Chapter 3

Cato's POV:

WEDNESDAY 5:00 AM

I sit straight up after a terrifying nightmare. The trainers kicked Clove out of training for some reason, and peacekeepers came and started whipping her for days. She died soon after and I couldn't help.

But then another terrifying thought hits me. Why would I care if Clove died? It's not like she's my friend, right? We're more like enemies. But I know, just won't admit that I have a major crush on her. I don't know if it's her beautiful brown, wavy, flowing hair, her unique, hazel/light brown eyes, or just her strong personality. But I know I want her. But for some reason I won't let myself know that. Kind of ironic because I'm admitting it right now.

It's a school day, so I just put on regular clothes, and head out the door. It's not time to go yet, I have about 2 hours, but I want to relax at the lake for a moment and sort out my thoughts.

I fall asleep after about 20 minutes of just leaning back against a tree, while thinking about Clove, when I think to myself-

I'm really falling for Clove Sevena.

Clove's POV:

WEDNESDAY 6:00 AM

I sleepily rise from being awaken of my fire alarm, which I recorded from a fire drill at school, and now use for my "awaketh" alarm. I put on casual clothes, since today is a regular school day, and head downstairs to grab a bagel, make sure Ashalia is asleep, and go to Kilac's house, just to freak her out. I bring my baby, aka my deadliest knife, and plan on gripping it while knocking on her window and smiling creepily at her with wide eyes. My plan works perfectly, and when Kilac goes to tell her parents, I sneak away and hide behind her neighbor's house, and she gets scolded at for making them come out at 6 in the morning.

I walk past Pistol's house and see a note on the porch that says my name on it. I curiously read it and sigh annoyingly. I guess I'll be alone for 5 months. Pistol and his family are on vacation to the District 4 to see the ocean. I've always wanted to go there, but sadly there's no one to take me, and I can't just cross the border line without peacekeepers beating me up. I sadly walk home, wondering what I'll do and who I'll talk to without Pistol. Charelle, perhaps? No, after a while, she's annoying. The only person I can think of is Cato, but I don't want to help him grow in popularity. He's already bad enough. And without Pistol I may just be more annoyed by Cato because there won't be another masculine being standing next me.

I just let the thought go and tell myself to figure it out later.

When I get home, I try to open the door quietly, but am interrupted when I bump in to Asha, who was standing right in front of the door, obviously, waiting for me to come back in a parental style.

"And where were you, young lady?" Asha asks like a mom.

"Newsflash! I'm older than you, so you don't have the right to call me young lady, and I was just taking a walk."

"Yeah, taking a walk with Pistol." She acts as if we're secretly dating. NOT true.

"No, actually he's on vacation for 5 months in District 4." I say making her 'Ooh! You're dating!' smile fade away. This makes me chuckle thinking that would actually be true.

"Oh… well then let's just get ready for whatever we have and get Bramon. I'm sick of this conversation."

I agree and get my things, and we cheerfully wake up Bramon. We watch TV for a little bit when I hear a knocking at the door. I'm curious about who it is, so I look through the peephole and then sigh annoyingly. I make purposefully loud noises sounding like me locking the door, because that's what I'm doing. I don't want to get caught up with that dude again.

Why won't you stop bothering me, Cato?!