Chapter 9

Clove's POV

I wake up sleeping on Cato's arm. How did that happen? Last I remember I was watching a horror movie here with him eating pitas. I guess I fell asleep but I sure as hell know I wasn't positioned like this. He did it. He likes me. And I kind of like him. I cuddle up next to him. I let out a big gasp. I just remembered today is the reaping. I am volunteering today and this actually might bring my family back together.

"Hey Clove." He says tiredly.

"I'm volunteering today." I say quickly. He sits up.

"What? No you can't." He says.

"Why not?" I asked quite irritated by that comment.

"Because." There was a long pause. "I love you." My eyes widen in shock at that comment. Of course I could already tell but I didn't know he would just come out and say that. There was another awkward silence.

"So are you saying you don't think I can win?" I asked.

"No not that. Your 14. Not old enough. The older you are the stronger. The other careers could be stronger because they will be much older." He says. I can hear the worry in his voice.

"I have to. It is the only way I will get my family back together." I say.

"No please. Can't you wait for a few more years." He said.

"No. By then they might be dating people already. I don't need stupid outsiders invading my life. I don't want a step mom, a step dad, or step siblings. My parents are supposed to love each other and not anyone else." I explain. I want to cry whenever I talk about it but today I don't think there is any need to today because I will be fixing my family once and for all. There was another awkward silence.

"You can't stop me Cato." I say. He just sat there and starred at me sadly.

"Let's get ready to go." He says. I hope he finally accepted the fact that I am volunteering. We get up and go to the kitchen.

"Want breakfast?" He asks.

"I just eat a piece of fruit for breakfast." I tell him.

"We have oranges, apples, bananas, and nectarines." He says.

"I'll just have and orange." I say and he hands me a big juicy orange. I am still thinking about when he said he loved me. I need to ask more. When I am done the orange, I get kind of nervous. This is an awkward topic, especially for me considering I never have had a boyfriend or anything.

"So what do you mean by you love me?" I ask. He shoots a weird look at me.

"I mean I love you. Plain and simple." He says.

"No I mean, you like, have a crush on me." He comes over to me and picks me up. He whispers in my ear.

"Yes I do."

"Prove it." I say. And right there and then, he passionately kisses me. When he breaks the kiss, he leans his head on mine. He puts me down.

"That was nice." I say.

"Good. Want another?" He asks.

"Why not." I say as I smirk. This time we kiss a lot longer. It was great.

"You know that was my first kiss." I tell him. A look of shock spreads across his face.

"Really?" He asks.

"Of course. I have never even had a boyfriend." I tell him.

"Well now you do." He says as he smirks.

"You know what, I love you to." I say. He wraps me in a tight hug. He stares into my dark green eyes and I stare into his bright blue ones.

"We should finish getting ready." He says and smiles. I nod. He goes and gets changed. When he's done we walk to my house so I can get dressed. My dad is sitting on the ouch when we walk in. He gives me an awkward look.

"Clove who is this?" He asks.

"Um, he's my boyfriend." I say innocently and smile a toothy smile. I just noticed we are still holding hands. That won't help. I don't know how he feels about this.

"OOHH CLOVEY"S GOT A BOYFRIEND!" He makes fun.

"I'm going to get changed." I tell him.

"Ok Um, you are not going mister." He says to Cato.

"Dad." I say quite irritated. He points at Cato and then points to the couch.

"Retard." I whisper under my breathe. I walk down the hallway to my room. I put on some tights and a yellow hoodie. When I come out I brush my teeth and then wash my face. I walk back out and see Cato and my dad having a friendly conversation. What if he told dad I'm volunteering?! I go sit on the couch between them and put my arms around both of them.

"Just sittin' here with my bitches." I say jokingly. Cato chuckles. Dad tells me to knock it off. I can be so immature sometimes.

"So we should get heading to the reaping. I heard the whistle blow." Says dad. We all get up from the couch and head out.

"Did you tell dad that I'm volunteering this year?" I asked.

"No. That's not my job." He whispers back and smiles.

"Thank you." I whisper. The rest off the walk is silent.

"See ya in a bit dad." I say as he heads to the parent section.

"See ya." He replies. Cato and I both get our fingers pricked for blood and both go our separate ways. The escort takes forever to come to the stage.

"Sorry people, I was running a little late." Says the escort. "So this year of the hunger games is going to be a little different. There are allowed 2 victors this year as long as they come form the same district. So let's get to victors this year." The escort says cheerfully. My eyes dart around the boys section looking for Cato but I can't find him. I will when I go on stage.

"Alrighty then I will show the video from the capitol and we can start." She says. After the video, she walks over to the girls bowl.

"I VOLENTEER!" I shout.

"Oh joy a volunteer." Says the escort happily. I run up on stage.

"What's your name dear?" She asks.

"Clove Brick." I say.

"Any special reason for volunteering today?" She asks. None of my friends at school know so me reveling my reason will shock them.

"Well, my parents separated over the summer. I want to go too the hunger games and die because there really is no point in living. My family means everything to me and I don't have one anymore. Unless, of course, they get back together. Then, I will make sure I come out alive. But if they don't restore our family, don't count on me coming back." I say. I sounded like a total smart ass. And that is how I wanted to sound.

"Well dear I am sorry for you." She says. I can tell she feels bad for me by my tone.

"Alright. Next the boys." She says. I frantically search for Cato in the crowd. I want to win the games with him.

"I VOLUNTEER!" I hear a voice shout. It is Cato! Thank god. He walks up to the stage.

"What is your name and do you have a special reason for volunteering?" Asks the escort.

"My name is Cato Granite and I volunteered today, to protect my girlfriend in the games." He announces.

"Aww how sweet." Says the escort. I smile at him and he smiles back.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our tributes from district 2!" Says the escort and walks us off stage. I know what is coming next. Tears, tears, and more tears from my mom and dad. My brother isn't old enough to know better. I am lead into a small room with just a red velvet couch and that is pretty much it. Right after I am sat down, my mom bursts through the door in tears. She hugs me so tightly that I can't breathe. I miss my mom. I start crying myself. Not because I am going to the games, but because I miss my family. I know I will get it fixed this way, but I am just sad for now.

"Mom I'm sorry." I say.

"I don't know why you did that." She said.

"I did it for us. For our family. We need to be together again." I said. Just then, my dad comes through the door. I give him a hug to.

"Look if you two don't get back together, I won't come back. If I don't get a sponsor note telling me that my parents are back together, I will kill myself in that arena."

"Clove we aren't going to." Says my dad.

"Well then you can kindly leave and let this be your last time ever seeing me." I say angrily. My dad tries to hold back his tears, but he isn't to good at it. Mom put her hands on my shoulders.

"We will see what we can do but I won't make any promises." says mom.

"Wow just what I expected. You know I'm not surprised that you care more about your happiness than my life." I say coldly.

"Clove I'm sorry this all happened." she said.

"You know what, you can fix everything. But that is your choice. What is it. My life, or your happiness?" I ask. Just then, a peacekeeper comes through the door and escorts them out.

"I'm sorry!" I shout to them. I just sit there and cry my eyes out. Another peacekeeper come in and then leads me to the train. I know I will feel better soon.