Okay so I got bored and decided to try something new and in third person.
If you like it then I'll continue. If you don't then I'll cry and delete.
Oh and follow my other stories!
Disclaimer: don't own anything.
Clove Braveheart; a fitting name for someone as courageous and headstrong as she. A true fighter spirit that also had the rare ability to listen to others with respect. Clove held feelings of compassion, empathy, and forgiveness. Never cold blooded hatred, yet never love. She had not experienced the true feeling of love. The spark of elation whenever you see the one, the sudden knowing that you'd do anything in your power to keep your love happy, or even the sense of content security in the arms of your lover, she never got the chance to be blessed with such happiness.
That is, until she finally met the one man who would bring her all this and vice versa.
"Clove!" An irritated tone arising in her cousin's voice as she stormed upstairs and into her room. Barging in without knocking as usual due to the fact they shared a room even if their two story house has enough accommodations. Katniss never felt safe at night anymore, so Clove believed it was her responsibility to protect her now. After all, Katniss is currently vulnerable in her traumatized state being only fourteen whereas Clove herself is already turning sixteen soon.
"Yes, Kat?" She replied calmly, an attempt to sooth her cousin down a little. But they both were tense and were cognizant of the reasons for their discomfort.
"Did you say Madge and JJ could come over today?"
"Oops." She must have been unaware of the dates at that time. "Yeah, but only for a little while to work on a school project."
Her cousin's smoky grey eyes were edged with skepticism, clouded with worry and grief.
"Kat," Clove placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "They know already. They understand-everyone understands- why we always keep to ourselves this day. Don't you think it's time we should have more support in this?"
Katniss Everdeen frowned, not moved at all. "No, I don't want anyone who isn't a part of our family here today."
"You and I both know we can't shut people out like this anymore. I think it's time we try to move on. Our school can only be so sympathetic for so long. They won't let us skip a day for no reason next year. We just missed a whole precious school day which could affect our grades."
"I. Don't. Care." She responded coldly before heading for the door, stopping only to turn halfway. "You know what, forget staying home today. I just can't be here today."
Clove followed her cousin's angry stomps down the stairs. "Just where do you think you're going?"
"To Peeta's," She replied as she laced on her combat boots and rebraided her dark brunette hair. "I'll call Thresh and tell him that Prim will sleepover with Rue at their place. But for now, I need to get out of here."
And with that, the brunette slipped out the front door leaving Clove alone in their depressing abode. It was deathly silent and it unnerved the once fearless raven haired girl. How can one night change someone so much? She is no longer free spirited, outgoing, or even a child anymore. She was forced to grow up to quickly to fend for herself and cousins. There is nothing fair in what these three girls went through, but there is nothing they can do to bring them back.
How can she bear to stand in this place for another second? She had to leave for today. No one would have to relive that fateful night this time.
Katniss heard the ominous rumble of thunder not to far away. She swiftly pulled her dark purple hood over her head and quickened her pace. As the heavy drops of rain attacked her skinny body, she finally allowed herself to let go of the painful tears. Why? Why did this have to happen to her family? Exactly one year passed and the usually smart brunette could not fathom the reason for the tragedy, and never will.
Still in grief, she slide the key from underneath the mat and unlocked the door to the Mellark's house. She did not care if Peeta saw her weeping because he's been there through everything for her. Every act of self harm she committed, every utterly dysfunctional and distressing moment, and every normal day Peeta was by her side guiding her patiently and kindly without expecting anything in return. He is everything to Katniss Everdeen; a lifesaver, an anchor, and a lover.
"Baby, is that you?" Peeta's low and gentle voice called from his living room. She could hear him leave his comfortable position on the couch to see her. She desperately needed him to hold her and tell her everything will be okay like always. The sight of the six foot teenager made her feel better already, her shivering body heating up as if his aura brought warmth through her very soul.
His usual endearing smile and twinkling blue eyes faded once he saw her puffy red eyes, a sign that she had another bad day. "Kit Kat what's wrong?"
Her eyes flitted toward a tall muscular stranger coming from the living room. Piercing blue eyes, spiked blonde hair, and defined jawline, he easily stood around three inches taller than Peeta. He is extremely attractive, Katniss admitted, but she wouldn't even think about it. She has Peeta and that is more than she'll ever need.
Peeta notices her curiosity. "Oh, Katniss this is Cato Brooks. He's new here in town, so I just invited him here to give a warm welcome. He will be attending our school starting Monday."
"Nice to meet you," Katniss said a little stiffly. She was not the best person when it came to introductions of unknown people. Due to her severe trusting issues, it took a while to get her to warm up to others.
A small knowing smirk appeared on his face. Katniss was beginning to think that maybe she will not like this guy as much. "Nice to meet you too. Do you live around this neighborhood?"
"Yes, only a few minutes walking distance."
"Same here. Are you in Queens Court?"
Katniss narrowed her eyes. "Yes..."
The boy smirked again. "I knew I recognized you from somewhere. Our mailboxes are right next to eachother. I'm your new next door neighbor."
She only nodded in apprehension, never able to really keep a conversation going for a long time. The ex neighbors moved a few weeks after that horrible night, no one occupying the house until now. It wasn't as nice as her house; a small one story structure with low ceilings and a small lawn. The low ceilings may pose problems for this giant boy, but it's not like Katniss would ever let him live in her home instead. Her and Clove were respectful and hospitable when they should be, but not enough to allow any one to stay at their home for more than two days. It was hard enough for themselves to remain in their house with all the painful memories bottled up inside.
That's where Peeta comes in. She usually stays at his place whether to do school work, get out of her house on a bad day, or just to spend quality time with him. Whenever she is around him, everything is better. Katniss knows she is very lucky to have someone like Peeta, but Clove is not so fortunate.
Speaking of which...she should call her cousin and apologize. They all head into the living room to make themselves comfortable. Katniss and Peeta cuddling on the couch and Cato relaxing on the chair beside the fireplace. She dials her cousin's number hurriedly, listening to it ring seven times until a voice message went off. Katniss didn't understand. Her cousin always has her phone with her and is very good at picking up her calls. The one time Clove failed to answer her calls was when she suffered a head injury and ended up in the emergency room. After the third attempt to reach Clove, Katniss began to think she may be in trouble after all.
This evoked panic for Katniss. Her cousin could be hurt or even dying...she couldn't risk losing someone else important in her life. She would never be sane again. Flashbacks of that horrible night flooded her already fragile mind causing her to hyperventilate.
"Katniss? Kat! Calm down!" Peeta tightened his grip on the hysterical girl. "What's wrong?!"
"Clove isn't picking up her phone! She's in trouble! I have to go find her!" Katniss gasped. "I can't lose her!"
Peeta looked desperately to Cato. His smirk was swiped clean off his face and replaced with worry and confusion. What happened to the brunette to make her like this?
"Is there anything I can do?" Cato asked desperately. Katniss began thrashing in her boyfriend's arms.
"We need to find Clove and make sure she's okay." Peeta winced when Katniss elbowed him in the stomach. "You know what she looks like?"
"Yes...I'm pretty sure I did." Cato grabbed his car keys. "I'll find her, you get Katniss to calm down."
Katniss elbowed him in the gut again. Peeta groaned in pain. "Sounds like a plan."
He turns to leave, but Peeta calls him again. "Cato! Take Katniss' phone incase Clove tries to call back."
Clove didn't mind the rain; she had other things on her mind. Her body was shivering, completely drenched to the bone, but she didn't care. It started out as a simple jog to clear her mind and ended up as a full out sprint to an undecided destination.
Where the hell is she?
She went too far and as she tried to survey her surroundings her foot snagged a huge crack in the sidewalk, the speed and momentum tossing her five feet and crashing into the rough concrete. Darkness enveloped her as she lost consciousness for a few moments. The rain continued pouring, practically drowning her as she lay almost helplessly there.
Clove Braveheart was anything but helpless. She grit her teeth and gradually brought herself back on her feet. It was a thunderstorm; no one was around to ask if she was okay. She didn't need people to do that anyway for she was always able to take matters in her own hands. But Clove realized she needed to get medical attention immediately when she felt a deep gash on her right calf. She tried to walk a few steps and almost collapsed from the agonizing sensation ripping throughout her leg. Her first priority was to escape the storm and find a safer area to deal with her wounds. As she half limped half hopped, her phone lay on the ground vibrating and slowly dying from the water.
Cato drives around in his RV searching far and wide for the missing girl. She wasn't at her house or the school and now there's no sign of her in this whole neighborhood. This is an impossible task to find Clove in a thunderstorm.
"Where did you go, Clove..?" Cato mumbled to himself.
And right at that moment, Katniss' phone rang. Cato snatched the phone and realized it's from an unidentified number.
"Hello?" Cato answered formally.
"Kat? Is that you?" A girl's voice asked weakly.
"No, but I'm one of Peeta's friends. Is this Clove?"
"Yes may I speak with Katniss please?" Clove persisted.
"She's not with me. Peeta sent me to find you. Where are you?"
Cato could hear the girl wince in pain. "I'm at a telephone booth on...Blue Street."
"Okay stay there. I'll be there in five minutes."
Cato sped the rest of the way to Clove only stopping once he spotted the girl slumped against the phone booth. He jumped out of his vehicle and sprinted to aid the female in distress. She was in bad shape-worse than Clove thought herself to be-she had lost a great deal of blood from a gaping wound on her calf, deep scrapes on her elbows and knees, and her left temple was bleeding from a jagged cut. With an injury like that, she may have a concussion.
"Are you dizzy or faint?" He asks as he finished assessing her wounds.
"No I'm fine," Clove tries to stand on her own, but yelps from the searing hot pain in her calf. She is shivering-practically hypothermic- yet her right leg is burning up. It is not a feeling Clove particularly enjoyed.
"Take my hand." Cato offers gently, sticking out his large calloused hand.
Clove's deep brown eyes flickered up to clash with his piercing blue ones. She has never met this boy before, but there is a familiarity about him that she couldn't put her finger on. He is much more handsome up close she admitted to herself which caused her to abruptly break eye contact. She didn't need to be infatuated at a time like this. Clove needed this boy though, so she hesitantly slid her small hand to fit perfectly in his. Cato met her eyes again. The contact igniting a strange feeling in both their bodies. And as he lifted Clove bridal style toward his RV, the sensation intensified at the close proximity.
Of all the girls Cato had met, befriended, or dated, this one was very different. He never felt so strongly about a girl he had not quite understood yet. Clove bewildered him so much that he could not fathom the feelings stirring up inside.
Clove was not the affectionate type, only dating and befriending a few boys. This was different for her as well and she did not know if she liked this sensation that warmed her up from head to toe. It's indescribable to both of them as they held eachother intimately; foreign and new.
It is the beginning of something that would intertwine their lives together into a bond so strong, it would be unbreakable.