Chapter 4

Sorry for keeping you guys waiting! I've been very busy with school. I'll try to update fast and add the much awaited Clato romance. Sorry again. But here it is! Enjoy and please please please review :)

Cato's POV

Since that night, I can't get Clove out of my mind. It's weird knowing that I've mingled with a lot of girls before, but Clove's different. She's far from the usual.

Monday fast approves which meant its training time again. I'm always the first to arrive at the training center but surprisingly, some early bird got in first.

"Hey," says Clove and smiled. She's playing over the archery area and tried some arrows but failed to hit the target. I'm not very good at archery but I know some of the basics so I thought maybe I'll teach Clove some and since there's still an hour before the start of the training.

"Here, let me teach you." I said, and grab my own bow from the equipment area and a pair of arrows. I demonstrated the proper position of the arms and released an arrow landing on #8.

"There, you try." I said to Clove. She aimed again but, still, failed to even get a 1.

"No, no, no. Remember your position. Your legs should, at least, go this wide," I said, and bent down to directed her ankles to a proper alignment, "and your arms, just right there." I stood up and guided her arms into a good angle.

Now, we're inches apart. Clove, somehow, felt uncomfortable and moved a bit to her left. I backed-up as well, and saw that she's blushing. Ahhhh, girls!

"Now, can I release?" Clove asked, and I did a quick check on her structure and nodded.

BOOM! Bull's eye! She squeaked with joy and jumped up and down uncontrollably, like a little kid who won some stuffed toy in a fair; so cute. I can't help but chuckle. Clove noticed it, I guess, and put herself into a great halt.

We went on like that in the next minutes – helping each other on the different stations. Clove was best with knifes, spears, swords and traps while I'm a beast over spears, as well, and hand combats. She turns out to be some wise and deadly kid when on the outside, she's like a wit and wimpy.

We had conversations in between the training per station and it was good to know that Clove's not holding back or something. It's a good thing that she's responding with my stories because when she doesn't, then this means I have slipped my only chance of getting my long time crush.

(A/N: Chessy much? Hahahaha, pardon my excessive repetition of words. I'm having the worst writer's block. Sucks, but I have to finish this chapter, so…)

Clove's POV

Just when people started to come in the training arena, I instantly escaped Cato's company. It's not like I hated him or I hated his company but I just don't want people to see that I'm getting close to him. Why? Mainly because they might see me as his new toy? I don't know, but somehow it slips to my head. Plus, I don't what Jade to see me having a good time with Cato because she might think of something beyond that and I'm staying loyal with Jade. I think…

Roberto came as soon as the arena was filled with tons of people. I haven't seen Cato since our last talk. I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Oh, please. Not Cato, please not Cato! I thought.

"Hey!" says Jade. I sighed in relief.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"Everything's fine. Thanks." I said and flashed a fake smile.

Throughout the day, me and Jade have been training and hopped in different stations every after 20 minutes. When we were in the wall climbing area, I caught a glimpse of Cato who's in the fire making station with… with no one. Weird. He used to be with his friends, they were the bullies of the training. What happened!?

I instantly look away, when Jade called me to start setting up the harness. As I try to set this bunch of tangled wires, I suddenly felt guilty – about Cato being alone. I don't know! My head's just messed up, probably.

Cato's POV

They didn't attend training today. They must've really meant it. Last night, my friends had probably saw our (Clove and I) chat on their backyard. They said they pondered we were having a good time. I did, to be honest, but they didn't like the thought of it so when I got right back at home (after that dinner), they asked me if it's Clove or them. I didn't want to choose because this is such a small issue trying to expand into a bigger one. It just sounded so pathetic, but they insisted; still I refuse to pick one. Now, they said that it's over and that I do not belong in the group anymore. It's very very fine with me. I don't need them; besides, it's because of me that they've become popular and all. They also said that they'll quit training. God, it doesn't really matter! Seriously, it's like they're thinking I can't live without them when turns out, I can. In addition, it doesn't really matter to me if they see me walking or eating or doing things alone; really!

Training went pretty fast. When I last spoke to Clove this morning, I didn't get another chance to talk to her. Earlier, we locked eyes when she was doing climbing with Jade but she instantly looked away. Is she avoiding me? Or…

"Cato!" a girl's voice shouted from behind. I turned to see who it was.

"Cato! Hey, wait up." says Clove sprinting to catch up.

"Hi." I said.

"Hey." she replied, panting. "You might – what to – walk home – together?" I simply nodded and we headed home.

There was dead silence while we're walking. Not until Clove broke the unbearable soundlessness, "We should do this more often," she said. "I mean, because I'm alone and you're… I haven't seen your friends today. Something wrong?" she asked.

I explained every bit of last night's incident. All she managed to say afterwards is Sorry when truly it's not her fault.

"No need. I mean, it wasn't your fault and I'm extremely okay with this. Trust me." I said with a wink. We went unto series of conversations unknowing that we've already reached the Stacy's residence.

"I should go," says Clove, looking at her Mom glazing on a window on their second floor. "Mom's waiting. And thank you."

"Yeah. You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow." I said and waved over her Mom.

"I'll see you tomorrow." she smiled.

After reassuring that she entered safely inside her house, I walked towards our home just blocks away from Clove's. Her smile's just beautiful and it's hella running in my mind! Stop! I signaled my brain, but it refuse to obey my command.

Also, the thought of seeing her again tomorrow and walking her to and after training made me happy. As I enter our house, I'm grinning like a mad clown. My facial muscle are like stuck and seemed like it will remain like this forever.

"Cut it Cato! You scare me." says my little sister, Margo.

And done! I am extremely sorry for not updating over 3 weeks now. Promise, I'll try to update soon and whenever I'm free. I shall not procrastinate for you guys. Plus, I'm adding one-shots today or tomorrow (since we don't have class tomoro) so check for updates! Much love.

~Nicolleanswers