"Cato, give it back," I shouted. "It's my favorite knife!"

"Too bad," he replied with a maddening smirk. "Not my fault that you can't reach it."

That was the last straw. I waited until he had turned away until I jumped onto his back and stole the knife from his outstretched hand.

"Not my fault you're too slow," I replied with a devilish smile, running from the angry boy.

I had known Cato since we were two. A new family had moved into the house next to ours, and before long the Harting and Hadley families were best friends. It was like fate had brought them our way, with Cato being the same age as me and our mothers were both pregnant. My earliest memories include him and I playing as our parents laughed, with a small fire inhabiting our fireplace. But that was before everything changed.

"Get back here you little-" Cato yelled, stopping as his mother stepped into view. "I-I mean please return, Calida, I had no ill will."

Agrippa Hadley was a proper woman, but she was not without humor. "I believe the word you were about to say, Cato, was minx," she said with a small smirk. "Calida," she said, turning to me, "we are heading the cemetery later today. Would you care to join us?"

I had already visited that morning, but it never hurt to visit once more. "Of course," I replied. "Clove and I will be there."

As I headed home, I stopped at my mother's garden and found Clove sitting on a bench inside. She was picking her usual clovers, which our mother had planted for her, and pairing them with the occasional rose, poppy, and calla lily. It was our favorite mixture of flowers to create when we missed our parents most, for each one represented our family. My father, the proud and prickly rose had fallen for my mother, the addictive poppy. Before long, they added me as their beautiful calla lily into the family, soon followed by our little clover. The garden had always been the most magical part of my childhood, but it became a place of mourning after my parents passed on.

Clove and I did our best to keep it as tidy and clean as our mother had, caring for every plant and blossom, but it never felt the same. Though Clove was six and I was eight when the illness took our loving mother and doting father, we never forgot their faces and the gentleness of their hands when they tucked us in for the night. Even now, Clove and I still sleep in the same bed. Maybe it's because it's just what we're used to, but maybe it's because we need the assurance that the other won't leave.

The Hadley's took us in, caring for us as if we were their own. We still lived in our house, but every meal, holiday, birthday, and everything in between were spent in the loving arms of Agrippa and Felix. Their family filled the void that was in our lives, and we could never be more grateful. Especially today, reaping day of the 72nd Hunger Games.

"Hey Clove," I whispered, knowing she was deep in thought. "What are you thinking about?"

"If they call the name of someone who's younger than fifteen, you'll have to volunteer," she breathed, a single tear running down her small face. "You'll leave me."

"Not for long," I replied, sounding more confident than I felt. "If you need to stay at the Hadley's, you are always welcome to. Agrippa already has a room ready in case the house becomes too lonely."

"But what if you don't come back," she said, finally looking up at me. "Then I'll be alone."

"I'll always come back to you, little clover," I said with a smile. "I'm the top of the class at the Academy. I have this in the bag if I have to go. I'll be back before you know it."

"Okay," she replied, nodding her head as if to convince herself of my words. "I'm about to head over to see Mom and Dad. Would you like to come?"
"The Hadley's are actually going over right now. They sent me over to get you," I replied with a small laugh. Clove always had impeccable timing.

"Let's go, then," she replied with a smile as she wiped her tears from her eyes and squared her shoulders. "I don't look like I've been crying, do I?"

"Don't worry, it's not like Sienna's going to think any different of you," I joked, watching as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Clove had been in love with Sienna, Cato's little sister, for as long as she could talk. Luckily, her love was reciprocated, which made Clove's love life even better than my own.

"Shut up," she replied with a small smile. "It's not like you didn't put on that shirt just for Cato."

This time, my cheeks were the ones to heat in embarrassment as I shoved her away with a smile. There had always been something special between Cato and I, but we had never acted on anything. We only ever had small little moments, but he would always turn away before he kissed me.

"Well, you know what our deal is," I replied with a smirk. "If he hasn't made a move by my next birthday- where I'll be seventeen, mind you- I'll try to move on." I was one of the only girls at the Academy who had never been kissed. Everyone else had time to be social, but I only ever wanted to focus on my status as the best fighter, best knife thrower, best student. When people asked why, I just said that I couldn't afford the distractions, but the reality was that I was waiting for Cato to make a move. I wish I could've been brave enough to say something, but I was always too afraid of ruining the friendship we had.

"Thank god," Clove replied. "I'm getting tired of your pining."

Our banter continued until we reached the cemetery and saw the Hadley's with their usual flowers, which they placed next to the ones I placed that morning. Clove placed her family bouquet on the other side of mine, and we all stood in silence before Clove broke down. I hugged her and did my best to soothe her, but I could barely hold in my own tears. The last thing I wanted to do was leave Clove to go to the Capitol, but I would have to this year if someone younger than fifteen was picked. It was my duty as the highest in the class to volunteer, and my intentions were to win.

We left the cemetery and went home to put on our best clothes for the reaping. Clove grumbled as she was forced to wear a dress, even though I knew she was excited to show it off to Sienna. I placed small clovers in her hair to match the green of her dress, which I knew she loved because it brought out the green in her eyes. My dress, a light cream with small red flowers, brought out my freckles that I loved so dearly. Though she hated to go to the tailor's, Clove and I made sure to pick out the best material for each other. I hugged her and kissed her head before heading downstairs to find the Hadley's waiting in the front hall.

Little Magnus, Cato's youngest sibling at the age of seven, was fidgeting with the buttons of his shirt, which was something that made me smile. He was just like Cato in that way, uncomfortable in every way when forced to dress nicely. Sienna was the carbon copy of her mother, with striking blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair, complemented by her navy dress. She was a sight for sore eyes and when her eyes met Clove's, both of their cheeks flushed darker than the red poppies outside.

I descended the stairs slowly, taking in the fact that I could not be coming back ever again. However, Clove was not appreciative of my reminiscing, and pushed me down the next few steps. I screamed, but I soon felt strong arms wrap around me and catch me before I could fall. Though I had tried to not look at him because I knew my blush would betray me, I failed as I looked into Cato's intoxicatingly blue eyes. He laughed at Clove's antics, along with those around us, and I pushed off of him to playfully slap my sister for nearly injuring me before the reaping.

We walked to the town square, gave the blood of our finger to the officials, and stood in our assigned age group. It wasn't long before our mayor came to give the annual speech, but I couldn't hear it through the pounding of my heart in my ears. Soon, Roxie Nicklet, the District 2 escort, took the stage with her usually flounce and flair.

"My dear citizens of District 2," she said with a sickening sweetness. "It is time for me to choose the lovely lady who will represent us in this year's Hunger Games!"

As she walked towards the bowl, I snuck one last glance at the fourteen year old section for the girls to find Clove. I met her eyes as I blew her a kiss, hoping I would see her at home later that night. I turned as every girl aged twelve to eighteen sucked in a breath as Roxie's hand entered the bowl. She fiddled around with the names for a few seconds, but finally she picked a paper with her signature flourish.

"And the female tribute for District 2 is…" she said, drawing it out as long as she possibly could, "Ophelia Masterson."

I could feel every eye turn towards me as I realized that she had said the name of a thirteen year old girl. Within seconds I had squared my shoulders and shouted in my clearest voice.

"I volunteer as tribute."

Visitations passed quickly, starting with Clove giving me a quick hug before leaving as quickly as she came. We had said everything we needed to in the garden. I was going to get back to her. That was all there was to it.

Next was the Hadley family, with Sienna giving me the tightest hug she could and promising me that she would take care of Clove while I was gone. Felix and Agrippa wrapped me up in their arms, and before I could cry, they let go so little Magnus could give me the tightest hug he could. Cato stood behind, and I knew that he wanted them to leave before he said goodbye.

"We love you, darling," Agrippa said, "so please come home to us."

With that, each Hadley left, leaving Cato and I in the room alone. As soon as the door closed, I hugged him with everything in me.

"I know Sienna said that she would take care of Clove, but please make sure that she is safe. Keep her practicing with her knives. Make her almost as good as I am by the time I get back," I whispered into his ear. "Promise me you'll be there for her when I can't be."

He pulled away and held me in his arms. "I promise," he whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Just say you'll come back to me."

"Of course I will," I promised, rolling my eyes to lighten the mood, but my breath caught as he brought his hand to my cheek and kissed me.

Before I knew what I was doing, I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him as if there was no air left in the world around us.

"Come home to me," was all he said as he left.