It's a Love/Hate Relationship
by Anna-Morgause
Description: Clove has oh so many reasons to hate the female tribute from District 12.
Chapter 2: Strong
I'm excited for the opening ceremonies, I can't lie. The opening ceremonies are my first opportunities to show the Capitol, the districts, the world, just how strong I am. I'm small, but not to be underestimated. There's more to strength than brute force – not that you'd ever be able to get that through Cato's thick head. A thought flits through my head that the District 12 girl must be the same kind of strong that I am, but as gently as it entered my mind, I push it out with an equal amount of violence. She's not strong, she's weak. Only a weakling would do something so sentimental as volunteer for someone so worthless as that little blonde girl. She's weak and I'm strong.
"I'm stronger than all of them." I mutter as we climb up on the chariot. Cato looks at me like I'm crazy, but I ignore him. I'm strong. I am. I'll show them all just how strong I am.
As the chariot starts to move, my ends of my gold dress billow behind me. It's really only held in place by the golden armor that covers my chest. Volumnia says I'd look beautiful if I only smiled. I don't want to look beautiful, I want to look strong. Beautiful only gets idiots like Glimmer sponsors. I'm from District 2. These people expect me to be strong, not a pretty little princess.
District 1 comes out and the crowd roars; we come out and the roars get louder. Now that's worth smiling about. They have so much respect in us that even before they see us, they support us. They know we are strong. They know I am strong. If they know that, I don't mind looking beautiful. I smile and wave – not as ridiculously as that damned Glimmer, who'd probably throw herself at the crowd if she could – and do everything my mentors told me to win sponsors. Everything goes according to plan.
At least until Disctrict 12 comes out and they see her.
She's on fire – or she looks like she is – and she's beautiful. No, not just beautiful, gorgeous. Stunning. Brilliant. So brilliant that I hate her. I hate her and those weird little flip flops in my stomach must be a product of that hate because I've never hated anyone quite as much as I hate her.
I mean, it has to be hate, right? What else could it be?
After the ceremonies end, Cato stares her down and I can't help but take some pleasure in her squirming. Sure, it's not nearly as satisfying as it will be when I make her squirm and shake in fear myself, but it's enough for now. As we leave, I flick out a small knife I had hidden in the folds of my dress. I see her reflection – still shining like the sun even though those stupid flames are gone – in the silky smooth surface of the blade and smile. Yes, I'll get my chance to play with her later, show her just how strong I am, maybe even make that stupid smile of hers a bit wider and bloodier.
"Enjoy your little victory for now, Katniss Everdeen." I tell her reflection. After her reaping, I made sure to learn her name, just so I can enjoy the kill that much more. She'll know my name, too. I'll make her scream it and beg for mercy before I end her life. She won't be beautiful when she dies; she'll be crying and bloody and writhing in the mud. When she dies, she'll be completely pathetic. Not strong at all. I'll make sure of it. "Because you won't be getting any more."