Alright. Chapter 2. I got this. Whoo! I hope this goes good. These next couple chapters go back to Clove and Cato's journey through the process of the games from Reaping Day to the first chapter.
Here we go.
Chapter 2
Clove pov
Reaping Day
I woke up excited, very excited. Today is the Reaping Day, the day I get to volunteer as tribute to take some one else's place in the 74th annual Hunger Games.
I jumped out of bed and nearly straight into the tub of water my mother had drawn for me, as always on this day of the year. But this year is different. This is the year I volunteer. I'm leaving District 2 today, on a fast train to the Capitol. But one thing that is the same, is I get pampered.
My mother had sewn me a deep purple gown. The bodice hugged mine tightly and puffed out at the hips and caught all the light on its way, cascading to the floor. My hair was curled, the way it looked its best, my bangs pinned back behind my ears. My mother came in carrying small jars of assorted colors .
"What are those" I asked hesitantly.
"Make up" Make up was something that people used on their faces to make themselves more appealing. My mother always said it was used to highlight natural beauty. However, make up was such a rarity in the districts, I wondered what she had spent or traded trying to acquire this. It was usually passed down as heirlooms and reserved mainly for weddings at the least.
"Oh my gosh, Momma, how in the world did you get this?"
"It doesn't matter. The point is, we are going to highlight your – "
"My natural beauty, yeah, I get it." I rolled my eyes and chuckled.
She swept a brush coated in a solid purple color across my eyelids. A black liquid the same color as my hair touched my eyelashes and my tear lines. As she did all this, I thought.
I don't like people. I never really have and I doubt I ever will. I have never really been one to make friends easy, and mostly because I didn't want to. My mother was one of the few people on this planet that I have ever cared for. Her and my father. I just am not a considerate person. I'm selfish and I care about power. That's the reason I'm so excited about the games. This is the one place in the world I will be able to dominate and show off my strength. Though, there was one other person I cared for. One person that could turn me from a cold blooded killer into... a girl. But not for long. Because he, is just like me.
"Oh... Clovely?" A male voice came forth in my doorway. I recognized it immediately.
"Cato!" I flung my arms around his neck before stepping back to admire him. He wore a gray dress shirt the same color as his eyes, tucked into black dress pants and polished shoes. His blonde hair didn't hang in his eyes now, it had been brushed back. "You look – "
"You're so.."
"Perfect" We said in unison. My mother chuckled.
Cato and I traveled through town to the center, his hand tightly wrapped around mine. He tapped his thumb on the back of mine and he averted all eye contact when we talked. His answers we short, one word, almost snappy.
"Whats going on with you, Cato?"
"What do you mean 'whats going on'? Nothings going on. Nothing's wrong. Why would you ask that?" He spoke fast, releasing my hands and running his hands through his hair then shoving them in his pockets.
Really?
"Clovely.. I need to ask you something." I didn't respond so he continued, then stopped. Cato grabbed me by my shoulders and set me down on the edge of the fountain. "Clover Sevina, I love you. And... And if... When.. You come home.. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He swiftly kneeled down directly in front of me."Clove, will you do the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?"
"I don't.. I. Cato. I'm sixteen. You're eighteen! This.."
"No no no no no Clove, no listen. Just answer me something. Do you ever want to be with anybody except for me?"
"No."
"Will you marry me? Clove. Please. Your leaving made me realize that life is way too short. I don't want to waste another second without having you."
"Yes. Yes. Cato. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife." The biggest smile I had ever seen broke across Cato's face. He kissed me and spun me around in his arms. "Now put me down. Nobody is going to think I'm intimidating with my boyfriend – "
"Fiance." he interrupted.
"Fine, with my fiance spinning around in the air making me giggle." I pushed his arms away from me and released his hand.
"Wait." He slid the ring on my finger. A perfect fit. "Its almost as beautiful as you." With one last kiss, we became serious. I became the girl that district two would soon know as their victor.
"Hello children of District 2!" Jazmeena Munarch tapped the microphone with a long orange finger nail. "And welcome to the 74th annual Hunger Games! Lets not waste time and pick the girls!" she walked – more like glided – to the glass bowl of tributes. She seemed to not take steps. "Amirse Colner. Now. Do we have any volunteers?"
"I volunteer as Tribute." My voice did not waver nor falter. I sounded calm, steady, deadly. Jazmeena Munarch waved me forward with a too-big grin. Cato gave my hand one last squeeze. "Ill be home soon." I whispered under my breath, but I don't know if it was more for Cato, or myself.
Cato promised me that we would never go into the games together. He gave up volunteering this year – his last year eligible since he will be turning 19 soon – so that I could volunteer. I knew I had to win or else Cato's sacrifice would be for nothing.
"Now for the boys..."
My heart dropped.
"Cato Hadley."
My mind went numb. No. No. It will be okay. Its fine. Everybody wants to be in the games. Somebody will volunteer, they have to.
"Do we have any volunteers?" not a single hand raised. Not one. Not even an unsure face. Everybody knew Cato was a stone cold killer. They knew he had a real chance. They have seen him in training. Everyone knew Cato would win – even me – so they were going to let him.
Cato's feet started to move, then stopped at the bottom of the platform. He glanced back to the crowd with pleading eyes. But nobody answered his last cry for help.
I will not cry. I will NOT cry. I refuse to allow them to think this will phase me. So for now, I will choke back my tears, I will not scream or cry, or even look passive. I will smile. I will shake Cato's hand. Then tonight when I'm alone, I will let the worst pain I've ever felt rush over me and consume me. I will throw myself into my training and I will lose the Hunger Games. For Cato.
So, how was that? Still good? For those of you who have never read any of my stories, this is where I like to talk about the reviews I got on the last chapter and answer them. Here we go.
Joyfire:
"You know, honestly, when I clicked I didn't know what to expect. When I read, I was intrigued. Clove is a difficult character to write because she isn't all lovey-dovey and sugary. Many make the mistake of writing her so, but I believe you made a successful attempt of creating a believable Clove. I would like you to continue because it sounds like you have a good story on your hands."
I agree completely. Ive read a lot of stories where I was like "Wait a second. Are you writing about Clove or Alice Cullen? Damn. But I see where I have let a little but of the girly seep in, I'm going to try to keep it down to a minimum. Thanks a lot though. I'm going to try to keep it going.
CupcakeBakingUnicorns:
"Babe. This is great. :)"Well, Love, Thank you.^.^
