Chapter 1: Back In District 2

Clove

Before I knew it, here I am, on the stage in front of the justice building in District 2, with Cato beside me, waving and smiling at everyone cheering for us for our victory in the 74th Annual Hunger Games. I remember the first time I stand here, a tribute representing our district, but time really flies, because right now, I'm a victor, being honored by everyone because of what I have done. I turned to look at Cato and smiled as I see him very proud of himself. He also turned to look at me and grabbed my hand. He held it up high in the air and we turned our heads back to everyone.

I can see my parents smiling at me with proud expressions on their faces. Finally, I have managed to impress them. I became a victor just like my father and accomplished what my mother didn't. Of course they're proud of me. Of course they're happy to see me. I have achieved all my goals.

I can also see my two best friends, Helen and Rina, smiling and waving at me. Helen is sitting on a wheelchair, with Rina accompanying her. It looks like her injury really is serious. She lost her chance of volunteering and being in the games this year because of this. And up to now, she's not yet okay, considering the fact that she still needs a wheelchair to travel. If it weren't for this injury, it might have been her standing on this very stage instead of me. But seeing her happy face like this really convinces me that there's no bitterness in her toward me and she's just as happy as anyone else to see me survive the games, to see me win the games and make it back to District 2, alright and alive.

Cato

After presenting ourselves in front of District 2, Clove and I were escorted to our respective houses in the victor's village. As I stepped inside my new house, I see my little sister, Chloe, running towards me. She's only five years old but you can already see the resemblance between the two of us. We share the same blond hair and the same beautiful blue eyes. She's like the girl version of me.

"Cato!" she said cheerfully as soon as we got hold of each other. I carry her and kissed her on the cheek. I feel so happy to be able to see her again. I must say that I love her so much. "I miss you Cato." Oh, it's nice to hear her cute voice again.

"I miss you too Chloe," I said and kissed her on the cheek once again.

I turned to look at the others. My parents began walking towards me, closely followed by my Aunt Carla, my father's younger sister, who also used to take care of Chloe. Uncle Charles, my mother's younger brother, is nowhere to be found. We're not that close so it doesn't matter much.

"Well done son," my mother said as she patted me on the back.

"I always know that you could do it too," Aunt Carla said.

"In case you're wondering, your Uncle Charles left," my mother said. "He was sent to District 5 to be the head peacekeeper there."

"Anyway son, we decided not to move out of our old house since it's closer to our family business," my father said. Of course, we don't want to depend on the capitol for everything.

"We'll just visit if we have the time," my mother said.

"We'll be going now son," my father said.

"Take care," my mother said.

Aunt Carla took Chloe away from me and they made their way outside.

Clove

Here I am, in my bedroom in my new house in the victor's village. I'm lying on my bed but I'm not yet asleep. I'm just staring up at the ceiling wondering about things. I said to myself that I would not fall for someone, but after kissing Cato in the arena, I realized that I'm falling for him and I can't stop myself anymore. Back in the train, he just showed me that he wanted me and I just showed him that I wanted him back. After that, I knew that it signifies something, something with regards to our relationship. I still can't figure out how we're going to be official, because right now we're not.

I ended up my thoughts as the telephone on my bedside table suddenly rings. I sit up to answer the call.

"Who's this?" I asked immediately, wondering who on earth would call me this late at night.

"Guess." I smiled as I hear the familiar voice of Cato on the other line.

"Cato," I said, smiling.

"I thought you wouldn't recognize my voice," he said.

"So, why did you call?" I asked him, still smiling.

"Oh, I just want to hear your voice," he said. "You know, before going to sleep."

"Hmm," I said.

"I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow," he said.

"I guess."

"I can't wait," he said and I smiled again.

"Goodnight Cato," I said.

"Goodnight Clove," he said. I think this signals the end of our conversation. I was about to put the receiver back down when he added, "Sweet dreams," and this ends our conversation. I think I'll be able to have a good night's sleep.

Next morning…

Clove

I woke up early the next morning. I washed my face and combed my hair before going downstairs for breakfast. In the kitchen, I made some pancakes and poured milk in a glass. I placed them on a tray and bring them in the dining room. I sat on one of the chairs encircling the dining table and eat my breakfast. Doing all of this by myself reminded me that I'm all alone in this house. My mom and dad decided not to move out of our old house since it's closer to our family business. They said they'll just visit if they have the time.

After eating my breakfast, I made my way back upstairs to take a bath. I decided to visit my parents' house and proceed to the Academy and check out what's happening there. After taking a bath, I dried myself up and get ready.

After 15 minutes, I found myself staring at my reflection in the mirror. I'm wearing a black dress that falls on my knees and black sandals. I'm also wearing my hair down. After that, I went downstairs and go straight at the door. I opened it and take a few steps outside.

Cato

Here I am, in Clove's parents' house, sitting on one of the couches in their living room along with two others. Clove's parents are sitting on another couch facing us. I came here to meet them, to ask permission to court Clove, to prove myself worthy of their daughter. The same reason why the two others are here as well.

Sitting beside me is Paul, a boy my age (16), tall, thin and looks really weak. We've met before, at my party the night before the reaping, where Clove introduced him to me as an old friend. Our first meeting wasn't… good. I've been bitter about him ever since. Sitting beside him is Jayson, a 19-year old boy, tall and muscular. He used to train at the Academy as well but didn't have the courage to volunteer and participate in the games when he came of age (18). What a coward, and yet, he still managed to boast around in here. I've seen him before because we used to train together but we weren't that close. And I'm sure Clove and him weren't that close either. I'm not even aware that he's interested in Clove. Well, maybe it's because I didn't care that much way back then.

I know that we're different people but I also know that we have one thing in common: Clove. That's why I'm willing to try my best to win her heart. Back in the train, I knew that she has something with regards to me too but I'm not going to rely on that alone, not with these competitors around who want her as much as I do, just because of a tiny possibility that she has feelings for me too.

We're still discussing about some things when the door suddenly opened. We turned our heads to see who came in. It was Clove.

"Clove, darling, you're here," her mother said. "Perfect timing, these three gentlemen here were just asking permission to court you." She eyed the three of us intently.

"Come here darling. Sit with us," her father said. Clove then made her way towards us and sat beside her mother.

"What brought you here darling?" her mother asked.

"Oh, I just came here to visit," she said, still eyeing the three of us intently. For all I know, she wasn't expecting this. I never told her about my plans with regards to the two of us.

"Well, I'm sure you're already familiar with these three," her father said and she nodded. "So it won't be a problem, having them to court you."

"Of course," she said.

Clove, I hope you won't make this hard for me.

Clove

I left the room first after the meeting. Right now, I'm outside our house, thinking. Well, I wasn't expecting to find the three of them, Cato, Paul and Jayson, in our living room, introducing themselves to my parents to be able to court me. I was startled because no boy ever dared to court me before. But I felt glad seeing Cato among them. Inside me, I know that he's the one I'm going to choose. But I'll see to it that he won't be able to get what he wants easily. I don't want him to think that I'm an easy-to-get girl. Besides, what's the harm of giving the two others a chance? I'm sorry Paul, but you're just a friend to me and nothing more. I hope you'll be able to understand. And Jayson, even though we're not that close, I'm sorry too, because Cato is the one I can't live without, not you.

I ended up my thoughts as I felt someone grabbed my hand from behind. I turned around and see Cato, smiling at me.

"Clove, for you," he said, handing me a bouquet of flowers. I accepted it and smiled back at him. Not too far away from us, I see Paul and Jayson, walking their way towards us, also with bouquet of flowers with them. I just stand here, wondering how the four of us will end up in the end.