Thank you MiniMustache for the kind review! Hope you enjoy!
I go to the library before dinner. I go straight to the C's. I get seven books on combat. I have to beat Cato. I read during dinner that night. I read and read. By the time Enobaria is here for lights out, I am just starting book seven.
Enobaria walks over to my bunk. " Clove, are you sure about going to training tomorrow?"
" Yes." I reply. " I apologize for yelling at you earlier."
Enobaria nods. She taps my knee and walks away. Turning the lights out and closing the door behind her.
This time I fall asleep easily.
5:30. This time I wake up Zea too. " Thanks Clove" She says to me. I nod.
I take a long hot shower. I get dressed and go to breakfast. I have an omelet. It's 6:50 when I leave the dining hall.
I walk in 8 minutes early.
" In a good mood Clove?" Brutus asks me.
" Absolutely." I reply.
When Cato walks in I am ready. I remember the fourth book. They said surprise your opponent.
I strike first. Punching him in the face. Making his nose bleed.
They said bring him to the ground.
I sweep his legs from beneath him making him fall.
They said aim for the head.
I kick him in the head three times.
" Congrats, Clove! You won." Brutus says.
Enobaria stands outside the training room. I smile at her.
" You won?" She asks. I grin. She smiles at me. " Good job, Clove."
" Thanks. Enobaria."
" En." She says.
" En." I say.
I throw my knives the way En taught me. I never miss.
" Okay everyone. Nice work. You guys can leave early. Happy Panem Independence day! I'll see you all tonight at 9:45."
No. No. No! If there is one thing that scares me it is fireworks. I know it's a stupid fear but they scare me.
" Do we have to go?" I ask.
" Yes. Why?" En asks me.
" I," I start. " I just, it's just," I stumble
" You're afraid of something." She says.
I stare at my shoes. " I just don't like theā¦"
" The fireworks?" She asks.
I nod.
" You and your friends can sit next to me if you want." She says,
" Yes, sir. Thank you, sir"
She smiles at me. " No problem."
That night I don't wear my uniform. Beka says we don't have to.
" I'm thinking of wearing this black skirt and this white tank top." Ally says.
" I think you should add that black hat." I say.
" Good idea! Thanks, Clo!" Ally says.
" I'm gonna wear my jean shorts, my black t-shirt, and my converse." I say.
" Good choice." Zea says.
We go to the to the field. Enobaria is sitting down at a blanket near the middle of the field. Terra and Autumn are the only ones there. I sit next to En. Ally sits next to me.
An announcer says that there is five minutes until fireworks. I shudder. Enobaria puts a hand on my shoulder. I smile, gratefully. Ally squeezes my hand. She knows about my fear. She knows I usually stay in our room.
The fireworks start. I can't. I'm scared. I bring my knees to my chest. I start to shake. I close my eyes. I put my hands over my ears. Al put an arm around me. I keep myself from crying.
En looks at me. I want to leave. I sit there, waiting for 10 minutes. Ally releases me. I stop shaking. That was embarrassing. I get up and run to the training room. I take a knife. I throw it. It hits the bullseye. I throw another one. It hits the bullseye. I keep throwing.
" Clove," En starts.
" I am a coward." I say. " A future victor should never be afraid of anything. Especially nothing as stupid as fireworks. " I say. I am a coward.
" It's hard to be fearless. You're only twelve." Enobaria says.
" I'm useless." I say. " A victor shouldn't be a coward."
" You are not a coward." Enobaria says firmly.
I shake my head.
When I get back to the dormitory, Terra is at my bunk.
" You're afraid of fireworks?" Terra sarcastically asks.
I stand there.
" Well are you going to answer me?" She demands.
" No," I say quietly.
" You are a coward." She says.
Enobaria is here for lights out. I climb into my bunk. I hate being a coward.
I don't show up for class tomorrow. I don't want to. I stay in the dormitory until En slips in.
" I know you thinks you're a coward but you aren't." And she walks out.
