We'd known each other for years, since we were nine to be precise we'd met at the Training Academy and he was just a shorter and younger version of himself. Now whilst I, I was seen as a sweet brown haired infant who would never be able to turn into the ruthless and lethal killer Careers are supposed to be known as. I still remember the day by heart, the first day I attended the academy.
"Mummy," I shouted, down the halls.
"Yes Clove?" The reply came.
"I have nothing to wear mummy." I shouted
The sound of footsteps echoed throughout the house and my mother appeared in the doorway, clutching my one year old sister, Elle in her arms, to see her four year old daughter sat in a pile of clothes. My mother chuckled and sighed before entering the room and searching through the huge pile of clothes.
"Wear this Clove," My mother whispered, holding up a light blue dress. "You can wear your pumps and I'll tie your hair back with a ribbon, okay?"
I nodded and changed into the dress which fell slightly above my knees, my mother pulled the brush through my long silky brown hair and tied it tightly back in a ponytail with a bright blue ribbon, I twirled slightly in the mirror, nearly toppling over whilst trying. I looked and felt beautiful. Soon enough it was time to go, my mother walked me to the academy and spotted one of her old time friends and dragged me over to talk to her, I looked behind my mother's friend to see a little boy no older than I, blonde beach hair and sparkling blue eyes, it must be her son.
"Yeah, Clove here is joining the academy today, what about Cato?" My mother whispered.
Cato, so that's his name.
"Yes, Cato's turning into such a big boy he's joining today too."
He'll be training with me.
"Maybe Cato and Clove can become friends." My mother suggested.
I looked at Cato and smiled, he returned the smile, I realised he was missing his two front teeth, how cute. My mother took me inside the academy, Cato and his mother trailing behind us slightly, the instructors gathered us up and my mother bent down, kissing my soft forehead.
"I'll pick you up at four okay sweetie, have fun."
I nodded and all parents left the building leaving just the instructors and a room full of crying and babbling children. The instructor a tall and broad man slammed his hand onto the table.
"Everybody, shut up and listen, you're all here for training for the Hunger Games if you train hard enough maybe one day you'll be able to volunteer and become a victor." He shouted.
I realised he made direct eye contact with me.
The instructors went to their stations and we were told to go to which ever station we pleased, most children wandered around like lost sheep but I instantly was drawn to the knife-throwing station. The instructor handed me over three light knifes made of what I think is steel and told me to throw them at the dummies. I did so and the instructor and myself were shocked when all three knifes landed perfectly where the heart would be.
I found my talent.
"Your good," I heard a quiet whisper.
I turned around to see Cato. "Thanks, what are you practicing at?" I asked.
"Sword fighting, but it's too heavy to lift so I'm thinking about hand to hand combat, what about you?" He asks shyly.
"Come on," I say "Lets fight together, I'll pin you down in seconds!" I giggle.
We speed walked over to the empty station and the instructors face lit up when he finally had someone to teach, he showed us how to pin someone down and what to do if they struggled he then let Cato and I have a go, we fought hard for three whole minutes before I finally pinned him down, I held a knife to his throat and smirked before leaning in and whispering.
"Told you so,"