Chapter Seven: Time Flies
Disclaimer: Don't own the Hunger Games.
Cato:
With one swing of her sword, the dummy lost its head. The look on Clove's face was one he hadn't seen in a years. It was a mix of determination and ferocity. This constant practice had a purpose. For two weeks, she had made it her mission to master every weapon. Her reasons were currently unknown to Cato, but that didn't mean he wasn't trying to find them. The Quell was at the top of the list. He asked Lyme, Enobaria, even Finnick! No answer.
"Clove! That's enough practice." She grabbed her water bottle and took a drink.
"Didn't hear you come in. What time is it?"
"Seven fifteen. You've been in her since three this afternoon." She shrugged.
"I'm just training. P never stopped wanting to train."
"You train with knives and your already amazing with them. Why bother with the swords, the spears, the bows?" Clove stayed away from swords and spears, mainly because of her size. They required someone with a bit more strength.
"I like adding to my list of abilities. I want to do this for myself." She said nonchalantly. Clove methodically placed the sword back on the rack.
"You don't do things just because." He had her there.
She finished packing up and she moved to stand right in front of him.
"You don't actually think I'd want to go into the Quell?" She laughed, that high laugh that she used only when she meant to mock someone. "I was the first one to tell you we had nothing to worry about! Even if I were reaped, someone else would volunteer. Baria is dying for a shot at Everdeen." She's not the one spending hours training. "I would never volunteer, Cato. Never." The sincerity in her voice gave him little ease. She must have noticed because she continued making up excuses.
"This whole thing has opened my eyes, Cato. I'm completely unprepared for any danger. I hate the feeling, this uselessness! It's annoying. You're always out and about, all over the country! I'm stuck between Two and the Capitol. I need something I can actually progress in. A challenge. So, I practice my sword work and spear throwing."
Cato didn't say anything more. She lifted a hand and began slowly tracing the buttons on his shirt."I'm going home. I need a nice long shower." She looked up at him through long black lashes and he needed no more invitations.
"I'll carry your bag then." He said. This was the most attention he'd gotten from her in a while and only a fool would turn her down.
"What a gentleman!" She joked.
Though she insisted all of the training was for her own benefit, Cato could never be too careful. Clove had proven how reckless she could be when she sponsored Everdeen. Good thing Lyme would make sure she was mentoring this year.
Clove:
In the living room, the sound of a phone ringing bounced off the walls. Who it was, Clove would find out.
"Hello?" She expected it to be Lyme or Enobaria. Maybe some news.
"Woooo! Happy 21st Clo! You're getting old!"
"Ha! You mean you're getting old, Finn! Enjoy that pretty face while you can." Finnick Odair always called on her birthday. It must have slipped from her mind. "I forgot you'd call."
"Forgot your own birthday? No wonder Cato's been harassing my phone!" What? Cato and Finnick were friends, they have been since before Clove met them, but it didn't make sense to call so often.
"What does he say?" She asked anxiously. The joy she had felt at hearing from her friend vanished, replaced by worry.
"When he first called, he asked if I knew about what was bothering you. Said you'd been obsessed with training."
"And you said.." She pressed.
"I told him I was on my way to Annie's and I'd call him back. I didn't, of course, but he did. I didn't pick up. Clove, you're my friend and I care about you, but I'm not going to lie to Cato. He's my friend, too. And a good one."
Clove pressed a hand to her forehead. "Finn, I'm not trying to be distant! Things are complicated-"
"They shouldn't be! Don't push him away, Clove. Not now. Tell him the truth. Trust is important in a relationship! I tell Annie everything." Relationship advice from Finnick of all people!
"You told her about this? You told her that you're going back into the arena? You want me to say, 'Hey Cato, I'm going back into the games and I might die, but I'm going anyway!', that easy? He'd freak and lock me in a room for the rest of my life!" She yelled into the phone. "It's different with Annie and you know that."
She heard a defeated sigh on the other end of the phone. "Fine. Do what you want. If you talked to him, he'd understand-"
"No he wouldn't. He thinks I'm some damaged girl who can't make choices for herself, but he's wrong. I've made mistakes, but I'm fixing them. I made it through the games on my own once, I can do it again."
"You're both right, you know. He wants to protect you, like I protect Annie. But you are an adult, so as one of your friends, I'll respect that." She was satisfied by his words. "I do ask that you try to act more...normal. Like I said, don't push him away." There was an awkward silence. "Today's your birthday! Plans?" Finnick effectively changed the mood.
"Max and I are going to the park and then getting some ice cream. Cato says he's making me dinner. I'm kind of worried, he's never cooked anything fancy before..." Pre-made meals were simple and they survived off of them. A full dinner was nearly impossible for either to make.
"You'll be fine! Enjoy it!" In the background, she heard a woman call Finnick's name. It could only be Annie.
"Who's on the phone, Finn?" She heard Annie ask.
"It's Clove. Today's her birthday." He told her.
"It is? Happy Birthday Clove!" Annie sounded genuinely pleased to hear the news.
"Thanks Annie. How are you putting up with Finn everyday?" She asked the older girl.
"He's a lot of fun, Clove. We're going down to the beach today, to find some shells. I'm making bracelets. Maybe you'd like one for your birthday!" Her voice came through clearly and Clove assumed she had taken the phone from Finnick.
"Only if you want to make me one. I'd love one." Clove didn't wear a lot of jewelry, but this would be a gift from a friend.
"It'll be gorgeous! Finn, I'm going to go see if Mags wants to come with us today. Bye Clove!" She passed the phone back to Finnick.
"Annie's into jewelry making. Plenty of shells here in Four. Anyway, I'm gonna go catch up with Annie and you can go catch up with everyone there. See you soon?"
"Three more days." Then it's back to the Capitol. "Bye Finnick." With a click, the line went dead.
Clove took a deep breath and glanced at the clock. Almost 3 o'clock. She'd head down to the Academy to pick up Max soon. Then it's off to celebrate. Happy 21st birthday to me. If something went wrong, it would be her last.
Boring chapter, I know.I meant this to be a sort of filler, just to let you all know how everything is going. Anyway...next chapter will be better. I hope. Please, do review! I'd really like to know what you all think.
