Clove

"I. Am. Over. Him." I insist, shutting the door to my gym locker.

"Clo, you are about as over him as I'm over the death of my favorite character in the book I just finished yesterday." Lindsay scowls at me, "By the way, have you looked in the mirror."

She waves her hands in front of me motioning to the sweatshirt I'm wearing. I turn around and see Cato's last name written in the black iron on letters on his sweatshirt that I'm wearing.

"That's all you wear whenever you're not in your school uniform. Not to mention his dog tag necklace that has been cemented around your neck since you've gotten here." She stands up and pulls her backpack onto her back.

She does have a point, I haven't taken Cato's off since I arrived in Connecticut a little over a month ago. He told me that he was going to see me again and that's when I would give him the necklace back.

I would be lying if I said I still have hope that I would see him again. We haven't talked since the day I left New York. He's probably moved on by now, I'm sure the pain has lessened because I know it has for me.

My first night was one of the worst nights I've had, I laid in bed and cried. I was so unbelievably frustrated, worn out, and tired that I finally cracked and cried myself to sleep that night.

After that day, Lindsay has always been by my side and made everything easier as the days went on. I even went on a few double dates, with Lindsay and her boyfriend, Adam, and Matt, a friend from my childhood. He's still as sweet as I remember him to be, and we get along really well. He treats me like a princess, but there is just something missing. Lindsay thought it would be a good idea for me to start to see the other guys that are out there and not stay so hung up on Cato.

"You're being ridiculous Linds. Matt and I are starting to become more serious."

"Yes, but do you love him?"

"Linds stop."

She shakes her head and laughs, "You know I'm right."

"Fine." I say, my temper slightly rising, I reach under the collar of my sweatshirt and take Cato's necklace off.

Lindsay's eyes widen in surprise, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

"To prove to you I am over him, I'm not going to wear the necklace anymore." I drop the necklace in the front pocket of my backpack.

As I watch it drop into the darkness it like everything that held me to South Hampton is gone. I feel sick to my stomach, I swallow hard making the lump in my throat disappear.

"See," I say in a scratchy voice, "I'm over him."

A sad smile spreads across Lindsay's face and she walks over wrapping her arms tight around my neck.

"God, you have such a screwed up love life." She says.

"You're telling me."

We pull apart and I grab up the rest of our bags and make our way out of the locker room to meet Adam and Matt.

"First, you have psycho Ryder, who by the way, I never liked..." She starts rambling.

"Yes, I know. You have made that point quite clear." I chuckle.

"Then, the one boy who you are meant to be with you can't because your dad lost his shit and made you move."

"Thank you for announcing that to the entire world." I smile.

We round the corner to the main hallway by the gym, Adam and Matt are leaning up against the wall talking. Lindsay runs up, wrapping her arms around Adams waist. Matt pulls me into a hug and kisses me lightly on the lips. I feel hot tears spring into my eyes, it reminds me of the quick kisses Cato would give me in between classes when we didn't have enough time to talk.

Matt is so sweet, but it's not Cato. Nothing will measure up to how I felt with him.

Pull yourself together Clove. You could be missing something really special here with Matt. Don't act stupid.

I rub my eyes with the sleeve of my sweatshirt, hoping to make it not so obvious I was about to cry.

"How was practice?" He asks.

"Fine. Nothing special. Glad our last game is this week." I smile.

"Well our practice sucked. States can't come soon enough." Adam groans.

We all walk out to Adam's car, pile our stuff in the trunk and get in the car.

"Don't forget, I'm going to Clove's for dinner tonight. Her grandma is making an Italian feast for us." Lindsay says, ruffling Adam's hair.

"Ohh can we come?" Adam asks.

"NO!" Lindsay snaps immediately.

I look at her furrowing my eyebrows to her strange outburst.

"I-I mean, it's a girl's night. No boys allowed." She smiles.

That was strange.

I feel my phone vibrate in my sweatshirt pocket, when I pull it out I am graced with a picture message from Jackie. It's of her, Peeta, Katniss, and Marvel from the most recent football game. Its captioned:

We miss you girl! Things aren't the same. Come back to us! Skype soon? xoxo Jackie. P.S. Peeta finally got the balls to ask Katniss to be his girlfriend. Now almost everyone is happy.

Her last line gets me very curious. I text her back immediately.

What do you mean by almost everyone?

What do you think? Cato is a mess Clove. Hasn't been the same since you left.

Tell him I miss him. I miss all of you guys. Yes skype for sure! When I come visit we will celebrate Peeta and Katniss finally getting together xx

I will for sure :) talk soon!

I smile and slip my phone back into my sweatshirt pocket. When I look up we are already parked in the driveway of my grandma's house.

"Come on, Clove! I'm starving." Lindsay urges me.

I scoot out of the back seat and Matt helps me with my bags from the trunk. He gives me a hug and a quick kiss on the top of the head.

"Text me after your girl's night is over." He says.

"I will." I tell him.

"Enough dilly dallying, Clove! Come on!" Lindsay yells, from the front steps.

I say good-bye to Matt and walk up to Lindsay.

"What's with the sudden change of mood?" I ask, pushing my key into the doorknob.

"I-I'm-ughh- hungry that's all." She says smiling wildly at me.

"Your hiding something, I can tell." I say opening the front door. "Hi Gram, we're home."

"Hi girls! Ready for dinner?"

"Absolutely!" I exclaim, inhaling the aroma of her homemade pasta sauce.

"I'm going to put my stuff upstairs, Linds. Want to come?"

My grandma suddenly appears from the kitchen holding a dish towel in her hands, "I could use her help in the kitchen Clove. She can bring it up later. You go ahead."

Both she and Lindsay give me strange smiles like I know they are hiding something.

"O-okay," I say tentatively, "I'll be quick."

"Take as much time as you need." Lindsay insists.

I walk up the rest of the stairs, ignoring their strange behavior. I walk down the hallway, open up my bedroom door and drop my bags by my closet. I hear a strange sound behind me and I turn around.

"Hey."

"Oh my God!"


A/N: Ohhh Cliffy! I hope you all like it! I know it's been forever since I updated (sorry) and know I leave you on a cliffy. Who do you think it is? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Or feel free to message me on my tumblr: forever-jlawrence

xoxo,
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