First story so don't have too high of expectations?
Warning: Explicit Language throughout this story so if you get easily offended, just 'beep' it out in your head?
Cato's POV
The carpets stained, this chair is so fucking uncomfortable, why is it so hot in here? I sat there quietly, hating every second. It wasn't my fault I'm here. I can't be held responsible for beating the shit out of someone if they piss me off, I thought bitterly. "Cato Evens?" I hear a small voice say in front of me. I let out an annoyed sigh as I drag my eyes off a small stain on the floor as I look up to who I presume is my social worker. She is a petite women with bright blue eyes and a friendly enough voice. "Yeah." I give short answers, deal with it. "I'm Cindy, another man called Cinna and I will be taking care of you during your stay. Are you ready to see your room?" "Do I have a choice?" I asked, bored and still very much bitter. She shot me a pleading look, she really did seem like a nice person, I even feel guilty for acting like an ass hole to her. Without any more rude remarks I get up throwing the small bag of belongings over my shoulder.
It wasn't a long walk to my room, a few stairs and down a hall way or two and we were there. Cindy swiftly unlocked the metal door pushing it open to reveal a small room. It was plain enough, cream coloured walls with a large window, in the back corner was a double bed and next to that was a table and chair. "I like what you've done to the place, very creative," I let sarcasm run through every word. Her mouth twitched slightly at my dry humour, "You know, there isn't a rule here that says you can't decorate your own room."
"Yeah, I'm sure crazy people love arts and crafts." Sarcasm really is my second language. "I'll be in the room next to the front desk if you need me," Her words almost echo the room as the door closes behind her. Fuck I hate it here. I don't even need to be here – I'm not crazy! I get angry sometimes, so what? Everyone does, people need to get the fuck over it! I crushed my eyes shut, and begin to take deep breaths, knowing exactly the consequences if I get too worked up. This was not the time and place to black out. Instead I slam the door behind me as I enter the even duller hallways of Panem's Rehabilitation and Mental Hospital.
I stroll aimlessly up and down different hallways, going through doors that lead me into new rooms. Walks are good. Walks clear my min- SHIT! I slam into something hard knocking her to the floor. "Uh shit, sorry! I wasn't paying attention and...Sorry." I ramble on as I help her up. She was small girl, easily a foot and half shorter than me. Her long black her framed her pale face as she looked up at me with glassy brown eyes. "It's fine, my fault." Her voice was only small, matching her petite frame, but none the less it still had sounded somewhat angelic. "No, no I should've paid more attention to my surroundings." I rub the back of my neck vigorously trying to find the right worlds to explain why I practically bulldozered her onto the hard ground. She wrinkled her nose, "Can we just agree that we are both at fault?" Her voice watch much louder now, and somewhat fierce. I like it. "Deal. Uh, Cato." I say holding out my hand. She stared at it, an amused look spread across her face, "We're in a mental hospital, formal isn't really the theme here. But I'm Clove." I let out chuckle, my teeth glimmering at her. Same humour too. "So where ya headed?" I couldn't help but stare at her lips when she talked, she really was a pretty girl. Focus Cato! I shrug,"No where in general. I only got admitted here today and felt like going for walk, so I did. I'm not even sure if I know the way back to my room to be honest." This time it was her that laughed at my response. Her teeth shone as she smiled up at me. That smile...Damn! Again his thoughts were interrupted by her voice, "Smart one. I was headed up to the TV room if you wanted to come?" Fuck yes. "Sure, I don't exactly have anywhere else to go." I smile down at her as I follow her through each door.
Again, walking with someone who actually knew the way to places seemed like a much shorter journey. "So what are you in for, or is that too personal?" I hear her ask from my left side. "Um, Anger management or some shit like that," God if it was anyone else I would've told them to piss off. Why does she have such an affect on me? "What about you or...?" I asked hesitantly. I still don't know how crazy she is, or if she even is crazy at all. We sat down on the couch ignoring the TV all together. She had dropped her gaze and was now focussing hard a loose strand of cotton that clung to her oversized sweater. A few more minutes of silenced passed before she had even looked up again, but it wasn't towards me, instead her neck craned to see the small clock on the wall which read 6:00. "It's dinner time." She said breaking the silence. What the hell just happened? We were fine and talking the all of a sudden she shuts down? What's wrong with this girl? "C'mon they don't like it when we're late, and you can meet the others too." Others? "Who?" I asked confused, trying to keep up with her speed walking. Her legs were small, but damn she could move fast! "My friends, you get to meet them." Her tone sounded somewhat happier now. Mood swings?
Clove had practically sprinted into the Cafeteria, instantly sitting down at a table near the middle of the room. I, on the other hand stood awkwardly near the entrance. Fuck, is there a seating plan or can I just sit down anywhere? Clove had begun to wave, attempting to get my attention. Her small hands flailed back and forth indicating for me to come over. It was all the invitation I needed. "Guys this is Cato, he's new here. Cato, this is Katniss, Peeta..." She aimlessly points at each person as I do my best to smile at each of them, "Marvel, Rue, Glimmer,Thresh and Finnick." I take in each of their faces, in hopes I might actually remember their names. "Uh hey.." Shit, I already forgot what name goes to what face.
The food wasn't bad, it wasn't great but still better than expected. "Crap, I'm late for one on one therapy, I'll see you guys in the TV room later!" Clove had already gotten up and was manoeuvring through the crowd and out the metal doors. Is it bad that I miss her already? No! Snap out of it, Cato, you don't even know a thing about her beside her name. "So what are you in for?" A blonde haired girl, Glimmer, I think her name was asked me. Man is that the only questioned ask around here? "Anger issues. You?" Maybe I might actually get a response this time. She smiled, "Anger Management huh, don't get many of them around here. Well I was admitted here for Self Harm." My eyes quickly search her arms but there were no cuts. "Thighs." I hear her say quietly as my gaze meets hers. Way to be subtle about it Cato. "Uh sorry, I was just..." God I'm a train wreck today. She smiled at me again, shaking her head, "No. It's fine, we're kinda use to people like the staff searching. It's not rare either, look around, most of the people here have scars." I shiver at the thought of those frightening scars on Clove. I shove the left over jelly and ice cream away, losing all appetite whatsoever.
I was surrounded by the sound of idle chatter, everyone had tried making a conversation with me but in all fairness I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. Instead I watched the door in hopes that Clove would walk through them at any second. Out of nowhere I could her the girl to the left of me, Katniss I think her name is, lean over and whisper into my ear. "She won't be back till later. 8 I think." I seriously need to work on my subtly! I look down not even having the balls to answer her. It wasn't much longer when everyone got up, Thresh, the big masculine one had announced they were going into the TV room. Man, that dude is almost, if not bigger than me! Still not knowing where anything is, I simply follow Cloves' friends. Fuck, I need a map or something! "So how curious are you?" I hear a voice say behind me. I turn my body, looking back at the direction of the familiar voice. Glimmer. "Curious about what?" I ask, as she catches up to my pace. "About who is fucked up with what." I smiled at her explanation, it really did sound like something I would say. "Honestly, a little." I wasn't lying either, I really did want to know why people are in here, especially Clove. "Well you already know about me and you're going to find out about the others sooner or later. So, Katniss has bad Anxiety. Rue has an eating disorder. Marvel is suicidal. Finnick and Peeta suffer from depression. And Thresh has deep physiological issues. But like I said before, the majority of us are cutters, so you can work it out." She had summed up everyone's illness except for the one I actually care about. "And Clove?" I pressed. Her faced crinkled,"Uh Clove's...different. She has a couple of things, but I wouldn't be able to tell you. She rarely does group sessions and that's where most of the info comes from. She's hard to explain, but all I know is that out of all of us she is the most... fragile, so be careful around her, with what you say and stuff." So she really is messed up...I felt like someone had just hit me straight in the stomach. She's so small and fragile, I don't care if I don't know her. I won't let a single thing hurt her ever again.