Anjelica?" Ellary asked with a sense of concern in her voice.
"Of course we have, we go to the same school you do, idiot," Clove sneered. Anjelica was a girl Clove's age who was supposedly a shoo-in for one of the top five spots in the testing. Earlier that day she had taken a harsh fall down the stairs and was no longer able to compete. "Poor girl, it's a shame she won't get to participate in the tests," Clove said her voice was filled with fake empathy but a smug expression was plastered on her face.
"I know, poor Anjelica," Ellary pouted completely missing Clove's hint. Cato however was not so oblivious. He silently shrugged his backpack off and kicked it down the wooded hill lining the side of the road.
"Aww shit," Cato grumbled pretending like his backpack's little tumble had been an accident. "I should go get that. Wait right here Ellary, we'll be right back," Cato commanded.
"We?" Clove questioned. "What do you mean, we?" Cato didn't answer he just grabbed Clove's arm and dragged her down the wooded slope.
"What the hell?" Cato asked as soon as he was sure they were out of ear shot.
"I was about to ask the same thing, why exactly did you drag me down this hill?"
"I know you pushed Anjelica down the stairs!"
"Yeah, so what?" Clove wondered why this bothered Cato so much. He'd never been bothered by Clove's violence before, in fact he was often more violent than she was. Maybe he had a crush on her or something. At this thought rage flared up in Clove's heart. It wasn't like she and Cato were an official couple but she definitely didn't want him falling for any other girl.
"I just want to know why you wanted to sabotage someone when you don't even plan on being in the games this year," Cato muttered through his teeth. Clove let out a short breath of relief when she realized Cato had no feelings for Anjelica.
"I don't plan on being in the games this year," Clove reassured him, placing her hand on his forearm. "I just want to make sure I get a top five spot in my grade otherwise my dad will kill me, you know how he gets. I know this is your year to win. I'll go next year and then we can live in the victor's village together. Just like we planned."
"Good, I don't want anything jeopardizing our futures. Now come on, let's get my back pack and see if we can find a way home that doesn't involve Ellary."