Guest: Yay!

VelvetCupcakeCookies: You're being mentioned again!

urunimi: Thank you for your encouragement. I did well, got one B in Science, but oh well. I just finished almost all of my summer work. Yeah, it took me this long.

Guest: *hangs head* I guess I should tell you guys that won't be happening anymore. I can barely find time to write! My parents think I'm too antisocial and too connected to the internet/video games.

Grant Son of Hermes: Thank you!

Amazon Huntress: Aw, I'm blushing! My work isn't a masterpiece, it's a work in progress :)

I'm sorry for the super long delay, I've been so busy I haven't had enough time. It's this paper then this project, then this test, then these sports, then this drama, then that breakup... Has anyone told you that young people are stupid? Because I feel like I should emphasize it more. I may be so mature people think I'm the same age as my older sibling (by several years) but I'm still stupid.

Clove

"Show me again," Marla's panting, but the determination in her eyes told me she's not going to stop anytime soon. Taking a breath, she charged, rearing her fist back to punch me. I grabbed it as soon as it moves towards me, wrapping my other hand around her wrist, and using my legs to kick her legs out from under her. As she fell, I fell with her, but put my knees on either sides of her body, my feet keeping her feet on the ground. "Don't give your attack away," I shook my head. "If I can predict one thing, I can probably predict another."

I got off her, and we both stood up. Marla's breathing harder, while I'm hardly panting. I barely broke a sweat. "Thanks," Marla choked out.

"No problem," I nodded. Then, the bell rings, signalling the end of today's practice session. Everyone filtered out to relax and hang out with each other.

"Clove!" I turned to see Cato waiting for me. "You want to hang out?"

"Sure, with who?" I asked.

"Just us," Cato replied, flashing me a smile that made my heart melt.

"Okay," I said as I turned around, pretending to make sure the room was in good order while hiding my blush.

"I know you're blushing, Clove," Cato put a hand on my shoulder. "Dress nicely, but no dresses, okay?"

"Like I'd have a dress, Cato," I rolled my eyes as I walked out of the training room.

It was once I'd gotten out of the shower and stared at my reflection that I realized just how nervous I was. Was this a date? He did say we were "hanging out" but did that mean just hanging out, or was he hiding his true intentions (for a date) behind his words? And how nicely should I dress? Leggings or jeans (or skirts, but I'm hoping no)? Sweet or spunky? Hair up or down? Or half up or down?

I was panicking, but I wasn't ashamed of it like I used to be. Before, I would've hidden my feelings behind anger and stubbornly refused to admit it. Now, I had accepted it. There was no one to judge me.

I debated calling Glimmer and asking for fashion help, but then realized that would end up with me in a dress.

Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. Opening it, I found Marla in a beautiful dress. She looked ready to go out. "Marla," I said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I need your help," she choked out. "Can I come in?" When I nodded, she walked in and sat on my bed.

I closed the door. "What's wrong, Marla?" I asked.

Marla paused. Her cheeks were red, her eyes kept darting around, and she was wringing her hands. "Ethan... asked me on a date," she said finally.

"Congrats!" I sat down next to her. "So what's the matter?"

"Why is he dating me? Is it because he genuinely likes me? Or is it because I've known him the longest or I'm from his district? Or is it for some joke or prank?" Marla paused, and a tear ran down her cheek. "Is it to make you jealous?"

My heart softened for Marla's dilemma. "I wouldn't believe you if you said he dated you for any other reason but because he liked you," I comforted, wrapping an arm around her. "Ethan's a very giving guy. He likes to comfort people, make them feel better. But he'd never lead someone on. Even if he did by accident, he'd feel it on his conscious for who knows how long." I laughed lightly. "And I thought I was having date problems."

"Is Cato taking you on a date?" Marla asked.

"Uh," I paused, "yeah. No. Maybe? He wasn't at all clear," I shrugged sheepishly. "He told me to 'dress nice, but no dresses' and I don't know if that means he'll consider it a date or not."

"Then let's get you dressed," Marla stood up. "Unless you want to go in that," she gestured to my sweatpants and tank top.

"What about-" Marla had a hand over my mouth before I even blinked.

"This will distract me," she said as she opened my closet and looked through all the Capitolite clothes, using the motion-activated controls in an attempt to narrow her choices down. The technology here is the exact same as the ones we had in our District apartments. It's like they never wanted us to forget. "It's very difficult to find normal clothes in the Capitol," she commented as she scrolled through the closet "Aha!" She pulled several articles of clothes out of the closet and into my arms. "Put these on."

Walking into the bathroom, I put on a white tank top, ivory sweater and black leggings. Coming out, Marla handed me a pair of socks and black boots while she rummaged through a jewelry box I didn't know I had.

"I don't wear jewelry, Marla," I protested as I put the boots on, "He'll noticed I put effort in."

"He already knows you'll put effort in if he told you to dress nicely but no dress," Marla retorted as she picked up a necklace and closed the box. She threw me a necklace which had a little teardrop on it. "See? It's not flashy." She sat on the bed behind me and grabbed a comb. "Please hold still, I'm going to do your hair."

I noticed she put it in a high ponytail, but after that, I couldn't tell if she was fishtailing it or braiding it. When she finished, there was a knock on the door.

Opening it, there was Cato, looking nice in a gray button up shirt that wasn't buttoned (with a white shirt under it), black shorts, and nice sneakers. "Remind you of something?" He teased.

"Why would I forget Clarissa Wood, my arch rival?" I joked.

Cato looked behind me, where Marla was. "Ethan's looking for you," he told her.

Marla smiled gratefully and began to leave, but I stopped her. "Cato," I began, "do you think Ethan would ever use Marla?"

An eyebrow quirked up as Cato realized what I was hinting at. He turned to a red Marla. "Seriously, you should've heard him when he was wondering where you were. He was so worried about making the date 'perfect' and how you'd like it, and was about to pray that you wouldn't cancel. He likes you so much I wanted to slap him. And I promised myself I wouldn't ever hurt him or Clove ever again."

Marla's face was shining when he finished. "Thank you," she said gratefully before leaving.

"So," Cato turned back to face me. "Now that we fixed Marla's insecurities, shall we go?"

"Sure," I began, but was silenced as Cato pressed me against the doorframe and kissed me, hard. "What was that for?" I asked breathlessly.

"Being so cute and dressing up," Cato smirked as he grabbed my hand and we walked down the hall.

Wow, inspiration hit me like a bullet. Wish it'd come earlier. :(

Sorry for the massive delay, writing has taken such a backseat. At this point, it might as well be in the trunk. But it's still there, and I will eventually bring it to the front seat... wow, weirdest analogy ever.

Bye!

~squirmyorchid