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 the…"

" 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.