Chapter 2 Ready to Fall

"You will be dressed like Roman gladiators!" The stylist practically screamed from excitement. Cato shrugged his shoulders and Clove only groaned hating this part of the games. She hated dressing up and wearing silly outfits when none of that would matter in the games except for potential sponsors. At least the Gladiators didn't have to act like they were in beauty pageants they only fought for their freedom. They weren't being sugarcoated that they would be dead by the next games.

The cheers, the screams of want from the crowd were pretty new to Clove but she dare not crack a smile. One she wanted to look threatening and scary to the other tributes and the other reason was…she didn't even know how to do a real smile. Attempting one would probably scare off any potential sponsors and make her look like a fool in front of her district and father. Cato hollered and made faces that reminded Clove of a savage roaring lion ready to attack and kill anything in its path.

"Excellent work! Now let's get off the chariot and …oh my word," Their stylist said when he saw district 12 coming in.

Clove saw the chariot that was on fire but what impressed her the most was not Katniss on fire but the burning fire that was in her eyes. Her spirit that raged that not only will she fight in the games but she planned on winning. That rebellious figure excited Clove in ways she did not understand. The crowd went wild all screaming and reaching out for the girl on fire. Her face showed she was not used to attention nor that she really wanted anything from the people. How foolish for the people of the capital to not be able to read the girl's expression that she was utterly disgusted by them. To Clove Katniss was an open book so easy to read yet hard to understand. It gave the girl with daggers a sense of satisfaction that few people could touch Katniss which made her even more precious.

Cato also could not keep his eyes off of Katniss. His dark stare caught Katniss' eyes which made her shift uncomfortably. He gave a half smile showing not only his interest but a dark desire for the girl on fire but for what was not so clear. Clove also did not like what Cato was doing. She wanted Katniss to herself and not to share her with anyone else. Haymitch stepped in and led them to their rooms.

"As your mentor here is the best advice I shall give you," Enobaria started, "You will make sure that you fall under the radar."

"What?!"Clove and Cato said in unison. How could her mentors already make a bet against her?

"Understand Clove this is perfect! Ever since district 12 has been put on the spotlight you now have potential to learn your biggest threat."

"I don't understand," Cato said. "This is my chance to show what District 2 is made up not be out staged by a couple of miners!"

"I get it." Clove was figuring it out. If district 12 is put on the spotlight then their families and friend will be interviewed, stories will be done about them which will help with sponsors but also reveal their weaknesses. Family names could be used against them; tragic past and what they do could be revealed by a couple of morons who just want to be on TV. It was a genius plan.

"Then explain it because this is bullshit!"

"Shut it, Cato!" Clove screamed out of frustration. He stood up in an instant ready to strangle his partner when Brutus shoved him back down.

"Enough! You will keep that temper in check and learn from us and your partner because it takes more than brute strength to win the games," Brutus boomed. "Tomorrow you will go to the training facilities and try to learn something new that will help you survive."

Clove went to her room trying to sort out Katniss but she kept coming up a blank. This was the perfect time to use her token till she went to bed.

The next day was the first time the tributes were all in one room together. Clove could feel her heart start to quicken when she'd make direct eye contact with Katniss and she silently cursed at herself. She heard everything the announcer had to say about how essential strategies to survive and she looked over to see that Cato was staring at the ceiling without a care in the world. Her best guess was that he was leaning towards the team they were going to form. All he had to do was lead the others till he needed to kill them. Plain and simple. They boys and girls were separated into two groups to learn something basic. All that separated between Katniss and Clove was Glimmer. Much to the Career's dismay.

"Hi I'm Glimmer." She reached out her hand and gave a smile. Her other hand was twirling her long braided hair which also seemed to match the girl's name. Clove did not offer her hand in return.

"Clove." All the raven haired girl wanted to do was shove Glimmer out of the way to at least be near Katniss who was observing the hand to hand combat. It made Clove realize how hard it must be for the other tributes that have never seen or done this their entire lives and now they must learn quickly or die. She pushed that thought in the back of her head she could not become soft before the big day started.

"Sooooo Marvel already talked to Cato and we're gonna be a team okay."

Clove nodded and bit her tongue to keep from saying something insulting to the blonde. It was essential to make the most deadliest team out of the Careers even if they sounded like complete idiots. They all turned to the sound of some yelling which Clove only groaned knowing it was her partner.

"You fucking took my knife! Give it back," Cato yelled.

"I didn't touch it!" said the other tribute. The Peacemakers came in when Cato touched the other boy knowing it was illegal for confrontations to happen before the games.

What a complete Neanderthal! Clove thought as she saw a little girl up on ropes casually holding the weapon with a smile on her face. The Career was going to scowl when she saw something that stunned her. Katniss also had a smile and had laughed a little before making contact with the District 2 girl. Clove instantly looked away and felt her face turned red. She scowled at her unusual behavior wondering why she couldn't control her reactions.

"Ummmm, Do you know if Cato has a girlfriend?"

"No but I bet you both would be perfect for each other," Clove spat walking away. She could hear Glimmer gave a squeal of joy not catching Clove's sarcasm. The girl with the Daggers did a face palm, wondering how was she going to survive with such imbeciles. She personally believed that if she didn't break from that group as quick as she could then she'd slit her own throat.

At night she felt her room was too hot and suffocating her so she went to the rooftop. The cool air felt so good on her skin. Her hand searched for something to entertainment themselves with but all they had was a kitchen knife. It was dull and completely harmless but was an okay substitute till tomorrow. She was about to pull out her token when she felt someone was behind her. She quickly concealed it before turning around.

She turned ready to throw the useless knife when she was staring into the burning eyes that held captivate her ever since she laid eyes on them. Those piercing gray eyes that seem to look into her soul.

"Didn't know someone was up here." She heard Katniss say.

Clove frowned not believing that was the first line of their conversation. She would have preferred something else to this. She made a mental note that Katniss was very good on her stealth, probably a hunter because she looked better off than most citizens from her district which would explain those eyes. Very few people can creep up on Clove and of course one of them is none other than the Girl on Fire. Of course while all this was going on in Clove's head there was the awkward silence that had surrounded them.

"Didn't know I needed permission." Really?! this might be the only chance of you talking to her and you revert to SARCASM!

"Look I'm not going to let some Career bullying me out of some fresh air." Katniss said angrily.

"Your right I should save that for the arena then."

Katniss could not believe she was actually sitting next to a Career let alone having a conversation. She knew Haymitch would die from the shock if he found out. 'Why don't you just hang yourself while you're at it!' she could imagine her mentor saying. They both sat by the ledge but their postures were completely opposite. Clove sat with her knees up as if ready to run if she needed to while Katniss let her feet dangle in free motion.

"My name is Katniss,"

"I know who you are 12."

"Why don't you just call me by my name?" 12 was a better name than the girl on fire Katniss figured.

I couldn't even if I tried.

"Because I only call people by their names when I have some respect for them." Why do I feel bad for insulting her? It feels so wrong.

"Oh.."

"So you volunteered for your sister?" she hoped to change the topic to not have such a disastrous first meeting.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Wouldn't you do the same for your sibling?" Katniss challenged her. No one understood why she did it and frankly it was getting on her last nerve. Clove thought hard about the question actually picturing herself doing what Katniss did.

"I don't know."

Its two different worlds. District 2 would expect Ambrosia to be proud and in honor of being a tribute. Clove could technically do it but that would strip her sister of any dignity and respect in that community. It was a lose-lose situation.

"Why not?! I know you're not afraid of this so why wouldn't you protect your little sister?"

She must think I'm heartless not capable of any emotions…

It's true though.

"Don't think all the districts function the same as yours 12. Even in your own district, what you did some would view as foolish."

Katniss stood silent processing what Clove said to her. They talked about the culture in their own districts.

"Do you think what I did was foolish?"

Why does it matter what I think?

"Based on my training involving human emotions is always a variable that is against your survival." Clove gripped the knife tightly trying to keep her voice steady "But personally what you did was courageous and that is why the Capital is fascinated with you."

Katniss' face flushed and she cleared her throat trying to recover from an obvious compliment. She was still not used to such things but this one left her feeling more vulnerable.

"Thank you Clove."

"You should get some sleep…Katniss."

I mixed the facts of the book with the movie. So hopefully there isn't 2 much confusion. Again the song is by Rise Against.