Hi guys! Thank you all so so much for all the wonderful reviews and messages you left me here and on Tumblr :) 400+ hits in about 4 days! It's so much more than I ever expected. So again, thank you all so much for reading and leaving me kind words. And to the anon that asked me on Tumblr, yes my story is definitely AU.

Anyway, here's chapter 2! I really do hope that you guys would like this as much as the first chapter. To be honest, I kinda had a hard time writing this chapter. I had to make certain decisions and actually think about what I want the whole story to focus on. I might as well tell you guys beforehand that I won't be focusing too much on the Games since a lot of that has been done already.

Well, enjoy!

June 2, 2970

Dear Friend,

It's been two weeks since the first time Cato and I started talking to each other. And I'd have to say that the past two weeks have been the best weeks of my life yet.

So many things happened and I've been so busy training that I only got the chance to write to you again now. Hmm… where do I even begin…

Let's start with the day that Cato and I got called to Lucius' office. We entered the room with a bunch of whole other people already inside. And they weren't just any people; most of them were the past victors and high officials of District 2. You could just imagine how confused I was. I looked at Cato, and I could tell that he felt the same way I did. Why did they ask to see me and Cato? What did they want from us?

"I saw you two training yesterday. And I'd have to say… We were quite impressed," a tall, dark-haired woman with sharp, cat-like teeth purred, her proud expression never leaving her face. Enobaria.

"Now, I know both of you are wondering why we brought you here," Lucius said, as he stood in front of us. Cato and I just stared at him, waiting for him to go on. "The Academy board saw great potential in both of you. Since none of you are eligible to compete in the volunteer competition since you aren't 18 yet… we have decided to give both of you a… special training."

"Special training?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"Yes, a special training. Starting tomorrow none of you will be training at the usual Academy gym. Both of you will be training at the Victor's Village gym. We want the two of you to be the best tributes the whole of Panem will ever encounter. Your names will be known to each and every living soul for a hundred years. Cato, for the 74th Hunger Games; and you our most precious knife thrower will be queen of the 3rd Quarter Quell," Enobaria declared, a little too dramatic for my taste. However, I can't deny the fact that I actually did like what she said. Clove, Queen of the 3rd Quarter Quell… I like that.

I'm not one who shows gratitude or appreciation for most people no matter what they have done for me, and Lucius knows that. So when I gave them a smile and said "Thank you," Lucius returned the smile and gave me an approving nod. I guess I already spoke for Cato and me since they dismissed us right after, reminding us to be at the Victor's Village at 6am. With that, they told us that we could have the day off. We didn't refuse and ran all the way out of the Academy doors, a smile etched on our faces.

"Well, that was something," Cato said matter-of-factly as we walked to my house, hand in hand.

"It really was. Say, what do you think they'd make us do in our 'special training' sessions?"

"Enobaria would probably teach us how to kill people with our teeth," he replied, as he brought my hand to his mouth and gently bit it.

"Hey!" I laughed, wiping his saliva off. "You're right, she'd most probably give us some tips on how to do that. I'm not sure if I'm excited for that though…"

He just laughed, obviously not wanting to talk about our special training anymore. We walked in silence for a few minutes until, "What do you wanna do today, Clove?"

I thought about what I really wanted to do and my thoughts suddenly drifted to all the antique stuff piled up in my house that I never got to explore. I told Cato about it and he agreed almost too eagerly.

After a few minutes we bounded up the stairs to my porch and headed inside the house. I dragged him up the stairs and into the room where all of my parents' antique stuff are stored. Our family's known for passing down special items to the next generation. Believe it or not, we have things in here that dated way back in the 20th century. That's how much our family took care of all the things that were passed on to us. It amazes me how all these things survived the rebellion, much more the darker days before that.

Cato was highly impressed and amazed at the things he saw in that room. However, what caught his attention most was the pile of DVDs all stacked neatly at one corner of the shelf. His eyes went wide the moment they made contact with them. It was quite weird, really; how the cold, emotionless Cato shows so much feelings and emotions to me now. Does this mean he's really comfortable with me already? Or is it because of the way he feels about me? I'm not really an expert when it comes to people, much less boys. Are you, though? If you are then I would really love to get some tips for you. Although that's quite impossible considering how these letters have no return address whatsoever, and I'm certain you have no idea where I live or where my district is even located.

Anyway, Cato immediately dropped my hand and rushed to the shelf that held the oh-so-old DVDs. I don't think anyone's ever used a DVD in a hundred years, literally.

"I can't believe you have these," he said, as he stared at them in awe.

"Neither did I." It's true. I haven't entered that room since my mom died. And when she was still alive, all we ever looked at were the photo albums. She showed me pictures of her when she was a kid, her mom when she was a kid, her grandfather when he was kid and so on. I don't know, but it seemed to give her a little bit of joy when she did that.

"May I?" Cato looked at me, asking for permission if he could take one of the DVDs off the shelf. I gave him a nod.

"I never knew you had a thing for old movies," I said, and gently poked his bicep.

"You don't know a lot of things about me, Clove. But yeah, I'm a sucker for old movies. I guess you could call them my guilty pleasure," he winked.

It's true. I knew very little about him. But I knew that wouldn't last for long. I looked at the DVD he was holding and saw the title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. I saw the date, and my jaw dropped. The movie was released way back in 2001 – that was over 900 years ago. All I could think of was, Wow what a great family I have.

I looked up at him and asked, "Would you wanna watch it?"

His face lit up and he said yes. We went downstairs to our den where our TV set and a whole load of other entertainment appliances were located. I tried to figure out where the DVD would fit. It took me about ten minutes, and finally, I was able to work the historic movie and the film began. I sat beside Cato and dimmed the lights. Although, it didn't seem to be enough for him; so he caught me by the waist and pulled my body onto him so I was practically sitting on his lap. At that moment, I was highly grateful that the lights were dim so he couldn't see how much I was blushing. I was beat red.

We cuddled through the whole movie; none of us said a single word all throughout. All I could hear was his steady heartbeat (yes, I was leaning on his chest, are you jealous? I kidd. But yes, I was leaning on his chest the whole time) and the movie. When the credits started rolling, we both let out a deep sigh. I looked up at him. His smile was so wide, his eyes were full of wonder. It was a sight to behold.

He looked at me. And all he could say was, "Well, that was one heck of a movie."

I smiled at him, "The best one I've seen, yet." And yes, I wasn't exaggerating. Harry Potter was indeed the best movie I have ever seen in my entire life. Have you watched it already? Well if you haven't yet then I would gladly make a copy of it and send it to you along with my next letter. I swear, you won't regret it.

"Agreed. Would you wanna go up with me and get the 2nd movie? We have seven more to go and now would really be the most perfect time to watch since we got nothing else to do," he said, way too eager that I actually found it cute.

Well, I couldn't refuse. So we both bounded up the stairs and got the seven remaining Harry Potter DVDs. He was so excited that I just had to laugh. "Ohhh big, bad Cato so amused with magic and kids. Not so scary after all, huh," I teased.

He gave a throaty laugh, "This is the side of me that only you will ever know about." Oops, well I guess I just told you. He would really kill me if he finds out that I'm telling you all these things. So just to be sure, I would appreciate it if you kept all these information to yourself. Besides, I trust you. Wouldn't wanna ruin that now would we?

Before went back to the den, Cato and I got as much junk food as we can from the kitchen. We pigged out and had a movie marathon. My idea of a perfect date. Well, not that it was an official date type of thing. We'll get there soon enough.

It was around 10pm when we got through with the 6th movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. We sat there in silence, his arm wrapped around me. And suddenly, the unthinkable happened. He leaned in to me, agonizingly slow, until our lips finally met. Okay so at this point you might think that we me made out on the sofa with him on top of me. Well, no, you're wrong. It was just a soft peck on the lips. And believe me, I wanted nothing more than that… as of now.

His lips felt so good though. It was amazingly soft; the feel of it sent sparks all throughout my body. It was electrifying. Hell, writing about it now and remembering how his lips felt against mine is turning my brain into a mush. It just felt that good.

Right after that magical moment, both of us stood up and headed for the main door deciding that we better get a good night's sleep for tomorrow's training. Although we really wanted to finish the last two movies of Harry Potter, we both agreed that we had to put the more important things in life first. And right now, training for the Games is our life.

I told him good night and gave him a kiss on the cheek. But just when I was about to close the door, the oh-so-mighty Cato went back, grabbed my wrist and pulled me against him. We just stood there; me leaning my head on his chest with my arms wrapped around him, and him caressing my back with one hand and stroking my hair with the other. We stayed like that for who knows how long, until he finally let go of me and said, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow. And again, thank you for today. I had a great time."

I would lie if I told you that I was already used to this side of Cato. But I wasn't. Inside, I was jumping and screaming with joy like the girl that I am. However all I did was smile and say, "Yeah, see ya. You're welcome; I had a great time too."

"I'll pick you up at 5:30?"

"Sure," and with that, he kissed me on the forehead and walked all the way home. Once he was completely out of sight, I went straight to my room and lay down on my bed. I couldn't sleep at all. I must have stayed up all night thinking about all the things that happened today. I thought about how much things have changed between me and Cato. And about how certain I am that my life would never be the same again. Now, I wouldn't feel so alone anymore what with Cato accompanying me all the time. And it just felt so good. So so good.

It's funny huh, how a deadly Career tribute that I am suddenly turns happy just because she has company. Most people think that I'm having the time of my life; that I don't need anything or anyone as long as I have my knives and I get to throw them at something… or someone. But they were wrong. I'm human too – a girl. A girl who has feelings and the need to be loved. Just because I don't show my emotions doesn't mean they aren't there. Ever since my mom passed away, I was all alone. No friend, a father who lives so far away, no shoulder to cry on, no one. It was just me and my thoughts. And at times, it drove me insane. The loneliness was just so overwhelming. But instead of drowning in my loneliness and being all emotional, I just spent all my time with my knives. I guess, that's why I'm really glad Cato and I are having some progress; he's making me realize that I'm not so alone after all.

Anyway, the days after that were pretty much all the same. Cato and I would walk together to the Victor's Village, they'd make us jog all around the village for 2 hours, teach us survival skills in the woods in the outskirts of District 2, agility training, and they taught us how to use every single weapon they could get their hands on with absolute precision. Every day they would keep us with them from 6am to 10pm – only giving us enough time to sleep and refuel for training. In short, Cato and I no longer have a life outside of training. I'm not really complaining though. As of today, I already know thirty different ways to kill someone with my knives. Yup, just a normal knowledge for a 14-year-old.

Well, it's time for me to go. Hopefully they'd let us go earlier the next couple of weeks. Cato and I are just itching to finish Harry Potter already. Don't miss me too much, I'll write to you as soon as I can.

Love always,

Clove.

Yeah, I'm really sorry but I just had to incorporate Harry Potter one way or another. I hope it turned out alright though. I was actually quite scared at how this chapter would turn out. And yes, I really don't wanna focus on the dark side of Cato and Clove. Somehow, I wanna focus more on who they are as people and not really on the Games itself.

So what do you guys think? Review please! And yes, I do accept constructive criticism. :) Thanks for reading!