Hi guys! So this is my very first fan fiction. I decided to write this because I was really inspired by all the written works that I've read here and on Tumblr, and because I really love Clato that I just had to put my feelings into writing.

And yes, you may notice that the way I wrote this chapter is similar to how 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' was written. Why is that, you may ask? Well simply because I just finished re-reading the book and the style just sort of rubbed off on me.

Anyway, enjoy!


May 19, 2970

Dear Friend,

The reason that I am writing to you right now is because I have heard from a couple of people that you are one who listens to anyone without judging them. I honestly thought that people like you are already extinct due to the kind of society we have, but I sure am glad that I was wrong. I know you well enough by now (no, I will not tell you how I came to know you), and in a couple of weeks, maybe even days, you'd be sure to know me inside-out. Right now, a person like you is just exactly what I need; someone who's willing to listen to the dirty details of Clove Rye's life.

However, shall you decide to just ignore my letters completely and not read them at all, you are free to do so I will never know considering how far away we are from each other. Nonetheless, this will not stop me from writing to you, so please, bear with me.

This morning was just like any other morning I've had here in District 2 since my mother died; it was quiet and empty what with my father being a Peacekeeper stationed all the way in District 4, so basically, I am all alone in our two-story house. It's the same routine every single day: get up, make and eat breakfast, and then eventually walk all the way to The Academy, the place where they train the future District 2 victors of the Hunger Games. The Academy isn't exactly legal. It is known all across Panem that training for the Hunger Games is highly prohibited. However, being the most favored district of the Capitol, they don't really give much thought to it even though we know that the authorities know exactly what is going on in our district.

Anyway, this morning as I walked out of the door and onto the porch on my way out, I noticed a familiar figure pacing a couple of meters from my house… Cato. My heart skipped a beat as I walked towards him, intrigued at his sudden appearance in my street. A few feet away from him, he abruptly looked up, a hint of surprise crossed his perfect features. His blue eyes met mine and he somehow ran his fingers through his dirty blond hair.

We stood there just staring at each other for a couple of awkward moments and I raised my eye brows and said, "Well, hi. Mind explaining what you're doing in front of my house?"

He shifted from foot to foot as he replied, "Hi. Err, I was wondering that.. well… uhm…" I'd have to be honest and say that it was highly amusing seeing Cato – the well-built, deadly, feared-by-everyone, emotionless, rock-hearted, cocky guy – struggle with his words and at keeping his usually fearsome and composed mask.

"Yeah…? Go on." I said, trying so hard to hide my amusement.

He sighed deeply and continued, "I was just wondering if we could walk together to the Academy today…" his eyes hopeful and yet somewhat nervous that I would turn down his offer.

"Sure. I don't see why not," I said with a smile. Cato sighed, obviously relieved and smiled back at me, something he rarely does at all. It was all I could do to not jump around and tell the whole world how happy I am to actually have Cato, THE CATO (the only guy I've ever had a crush on), smile at me and actually walk with me to the Academy.

A little background on Cato. He's 15, just a year older than I am, which also means that he's a year ahead of me in the Academy. He lives a couple of streets away from me. His father is a Peacekeeper stationed in District 5, leaving him with his mother and 2 younger twin siblings who aren't old enough to walk yet: Esme and Seth.

The first time Cato and I met is a day that I would never forget. I was 11 and my mother had just died. I was out in our porch, staring at the note my dad had left telling me that I will be attending the Academy to train for the Games, and that he was sorry he couldn't accompany me there but have already arranged everything and all I have to do is show up. It wasn't like I needed anyone to accompany me anyway. I knew where the Academy was practically ever since I had the ability to think. My parents have always brought me there to watch the future tributes train and have put in my mind that someday, I too will be training in the Academy to be the best tribute District 2 will ever have and be crowned as Victor.

I crumpled the letter, ran upstairs to get my set of knives (my parents' gift to me for 11th birthday), and ran all the way to the Academy. Just as I was about to enter the doors, a tall blond boy stepped in front of me, making me collide with him.

"What the hell?" I shouted, pissed.

He chuckled, looking down at me with that smirk of his. "I believe you're in the wrong place, tiny. Baking classes are right across the street."

I was infuriated. How dare he call me tiny? I knew that I was somewhat small for my age but NO ONE has ever called me "tiny", and he sure as hell didn't have the right to be the one to call me that.

He saw my enraged expression and stalked away, laughing. I drew one of my knives and threw it at his direction, missing him by a couple of centimeters, and hit a wooden patch in front of him. I ran to him and attached myself to his back with one of my knives violently thrashing at his hair. He yelped, doing his best to get my enraged self off him. A couple of moments later the head Trainer, Lucius, appeared out of nowhere and furiously detached me from Cato, throwing me to the ground. So yes, I spent my first day at the Academy being punished (what was the punishment? I'd rather not say). And yes, Cato had to have his hair shaved (much to his dismay) due to the damage I have done.

As the weeks passed by, neither Cato nor I have said a single word to each other, both of us keeping to ourselves. We'd pass by each other in the hallways, giving each other death glares. And soon enough weeks turned into months and months into years. Death glares pointed at each other turned into hopeful glances and shy smiles. There were times when I'd catch him staring at me from across the Academy gym, then suddenly look away the moment our eyes met.

Training at the Academy was no easy thing. People were all hard on the job to be the greatest Tribute all of Panem has ever seen. Affection was rarely shown. Young, harmless kids grow up to be brutal, heartless killing machines. That's who we are. My growing liking for Cato, the guy who could kill with his bare hands even at a very young age, was a feeling I tried so hard to suppress. But our silent exchanges, the way his hard emotionless eyes softened every time they met mine or how I'm the only person he's only ever smiled at, have really made it hard for me to put my feelings at ease.

And now, there I was, walking the quiet streets of District 2 with the only guy I'm willing to let my guard down for. I was wearing my usual red tank top, black shorts, and white rubber shoes with my hair tied up in a tight ponytail. I somehow managed to keep my cool, emotionless face although inside, I was already hyperventilating solely because I was walking all alone with Cato. Yeah, I know I'm such a girl aren't I?

"So tell me… Why did you suddenly decide to walk with me to the Academy today?" I ask him, allowing myself to turn my body towards him as we walked.

"I don't really know, honestly. I guess, I just decided that it's about time to put my worries aside and do what I've always wanted to do…" he said giving me that perfect half-smile, taking one of my small hands in his big, calloused one.

"Cato Brode actually has worries?" I replied, teasing. He caught me off guard at his words and especially by his actions. HE ACTUALLY TOOK MY HAND AND HELD IT. (okay, I know I must sound pathetic right now and I don't sound quite as fearful as I claim to be. But please, this is a side of me that only you will ever know about. Yeah, you must feel so special right now.)

"Hey, I'm human too. Although most people think so otherwise."

I smile at this, remembering how almost everyone couldn't stand being in a 5-meter radius as him. Well, okay maybe I'm a bit exaggerating. But you get the picture? No one ever goes near him. Cato is the guy everyone fears. Not me though, I fear no one but fear itself. So I looked at him and said, "I know you are."

That was the first conversation I've ever had with Cato ever since the day we met. And in those few sentences, a confession about our true feelings for each other has been made, certain that our 'relationship' will finally have some progress.

We walked all the way to the Academy in silence, with him tracing tiny circles on my hand with his thumb. As we walked up the marble stairs of the respected place, people all around turned their heads towards us, obvious shock shown in their faces. Cato seemed quite amused though, tilting his head a bit higher with that that cocky grin spread across his face as he pulled me closer to him.

I couldn't have entered the Academy doors in a better way than I had this morning. The entire day, Cato and I did our training sessions together. Although that arrangement was highly unusual (what with the 2 of us always wanting to train alone) no one bothered asking us why and how things changed, not even Lucius.

Right after training, Cato walked me all the way to my house. Just as we approached my front door, he grabbed me by the waist and pulled me to him enclosing me in a tight embrace.

"Thank you for today, Tiny," he whispered, his lips on my hair.

I chuckled, "No problem. I had a good time."

He let me go after a few moments and put both my hands in his. "I'll see you at the same time again tomorrow?"

"You know where I'd be," I replied with a wink.

"Great," and with that, he gave me a peck on the cheek and ran all the way to his house. I watched him until he was completely out of sight, and went straight inside my house with the biggest smile ever placed on my face.

And up until now, as I put this letter to a close, I'm still wearing the smile he gave me.

I know what you're thinking: it all happened so fast. Well guess what, you're not the only one. I never expected today to turn out like this. But I'm glad it did.

Well, thanks for your time. I don't know for certain when my next letter to you will be or what the contents of it may hold. But rest assured that it will arrive with greater details and deeper happenings in my life. Besides, I wouldn't be writing to you if that weren't the case.

Love always,

Clove.


How was it? Please review. This is the first time I ever wrote a story that isn't schoolwork so I would really love to know what you guys think no matter how bad it is. Thank you!