Clove's Story

Chapter 3

In no time at all thanks to that top of the line speedy trains that Carissa would not stop talking about we arrived in the Capitol. The place was... well, I was speechless. I'd never seen so much color before in my life, shades I didn't even know the name of sprouted up everywhere. Even Cato seemed slightly dazed by the pastel colored buildings, huge green trees, and lush crisp grass. Of course, our mentors, having been here several times before, are unfazed. Before we can further admire the Capitols wealth, our train is directed to an old, rusty building, now used as a train station. Lots of Capitol citizens were already there, eagerly awaiting our arrival, armed with cameras and microphones. Cato waves to them from the window and a huge cheer erupts from the crowd, they're loving it, loving Cato… Who wouldn't? Wait! What did I just say? Praise for Cato, What is happening to me?

We step off the train and the roar of the crowds hits my ears like a clap of thunder. They're cheering for us, for me. I can't help but smile. I edge my way in front of Cato, my father's words echoing in my head: Clove, once your in the Capitol, the Games have begun, it's an all out fight. Never stop fighting, because the moment you do, you're dead.

A car takes us to the training center. Enobaria, Mitchell, Cato, Carissa and I ride the elevator to level two, our new home for the next few days. Cato and I gasp as the elevator doors open. A tall grandfather clock, just striking three; plush sofas, lining the wall of a huge sitting room along with three polished wooden coffee tables and a 64 inch plasma screen TV; marble floors shining and clean. Absolutely breathtaking. "You have the rest of the afternoon to yourselves, you two," Carissa says in her eccentric Capitol accent. I sigh. Can't you people just stop presenting Cato and I as 'together"? "And then tonight, we will all go down to the Remake center to meet your fantastic stylists and prep teams!" Enobaria and Mitchell also have the afternoon off, and Enobaria disappears into her quarters. Mitchell walks towards me casually, and I assume an equally nonchalant expression. "I'll show you round, if you'd like?" he suggests. I nod mutely, hiding my smile, noting the singular 'you' with pleasure. As we leave, I can't help but notice Cato's curious expression, he nearly looks hurt. Why?

"I hear being re-made is the worst part of the prep experience," I say, to start up a conversation.

"Got that right," Mitchell grimaces. "But I don't worry, our district has Hadley and Jewel, they're top of the line. It's the prep team who I think are crazy. You'll either get the crazy package, with Myra, Karl and Spark, or the inept package with Crescent, Mara and Cesta."

"Wait, so my prep team will have males in it too?" I snap, frowning.

"Yeah," Mitchell replies, raising an eyebrow. "You haven't noticed on TV?" well, I recall prep teams being introduced on their victory night, but they've been so made up with sparkles and stupid colours that I couldn't really tell their gender.

"I hear you volunteered for your friend?" Mitchell changes the subject.

"Oh, yeah. Analie… I promised he that I'd go for her if she ever got chosen," I explain, pleased with how impressed he looks. I guess he doesn't know I'm a career. "Didn't you volunteer too?" I ask.

"Nah, I was chosen, but with that escort I had, he had this huge accent, and called me Mitchell Kensworth, not Kentsurt, and I had to go up there once that kid read the name and pointed at me." I laugh a little at the story, and subconsciously wipe my sweating hands on my jeans.

"Is it a bit hot in here or what?" Mitchell says, taking off his shirt. HIS SHIRT! I see his finely toned abs, and faint scars along his broad chest. He likes you back! My mind screams at me. Do something cute, flirt back!

"Yeah, I guess," I shrug, slowly peeling off my sweater and adjusting my cam. He winks at me. "You know we've got a few hours to ourselves," he says slyly. I just nod. "Whaddya say we hang out in your room?". We slowly meander back to the room and just as I'm just about to open the door, Cato bursts out from inside and slams straight into me. "Where were you? It's been hours; I thought he was just showing you around the place? I thought he might have done something with you?" He glances between us, his eyes hovering on me. I suddenly feel self-conscious and pull my sweater back on. " I was just returning her," Mitchell says to Cato. "See you later, sweetheart," he half-whispers to me, leaning down and giving me a quick kiss on the forehead. Color floods to my cheeks instantaneously. He just kissed me. Mitchell turns on his heels and trots off down the hall, Cato follows him with his eyes until he disappears around the corner then his gaze comes straight back to mine. "What was that all about?".

"Nothing, he was just being friendly," I reply as I walk past him into our room.

That look again. The look of hurt he had earlier. What is it for?

Carissa calls us for dinner and we all sit around the lilac glass table. I barely touch my food; I spend the time chasing peas around my plate with a fork…too many thoughts swimming around in my head. Mitchell. Cato. Mitchell. The Games. Cato…. Cato. Why can't I stop thinking about him? Do I like…? No. No way.

Maybe…

After dinner, a limo picks us up to take us to the Remake Centre. I, unfortunately, got the crazy package, quoting Mitchell. Hadley orders me to strip, and neither Karl nor Spark have the decency to stop staring for a single second. They wax me from head to toe, though obviously not my head, and I have to bite my tongue at least ten times, to stop myself yelling, "I'm already going to have to fight to the death with 23 other innocent people in a few days! It's been nice of you to spare me of some useless pain!" The three of them keep up the nonstop chatter about how my long hair is ugly, I'm too skinny (excuse me!), I need to grow taller…. By the time they're complaining about my pales skin, I break. "You guys are the ones that look horrible! You have disgusting trends and disfigured body parts and horrible hairstyles!" Amazingly, it's as though they're deaf, or I'm just a rock, and they ignore me. Weird idiots. I hear Cato laughing from the cubicle beside me.

Glad I amused someone…

I think about the days to come. We start training in a few days. But first, the Opening Ceremony.