[A/N: HA! I thought about having this portion in ever chapter starting now. Anyways, I want to apologize, again, for keeping you waiting for this chapter. I know I've promise to update early but since we had exams last week and we've had tons of school works to do, this is the only time that I could possibly update. Enjoy this chapter tho! I'll try my very best to update as soon as possible!]

Cato's POV

It's been 1 month. We've been training like hell for the past days, and I've been closer with Clove. My friends are not in training another which made things easier for me to move with her. I've shared lunch with her table as well, plus Jane and their other friends. I've, somehow, change my badass reputation in training into a friendly one. Nothing changed in my performances though. I'm still strong and very much alert whenever we have recaps with Robert.

Time flies so fast. Today's the reaping day. I'm still thinking of volunteering for this year's season. I'll just have to make a last minute decision since I'm running late for the fretful event.

"Good luck, Cato." My Mom said, fixing the button of my neatly pressed polo.

"I will. But whatever happens today, just… just take care of yourselves." I said, making them frown and worry. Guilt stab my heart as a saw Margo crying.

"Don't worry, Margo. I'll be back. I promise." I tell her, wiping away the tears that are streaming her pale cheek.

"You… won't… volunteer… are… you?" she managed to say in between sobs.

"I don't know yet." I hissed. "But don't worry. Whatever happens, I tell you, I'll come back. Safe and sound." I said and flashed a smile. I bid my goodbyes to my family and started to walk to the pile of teenagers lined up for the attendance for the reaping.

"Name?" asks a tall and emotionless Capitol Guard.

"Cato Lewis." I replied, and instantly he grabbed my thumb and pinned it to drip a blood on a paper or whatever that may be.

"You're done." He said, and pushed me into the row of the 18 years-olds.

After about 10 minutes, the auditorium was filled with tons of people ages 12-18. Surprisingly, I catch a glimpse of Clove. She's lined up with the 16 year-olds and wears a floral peter pan collared dress. She looks… stunning.

She caught me eyeing her which made her smile but instantly look away because Bart Colton, the one who picks the tribute in our district, bolted to the stage and literally crashed into the microphone.

"Err…" he started, pressing his clothes to look proper again after his mini catastrophe. "Hello citizens of 2! It's… uhm… well you know me already! Bart Colton. Now let's get this thing done reaaaaaaally quick. But first, roll the video!"

And as per usual, that same video played again. It just shows the history of the games and all the things about the Capitol. The video was good for 5 minutes, I guess. Oh how I just want this thing to end – the reaping. The projector turned to pit black, and Bart continued the procedures of the ceremony.

"Lady's first!" he announced. Slowly, he moved his hand to the clear glass bowl that was filled with paper. He did some tricks inside the bowl and after sometime, he pulled out a piece.

"Okay. Uhm… let's see who's the lucky one." he said. Clearly, all of us here doesn't want to go to the games. It is violence and it will only cause deaths. You only get to die or stay alive in the end. There are slim chances of you surviving. To get pick is no luck.

"Clove Stacy." Bart publicized. My heart skipped a bit. Why her? Why Clove? Of all the girls that are in here, why does it have to be her? We waited for any possible volunteers, but the surroundings were dead silent. She slowly made her way to the aisle, and to the stage.

I felt her eyes to me. When I looked up to see her, her eyes were full of pain; I swear. Her face, though, was frozen; you cannot trace any emotions on her facial muscles or whatnot. But her eyes…

"Come here, sweetie." Bart said, reaching out a hand to Clove, helping her to the stage.

Bart placed Clove on a more proper position in the center of the stage. Bart went on to the bowl for the males. A lot of things are running in my head right now. I don't know if I should just let go for this year's games and just let Clove for her fate; or volunteer to protect her.

Wait. Volunteer. Right! I'll volunteer to keep her safe throughout the games. But, what if it happens to be just me and her? Damn it. Whatever! I'll just…

"Ted Sanroman." He announced. But before this pale tall guy, about my age as well, take over the aisle I shouted to volunteer. I slowly made my way to the stage and I swear, I could feel thousands of eyes on me. As soon as I reached Clove, I gave her a small smile but she didn't respond.

"Your name?" asks Bart.

"Cato. Cato Lewis."

"Alright! You're tributes for the 74th Hunger Games – Clove Stacy and Cato Lewis!" he shouted through the microphone which eventually roared the speaker of the wide space, and reached our wrists up in the air like we freaking won something so luxurious and worth infinite laughs and smiles. We just got into a big pickle (problem), duh!

After some walks, we were led to these 2 gigantic doors. The guards pushed us to each door which revealed comfy-looking velvet couches and a floor-to-ceiling high glass window which shows an incredible view of district 2. Too bad I'll be gone for, how long, maybe 1-3 months? Well, it depends in the game if we have instant kills… or when I don't ever come back.

"Stay there." Says a buff Capitol guard and slammed the door, from behind me, shut. I wondered around the area for a bit, and afterwards, sat down into this huge soft couch. A thousand thoughts were running through my mind for the entire time. My family, Margo (especially), Clove, everything.

My thoughts were wiped-out instantly when Margo and my parents rushed into the room. I hugged them 3 with all my heart and I hear sobs from them which made me tear-up as well. I pulled them away after a good 1 minute and kneeled down to Margo.

"Why do you have to leave?" she asks and a warm stream of tear rolled down her cheek. Her eyes were as red as a tomato, and her cheeks are just warm and pink. I could tell she's been crying, since my volunteer.

"I have to, Margo. I'm coming back though. I'll be really quick, I promise." I replied, wiping the tears in her small cheek. I stood up, and hugged my Mom and Dad once more.

"Good luck son." My father told me and patted my back. He's been there for me, all these years, regardless of my stupid actions and my ups and downs.

"Take care, Cato. We… will miss you." My mom said in between sobs. Her hands, this time, are on my head, caressing me. Oh how I'll miss these guys. And just the thought of not coming back, or dying, is just hunting me. I don't want to leave them alone. Not this time. But then I thought of Clove. There will be one victor in this thing. It's either I'm alive and she's not, or she's alive and my family's all lonely and mourning over my lifeless body.

This are just tangled up and I'm stuck in the middle. I've engaged into this disaster. If only I could find a way out of this catastrophe. If only…

[A/N: How was it? I'm running out of ideas now. Hahahaha. The next chapter will be Clove's POV and I'll try my hardest to publish the next chapter really soon! Let's just hope that I'll never encounter a severe writer's block this weekend. Hahaha, thanks for all the views and the reviews! Much love xx]