2

"We're hereee!" Bonnie shrilled from one side of the train, echoing herself throughout each carriage. It had been over two hours since Piper had begun on Clove, and when she first looked in the mirror, she was almost thankful for the hard work. But she wasn't going to show it.
"You like?" Piper giggled, beaming at Clove and almost wanting her to jump up and down like a hare, squealing with her. Clove examined her hair in the mirror, it had been French braided at both sides, which lead to a long, sleek pony-tail that dropped just at the curve in her spine. Her face seemed brighter and more awake than earlier. And the clothes they'd fitted her in weren't half bad either.
"It'll do." She strode out the room, cringing after feeling the backlash of her own words. Soon shaking the guilt off her back and leaving it in the carriage behind her. Joining Cato at the door, she managed to notice that his hair looked like it had been washed and he looked also a lot neater than the morning.
"Looking good, Shorty." He nodded in approval as she stood beside him. She remained silent, glaring through the window opposite her face as crowds of screaming Capitol women and men pressed up against the barriers that Peacekeepers maintained. As the train finally stopped, Clove mustered one of her most defying glares she could, knowing Cato would be doing the same to wait for the door to whip open.
"Brace yourself, Kids. They can get a bit eager." Brutus was close behind the tributes also with Bonnie, Piper and Fleur – Cato's stylist. Clove ignored him, totally under-estimating the crowds until the doors opened. As she stepped down onto the platform, she wavered slightly at the utter force these people were screaming at, lunging at them over the barriers and even some where trying to distract Peacekeepers so that others could hop the barrier.
"Must be living hell. Poor guys." Clove managed to pick up Cato's voice as he gestured to a clan of Peacekeepers whose helmets and shoulders were being crushed by the people who dared try leaping frog over them. She even felt a tiny giggle escaper her lips. Was this truly how he made her feel? She turned to speak to him, but instead got a face-full of forearm. Christ, this guy was tall. Clove was ushered through secret hallways with Cato and her prep-team on her heels. A man with hideous green waves splashes around his face as he jogged to keep up told Brutus that they would be sharing a lift with the other career district. District 1. Clove had learnt about the District in her History lessons at school. It had manufactured luxurious items for it and the Capitol since the Dark Days. And each and every one of its subjects drowned themselves in jewels, silks and many other glorious things. Clove frowned at the idea of these spoilt children taking part in such a brutal game, somehow it seemed to her – it wasn't fair. She led her pack of helpers and Cato towards the lift, imagining all sorts of different ideas of what these tributes would look like. What they would BE like. Would she like them? Or would her hate for petty and flamboyant people overcome her? Either way, she was going to kill them in the end.
"Does this corridor ever fucking end?" She growled, marching ahead for more than ten strides, before a menacing chuckle caught her attention.
"Temper, temper!" The boy closed his eyes and laughed hard at her. She scowled and held back what she truly thought of his jewel encrusted district.
"Oh, have you gone in a mood with me? Oh, that certainly won't do!" He strode over to her and snaked an arm around her waist and pulling her into his chest.
"Oo, Clove you've found a friend." Cato mused as he and the rest of the prep team strode ahead without a second glace. The way this boy had hold of her had her arms like wooden boards by her sides as he looked down on her with his dazzling blue eyes. She held still for a second totally enthralled by the way they glittered and shone like diamonds above her.
"Let. Me. GO!" She screeched. But he didn't release his grip. Instead he pulled her even closer and backed her up against the wall away from any type of escape.
"Clove? That's a great name." He seductively whispered in her ear. "I'm Marvel." He smiled a pearly grin at her. His nose not even a centimeter away from her eyes. His chest was pressed up against hers and she couldn't even squirm free.
"Well, MARVEL. Would you so kindly, PISS OFF." She screamed straight in his face, but it didn't seem to work, he just laughed and zoned in closer.
"I think you're cute." He whispered, his gentle voice lost in her ear, as his lips pressed gently over and over again down from her ear, down her neck, and to her collarbone.
"And I think you're a FREAK!" She managed; she wasn't going to let him think he had the better of her. She caught sight of Cato chatting to that girl from Marvel's district, how dare he not come and help! Cato caught her eyes and flashed her a grin, almost enjoying the fact that she was under attack from Marvel. She scowled at Cato, thanking him for all the help he hasn't bothered to give. Clove hadn't ever come this close to contact with a boy before; she had just never had the time. But stood here, virtually being raped by a boy she was going to have to kill in just more than a week wasn't the way she was planning it.
"C'mon Clove, play nice…" He lifted a strand of hair from her face and stared adorningly into her seething chocolate eyes. No! No! NO! She screamed at herself in her brain whilst she glared into Marvel's eyes. She kicked, she squirmed and she fought as hard as she could, but maybe she had underestimated this guy. She relaxed her shoulders and sighed in defeat. But Marvel didn't release his grip. There was only one way out of this… Before her brain could declare otherwise, Clove gripped Marvel's collar in her iron fist and forced her lips upon his. At first she could feel his body tense, but then relax, snaking his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. A fire surged and lapped itself in Clove's brain, radiating heat waves throughout her body. She'd never known kissing a boy would feel like, like, this. Especially one from another district. My first kiss, she thought to herself, smiling in fact. Smiling into Marvel's lips. Suddenly, Clove could feel Marvel kissing back, twice as fierce as she had been. His arms had enveloped her body entirely, and were pulling her even closer than she already was. His tongue fought its way through her lips and explored every nook of her mouth, leaving no area untouched. Clove was clueless and even opened her eyes to see his so close, but so closed. Soon after, the godly ping of the lift jolted them both and Clove finally fought herself at least six inches from him.
"Can I go now?" She was startled by the playful twist on her own words, and a tiny smile elevated her lips.
"I suppose." Marvel released his grip at last, Clove then eagerly sprang away, marching towards the lift which held two prep teams, Cato and a very flirtatious Blondie who had wrapped herself in Cato's arms. She was at most ten meters from the lift when she acknowledged the sly grin on Cato's face that showed no remorse when he pressed the button and the doors began to close. Her mouth dropped open as she leapt forward to catch the button, but the elevator had already gone. Marvel's hands soon reminded her she wasn't alone. Close up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and over her stomach. Clove still glared up to where the lift had disappeared to when his voice hummed in her ears.
"Just the two of us, again." It dawned on Clove that the hall way was empty, and there was no sign of any Peacekeeper or even the roar of the crowd outside. They were totally alone.
"I gave you a kiss!" Clove cried in despair, trying to worm her way out of his grasp and towards the buttons that manned the lift.
"If you keep trying to escape me, how do you think I will let you go?" He whispered. She ignored him, there was nothing he could really do apart from hold onto her whilst she figured out the controls, so she carried on fighting him, ignoring all his comments and seductive manor until he spoke loud enough again.
"Right, you leave me with no choice." He sang, and without even hesitating, he hoisted Clove's whole body over his shoulder, and began to carry her off away from the lift. He whistled to himself whilst her head dangled over his back, screaming all sorts of curses, swearing and the occasional fist to his back.
"MARVEL" She screamed, her voice getting higher at the end of his name. But he carried on whistling and playing with the skin tight trousers she had been given to wear to the Capitol. Her thigh was resting on his shoulders as he carried her and he even kissed it once or twice.
"Where are you taking me?" She scowled into his backside, and quickly averted her eyes.
"You'll see." He replied. It was as if he knew the place like the back of his hand. He wormed through corridors, upstairs and through so many doors. Until he finally released her and set her to her feet. After bawling at him for more than a minute, she was silenced by the very distinct breeze raking it's fingers through her flesh. She slowly turned; her eyes on the tiles whilst she shuffled her feet round. When she lifted her gaze, her breath was taken away. The horizon was hidden by thousands of huge glass buildings, almost appearing black in the very late light. People's voices far, far below her screamed about the arrival of the tributes, and celebrated on the streets. She turned her head very slowly to all the beautiful plants dotting the floor, different shades of red, pink and purple everywhere. A creeper with beautiful white flowers had grown up the side of the small wall and disappeared over the other side. Clove crept forward on the balls of her feet and peered over the side.
"OOH God!" She staggered back into Marvel's chest, who seemed to have crept forward with her. She fell back into him and even wrapped her arms desperately around his back. Her breathing was heavy over the sound of Marvel chuckling to himself, and using this opportunity to hold her as tight as he could and as close as he could.
"We're on the roof." She whispered. Staggering back a few more steps. Marvel scooped her up bridal style and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his neck.
"That's right Clove, BYE BYE." Suddenly, he then swung her straight from his clasp and into the air beside the building. Screaming, wailing and swearing, Clove felt herself drop into the pitch blackness below, imagining what people would think when her remains almost crushes them from this height. The last thing she saw was Marvel's cheeky face and him waving her down, before some kind of shield blocked her from falling anymore, and like a hot potato, threw her back into Marvel's arms on top of the roof. They both landed with a clatter in a heap on the floor. Clove regained herself and rolled them both over so she had Marvel trapped beneath her.
"YOU! You fucking IDIOT! What were you trying to DO? YOU'RE SICK. I could have DIED! IF THAT FORCE FIELD WASN'T THERE-"
"But it was." She was cut off by his counter. He smiled up at her with big blue eyes.
"I didn't think you liked to get this close, Clo." He whispered, framing her arms with his hands watching them as he worked. Clove realized she was practically laid over him as she was screaming, her face inches from his. She froze, staring into his face, watching his lips part, watching his nostrils move as he breathed, his eyes as they watched hers. One of his hands had found its way to the small of her back, tracing her spine so carefully with two fingers until he reached her hair. He rested his palm on top of the braids and smiled, closing his eyes and leaning up. Resistively, she shot up and sat on his hips, her knees cold on the concrete either side of him. He leant up on his elbows. Clove had hers crossed over her chest, fighting the smile that so desperately wanted to show. Marvel. Marvel. Marvel. She still got the same buzz as she did when she recited Cato's name in her brain – but that could be because of the way they're both positioned. It was strange, this guy had kidnapped her from her prep team, taken her to the roof, thrown her OFF the roof, and yet, she was attracted to him. Warmth in her heart that spread even more every time she thought of him. Love? It couldn't be. She hasn't known him a day yet. Or could it? Maybe she could play him at his own game. If she knew how, with only hours of experience.
"I didn't" She unfolded her arms and placed each hand in front of each knee. A seductive smile crept along her lips.
"Until now." Marvel finished her sentence for her and leaned in again, only this time she didn't move. The same flames egnighted inside of her, only they seemed stronger than before, almost as if it were Marvel causing them. It probably was. It wasn't the kiss, it was Marvel. An abrupt cough broke them apart. Clove snapped her head up, angry that someone would so rudely interrupt, when her face fell.
"Now, what, do you, think you are doing." It wasn't a question. Brutus had his muscular arms folded across his chest, his dark eyebrows raised in what seemed to be amusement. Marvel quickly whipped his hands from where they were resting on Clove's hips, having to make do with watching Brutus upside down. Clove flushed red and gave Marvel a wary look before getting to her feet, he followed soon after.
"I want you, downstairs. In five minutes. No excuses. No delays." He eyed Marvel on 'no delays' and disappeared from sight and marched down the corridor. When he was safely out of earshot, the pair peered over at each other and erupted into waves of laughter.
"Oh, so that's where you were hiding!" A high pitched voice came from the same doorway; Clove narrowed her eyes at the same blonde who was swooning over Cato. Marvel shook his head and wrapped one arm around Clove.
"Oh hey Glimmer, this is Clove. We were, erm, checking out the scenery! It's beautiful isn't it?" He his free hand over the sky, making Glimmer giggle. Glimmer? GLIMMER? What sort of a name is that? Clove seethed in her mind, before loosely freeing herself from Marvel's arm.
"I better be going, Brutus wanted me back, like, ten minutes ago…" Her sentence trailed off. She rubbed her left forearm nervously as she held Marvel's gaze in her own way of saying goodbye. Her peppy smile soon faded once she had gotten at least five meters down the hall. Glimmer, was beautiful. Her silky golden waves and emerald orbs were captivating, intimidating even. When she heard Marvel's howling laughter and Glimmer screeching until her sides would split, she decided it would be slightly awkward walking in front of that for the entire way back. Picking up a gentle, steady jog, Clove recapped over today's events. How she had come to the Capitol knowing nobody, yet running from the guy she made out with on the roof? She remembered the route Marvel had taken her, but it took her a while since the last time she was down here, she was upside down. Finally, relieved Clove reached the lift, slamming her fist down hard on the control pad before her.
"Watch it! That is expensive equip-"
"Shut up" Clove barked, the Peacekeeper watched her for a short while, before carrying on his patrol through the corridors. Clove hated heights. The lift protruded right out of the side of the building, with crystal clear flooring and walls, she squeezed her eyes shut the entire journey, pleading with herself that she hadn't pressed the wrong button, therefore taking a longer journey up the wall. When the door pinged open, she dived into 2's living quarters, where Cato was laid out on the couch like he was on the train this morning, shoveling potato chips down his throat.
"Now where did you go?" His head rolled back onto the arm of the chair, his aqua blue eyes burning a hole in her head.
"You don't wanna know." She brushed him off, making a beeline for the female tribute bedroom. Ripping her boots off she dived onto the bed. Burrowing her face into the many scarlet pillows that decorated it. Why did she feel so, so, intimidated by Glimmer? Was it her appearance, her beauty? Or was it the way she acted around Marvel and Cato with such ease? It wasn't long before Cato found his way to be sitting at the edge of her bed, the chips still in his hand.
"What's happened." He mused, if he truly cared and was interested in how Clove felt, he was doing a pretty crap job of it.
"I met Glimmer." There was no point lying to him, he would have found out through that girl some day or another.
"Gorgeous isn't she." The same emotionless drone poured from his mouth, as if he really were trying to taunt Clove.
"Yup." She sighed, only to hold herself in again. Cato lifted himself from the bed and wandered over to the ebony wood wardrobe, swinging the doors open and filing through Clove's dresses.
"What are you doing going through my clothes."
"Finding a nice one."
"And why's that."
"Because we're having dinner with District One tonight." Clove dug her face under the pillows once more, before leaping up and shoving Cato away from peering in the underwear drawer underneath.
"Just finding something easy to rip off." Clove was stunned, her eyes were wide and her mouth dropped open slightly.
"I beg your pardon!" She squeaked, her foot stamping on the wooden floor and her arms straight out against her sides. Cato grinned menacingly over his shoulder with a mouthful of potato chips.
"Well, do you think Marvel will want to keep his hands to himself tonight?" Were his last words before he himself went to get changed. Leaving Clove in her own room, she turned her head downwards towards the drawer, only seeing silk and brightly colored frills. And small things… She furiously slammed the drawer closed with her foot. She turned her attention to the wardrobe again. She needed a dress. A gorgeous one. At the sound of the wardrobe opening again, Cato's head peered into her room.
"Remember, a nice one."