Five Years Later
Cato's P.O.V.
Another Reaping Day. I got into my white shirt and khakis. "Cato! Breakfast is ready! Clove is here too!" My mom called from downstairs. I ran to the table to see Clove already sitting admiring a knife. "Hey." she says when she sees me. "Hey." I say back as I sit next to her. Mom gives us a huge breakfast. She always does on Reaping Day. "Why aren't you changed yet?" I ask Clove. She's still in her pajamas. "I was lazy." she replies as she lifts up her bag of clothes. "I'm going to change here." She gets up and heads for the bathroom. "So. Are you going to ask Clove out any time soon?" Mom says. I look at her with disgust. Clove was my best friend.
"Cato. Can you help me with this ribbon?" Clove says as she walks out the bathroom. It's a slick black dress that reaches her knees. There's a ribbon that goes around her waist and is tied behind the neck. I help her. "Okay kids. Go ahead. I'll meet you at the town center." Mom says. I take Clove's hand and we run to the center.
I hated Reaping Day. We are checked in and put in our separate groups. A lady walks up to the stage and goes over the reading of the treason. "Ladies first!" she says and picks a names from the bowl. "Clove Hemming." She says. I look up as Clove steps up. She's looking at me with the sad eyes I hate. Should I volunteer?
*Flashback*
"You promise me you will not ever volunteer for the games." Mira says. We are sitting on her front steps. This was a week before her family left. She holds up her pinkie. "Even if I ever am chosen to go or if you feel like you are prepared, do not ever volunteer for the games. Do you understand me Cato Patting?" I link my pinkie with hers. "I promise Mirabella Ax." I say to her. She smiles and laughs.
"Now for the boys!" the lady says. "Xavier Han." I instantly shoot my hand up. "I volunteer as a tribute for District 2!" I yell. What was I doing? I promised Mira I would never volunteer. I walk up on stage as Xavier walks up. "What is your name?" the lady asks me. "My name is Cato Patting." We are announced as District 2's tributes. I let Mira down.
We're taken to the Justice building. I sit in the little room. When I was younger, I expected that Mira would come an give me a pep talk if I was ever chosen. "Cato?" I turn to see my mom in the doorway. She hugs me tightly. "Win this and come home. Okay?" I nod my head. Cara, my ten year old sister hugs me too. "Don't die." she says as she cries. After three minutes of hugging, my first and last visitors leave.
Mirabella's P.O.V.
Reaping day again. I look into the mirror. I have my hair swooped down one side. I'm in my light blue dress. It reaches my knees and has a ribbon that ties around my waist. I trained everyday for this day.
I run to the town circle without eating breakfast. I wonder who got picked from District 2. A lady with a wacky wig and ten inch heels walks up to the stage and goes over the reading of the treason. I zone out for a little bit. This happened every year. "Mirabella Ax." the lady says. I unzone. My name was just selected. I walk to the stage. No one volunteers in my place.
I stare at the floor with my eyes wide. I was going to die. "Archer Williams." the little boy walks up. He's weak. I've seen him fight before. "Our tributes of District 4!" the lady announces. The crowd cheers.
No one comes for me in the Justice Building.
Cato's P.O.V.
We watch the other tributes. I keep my eye on District 4. The camera zoomed onto a small Asian girl with brown streaks in her hair. "Mirabella Ax!" I can't believe it. My old best friend is selected as a tribute. It's a good thing she's a Career. "Are you okay?" Clove asks me as she touches my hand. I nod. I can't tell her that Mira was my friend. We watch the rest of the tributes. The last one was pretty intense. That Catnip girl or whatever was obviously just trying to get attention, so she could win instead of her scrawny sister. Well, we'll see about that.
We get to the Capitol the next day and are brought into rooms. They wash us up and Clove and I are put in a room. We are both wearing silk robes. "Hello children!" a young woman walks in. "My name is Silk. I will be your stylist." she says. "Okay. I know that you are from the district of masonry. I'm not going to dress you up in bricks. I have a better idea."
An hour later, Clove and I are dressed in gold gladiator costumes. "You look great!" Clove says. I look in the mirror. It was pretty cool. "Okay! Get in the chariot!" Silk says. I walk in first and helped Clove in. I looked over to Mira. She was in a sea green dress with a coral reef head dress. She represented fishing. I tried to wave, but the chariot went ahead.
Clove and I waved to the crowds. She smiled her cold yet welcoming smile. I looked back to Mira again. She was waving with her warm and welcoming smile. It lit up the room.
We stopped and President Snow made his speech. I still had a grudge on him for sending Mira away. Our chariots were taken away. I helped Clove out. Ignoring Clove's talking, I walk over to Mira. "Hey." I say. She looks at me then slaps me across the face. Then she leaves. It was her way of saying hey back. I smile and walk over to Clove.
Mirabella's P.O.V.
Why was he here? If he was here, then that meant that he would have to kill. This was bad. When I got to my room, I quickly changed and sat on my bed. "Hey." A voice said behind me. It was Cato's voice. "How and what the hell are you doing in my room!" I yelled. Cato smiled and pointed to the open window. He climbed two stories.
I turned away from him. "Why did you break our promise. You told me that you would never volunteer for the Games." I said. I could tell Cato was pretty sad too. "I did it because my best friend was chosen." I smirked. "You're such an idiot. You know that only one of us can survive. That means you can't walk out with your friend." I felt his hand on my shoulder.
"Do you still have it?" he asked. I didn't answer. Cato found the chain to my pendant and pulled it, so the pendant was showing. "I knew you would still have it."
*Flashback*
"Happy birthday Mira!" Cato gave me a box with a ribbon on it. I smile and unwrap it. Inside is a blue crystal pendant. "I chose it because it's your favorite color." He says with that smile I love. I smile back and hug him. "This is the best birthday present ever!"
"I've been practicing you know." I said. Cato smirked. "Well. I can't fight you. Maybe I can see your skills tomorrow during training." I nod. "I gotta go." Cato walks to the window. I follow. "I'll see you tomorrow." I say. Cato gives me the smile. When I'm not looking, I feel his lip touch my cheek. "See you then." He climbs out.
I touch where he kissed me.
*Flashback*
We were sitting in my tree house. It was the day before I left. "Who do you think will be our tributes this year. You better not be one." I said. Cato smiles. "You know I wouldn't break that promise." he says. I nod. "CATO! YOUR MOTHER'S HERE!" Mom calls. I follow Cato to the ladder. "I'll see you tomorrow." I said. Cato nods. When I'm not looking, he kisses me on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow." and he climbs out.
