Chapter Four
Clove's POV
Cashmere is standing in the doorway with a big smile. She is a nice girl, I don't know what would happen to her if she'd know her brother is a smug dick. When I found that device and listened to its content, I was sure that I'd hear music, because Cato loves music, it makes him feel safe. But instead, I heard two familiar voices. One of them was Gloss, the other is Cato. I feel bad for listening to their conversation, but if I didn't, I would still think that he loves me.
When Cato began to speak about a mysterious person, I was confused. He said the boy from Twelve, not the girl from Two. I didn't want to believe for my ears, I wanted to believe that Cato's into me, that he's into girls. But unfortunately, not. My heart shattered into pieces in that very moment, and I felt like I could kill him, betray him, stab a knife into his back, like he did it to me. Instead, I wanted to stay calm and talk with him about it. Now I know why he did it.
It surprises me, a lot, but I'm not even mad. I can understand him, and his feelings. It hurts me a lot, but I understand him.
"Come on, girl. We have to get prepared, the Capitol wants to see two gorgeous warriors, and we will give it to them." She looks alike her brother, but in the inside, they're everything but nothing alike.
I went into the bathroom, where I sat down on the toilet seat. I buried my face into my hands, my ponytail became disheveled as I ran my hands through it. I thought through this situation about Cato, Gloss, and the boy from Twelve. Twelve's boy doesn't even know Cato, and neither Cato does know him, but he likes him more than me. I'm trying not be jealous. I'm trying to be happy for him. But instead of it, I begin to cry. I don't know how much time I'm here until I hear someone knocking.
"Is everything alright?" It's Cato, I know his voice very well. I hear sincere concern in it, and from this I begin to cry even harder. I think he heard me, because in the next moment I saw his legs before me. I looked up, his eyes were full of regrets. He regretted that he told me he likes the blonde guy.
"I'm sorry." He tells an eterinty later. "I didn't want to hurt you, really." His eyes becomes teary. I hate it when he cries, his sad face makes me cry even more.
"I know you didn't want to, but you did anyways. I'm not crying because of what's happening now." I say.
"Then why are you crying?"
"Because of the memories what I have in the past. And because I didn't find it out sooner!" My words are just coming out of my mouth, I don't even have to think about them.
"Sooner?" He asks, his face is confused. "What do you mean by sooner?"
"If we almost began to kiss, you had an excuse. You always found out something to stay phisically away from me." I say. He is surprised. He didn't even notice what he has done?
"I.. I didn't do it by choice.. I mean.. I don't even remember doing them." He says.
"I don't know what was happening to you then, but I know what is happening to you right now! You're confused, Cato. I understand it. I will ask you to leave, because I would like to think."
"Okay, but Cashmere and Gloss told me to get you because we will arrive soon."
"Okay. I'm going to get ready then."
"Okay." He takes a break then continues. "Hey, Clove."
"Hmm?" I ask.
"Take on your mask." He smiles at me, then leaves me here. I can't help it, but laugh. We found out this when he was fourteen and I was thirteenOur parents were on a trip in the Capitol and they left us alone in our house. One night we were thinking about Reaping Day and about all District Two Tributes. We didn't know why they were so strong, but some hours later we found out: They were using a gate what was locking their emotions away from everyone else. So from that very moment if one of us got sad, or almost showed our emotions, the other one told: Take on your mask.
It is not a big thing, but it makes me feel like the girl I was two years ago. Happy, and not being madly in love with his best friend.
I wash my face, to make my tears disappear. I comb my hair carefully, because it's still disheveled, then I tie it in a ponytail. The next moment I walk out from the bathroom with a smile on my face. I find Cashmere on the coach, who's sitting like a Capitol citizen.
"Hi." I say. "You don't know how much time we left?" I ask with a gentle smile.
"I don't know, but we will arrive soon. Are you okay? Your eyes are red. Did you cry, little girl?"
"No, no! I'm just a bit sleepy."
She stands up within a moment, she becomes excited for something. "Oh, look! We're there! Call the boys." I nod, then walk out of the room which we were in. "Cato!" I shout. He's in his room, laying on his bed. "Did you see Gloss?" I ask. His body shakes a little, I almost forgot about the 'thing'.
"No, he has to be in his room. Why?"
"Cashmere told that we arrived, come on!"
He was right, I found Gloss in his room, half naked as usual. "Take on some clothes!" I roll my eyes. "We're in the Capitol!"
Peeta's POV
Haymitch's advice was useful what he told me about being liked in the Capitol. As the train slowed down from it's high speed, I began to smile and wave through a window, and all the citizens who saw me went totally crazy! I think this 'make yourself likable to them' thing will not be that hard how I thought. I didn't see any Capitol citizens in real life besides Effie Trinket. I always thought that she has an extreme style. Looking into the crowd what awaits for us, I begin to think that she is classified as restrained here. I see people whose skin is purple, whose hair is so long that I wonder how could they not step on it. There are every kind of strange people, but all of them is one. They are not judging each other because their not like them.
"What are you doing?" Katniss asks. "This is pointless!"
"You should do what he does." Maysilee says.
"I won't show that I like them, when I know that they would laugh on my death or something like this."
This girl is annoying sometimes, but I like her anyways.
As we get off the train, I wave, smile, and touch everyone's hand who's offering theirs to me. I'm being gentle to them, and they all are liking it. I heard as one or two of them shouted 'I will bet on you, Peeta!' and others are saying 'I'll be your sponsor!'
I thought it's hard to be likeable for them, but no. Katniss is the only one who finds it hard. A moment later I get the pin out of my pocket, and I put it up on my shirt. Just where Maysilee showed me to: On my chest, close to my heart.
I don't know why, but the Capitol people are all beginning to cheer me even better. Some time later I find out why. They're shouting things like 'I love your pin! I'll have one myself!' and 'That bird is really gorgeous!'
I look at Katniss, smiling. She just rolls her eyes.
"What's your problem? This is my strategy! I don't know how to use an arrow and a bow!" I say quietly.
"How do you know I'm hunting in the woods?" She asks.
"My father used to buy squirrels from you, in exchange for flour. Remember?"
"Oh, yes!" She answers, then we are going into a big building.
Effie's excitement is hearable from her voice. "We are in the Training Center!" She says. "You'll be living here for the next few days, you will learn to fight, use some weapons, and you could train with your allies, if you have any. Tomorrow we are going to the Opening Ceremony!" She takes a little break to get some air. "This is so exciting!"
"Calm down, sweetheart." Haymitch says.
"Haymitch, learn some manners!" She spits out the words at him, and a moment she's smiling on the people who are near us to greet us. From curiosity I glance through the place, looking at the people in it, the Tributes from each Districts. When I look at Two's Tributes, the boy is staring at me, arrogantly. I feel something strange in my stomach.
The guy is gorgeous! But he is also a Career Tribute.
And Careers doesn't make alliances with Tributes out from One, Two, Three and Four. Or at least, not always.
The next moment something strange is beginning to happen, the guy is approaching me, he's coming near me. I feel scared, and exicted from his looks at the same time. His tight shirt shows his perfect body, and I could look into eyes for an eternity. 'No, Peeta! He's a Career! I tell myself.
"Hey, Twelve!" He says arrogantly.
"H-H-Hi.." I answer. This wasn't as distinct as I wanted it to be.
"I just came here to say that your build is much more stronger than an Outer is usually."
"Excuse me? An Outer?" I ask.
"Yeah, an Outer. Someone who's from the outer Districts." He made me angry with this, but I can't fight back. His eyes doesn't let me. "And there's something else what I wanted to say: When the training begins today, You will come to us and show what you can do! And I will decide if you could join us, or not."
"Join you? Who?" I ask.
"The Careers." The rolls his eyes. He begins to walk away but then turns back to me for a moment. "By the way, what's your name The Boy From Twelve?" He asks, his voice is monotone.
"If you doesn't even care, why you'd ask it?"
"Because I asked it. So, what's your name?"
"It's.. It's Peet.."
"Is it that hard?" Oh God I'd like to wipe this arrogant smile off his face! With my mouth. 'Peeta! Not now!' I tell myself.
"I'm Peeta Mellark." I reach for his hand, and he grabs mine. His hand is warm, his touch makes me feel like I'm in another world. I begin to imagine this strong, manly touch all over my body. 'PEETA! NOT NOW!"
"And what's yours?"
"Cato Hadley." And with this he walks away to his District partner.
"Looks like someone made a strong alliance!" Haymitch says.
"Nah! He told me he will see today what I'm capable of, and maybe then he'll consider adding me."
I smile, then I look at Katniss who is jealous, I see it on her face.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"Nothing!" She says. "I'm just surprise they want to make an ally with someone from District Twelve. That's it."
"Maybe they will get you in the team too!" I say.
"I don't want to be a Career!"
"But why are they wanting you to join them?" Maysilee asks.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling that we will find out soon!"
