Clove's POV

A harsh pounding woke me up at the crack of dawn. My eyelids fluttered open and instantly regretted it, the heavy daylight streaming through the windows was blinding. Shit, today was Reaping Day. I lazily got out of bed and a note from my father laid on the kitchen door, it read: "Dear Clove, Happy Hunger Games. I'm sorry I can't be with you but the butcher's store opened early today. One of your mother's dresses lays on the chair. You'll look beautiful as always. Love always, Dad." Love, it was a word that didn't belong in District 2. It was a forbidden word, to be more precise. Everyone's marriages were set up by their parents or the people that worked in the Justice Building. My father had been set up with my mother but they had been in love before that. My mother too young at 19 and working as a seamstress. We didn't know what love was. Of course we knew family love, which is what I felt for my father. But not the butterflies and electricity between you and another human being. It is an undecsribable feeling. Or so I hear. We were immune to pain and I guess to love as well. Here in District 2, you are set up to create more human beings and send them to the Games so they could bring pride to this district who's thirst for victory could not be quenched. It was sad but it was us and we didn't give three shits. I looked to my left at my mother's old red dress it reached up to my thighs probably but it was the only one that was my size. My father was a meat butcher in District 2, my mother passed away giving birth to me. My only passion was knives. Sharp and deadly or smooth and harmless both were useful to me. My father was a butcher so I spent my spare time around them anyway. In District 2, we have many many training centers. My father encouraged me to go and try since I was giftly skilled with knives but I refused being stuck with arrogant monsters. As time passed I became a monster myself. I hated it but I became blood lust and merciless. One day I just embraced it. Ever since, all I do is aim and aim and aim. I never take pity. I never have mercy. I figure if you keep to yourself, you can't get hurt. I may have no friends but I wasn't like the other girls with their gossipy actions and big curves. I was small at 4'8 and had small curves but I was me. I was Clove.I quickly dressed and was shocked to see how short it was. My bare legs were incredibly visible. I scowled at myself in the mirror. My hair in a simple ponytail and my face into its harsh unforgiving scowl. I only took pity on my father because well he was the only true blood I had left. This year I would be 17 and I was waiting until I was 18 to go to the Games, there I could prove how badass I truly was. I arranged my two favorite knives deep in my ponytail. Everyone thought they were decorations. Idiots. In District 2 everyone knew everyone trained. It was just something we kept to ourselves. It was illegal, no wonder. Having the knives deadly gift had earned me quite the reputation at school. Not something I admired just something I was proud of. Whispers about the Girl with the Knives and secrets about me being the devil's child. Bigger Idiots. In a couple of minutes, I was at the town square with my scowl in place.

"Happy Hunger Games" Octavian, District 2's escort for the last decade, trills. God how I could just kill him now. With his stupid pale orange skin and vile green hair. Made me sick.

I scanned the crowd and found my father. Smiling, as usual but I could see the fear and worry in his eyes for my safety.

"Normally it would be ladies first but I'm feeling rather boyish."smiles Octavian in his strange Capitol accent. His pearly teeth glistening in the sunlight. Nobody cares, just get on with it.

"For our boy tribute, we have St-" He was cut off by a deep growling voice. "I volunteer!" A strong, muscular boy with golden blonde hair made his way to the stage. Something about his malicious glare and cocky smile repulsed me. "What's your name?" Octavian cheered. "Cato, Cato Hadley." Then he smiled again and this time I noticed his eyes. Those blue... no not blue. They were beautiful sapphire gems twinkling in the sun. His eyes were truly beautiful, if only the rest of him could be too, I thought.

"Now for our ladies.." Octavian says brightly. My heart stops beating and I don't know why. "We have Ms. Clove Mason!" Octavian smiles at the crowd.

That's why.

My face drains all color and I'm frozen to the ground, my brain still processing what just happened. Me? A tribute in the 74th annual Hunger Games. Me, District 2's victor. Me...getting killed. My thoughts were interrupted when a band of Peacekeepers came and carried me to the stage. You heard CARRIED me. I pushed them away harshly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our District 2 tributes for the 74th annual Hunger Games!" Octavian pats my back gently. I want to stab him. But I don't, I muster my most badass smirk and try my best not to pass out right there.

"Alright you two, shake hands.." Octavian trills cheerfully.

I watched as the boy took my hand in his large one. I was surprised at how warm it was for such a cold-blooded person. His eyes had shifted now from sapphire to ocean blue. Even more breathtaking. Such beauty yet deadly.

My hands touched the velvet couch inside the Justice Building. I had made up my mind. I was going to win the 74th annual Games. If I got my hands on a knife or at least a weapon with a sharp point, I could win. Simple as that. The only downside would be having competitors like Cato. Which I could never take out, no matter how skilled I was. I felt so weak. Shit, I hated this vulnerable feeling. My father was ushered inside by some Peacekeepers. "Get your hands off of me!" he said sharply. I rushed over to him.

Once the Peacekeepers left he started talking to me in a soothing voice, stroking my arm gently, and I let him.

"Clove I'm so sorry this happened. But I know you can win. If you get your hands on some knives, you can be brutal." Tears were streaming down his face now. "I love you, my Clove." he sobbed.

I couldn't cry. Not here. Here, I at least had to pretend I was strong for my father's sake.

"Dad, you have to be strong, no matter what you see on that screen. You have to be strong. I'll come back and we'll live in Victor's Village and be filthy rich. But until then you have to be strong." I hugged him tightly and I whispered the forbidden words. "I love you."

He took out a silver charm bracelet. Real silver. That must cost a fortune. "Take it, it was your mother's. That can be your District token." He cried.

"I will cherish it. Thank you." I put it on my right arm, my throwing arm.

The Peacekeepers came and took him away and I was left alone to ponder my thoughts.

After a couple of minutes, Octavian ushered me outside into a car. In about 10 minutes we arrived at the train station. I bid goodbye to my District and went inside after Octavian and Cato.

The train was beautiful inside. Wooden tables shining in the sun. Velvet sofas and loveseats in the most beautiful colors. Large paintings and unusual quiltworks hung on the walls. Luxuries of the most richest kind.

Soon. These luxuries would await me in my house in Victor's Village in District 2.