Ok here it is! The longest chapter yet! After this comes the arena! hope you guys enjoy! PLEASE REVIEW! :)
Cato's POV
I am awakened by Lucy's pestering rapping on my door.
"Cato darling," she squeaks, "hurry up and get ready! You have interview preparations today!" Right. The interviews are tonight. The shirt I slept in accompanied by a pair of blue jeans complete my morning routine; I am way too lazy to put any effort into my look this morning. Clove is walking out of her room right as I am.
"Good morning," I yawn, noticing her outfit. I examine the floor length red dress and at least five inch heels in her hands. She laughs at the apparently confused expression on my face.
"Lucy wants me to practice walking in a dress and heels," Clove explains. "Oh, Brutus told me to have you meet him in the sitting room. You'll be working on content with him for a few hours while Lucy and I work on presentation. Then we'll switch."
"Well, have fun I guess," I say, still intently staring at the dress. Clove looks good in red! She walks towards me and gives me a playful shove as she walks out and into the hallway. I follow her, the image of the satiny material hugging her body still mesmerizing me.
I find Brutus waiting in the sitting room, staring off into space. He looks up when I enter the door and motions for me to sit across from him.
"Hello. So did Clove explain the plans for today?" Brutus asks.
"Yup," I reply. "A few hours of content with you, then onto Lucy for presentation. Then I'm guessing you hand me over to my stylists, then onto the interviews?"
"That's the plan," remarks Brutus. "I think we both know that your angle for the interviews tonight is intimidating Career. So, let's do a few practice questions and see what you've got."
We used to do interview practices at the academy, so I breeze right through the question. I tell him about my raw determination to win. Confident Cato answers every inquiry with venom in every answer. I hint at my 'relationship' with Glimmer, practicing my technique for throwing the crowd off Clove's and my scent. A million questions later, Brutus tells me I'm ready and to go see Lucy in the dining room.
When I enter, Clove has already left and Lucy waits patiently in a chair for me.
"Good afternoon," I greet her. She stands and gives me a short and extremely awkward hug.
"Now," she starts, "let's work on your sitting posture." Lucy goes on explaining how to sit up straight, keep my head hey, and most of all: SMILE. I win her over with my cocky grin and just the right amount of evilness added in. We continue with walking practice, which if you ask me is completely pointless. Finally after three more hours of Lucy's quiet teaching, it's time to go get ready for the interviews.
Clove's POV
Enobaria's repetitive questions are a welcome treat compared to Lucy's dumb high heeled shoes. My feet are covered in blisters, and I've acquired a few bruises from tripping over my dress. Remembering interview training at the academy, I impress Enobaria with my prepared answers. The time comes to hand myself over to Vinear, to prepare my looks for the interview tonight. My prep team greets me with enthusiastic hugs and kisses and then gets down to work. I sit patiently as they chat away, doing my hair up in a braid down the back of my skull that continues into a ponytail beginning at the top of my head. I make small talk with Augusta about my nervousness while she gives my nails a sunset hue. Denim is ecstatic as he plasters orange and red highlights onto my eyes. The glue from my newly applied fake eyelashes burns, but I barely notice through the squawks of delight from the team. The circle me like vultures, commenting and complimenting me on how fabulous they think I appear. I shyly thank them for their hard work, wanting badly to see what look Vinear has created for me. He enters the room with another dress bag in his arms and shoos my prep team away.
"Nervous?" he asks casually while motioning me to close my eyes. I shut them, and feel the silky inside of the dress.
"Very," I stutter. "But I'll be fine. Once I see the other tributes I'll be okay." I know this to be true. Once I see the horror on the other competitors' faces, my Game side will kick in and eliminate all worries from my mind. My thoughts will focus on how to intimidate them, how to win over potential sponsors.
"Open your eyes," commands Vinear. He faces my body to direct a full length mirror. I am entranced by the design he has created. Sunset orange ruffles cascade down to my stomach, then continue in a lighter smooth hue down to the floor. Since my dress covers my feet, I am granted the privilege to wear a pair of comfortable orange flats. The dramatic make up enhances the effects of my outfit; I look like a perky yet deadly girl.
"Thank you," I whisper, still in awe over my appearance. Vinear gives a small smile, his joy shining in his eyes.
"Come," says he, "let's get you down to the stage." He takes my hand and guides me into the elevator, where Cato and his short, bouncy stylists are already. Cato opens his mouth to speak, but the short annoying lady cuts him off.
"Fabulous!" She shrieks in an unnerving high pitch. She and Vinear go on to discuss their designs, giving Cato and me a minute to look shyly at each other.
His stylist has dressed him in an all-black ensemble. His slacks and silk shirt are paired with a sleep leather jacket. Cato's prep team has spiked his blonde hair and left his face recognizable and clear of make-up. He looks quit handsome, and I give him a secret smile. He returns it with a wink, and his grin that has always made me swoon. We arrive on the ground floor and enter the city circle to a back stage area where Lucy and our mentors await us.
"You look great!" Lucy compliments, a radiant smile beaming from her bright blue lips. Enobaria gives me a grin that looks more like a snarl through her razor sharp teeth. Brutus tells Cato and me that we look amazing, and then guides us to our places in line behind Marvel and Glimmer.
"Hey baby," Cato flirts as he slinks up next to Glimmer. Her very see through gold dress shimmers in ripples down her curves. Her blonde hair is left down and shines along with the dress. She will have no problem getting sponsors in that outfit. Marvel wears a bright blue suit and looks about the same otherwise. He greets me with a curt nod and turns his attention to the stage, where Caesar Flickerman has started to entrance the crowd with the excitement of the interviews. He takes his seat, his powder blue hair and eyes matching his sparkly blue suit. A stage hand ushers Glimmer towards the open seat next to Caesar, and the crowd screams at her sexy look. I just stare at the back of Marvel's head until her three minutes is up, then I nervously look behind me to notice my fellow tributes fearful expressions. Just as I predicted, this makes me gain all the confidence in the world. The ruthlessness I've learned to turn on and off automatically overpowers my brain. The buzzer sounds, queuing me to head onto the stage. The audience greets me and my gown with a generous applause as I take a seat next to Caesar. I plaster my poisonous yet girly smile onto my lips and give a small wave to the crowd.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome!" Caesar enthuses. "So, Clove, how is the change from the District 2 to the Capitol?"
This is one of the first questions I was taught how to answer at school. I remember to make the Capitol feel like they're the top of the world, like I look up to each and every one of them as role models. Which I don't.
"The Capitol is great! Everyone has just been so kind here, so welcoming. Every person I've met is amazing and so gracious!" I gush. The crowd responds with sounds of thanks, blowing me kisses and waving.
"Well, I'm glad we've made you feel so comfortable!" Caesar grins. "I must ask, how did such a small girl as yourself pull a 10? I mean that is impressive!" he bellows.
"Let's just say I'm not as innocent and tiny as I look," I hint, giving a subtle coldness to my eyes.
"I think we all figured you're a force to be reckoned with after you volunteered so hastily at the Reaping!" he exclaims. "Tell us, we're dying to know, why did you volunteer?"
I think about the question. Technically, training for the Hunger Games is illegal, even though everyone knows the Career districts do. I just come up with something to try and scare my fellow tributes backstage.
"District honor is very important to me, Caesar," I begin. "Ever since I was little I've wanted to make my District proud in some way. I can be very ruthless when I have to be. I'll go to any heights, even putting myself in such danger, to make my country and my District proud." This wins the audience over completely. They cheer and scream, while Caesar announces his last question.
"Is there anything you'd like to say to your fellow tributes before the Games begin tomorrow?"
I feel the venom soak into my heart and the answer seethes out of me. "Watch your backs, because you will die if you mess with me." Caesar follows the Capitol crowd with oohs and ahs. The buzzer signaling the end of my time sounds. I stand and take Caesar's hand.
"Good luck, dear! We all wish you the best, Clove from District 2!" he shouts to the crowd. I smile and wave as I exit the stage, taking a seat in another hallway next to Marvel and Glimmer. We whisper good jobs to each other, then turn out attention to Cato. He has fully taken on his arrogant and killer attitude, hinting at his assured victory of the Games and every question. If I didn't truly know him, I would've though him to be a murderer who would stop at nothing to win the Hunger Games. That's exactly how he can be at times, but not with me. Well, except that one time at training. But that's behind us now. Cato's time is quickly up, and he takes the empty seat next to me.
"Good job," I whisper, barely audible over the audiences cheer for the next tribute. He secretly smiles and takes my hand, and I quickly cover it with the folds of my gown. While watching the other tributes, I realize that Cato and I didn't watch any of the other scores last night except for Glimmer and Marvel. So I intently listen and store each tributes score into my mind. Most everyone is in the 5 range, nothing too special. I notice the boy from 3 scored a 9. I give a look to my allies, letting them know that we need to recruit him. Cato nods his consent. Surprisingly the girl from 11, the puny 12 year old, scored a 7. The boy from her district scored a 10, no shocker there.
Then the silly girl from 12 enters the stage. Everyone is so overwhelmed by her dress, so impressed. They forget that no matter what she looks like now, she will be dead within a few weeks. But then I hear her score: 11. Cato looks wildly at me, shocked that such a weak and foolish girl could earn such a score.
"She's the first one we kill," Cato seethes to us. We all silently agree, feeling the coldness of bloodlust coursing through our veins. She gives one last stupid twirl in her stupid dress, and then Peeta takes her place. The crowd laughs at his jokes with Caesar about showers. Dumb and weak. He scored an 8 in training, not too bad. But unless he proves useful otherwise, he will not be a Career. But then, his weakness along with Katniss' shines through. Caesar asks about any girlfriends he has, when Peeta sheepishly admits to his 'lifelong love, Katniss. Cato looks at me, hurt in his eyes but evilness in his expression. We've figured out how to get to Katniss.
Cato's POV
This is perfect. We now have a secret weapon to get to Katniss, whose 11 in training is beginning to worry me. The interviews end, and we tributes are led to the elevators. Clove, Glimmer, Marvel, and I wait until we see Peeta, for once not glued to his apparent crush.
"Hey there lover boy," Clove hisses behind his back, making him quickly turn to face our group. He stutters out a hello, then just stares at us, unsure of our intensions for seeking him out.
I decide to just tell it to him straight. "Listen, were you serious about that whole romance thing? Or are you just trying to get her behind her back? Because if it's the second one, we could use you in our pack. Help us lure her in," I explain. He thinks for a moment, a bewildered look on his face.
"Um, well I…ya it's just to confuse her," he says, gaining confidence with each word. "I figured that if she thinks that I like her, she won't expect me to kill her. But I planned on proving that wrong in the arena." I don't believe him 100%, but we could still use his skills.
I put out my hand to shake. He looks at it like it's a viper ready to strike, then takes it. "So I'll see you guys tomorrow?"
"Yup," Marvel replies. "See ya." We watch him head to his level, then look for the crippled kid from 3 who scored a 9. We find him waiting at the elevator, a nervous look on his pinched face. He about faints when he sees us, a wild pack of dogs heading straight for him.
"What did you do to get a 9?" I ask quickly. He just looks up at me huge eyes
"I, I um, I can program mines. And I'm good with electricity," he replies. I look at the group, they all shakes their heads in approval. This kid could be useful, mines are great protection and traps.
"So kid, what do you say about hanging with us Careers? You'd just set up a few mines around the Cornucopia, ya know for protection. Maybe set a few traps." I hold my hand out for him to shake, and he immediately grabs on. He gives a goofy smile to all of us through his black rimmed glasses.
"Sounds great," the kid practically cries. "My name is Lectro by the way."
"Alright, see ya tomorrow Lectro," Clove says with a prim wave and a wink. Lectro blushes and heads into the elevator.
"We're going to follow him, maybe talk some strategy," Glimmer says, dragging Marvel with her.
"See you tomorrow," Clove says. We have waited so long that we get an elevator to ourselves. We both sigh as the doors close, glad to be relieved of our murder mode. We smile at each other and I am reminded of how much I love Clove.
"So what was that wink to Lectro all about?" I question with fake hurt. Clove giggles.
"Well you're getting pretty comfy with Glimmer, so I figured I could use a companion," she pouts, holding back a smile. The doors open onto level 2.
"Meet me on the roof, okay?" Clove whispers. I nod and head to my room.
Clove's POV
Quickly, I shower and throw on some shorts and a t shirt. Our mentors are having dinner with potential sponsors, so I use the magic food machine to order a light picnic in a basket. Trying to beat Cato to the roof, I rush up the elevator and hastily set out the blanket and food. I ordered all of Cato's favorites: roast beef, tomato basil soup, and a chocolate cake for dessert. I light two candlesticks that I stole from the dining room, just as Cato steps out of the elevator. He pulls up short and looks down at me where I sit on the ground.
"What's this?" he asks.
"I figured we should have one last night alone together before the Games tomorrow," I explain. He sits down across from me, no smile playing on his lips. He just stares blankly at me, at the food, then up at the night sky where the stars are obscured by the city lights. "What is it?"
He looks down at me, his blue eyes still expressionless. "This really is our last night together, isn't it? Our last night being able to be ourselves. Then I go on flirting with Glimmer, you with Lectro. We both kill, and only one of us lives. Then the other goes and gets on with their life."
Cato's words are the exact thoughts I've been pushing out of my mind since he volunteered. "Why did you have to volunteer?" I whisper, looking down at the blanket we're sitting on. "Why couldn't you have just waited until next year?"
Cato gently lifts my chin up with his hands, slowly and gently. He gradually leans in, closer, and closer. He pauses, right in front of my face and looks me in the eyes. I lean in the rest of the way, making our lips touch. We stay there for a moment, breathing each other in. This is our first real kiss, ever. We have always been close, but always cautious. And this is how I always wanted this moment to be like: innocent and simple. He finally smiles down at me, which makes me grin. We spend the rest of the evening eating and then remembering our favorite moments with each other. Both of our favorites though are the moment that just happened, the best night of our lives which just happens to be the night before we enter the Hunger Games.
Eventually, even after the Capitol parties die down, Cato and I head to bed. He gives me one more kiss, on the cheek though, before entering his room for the night. I crawl into my bed, silently going insane. My happiness from the evening turns to shear horror at the thought of possibly losing Cato tomorrow. I can't let that happen. He will win the Hunger Games, and I will make sure of it.
