Knife-girl and Spear-boy, chapter 4: After math

Clove's POV

I stayed in District 1 for a few more days. I could tell by Marvel's eyes that he didn't want to be alone because I could clearly re-call Cato with that same expression mere hours after Glimmer's tracker jacker death.

Melinda wasn't buried, she was cremated. Her ashes were put in a beautiful vase, probably something her or Marvel made themselves. Marvel didn't hold a funeral or anything; he was probably too depressed to invite people.

Despite that fact however, some friends and family stopped by to at least say a word or two.

Marvel didn't seem to enjoy the company though. He didn't want to be alone, but he didn't want people constantly reminding him that his mother was dead.

I witnessed him climb up the townhouse's stairs for the 13th time. "God fucking dammit!" he exclaimed before collapsing on the couch, his head landing on my lap.

"Who stopped by?" I asked from my position on the other side of the couch.

"I have no idea," he replied. "They seemed to know her, so I just played along."

I stoked his messy hair in hopes that it would calm him. He seemed to know what I was doing, "I know this move, but I'm not a dog Clove, stroking my hair won't make me feel be-" He paused as his eyes seemed to find themselves staring up my skirt. "On second thought, I do feel a bit better."

I was barely amused, "Eyes up here Marv!" I re-adjusted his head so he was looking up at me.

"Sorry," he got off me. "I'm just in that stage of depression where I gotta fuck someone to get my mind off things."

I crossed my legs, "Try anything and I'll knife you." We were taking those things slow, but that didn't stop us from getting to third base frequently.

"Relax, I won't, I'll just get the magazine hidden under my bed," he explained.

Surprisingly I was okay with that. I opened my mouth to say something else, but the door knocked before my lips could form the words.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Marvel groaned rather loudly, "OH COME ON! HOW MANY PEOPLE GIVE A FUCK?" He dragged himself off the couch like a 5-year-old and trudged downstairs.

I wanted to follow him, but a recording of the 70th Hunger Games was playing and the District 4 male just got his head chopped off. I laughed sadistically as his district partner wept in terror.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the smell of blood and roses filled the room. Despite the fact that blood was my favourite scent in the world, I almost lost my lunch. My hand slammed onto my mouth to prevent me from ruining a rather lovely carpet.

Lesson learned: The smell of roses goes terribly with the smell of blood.

That terrible combination of scents only meant one thing, President Snow. My eyes darted to the stairs right as the old man stepped into the living room.

"Hello Clover," he greeted. I noticed that he had his Peacekeepers with him, typical.

"It's Cloverfield actually," I corrected. By age 15, I'm used to people assuming that my full name is Clover.

He didn't seem to give any fucks and proceeded to walk into Marvel's room, his Peacekeepers following him.

Marvel himself was trailing along behind. "Marvel, what's going on?" I asked him before he could reach the room.

"President wants to talk to me... again," he huffed. "God, if I get anymore Peacekeepers in here then I might as get some crackers and cheese!"

I wanted to laugh, but I didn't, he seemed angered, best not to laugh inappropriately.

Calmly, Marvel took a deep breath, entered his room, and shut the door.

I did not waste a single second towards running to the closed door and pressing my ear against it.

The conversation went like this:

Marvel: What the hell do want from me Snow?

Snow: Nothing at all Marvel, I simply came to check up on you. My condolences to your mother by the way.

Marvel: Um... yeah, thanks.

Snow: Marvel, don't look at me this way, it's called discipline. If someone doesn't do as they are told, then that someone gets punished.

Marvel: So if I did fuck some capitol bitch that I barely knew for money, would my mom still be alive.

Snow: Ha! Kids these days, they learn so quickly, nothing like my generation.

Marvel: Your generation? You mean the dinosaurs?

Peacekeeper: (Silently) Burn...

Snow: (Angrily) You better watch your mouth Mr. Quaid! Because I have eyes and ears everywhere, so I know who you love and I know how devastated you would be if said people were taken away. Perhaps, your precious Clover?

Marvel: (Fearfully) No! Don't you dare touch her! Please Mr. President, I am begging you, please don't hurt her. I'll sleep with anyone you want me to, just please don't hurt her!

Snow: I can't do anything personally Marvel. Besides, she's a victor, if I murdered her to hurt you then I would have an uprising on our hands.

Marvel: Well, that's good.

Snow: But don't think you two will be getting off spot free for coming out of the Hunger Games as a pair. If there's any sign of rebellion in Panem I have you two to blame.

Marvel: ...

Snow: We're done here.

That was my cue to run back to the couch and pretend that I wasn't pressing my ear against the door to discreetly eavesdrop on the conversation. The door opened seconds before my body hit the not-as-soft-as-it-looked couch.

"It was a pleasure talking to you Marvel," Snow said. I was wondering if he was just trying to cover up the rather dark-sounding conversation I just heard.

"Yeah, same here Mr. President," Marvel replied. No shit he was lying though, the lies bled through his teeth.

I got off the couch to say a 'proper goodbye' to the President of Panem. "Mr. President," I started with my head performing a slight bow. What can I say? It's a district 2 stereotype that I sadly have. I used to think that being loyal to the President was a good thing; it was quite a shock to me when I found out that the other districts didn't value that trait.

Snow nodded back to me, "Clover."

"It's Cloverfield," I mumbled under my breath.

Not a single fuck was given as he made his way to the door. I asked a question as he did, "Just a question sir, when are we going on the victory tour?"

"It was scheduled to happen two weeks from now, but I would prefer it if you two went as soon as possible," Snow explained.

"I'd be fine with going tomorrow," Marvel said. "I've always wanted to go on a trip around Panem."

"I'd be fine with that too," I added. Marvel had a good idea, I'd never seen anything outside of district 2 until I was reaped, a trip like this would be fun.

"Excellent," Snow started. "Pack your bags and go to the train station tomorrow at 9 AM sharp."

"You have our word President Snow," I said a little too proudly. I can't help it, I'm a smug bitch, it runs in the family.

With that said Snow nodded to us, turned around, and left the townhouse, taking his terrible scent with him.

Once we were sure that Snow was gone, Marvel turned to me. "What did you hear?"

Typical Marvel, always cutting the bullshit and getting straight to the point. I tried my hand at lying, "Nothing."

He saw through that lie as if it was made of glass, "So you totally didn't press your ear against the door to listen in, right?"

"Fuck, how'd you know?" I asked rather stunned.

"You don't look people in the eye when you lie," he explained.

I soon realized that I was staring at the floor, "Shit, your right."

"I'm gonna assume that you heard everything," he put out.

I admitted the truth, "I did."

"And?" Marvel said as he went into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

I followed him in, "Why didn't you tell me that Snow tried to sell you?" My voice was angered and demanding. I just hate it when people don't tell me things, it makes me feel left out and stupid.

"You didn't have to know Clove, okay?" he answered. "You didn't have to know that I would be paid to cheat on you!"

Damn, he was right. Selling himself would've saved his mother, but part of me knew that my temper would rage if he cheated on me, even if it was prostitution.

"It's too late now," Marvel said as he pulled out a bottle of soda from the fridge. He took a seat at the island and hung his head in misery. "Mom's gone now, it wouldn't make a difference." A tear then form on the corner of his eye.

I hated seeing Marvel upset; he had always been the always-happy guy in the social scene. Seeing him depressed was like seeing a mockingjay that couldn't sing. Slowly, I approached him. When I got close, I took a seat beside him and put my head on his shoulder. I laid a light kiss on his jawline, tasting his salty tear.

I grasped his hand, "Hey, cheer up Marvy. We're going on the victory tour tomorrow, remember?"

"Well, that's true. I guess I'm excited about that." His voice started to sound a bit more cheerful.

"Yeah, it'll be fun," I added. "And don't worry Marvel, President Snow can't hurt me. I won't let him. Besides, I got knives and he's got roses."

Marvel yanked the soda bottle open with his teeth and took a quick drink, "Let's hope so."

So... my first POV chapter.

Yeah, this was just an experiment. I'm just gonna go back to 3rd person POV, it's easier for me.

But if you like it then make sure you tell me!

Oh, and I know Marvel might seem out of character, but his mother died! You can't smile about that!

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