A/N - I hope you enjoy it! I keep Cato in character (mostly) but I have to have him open up at least a little to make it a love story. Sorry if I switch perspectives a lot during this, but I think it works in my favor. (: I PROMISE there is more CatoxChloe in the next chapter. Reviews are greatly appreciated.
Chloe DeBenedetto
"Two hours until we arrive at the Capitol!" says Zorrelia excitedly, bursting into my room, waking me up. She refuses to speak to, or even acknowledge Cato. I don't blame her - he's a jerk. "Chlo-bird!"
"What's up, Zor?" I say, clearly irritated a) she woke me up, and b) our overly-excited escort is calling me Chlo-bird.
"What's up with you and Cato, is the question," she smiles. "The star-crossed lovers of District 2. Love it!"
"I've known him for, like, a day and a half. I don't think I even consider him a friend, after what he said to me."
"Oh," Zorrelia replies, looking kind of disappointed. "You two are pretty cute together."
"Whatever, I'm hungry. Let's eat breakfast," I say with an attitude due to lack of sleep… my stomach grumbles.
"Very well. The Avoxes have prepared a great deal of food; eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, waffles, -"
Cato Vindisi
"Every moment I share with you, I know God heard my prayer," my Mom is singing to me. I'm a child, only four. "Anytime that you've lost your way, I will find you I swear."
It's an old District 2 lullaby, what she's humming. Passed down from generation to generation, it's the only way I can go to sleep since I'm young.
My father opens the door roughly, nearly breaking it off the hinges. "What are you doing, Anastasia?" he hisses. I'm was just about sleeping, but his voice snaps me back to reality. I'm four, so I comprehend what he's saying, mostly…
"I'm nourishing our child, Benjamin. He needs love," Mother says with care.
"What he needs is training. He was bred for the Games. Who cares about his feelings?" Father says greedily. "He will be a Victor and bring even more fame and fortune to the Vindisi name!"
"Ben -"
"Shut up, Ana. His training will start tomorrow. He's only four, but starting early never hurt anyone. And stop singing that stupid song."
I'm awake now, replaying the dream over and over again in my head. And then I replay the conversation with Chloe early in the morning. I don't regret anything I said… well… maybe… I don't think about it anymore.
I put on some proper clothes and join the mentors, Zorrelia, and Chloe in the dining car. "We'll be there in an hour and a half," Chloe looks up at me.
I ignore her and fill my plate with everything the Capitol food has to offer. There's an awkward silence and I feel something against my leg - a weak kick. I smirk. I can't confirm it but I know who it is - Chloe. I may be cold and ruthless, but that doesn't mean I'm not here to have fun, too. Besides, she'll dead be sooner or later in the arena. I predict she'll be in at least the final five, maybe four, since she's trained.
I feel the kick again… Wanna play footsie, Chlo-bird? I rub my leg against hers and she giggles, raising suspicion from a certain purple-haired escort…
Chloe DeBenedetto
Cato is rubbing his leg against mine, and I giggle, blowing our cover. He puts his hand on my thigh, and I shiver at his touch. So strong… I want… I need Cato. Maddie and Will are catching on, too.
"Ah, young love," Will says to no one in particular. I pick up the knife that is used to cut off pieces of a blueberry breakfast cake and fire it at Will's head. He ducks at just the right time and it flies into the mirror behind him. It shatters, and Cato and Maddie are trying to hold in their chuckles.
"Oh, dear," says Zorrelia, calling an Avox over to clean up the shards of glass.
"Chloe," Will says through gritted teeth, "there is nothing wrong with a little Hunger Games romance."
That's it.
I get out of my chair grab his throat. He chokes for a second - that beautiful sound of a knife in someone's throat… sadly, there is no knife in Will's esophagus. His face. It's turning purple…
Zorrelia can do nothing but stare in horror, and Maddie is prying me off of Will. If looks could kill, I would be dead; Will's stare is scary, and not many things scare Careers like me.
"You little brat. I will kill -!" Will's voice is cut off by Zorrelia's.
"My beloved friends, look outside!" I obey, and what I see is something beyond words: The Capitol of Panem, in all its glory. The buildings look like they're made of platinum, so expensive. I can't look for long, though. "Go put on something presentable, children. Check in your closets."
Cato leads the way, our rooms are right next to each other. I stare at Cato for a couple seconds, and then try and go to my room, but…
He pulls me back into the hall by my shirt collar and pushes me up against the wall. "Cato, what the hel -"
Cato Vindisi
I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAME OVER ME.
I just couldn't resist.
Chloe, so intimidating, so pretty, so exotic, so irresistible. The kiss I plant on her lips is full of lust, so passionate. To my surprise, she kisses back.
Cato Vindisi, the rude, disrespectful, vulgar, soon-to-be Victor from District 2 cannot hold in his feelings in anymore. I'm crude and impolite, but that doesn't mean I don't have teen boy hormones, either. I hear a faint moan from Chloe -
I pull away, satisfied. Her eyes, as green as emeralds, stare into mine for a couple minutes. She stands on her tiptoes, and kisses my cheek, vanishing into her room without any further interaction.
What?
Chloe DeBenedetto
Let's not discuss what just happened between me and Cato. There's a knock on the door a few minutes later. It's Maddie.
"Hey, hun. I'm no stylist, but I think I can do your hair and make-up until Evianna and the prep team gets their hands on you!" I nod and smile, I always had a weak spot for girlie things… like hair and make-up.
Maddie pushes various buttons on a panel next to the closet and a silk cream-colored cocktail dress appears. The fabric ends about six inches above the knee, and a sequined bow lays just below my chest. She picks out four inch heels that are studded with diamonds. I've never seen such a beautiful combination.
My beautiful mentor 'French' braids my light blonde hair (There is no France anymore, and quite frankly, I don't care) and ties the end with a cream colored bow. A little pink eye shadow and mascara as dark as ink does the trick. Then, I'm ready.
Cato is wearing black trousers and a dress shirt with a flower pinned to his shirt that is the same color as my dress, obviously planned. The poorer districts wear their civilian clothes, but us Careers… we need to look gorgeous at all times, especially on our first time meeting our potential sponsors.
Will holds train door open for us (glaring at me), and Zorrelia giggles. "I give you the Tributes of District 2!" she announces to the Capitol.
The crowd goes wild, as anticipated. More often than not, Victors hail from 1,2, and 4. Every person on the train platform have one thing in common: craziness. What are they all wearing? Tinted skin, outrageous hair colors, wacky clothes. I smile big, and look intimidating. I even blow kisses at some of these odd men.
Cato grabs my hand and raises it high. The Capitol loves us already, I can tell. You can even hear some "awws" among the crowd.
"And don't forget to sponsor these lovely Tributes!" Zorrelia shouts over the loudness.
"Ouch!" I say as Aubrena rips off the wax, removing more hair on my legs.
"Last one, sweetie!" she says as I whimper. "The Tribute Parade is in three hours. Evianna has a phenomenal idea for your costumes!"
"I'm so excited," I reply, and Aubrena rolls her eyes. She's the only member of the prep team I've met, since hair and make-up come after I have my costume on. Aubrena leaves the room, saying she'd send in Evianna right away.
I rub my hands along my legs and arms - smooth. Very smooth. "Hello, darling. I love your hair!" My stylist, Evianna, exclaims. Her skin is slightly tinted green, and her hair is frizzy and bright pink. Her eyes are maroon, obviously contacts (or surgery…)
"Thanks," I reply with a bit more attitude than I intended. Evianna shakes her head.
"I have the best idea for District 2 this year. Intricate, with just enough sexy. You are your partner can definitely expect to earn opposite sex sponsors," she winks.
