Cato's POV

I got home pretty late that day. Clove and I made a few detours on the way to her house. Partially because we were hungry and partially because I wanted to spend more time with her. After that, I took the long way home just so that I had a few more minutes to process everything that's happened today. When I noticed it was getting close to dinnertime, I decided it was time to go home. Coleen (AN: She's the older sister. I changed her name because I just thought of something as I was writing this. You'll find out in a later chapter, if you don't notice it yourself ;) would have my head if I was late for dinner again. You see, we have this tradition wherein no one can touch their food unless everyone is at the table. Since I only eat dinner with them during the weekends, it's pretty special. You can see where I'm heading, yeah?

"Where have you been mister?" Chris asked the moment I opened the door. Funny, you'd think she was older than I was, the way she's acting. It also seemed as if she was waiting for me. Ugh. Great. An interrogation.

"I drove Clove home. She said she wasn't feeling well. She also said she'd call you whenever she's up for a shopping date."

"You know Clove?"

"Yeah. She and I go to the same school and have a few classes together."

"That's it?"

"Well, she's sort of my friend. We hang out a bit after school sometimes with the rest of the gang." understatement of the century, buddy.

She stared at me for a minute. It was kind of scary to tell you the truth. It was as if she was judging me or something. The next thing that happened freaked me out even more. She started grinning like the cheshire cat, all knowing and evil looking.

"What?"

"You like her, don't you?"

"What gave you that idea?"

"Oh nothing. There's just something different about you, that's all."

"What?" now I'm really confused.

"Time for dinner! Did anybody set the table?" Coleen yelled from the kitchen.

"I'm on it!" with that, Chris made her escape, winking at me before departing. I really don't understand what that girl's thinking half the time. You know what, scratch that. I don't understand her way of thinking at all. With a sigh, I headed to the dining room to have dinner with my family (aka my siblings).

It was finally time to go back to school. I don't really know if I'm excited or not. I just know that I can't wait to see Clove again (and the others as well, of course). The band and I had a brief meeting the night before on what song we were going to perform at the cafeteria today. We decided to go use one of our new songs to sort of symbolize the start of the year. I think this is the first time I'm actually marginally excited to go back to school. Man, I've really got it bad, haven't I?

I got up bright and early that day. Good thing too. When I got upstairs (my room is in the basement. Funny huh? The house has four floors yet I still have to stay in the basement. I like it better there though. It's a lot more private, and not to mention colder) to eat breakfast, I saw a note Coleen left on the counter saying that she had to leave for work early cause she had a meeting and that I had to take the others to school. If I had gotten up at the usual hour, we would've ended up being late. All three of them got down about 5 minutes after I did, with Cam, Chris's twin, carrying Charlie, my youngest sister.

"Morning guys. Cole left early so I have to take you to school."

"Yay! Kitty drive!" Charlie said, clapping her tiny hands. I don't know why she gets so excited whenever I drive her around. I guess she thinks I'm a better driver than Coleen (and way cooler as well). Ha! Take that sis! You aren't always the best after all!

Surprisingly, I was still early for school even after I dropped them all of. Then again, their schools were relatively close to each other. Only mine was a bit of a distance away from the middle school. I parked at my usual spot and saw Peeta's car nearby. Always the good boy, that one.

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was shocked when I entered through the school doors. And for once, it's not because of my fame.

"Cato?! Is that really you? It's only 8:30! You're like, a whole half hour early! Is there an apocalypse?" Katniss said. Obviously, people think I'm incapable of coming to school early. Then again, I usually arrive either at exactly 9 or a little bit close to it, sometimes earlier, sometimes later. Depends on my mood, really. I guess it's not really surprising that they would react that way. Let's just say the earliest I've ever been to school before today was a whole 5 minutes prior to 9am.

"Great to see you too, Katniss. Where're your friends?"

"Friends or friend in particular?" she asked with a smirk on her face and eyebrows raised. I swear, people in this neighborhood are creepy.

"Just answer the question."

"Jackie has a club meeting, Annie and Madge are at cheer practice and Clove's on her way."

"Excellent. Are the guys here yet? Except for Peeta. I already saw his car. Speaking of which, where is he anyway?"

"I don't know. They're your friends. I don't keep tabs on them. Peeta's said he had to take care of something before class. Gale's probably around here somewhere. I saw his dad a few minutes ago. They usually arrive shortly after the other."

"Alright. I guess I'm stuck with you then." I said, pretending to sound dejected.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" she retaliated, slapping me hard on the arm.

"Ow! That hurts you know!"

"Oh don't be such a baby, Cato!"

"I'm not! It really did hurt! I wouldn't be surprised if a hand print appears on my arm."

We kept bickering until we heard a faint giggle coming from behind us.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt your little banter. Please don't stop on my account." I felt a faint blush rise to my cheeks. I can't believe she heard all that. How long has she been standing there? Did she hear me complain about being hit by a girl? Wait, why do I even care? Oh right. Cause that's a big bruise to my ego. Not to mention this was Clove we were talking about.

"Hey, Clove! I haven't seen you in forever! How've you been?" Katniss, who wasn't as flustered as I, decided to start a conversation with her.

"I'm great actually! Christmas wasn't as eventful as one would think. Just opened a few presents, ate and watched movies with my family. Same old, same old. How was yours?"

"Amazing! My grandma makes the most amazing food you could possibly dream of! I never wanted to leave the kitchen, much less Chicago!"

They continued catching up while I watched. Well, stared actually. I couldn't help it. She was just so pretty. The way she talked, laughed and smiled made me feel all warm inside. I'm turning into such a sap. Note to self, stop hanging around with Coleen and Chris so much. Instead, start having more man-to-man time with Cameron. Yeah. That's what I should do. Obviously hanging with the boys is not enough cause the girls would always find a way to tag along *coughFinnickandPeetacough*.

A few minutes later, the bell finally rang. We parted ways, seeing as I don't have the same homeroom as either of them. I'll be seeing Clove later for English, Science and Drama anyway.

The day was starting out a bit uneventful until the Drama, the period right before lunch. I was sitting on my usual spot beside Marvel who was behind Annie who was beside Clove. In other words, I was sitting behind Clove. Anyway, the teacher, Mr. Anderson, announced that we'd be having a 'new' student in our class starting today. The entrance of the said person changed the ambiance of the whole room. It wouldn't take a scientist to tell that this was going to be such an eventful year. A year oh so full of drama, indeed.

AN: As promised! Here's the second chapter for the week! Thank you for the lovely reviews! Don't forget to review this one! :)