A/N: I'm back! And I have another chapter for you. Thanks to Someone the World Forgot, Stardust818, Guest, Catlover, zuriamupaka, thefierydeath, Guest, Guest, and goldstandard 300 for the reviews on chapter 2. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Still not Suzanne Collins, still don't own the Hunger Games.
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"I volunteer!" Cato shouted before the escort for District 2 could read out the name she had drawn from the male reaping ball. "I volunteer as tribute!"
No one in the crowd looked surprised. In District 2 it was expected of someone to volunteer for the Games. If you won, it was a great honor and it brought pride to the district itself. In fact, District 2 had more victors than almost any other district in all of Panem.
"I believe we have a volunteer!" squealed Liliana, the escort for District 2. Cato tried not to laugh when he stepped onto the stage and stood just feet away from the Capitol woman. She looked absolutely ridiculous with her bright pink hair styled into a mountain of elaborate curls, her aqua-colored skin and her glittery pink lips. But the ridiculousness didn't stop there; the woman had had pink and blue gems implanted in her skin and she was clothed in a glittery pink suit. Did people from the Capitol seriously not know how ridiculous they looked to the people of the districts?
"Now, for the ladies!" Liliana smiled, clapping her hands together like a child. Cato had to try not to roll his eyes.
But when Liliana called the name of the female tribute, the entire world seemed to come to a stop. Cato only heard one word...a name...her name...
Clove...
...
Cato's eyes flew open. The boy hadn't realized that he had fallen asleep.
'Damn it! I fell asleep!' he scolded himself inwardly. 'How could I have done something so stupid! What if District 12 had found us in here! She could've killed me! She could've killed Clove...'
"Clove!" Cato shouted, sitting up quickly.
"What's going on?" Clove groaned, opening her eyes slowly.
"Nothing," Cato began regaining his composure. "Nothing's wrong...sorry I woke you up."
"It's okay," Clove sighed, closing her eyes again and drifting off to sleep.
Cato couldn't shake the feeling of dread inside of him. He had volunteered only for Clove to be reaped alongside him.
Even though they had allied with one another and the other Careers from Districts 1 and 4, Cato had secretly dreaded the moment when he and Clove were the only ones left. He didn't want to die but he didn't want to lose Clove either. He also didn't want to have to be the one to kill her.
But then Claudius Templesmith had delivered some unexpected news: There could be two victors if they hailed from the same district.
Cato was ecstatic by this news. This meant that once the others were dead, he and Clove could go home together. He could keep Clove! All he had to do now was keep himself and her alive. That and finally come out and tell her the feelings he had harbored for her.
Now, as he laid beside her in their hiding place, he was not only happy that they could both live, but also because Clove had felt the same way for him.
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So, how was it? Short, I know. But the next one will be longer and better.
The next chapter will be out on Saturday, November 1st.
