I'm lead up to a room in the Justice Building with a couple of chairs in it, a piano, a small table, and not much else. I sit down, because I realize I'm going into the Hunger Games with Clove. With Clove? I can't go with Clove! I love her! I can't go with her, she's my life, except for Cailey. I thought what would happen is that I would win, and go back to Clove. Now, my survival means her death.
My family enters, and they all give me a hug. Well, not Michael, he just kind of stands nonchalantly against the piano. Cailey holds out her arms for a hug. I pick her up and hold her in my arm, and she starts crying over my shoulder. Normally I'd ask why she's crying, but I know why she's crying. She's probably one of the only people who knew I love Clove. Everyone knows we're friends that grew up together, but we never act like we're in love around people. She told me she knew after she saw how we looked at each other.
Both my mom and dad aren't crying though, but they do look sad. At least they know Clove is my best friend. "Cato, I am so sorry. Maybe if you're lucky someone else will get her and you don't. I don't want it to come down to the two of you." She strokes my hair, and I hug her. I feel secure in her arms, even though she's shorter than and not as strong as me. I want to cry, but I know I have to stay strong for Cailey, who is sniffling and sitting on a chair.
"Cato, I wish I could understand what you're going through. But I can't. I was never reaped for the Hunger Games, too selfish to volunteer. But the way you volunteered even though it was Clove, for your brother, was the absolutely bravest thing I've ever seen you do. And I respect you for it," my dad explains, patting me on the back.
I look over at Michael, who looks like he just wants to leave. He hasn't said a word to me, and I just saved his freaking life! Who does he think he is? I hate him so much. This is his fault. I could have just let Clove go and win with some other guy if he wasn't reaped. But he was reaped. IT'S HIS FAULT!
All of a sudden, I grab Michael, and lift him up into the air. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT MICHAEL! IF YOU DIDN'T EXIST I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO VOLUNTEER AND HAVE TO GO INTO THE GAMES WITH MY TRUE LOVE! YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST GONE AND SUCKED IT UP LIKE YOU WANTED TO! I THOUGHT YOU WISHED MOM AND DAD WOULD LET YOU GO INTO THE GAMES!" I'm out of control, screaming at Michael, who looks bewildered. Cailey starts crying. Mom and Dad yell at me to stop, but I can't I'm going into the arena with my true love all because of this thing known as my brother.
"CATO STOP!" Cailey screams, tears pouring down her cheeks. I look at her, she's begging me to give Michael mercy. If it was anyone besides Cailey, I would have been like, not today.
I look at Michael, whose eyes beg for mercy. I put him down, but I don't stop the look of anger on my face. He knows I'm mad at him. And it's not just because I had to volunteer with Clove, it's also because he was being hypocritical. He wanted to go into the Games so bad, and he had the chance. But he made me volunteer because he was scared. What a little wimp. Also, he didn't even seem thankful, just relieved that I was going to be gone. Oh he'll think differently once I win and bring back loads of money and pride for our family.
"Wait, Cato, you love Clove?" Michael asks once I put him down. Oops, did I say that. I didn't mean to! I never wanted them to know!
My face starts heating up, meaning that I'm red from embarrassment. Michael's right, and Mom and Dad know it. Cailey already knew, but the fact that I said it out loud kind of startled her I think.
"Well…I…it's just…she's…what….no….yes….maybe…?" Is all I can manage to stammer out as my whole family looks at me.
"He does, Cato does love Clove. I've seen the way he looks at her, the way he smiles in her presence, the way his face gets red when she smiles back. They're in love, and he didn't want to tell you until he knew it was official. Cato just wanted to win the Hunger Games, and go home to Clove and get married, simple as that. But once Clove was chosen, I think he just wanted to stay here and let her win, because he knows she can win!" Cailey explains as her eyes get all glassy from tears.
"Cato, I didn't know you loved Clove. And now we're making you go into Games against her, where your survival will mean her death," my mom says. Like I didn't know that already. But I don't say anything, I just stand there awkwardly as I start to cry.
"Cato, I know this is a tough situation. But if you really love her, you could die with her together. The two of you could die together and get married in the afterlife," my dad suggests. He looks at me, and knows that it's not an option. Maybe there's a way to get both of us out...no there isn't, I know it!
"Well I'm out. I can't stand to watch this anymore. See you in a few weeks Cato," Michael says, without even looking at me. "I love you big bro," I hear him whisper as he walks out, and sounds like he wants to cry.
Wait, he actually loves me? I don't think I was supposed to hear that, and I think I was the only one who did hear it. Cailey, maybe. But she's not listening, just hugging my mom and crying over me leaving, because there's no way I'm going to let Clove die.
"Please leave. I can't look at you all anymore," I finally say. "I love you."
"Cato, honey, you sure?" my mom asks, stroking my hair. I pull her into a huge hug.
"Yes, I'm sure. Dad, take care of them," I tell to my dad.
"I love you son," my dad says as I take him into a huge hug.
"I love you Cato Hadley, my pride and joy," my mom says to me as I hug her again.
They start walking out, but I stop my father and whisper into his ear, "Keep training Cailey, I might not be back to continue training her. Or get one of my friends to do it, okay?" he nods in response, and leaves, closing the door behind him and my mom.
Cailey is still sitting there. I don't want her to leave, I want her to stay with me. My little sister, whom I love more than anyone in the world, besides maybe Clove. She's almost like my pride and joy. She's a great person to have lived on this Earth, and I can't believe I'm leaving her. I'll never see her grow up, never see her volunteer one day. I pick her up, and we both start to cry.
"Cato, you didn't have to. But I knew you'd be shunned in District 2 if you didn't. The boy who didn't volunteer for his younger brother, even though he could win. I'm sorry you have to go through this. I never wanted you to have to go through this," Cailey says, crying into my shoulder.
"Cailey, I know, I know…it's just…Clove is my life now, besides you. I would do anything for her, except give you up. I don't want to leave you, but I might not come home…" I feel the hot tears pouring down my cheeks.
"Cato, just try to win. And if you really do love Clove, as dad said, and she really loves you, maybe you guys can die together…" Cailey says. She sounds like I'm going to hurt her for saying that.
"I'll try my best to win. Maybe there's a way Clove and I could both go home…but I'm not sure…"
"I love you so much Cato Hadley, the best older brother that ever lived. You are my inspiration, and I have so much respect for you. I admire your confidence, determination, and bravery. I'm sorry…" Cailey says. The big words sound weird out of her mouth, and it makes me wonder if Cailey knows more about the world than anyone gives her credit for.
"Thank you Cailey, that means a lot. I love you," I say, hugging her.
"Just try to win," she says. "Good bye older brother," she says, walking out.
"Good bye," I say as she closes the door behind her.
Wait did I just let Cailey leave? I let her leave! No one else will come to visit me. I have friends, but I have been kind of a jerk to them lately. They'll be glad to see me go. Someone knocks on the door.
I open it, and I poke my head out. I see a lot of the girls who have wanted to go out with me over the years. A couple I remember going out with, but most of them I turned down. "Cato!" they all exclaim at once.
"Go away!" I yell, slamming the door. I hear crying on the other side of the door once I slam it, and I hear Peacekeepers yelling at the girls to leave. I appreciate him for doing that.
One more person walks in without my consent. It's Clove's mom. She pulls me into a hug. I know these arms, the arms that have acted like my mom's when my mom couldn't comfort me. "Cato. I'm sorry."
She must have just said good bye to Clove. My parents probably went to say good bye to Clove. Our parent's know each other, and my parents love Clove like a daughter, as Clove's mom loves me like a son. Clove's dad doesn't like me, though.
"I know. But there's nothing you can do about it. And I'm going into the Games with Clove, my best friend. I can't do this. And she's your daughter, there's no way I'll be able to hurt her," I say.
"I wish I could think of something to say. I could say, let someone else kill her. But this is my daughter we're talking about here. But I do love you like a son Cato. The son I never had. It's been enjoyable getting to help raise you, and watch you grow up." She kisses my forehead and holds my hand.
"I'll get Clove home to you. That is my dying wish, for her to go home," I say.
"If she can't win, do all you freaking can to get home Cato. Do all you can. Both you and Clove have great chances of winning, I'm sure of it." I appreciate the encouragement she's giving me, it makes me feel important. She's trusting me with the life of her daughter, here.
"I will. I promise."
"Good. Stay strong, Cato." Clove's mom starts walking out. She opens the door.
"I love you," I say as she closes the door, and I see her smile.
Now there's no one else to see me. But someone knocks on the door. Who could it possibly be? My friends, as I said, don't want to see me. I did brag a lot about volunteering and winning. I banished those girls away. I've already seen my family. Clove would see me, but she's the other tribute. I open the door slowly. It's Cailey again. Cailey? Before I can say anything, she runs into my arms. "Hold me Cato, until I'm forced to leave. Please Cato, please," she says, crying.
"Okay." I hold her, keep her sitting in my lap. Neither of us say anything, we just sit there, arms around each other as we sit in silence. There's nothing to say. "I love you," I whisper into her ear.
"Same here, big brother," she says, snuggling into me. I enjoy every moment of this, because I have the feeling that this will be my last moments with my little sister.
After a long time of this, a Peacekeeper comes in. "It's time to go!" he says, grabbing Cailey and walking her out.
"NO! CATO! NO! TRY TO WIN!" she exclaims, crying.
I don't say anything. I'm not going to try to win, I'm going to get Clove home. And I will die trying.