Chapter 8: A Lie

Clove

Cato and I shared the most passionate kiss of all last night. I know and I'm certain that what we have is love. After everything we've been through, after the games almost tore us apart, here I am, planning on how I will say yes to him and no to the others. I surely know that the no to the others will be so much more difficult than the yes to him. I don't know what I'm going to do. It's going to be really awkward for sure, especially with Paul. I think I almost can't bear to hurt him, because I know we've done a lot of things together in the past. He's been my friend for so long. As for Jayson, I still can't imagine how he will react after hearing my decision. Another thing is that I d really don't know what to do first. Should I confront Cato first or the others? Well, I guess it'll just depend on which one of them I'll meet first.

Right now, I'm in my friend Rina's house. We're watching television in the living room but I'm not really paying attention to it.

"By the way, Clove, your suitor, Jayson, called me last night asking me about your whereabouts," Helen suddenly said. It's a relief to see that she can walk properly now, without the help of wheelchairs or crutches or anything.

"What did you say to him?" I asked her.

"And how did he come up with your number?" Rina said accusingly, raising her eyebrows.

"Oh, Rina, shut up, you know the two of us used to be close in the Academy," Helen answered.

"So the two of you have communication for a while?" Rina asked again accusingly, this time, smiling.

"You know what, Rina? Just drop it, okay? And shut up!" Helen said. "Anyway Clove, I told him you were with Cato."

"That's good," I said.

"And it seems like hell just broke loose in his house after that," Helen added.

"Actually, I'm planning on ending this thing once and for all," I said. This time, Rina stopped smiling and looked at me.

"Clove, are you sure about that?" she asked me worriedly.

"Yeah, I've been for a while," I said. "You know that."

"Him?" she asked me again and I nodded. "Clove, I think it's best if…, you need more time…, I mean, you can really use some more time…, you have to be sure first…, before coming up with a decision."

"Rina, I've explained it to you before, right?" I said reassuringly. "And I don't understand why you're acting like this every time we…" I can't continue, because right now, I can tell that she's holding back tears.

"Rina, what the hell is the matter with you?" Helen asked her.

"Nothing. I just…," Rina said.

"What?" Helen asked her. Rina then rolled her eyes and stared at her lap.

"It doesn't matter. Who the hell cares anyway? Just do what you want Clove," she said. After that she walked away and goes up the stairs. Helen and I exchanged looks.

"Clove, what's going on?" Helen asked me.

"I don't know," I said, and I really don't, but I think that she's really hiding something from me.

Cato

I woke up nine o'clock in the morning and was shocked by it. Sunlight was already creeping into my room. I slept in! I think it's because I was exhausted last night. Clove and I got home really late, but I know that it's worth it. It's been a long time since we kissed like that and I really enjoyed it.

After getting myself ready for the day, I peeked out my bedroom window, wondering if I'll see Clove anytime soon, but I wasn't expecting Jayson. There he is, standing in front of Clove's doorway. He must have been waiting for her. Suddenly he looked towards my direction and met my gaze. He gave me a cocky grin before turning away. What's his problem? I made my way outside to confront him and demand what his problem was.

"Hey Jayson," I greeted him and he looked at me.

"Hey Cato," he greeted me back.

"What brought you here?" I asked him.

"Oh, I am just waiting for Clove," he said. "What about you? Same thing?" I nodded coolly.

"Clove's not around." We both looked at the speaker. It was Enobaria. No wonder. Enobaria and Clove just live next to each other.

"Where did she go Enobaria?" I asked.

"She said she'll just visit some friends of hers," she said.

"No point in staying here any longer then," Jayson muttered and walked away. I got a glimpse of him first and know that he's grinning at me cockily. What the hell is his problem?

"Let me guess. One of your rivals?" Enobaria said.

"Yeah, and a very arrogant one too," I said. After that, I walked away, back to my house. I don't find it rude, but I'm not so sure if she does. My relationship with Enobaria became so much better during the games but it sure is awkward with her still. I guess the past is really painful for me to tolerate.

I just stayed in the house until early in the afternoon. I still didn't see any sign of Clove. I'm starting to get bored. My life is boring without her. That's why I decided to visit the Academy and entertain myself with some weapons.

Sure enough, violence really eases my boredom, but Tricia is spoiling everything. She's been looking at me in a strange kind of way all the time and it really irritates me. Didn't yesterday's events prove that I'll choose Clove's attention over hers? Before getting myself to talk to her, I quickly made my way outside. It's already late in the afternoon anyway. That's when I saw Jayson making his way toward me. He's grinning at me cockily still. What the hell is the matter with him?

"Jayson, what brought you here?" I asked him the same question I asked this morning. "Thinking about the opportunity you've wasted?" That seriously caught him off guard.

"Well, no," he said. "I came here looking for you. Clove wanted me to tell you something. She said she couldn't tell it to you herself. " Something in his tone caused me to shudder and get goose bumps. I know something is wrong, something bad is about to happen.

"What is it?" I asked him, and I tried my best to hide away the worry I've been keeping inside me.

"We're together now," he answered cockily and I stared at him in disbelief.

"You're joking, right?"

"A relationship like that isn't something to joke about, is it?" he said cockily still. I can't make myself believe him, I really can't. What is he saying? Right now, I'm clenching my fists. I can't take this anymore.

"Cato, Clove doesn't want to hurt you, that's why I came here. You have to understand that. If you truly love her, you'll want her to be happy, even though she won't be with you, you'll let her go."