A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while… I've been really busy with school and I haven't had much time to write… So here's chapter 5! Also, I changed the rating due to events later in the chapter… so enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games or any of the characters. Only Lolo and Manus are my "creations."
Cato's POV
I wake up with Clove in my arms and her head rested on my chest. This is one of the things that I will truly miss when I die in the arena.
I feel Clove tossing and turning next to me. I let go to give her more room and she wakes up. She turns her body to face me and says, "Good morning."
"Good morning sweetheart… How did you sleep?" I reply.
"Really well and you?"
"Pleasant… You're a good sleeping buddy. We should do this more often."
"Yes we should," she says and kisses me on the cheek. She then says with a more serious tone of voice, "Cato, what would happen if we got to final two?"
"I would kill myself to make you win," I say.
"You shouldn't do that… I'd kill myself without you," she replies.
"Don't say things like that. You're Clove Flare. You're the strongest girl in Panem," I say to her as I brush her hair out of her face.
"And you're the best boyfriend in Panem," Clove says with a smile.
I blush and we hear a knock at the door.
"Cato! Clove! Breakfast!" Amy announces.
"Be there in a second!" I shout.
Amy opens the door and sees us. Her eyes widen in shock and her jaw almost drops.
"We didn't do anything, I swear," Clove states.
"Why should I believe you?" Amy asks.
"Because we will kill you if you don't," I threaten.
"Fine. Get out of bed and go to breakfast," Amy says before leaving the room.
The two of us climb out of bed and go to the table. Already waiting is a plate of waffles à la mode… Along with Brutus and Enobaria.
"Good morning," Brutus says to us.
"Good morning," Clove and I reply.
We begin to eat our waffles.
"So today is your private training session… Be ready to impress!" Enobaria announces.
"Oh I was born ready," Clove states.
"That's the spirit!" Enobaria exclaims.
"Any ideas on how you're going to impress the Gamemakers?" Brutus asks.
"Simple. Throw some knives, shoot some arrows… Maybe some hanging upside down throwing knives…" Clove answers.
"And you?" Enobaria asks referring to me.
"Spears and swords," I answer.
"Those always make an impression on the Gamemakers especially because you're also kind of violent," Amy announces.
Clove smirks.
"You two need to head downstairs, don't want to be late!" Enobaria announces.
We nod and walk to our rooms. When we walk out, we're dressed and ready to go.
"Let's go!" Amy exclaims.
Amy walks us to the elevator.
"Good luck you two today," Amy says.
"Thanks," Clove and I say.
"Clove rotate," Amy says to her.
Clove nods and rotates.
"Good," Amy states.
The elevator stops at the basement and Clove and I exit to meet with the others.
When we step into the gymnasium, Glimmer, Marvel, Shell, and Aqua run to Clove and I and embrace us in a group hug.
We then separate and Clove says, "Well hello guys."
"Hey!" Glimmer and Aqua exclaim.
Clove's POV
"I like how we're so close after what happened yesterday," Shell realizes.
Marvel nods in agreement.
"This doesn't mean I like you Marvel. Remember, I still have dibs on you," I tell him.
I can't wait to kill him….
"And I called dibs on you too Clove. So I guess we both have dibs on each other," he says as if I'm scared that he's going to kill me.
"Um two people only call dibs on each other when they like each other right?" Glimmer asks.
"Well I don't approve of this," Cato interrupts.
"I don't either Cato bear, but if it happens, it happens." Glimmer says.
She's an idiot…
"Well I can't wait to kill Marvel and he's not even cute, so why would I like him?" I ask.
"And I want to kill her and rip that arrogant little smirk off her face," he says.
"Do you really mean that or are you just afraid of me killing you in the arena?"
"Me? Afraid? Ha! You're probably going to die within the first week!"
"Me? Dying? Never going to happen… Knowing you you'll be the joke of the Games and die some stupid way like by a rock or something."
"Clove! That wasn't nice!" Glimmer exclaims.
"Neither was what Marvel said to me, but I guess you only listen when I talk," I say.
All of a sudden a lady walks up to me and says, "Miss?"
"What do you want?" I ask and roll my eyes.
"You don't have a number on your back," she says.
"I know… Isn't that your job?" I reply.
"Which district are you?"
"Two."
She takes a cloth with a 2 on it and pins it to my back. She then takes another cloth and pins it to Cato's back. Then Atala walks up to the podium and the six of us walk to the other tributes and sit in the front.
"Welcome everyone. Today is only a half day of training because of your private training sessions…" Atala begins.
I look around and see the Gamemakers around the gym watching us. They have their eyes on district 12, but once I get to the knife station, all eyes will be on me.
"I won't waste time reading the list of stations because you know them, so you are free to go," Atala finishes.
Atala steps off the podium and the six of us stand up and huddle together.
"If I don't get to the knife station now, Marvel dies before he sees the arena," I announce.
"Then let's go," Cato says.
"Yay! I love the knife station!" Glimmer exclaims.
"You don't like the knife station, you like Dan," Aqua says.
I make a beeline for the knife station and pick up a combat knife. I look at the instructor to make sure that he's watching me and I realize that it's not Dan. I shrug and watch my knife fly and decapitate the dummy.
The expert applauds and I see the Gamemakers' eyes widen. I also notice the other tributes that aren't in my alliance have fear in their eyes. Except Thresh. He's my only fear, but he'll die anyway… Aqua, Cato, Glimmer, and Shell are applauding me while Marvel's giving me a death glare. I just smirk at everyone and take a bow.
"That was phenomenal," the expert says.
"It's Clove," I say.
"Well Clove, that was amazing,"
"Thanks."
"What happened to Dan?" Glimmer asks.
Seriously Glimmer? I decapitate a dummy and all you can think about is Dan? I just noticed that she's dressed normally today…
"He got fired," the expert answers.
I give the expert a confused look.
"Why?" Aqua asks.
"Because he was caught having an affair with a tribute," the expert says.
My eyes widen and I know the six of us know who the tribute is.
"Wow, he needs a life. Do you know who the tribute is?" Shell asks.
"That part we weren't told, but why don't you six go to another station? You're not supposed to know what I told you," the expert stated.
We nod and walk to the center of the gym to form a huddle.
"Glimmer, did you know that Dan got fired?" Aqua asks.
"It wasn't me, I swear," Glimmer says.
"She's right. She never left my sight yesterday," Marvel says defensively.
"So you two slept together?" Cato asks.
"No. I would've heard if she left the floor and I didn't hear footsteps last night," Marvel answers.
"Are you sure it wasn't you Glimmer?" Aqua asks.
"Don't you think she would've been bragging to us if it was her?" I say.
"That's true," Shell says.
"I definitely would've told you if it was me, but if not me, than who was it? You all know he was into me," Glimmer says.
"Aw look at the poor district 9 girl moping around while her district partner is at the axe station with district 7," Cato says.
"What if district 9 was with Dan? It would make sense because she was really happy yesterday, but she's upset now," Aqua announces.
"Let's go to her and find out," Marvel suggests.
"To the district 9 girl!" Shell exclaims.
"To the district nine girl!" the rest of us repeat.
The six of us break from our huddle and walk to the girl.
~Cato's POV~
Wow. Dan's fired, Glimmer and Marvel are sleeping together (sorry dude, I know you're lying), and Clove is really excited for the arena. What's next? Some hidden secret from Shell and Aqua?
The six of us walk up to the girl from district 9.
"Hello there, why are you so upset?" Aqua says tauntingly.
"Didn't you hear? Dan's fired," the girl replies trying to hold back tears.
"Why are you so upset? He was just the expert at the knife station… Nothing more," I say.
"Well let me tell you a story," the district 9 nine girl begins.
"Like how you suck with knives so much that Dan got fired for it?" Clove interrupts.
"No, but I'm the reason Dan got fired," she says in a whisper.
"No shit Sherlock, we realized that," Marvel states.
"Is it that obvious?" she asks.
"As obvious as district 12's togetherness," Shell answers.
"How'd you get him fired? You know just out of curiosity," Glimmer asks.
"I slept with him," the girl states.
"YOU WHAT?" Glimmer exclaims.
"I slept with Dan, we got caught, and he got fired," district nine explains.
"Guess who's dying in the bloodbath? That's right, you are!" Clove taunts.
"How did you sleep with him anyway let alone get into his house?" Aqua asks.
"You see, we planned it. He would meet me in the lobby at midnight and take me to his place. Then we would do stuff-" nine begins.
"You mean sex," Clove interrupts.
"That and then he'd get me back in time for breakfast," she finishes.
"Wow, and people call me a whore! Guess they haven't met you!" Glimmer announces.
"That's all we wanted to know. Let's go guys," I announce.
"Toodles!" Clove says to the girl.
The six of us turn around and walk towards the spear station. Just then, the lunch bell rings.
We walk to the cart to get our lunch and sit at our table.
"I can't believe she would do that!" Glimmer exclaims.
"She's more of a whore than you are!" Aqua states.
"I am not a whore !" Glimmer exclaims.
"Whatever," Aqua says.
"Can I please kill her? Pretty please?" Glimmer asks.
Pretty please? What is she like five?
"Ugh fine. You can kill her," I say.
"Yay!" Glimmer exclaims.
"But what's our main strategy?" Shell asks.
"Kill everyone except for each other," Marvel says.
"But what happens when it comes down to the six of us?" Shell asks.
"Whatever happens, happens. One of us is definitely winning for sure," Clove says.
"But who?" Glimmer asks.
"Whoever is the strongest and most violent of all of us," Marvel states.
"Which means Cato or Clove," Glimmer says.
"Let's just all say our goodbyes now!" Aqua says.
"We all have an equal shot at winning. People will be sponsoring us for different reasons. Glimmer, people will be stepping over each other to sponsor you because of your beauty. Aqua, you have a personality that the sponsors will love! Shell, you're a cool kid, a Career, and your age will get you sponsors. Not to mention, that being in the Games with your cousin will give you even more sponsors. And Cato, you're strong, powerful, violent, and you have those abs that will give you fangirls. Believe me; I used to get bothered by your fangirls constantly. People will want to sponsor all of us. Do you all see now that we all have an equal shot at winning?" Clove says to the whole group.
Wait I have fangirls?
"I guess so…" Glimmer sighs.
"Yeah, you're right. People will want to sponsor us even if we don't win," Aqua says.
"Uh Clove, when you were explaining why we would be sponsored individually, you kind of left someone out," Marvel announces.
"That's right! I forgot to say why people would sponsor me. Well I mean you've all seen me with knives, I think that part was obvious," Clove states.
"No you idiot. I mean you forgot me."
Did he just call her an idiot?
"You know I don't know why people would want to sponsor you. You don't deserve individual sponsors. You're not nice, you suck with a spear, and you're not attractive in any way, so why would people want to sponsor you?"
"Because I'm going to kill you."
"That can't happen when you're dead."
"What?"
"That's right. I'm killing you," Clove explains, "Unless you die to like a rock or something stupid like that before I have the chance."
All of a sudden, we hear district 12 talking again… about their favorite subject, bread.
"If I take district 4 and district 11's bread and ate it, what do you think it would taste like?" the boy asks.
I roll my eyes. He is not serious.
"Bread," Katniss answers.
I turn around to see the boy from district 12 making a fool of himself by eating bread.
"That tasted great. Maybe I should bake something for my training session," he says.
Yeah loser maybe you should. It would be the joke across Panem if you get a 1 for baking bread. I turn to the others.
"He is not serious," I say.
"I agree. I mean what idiot would bake? It's not like someone's giving us dough in the arena and whoever bakes the best bread wins the hunger games. You need to kill. Baking is useless," Clove says.
"Imagine if his token if a loaf of bread and he drops it into the mines… That would be hilarious!" Aqua states.
All of a sudden, the bell rang indicating that lunch is over. That means that it's time for our private training sessions!
"It's time for private training!" Clove announces.
"WOOT WOOT!" the other five of us exclaim.
The six of us party out of the gym and into the waiting area. We take our assigned seats and wait for further instructions.
"Okay everyone. One by one you will have the chance to impress the Gamemakers with whatever you have learned at training. The order that you are sitting in is the order that you will be conducting your private sessions. Any questions?" Atala announces.
There was silence.
"Good. Now Marvel, you can go first." Atala says.
Marvel stands from his seat and goes into the gymnasium.
"Good luck!" Glimmer exclaims.
"Psh it's not like he's winning anyway," Clove says.
"Clove! Are you ever going to be nice to Marvel?" Glimmer asks.
"Uh no," Clove answers.
"Well you're just not a nice person then," Glimmer says.
"What?" Clove exclaims.
"You heard me," Glimmer says.
"Oh so you're the sassy one now?"
"I can't help that I'm this beautiful," Glimmer says and flips her hair.
"Why am I always in the middle of these fights?" I complain.
I look past Clove quickly and see the boy from district 3 staring at Clove and Glimmer.
"What are you looking at?" I ask him.
He jumps and turns back to face his district partner.
As if on cue, Marvel comes back.
"Glimmer Sparks," Atala announces.
Glimmer gets up from her seat and goes into the gym. Marvel gets back into his seat… probably to wait for Glimmer.
"So loser, how'd it go?" Clove asks.
"Uh we're not supposed to talk about how the sessions went," Marvel answers.
"So how do you think you did?" Clove then asks.
"Probably a 10," Marvel says.
"Psh. I doubt it," Clove says.
"What is up with you? I say one bad thing and you try to hurt me in every way possible,"
"Do you even know Clove?" I interrupt.
"Not really…" Marvel says.
"Well I barely know her either, but say one bad thing about her or her friends, it will not end well for you. And considering what's happened in the past, she's going really easy on you," I say.
"What do you mean?" Marvel inquires.
"You don't want to know," I say.
"I'll show you everything in the arena. Then you'll see how I really am. And the way I've been acting around you is actually pretty nice," Clove explains.
"Well I think someone needs to redefine the word 'nice,'" Marvel announces.
"Oh I can't wait for the arena," Clove says.
"Me either. Maybe then I'll rip that arrogant smirk off your face," Marvel states.
"You know you're that nice either Marvel. You just put down Clove's friends and don't even apologize. So don't go around acting like you're the nice one," I defend.
"Oh so you're defending her now?" Marvel says as if he's trying to look cool.
"As if you don't defend Glimmer… you're the only one that hasn't called her a whore yet," I say.
"That's because I know what she's been through," Marvel says.
"Shut up Marvel. You two are doing it and you know it," Clove announces.
"But that has nothing to do with-" Marvel begins.
Clove cuts him off. "Ha! You admit it then. You're in a sexual relationship with Glimmer," she announces.
And just as Clove was saying that, Glimmer walks out of the gym.
"CLOVE!" Glimmer exclaims.
"Cato Chambers," Atala announces.
"It's my turn now," I say.
"Good luck," Clove says.
"Good luck Cato Bear!" Glimmer exclaims.
Mood swings much?
I get up from my seat and walk into the gym. When I walk in, the Gamemakers seem bored already… Seriously Glimmer and Marvel? You made the Gamemakers bored?
I take a deep breath and sprint to the spears. I pick up a small one and walk to the archery station where the targets are farther away. I pull my arm back and release the spear. I watch it go exactly in the middle of the farthest target and I see that the Gamemakers are impressed. Luckily they're not drunk yet. After the Careers go, they get drunk and barely pay attention to the others. It doesn't really matter because everyone else sucks and will die in the bloodbath.
I then go to the weight station and pick up the second heaviest weight and chuck it through the wall. I then take the heaviest one and do the same. I look to the Gamemakers and they are more impressed than ever. I go to the sword station and pick up a large sword. I pierce a dummy's heart from 30 yards away.
I smile to myself.
"You may leave now Cato," a Gamemaker announces.
"Thank you for your time," I say and exit the gym.
~Clove's POV~
"CLOVE!" Glimmer screams.
"Cato Chambers," Atala announces.
"It's my turn now," I say.
"Good luck," Clove says.
"Good luck Cato Bear!" Glimmer exclaims.
Mood swings much?
"Clove I can't believe you!" Glimmer exclaims.
"Whoops, did I spill the details of your love life?" I ask sarcastically.
"Uh kinda," she says.
"Well it's not my fault your little boyfriend implied it."
"I know Marvel. He wouldn't do that."
"So what? You were just going to wait until the interviews? As if your love for each other isn't obvious…"
"Well that was our plan…"
"Well your plan sucks. Everyone knows the whole 'star crossed lovers' thing is a joke. The people who try it fail every year and always die in the bloodbath."
"Actually it isn't our strategy. We've been dating for about six months now and we're stuck here… with you…"
"Wow. You make my presence seem like it's a bad thing. What, are you afraid?"
"Us? Afraid of you? Ha! You won't last longer than that kid next to you!" Marvel interrupts.
I look at the boy from district 3 and he slumps down in his chair. I have the biggest urge to scream "Yeah that's right. Fear me." in his face, but I won't. I turn back to Marvel.
"You wanna bet? Marvel, you're dying to a rock or something stupid. That is if you survive the bloodbath. You'll be lucky if you even make it past the first week," I say.
"Same to you Clove; same to you," he replies.
Finally Cato walks out of the gym and into the room.
"Clove Flare," Atala says.
"That's me," I say standing up and walking to the gym.
"It's showtime," I say to myself.
I look at the Gamemakers who seem really impressed after Cato's session. I go to the archery station, pick up a bow and arrow and position the arrow on the bow. I pull my arm back with the bow and release the arrow. I watch it skewer the farthest dummy's "heart." I take another arrow, position it on the bow, and release it. This one hit's the bullseye of the farthest target.
I walk to the knife station and pick up a few knives. I take on, throw it, and watch it take down a dummy. I throw another one into a dummy's forehead. When I throw the next one, it hit's the bullseye of the target. I notice a button that says "move" next to the knives. What would happen if I pressed it? Would the dummies move? There's no harm in trying… Or asking…
"Can I press the 'move' button?" I ask.
"Of course! You're the first one to notice it," a Gamemaker replies.
I smile, nod, and press the button. I watch the dummies move and start throw my knives -well the Capitol's knives-. I watch the knives hit the dummies in their vital areas. Great, I'm out of knives now…
I pick up a few and walk to the knot tying station. I take a rope and hang upside down from one of the fake trees with the rope tying my ankle to the "tree."
I take my knives and hit every target's bullseye in the spear, sword, and knife stations. I do a curl up and untie the rope. I climb down the fake tree and look at the Gamemakers. Most of them are speechless… Well someone has to set the standard right?
"You may leave," a Gamemaker says.
"Thank you," I say and leave.
When I get back to the waiting area, I notice that Cato's alone.
"Where's tweedledee and tweedledum?" I ask.
"I'll explain on the elevator," he says.
I nod and he stands. Together, we walk to the elevator. He presses the two and we are sent to our floor.
When we get there, only Brutus and Enobaria are there to greet us.
"So how did it go?" Enobaria asks.
"Who first?" Cato questions.
"You can go Cato," I say.
"I threw spears, swords, and weights," he announces.
"Clove?" Brutus asks.
"I shot some arrows, threw knives, threw knives at moving dummies, and hung upside down from a fake tree and threw knives," I announce.
"Wait, moving dummies?" Brutus inquires.
"There was a button that said 'move' next to the knives, so I asked if I could press it and I did," I explain.
"Well I think you both deserve twelves," Enobaria announces.
"Aw thanks," I say.
"Do you mind if the two of us talk for a minute in private?" Cato asks.
"Talking… so that's what they call it nowadays…" Brutus says.
"Shut up Brutus, don't think like that!" I exclaim.
"CLOVE!" Enobaria shouts.
"Sorry," I say.
I take Cato's hand and we go to his room. I sit myself on the bed and he shuts the door.
"So do you know why Glimmer and Marvel left?" I ask while he walks towards me.
He nods and sits on the bed with me.
"Well they're kind of afraid of you," he admits.
"I KNEW IT! That's why they were trying to hide their six month relationship. They didn't want me to hold it against them," I conclude.
"Wait, six month relationship?" Cato asks.
"It's a long story…" I say.
"That makes sense though. You'd be the type to use their relationship against them."
"And I will."
~3 hours later (still Clove's POV) ~
After hanging out with Cato for a while (no, not in that way), it was time for our scores.
"CATO! CLOVE! IT'S TIME TO WATCH YOUR SCORES!" Enobaria screams/announces.
We run out of the room and into the living room. We sit down on the couch and Brutus turns the TV on.
First Marvel's face pops up with a 9 below it. I roll my eyes. I can't stand that kid. Then Glimmer pops up with an eight. Hate her too!
Then Cato pulls a 10!
"Congrats Cato!" I exclaim and give him a giant hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Well done!" Brutus says and pats Cato on the back.
There are high-fives all around until they show my name with another 10!
"Congratulations babe," Cato says to me and gives me a hug.
"Great job girl," Enobaria says and gives me a hug.
"You two did amazing!" Amy exclaims.
I didn't even notice Amy was here…
"Congrats!" Lolo and Manus exclaim.
Cool, Lolo and Manus joined the party…
"Let's see how pathetic everyone else did," I say.
The boy from district 3 pulls a 6 (I have no clue how or why, but he does… nerd). His partner pulls a 4. No shock there. Shell gets an 8 while Aqua gets a 9. I should congratulate them… The boy from district 5 pulls a 5. Wow Gamemakers, a five for district five. Ha ha very funny. Kali pulls an 8. Wait Kali? Getting the same score as Glimmer and Shell? Girl, you just painted a huge target on your back…
The other districts bore me so I don't pay much attention. I lose focus until they show district 11. Thresh pulls a 10 which doesn't shock me. His district partner, the puny one, gets a 7. I'm fairly impressed that the youngest tribute does better than half of the pathetic people here.
Then they show district twelve. Poor, pathetic district 12. The boy, AKA breadboy, ends up getting an 8! AN 8! Is this even possible?
Now they're showing fire loser. Her ugly picture flashes first and now they're flashing an 11 under it! A FREAKING 11! HOW COULD THIS B*TCH DO BETTER THAN ME?
I take a knife and chuck it t her face (well the picture of her face). I notice Cato hurl the remote and smash it.
I throw more knives at Katniss and scream.
"HOW COULD THAT B*TCH DO BETTER THAN US?" I scream.
"THERE MUST BE A MISTAKE! There is no way that idiot of a tribute do better than us!" Cato exclaims.
I take the plant next to me and kick it down. I watch the glass pot that it was in shatter to pieces. It was an ugly plant anyway…
"ENOBARIA HOW DO YOU FEEL?" I ask.
"I don't know why she did better than you guys," Enobaria replies.
"She probably paid the Gamemakers to give her a good score," Cato says.
"With what money? District 12 is poor," I say.
"True…" he replies.
I take a plate and hurl it against a wall. Cato picks up a chair and chucks it.
"Why don't you two take a walk? Clear your head for a bit…"Lolo suggests.
"Where are we supposed to walk to?" I ask.
"The roof is lovely. Go there," Lolo says.
We nod and go to the elevator. I press the button that says roof and we are taken there.
~Cato's POV~
I can't believe district 12 did better than us! DISTRICT 12 of all districts! I know I should be proud of my 10, but not when somebody gets an 11!
When the elevator opens, the roof looks really romantic.
"Aw Cato, we should've brought a picnic!" Clove says.
I smile and Clove drags me to a bench in the middle of the garden.
"It's pretty up here," she says.
I walk to the edge and look down at the view below us. Cars, people partying, all the things that make the Capitol, the Capitol.
"Check out this awesome view," I say and signal to Clove.
She walks over to me and looks down.
"Wow…" she says.
I turn around to face her.
"I love you Clove," I announce.
"I love you too Cato," she says before kissing me.
"Do you think we could-?"
"We could what?" I ask.
"I don't know. Maybe what Brutus thinks we're doing," she suggests.
"You mean sex? I mean like if you want to. It's up to you," I say.
"I want to Cato. I love you and sex is another way of showing it," she says.
I smile and give her a hug.
"I will always love you. Regardless of if we do it or not," I say.
"I will always love you too. But I really want us to take the next step. Especially because I'm dying in the arena," she says.
"Listen Clove, you're not dying in the arena; I am. And we should take the next step.
She takes my hand and we walk to the elevator.
"It'll make more sense on the bed," she says before the door opens.
We step inside and the elevator takes us to the second floor. When we get off she asks if we should use her bed or mine.
"Yours," I say.
She opens the door and we walk inside. I shut and lock the door behind us and we take our shoes and socks off.
We sit on the bed and I kiss her. Soon it develops into a more heated make out session where we're both half naked.
"Are you sure you want this?" I ask.
"Cato, I love you. I have been waiting so long for this," she says before I finally do it.
We continue to make out even though we're both naked. Then we hear a knock on the door.
Clove rolls off of me and we scramble to put our clothes on. When we're dressed, we answer the door.
"Who is it?" I ask.
"President Snow," Brutus says in a fake accent.
"Oh come on Brutus, we know it's you," Clove says.
"So can I come in?" Brutus asks.
"Ugh fine," I say and unlock the door.
Brutus walks in and surveys the room.
"Your bed is messed up, and you look like you have sex hair. What happened?" Brutus asks.
"Um…" Clove says.
"I get it. You two had sex," Brutus says.
"What is it with you and sex? I mean like we talk, and you think that we're doing it. What is wrong with you?" Clove asks.
"Well you see when two people love each other, they have sex. Simple as that," Brutus explains.
"Brutus, are you doing it with someone?" I ask.
"Well no, but-" he begins.
Clove cuts him off and says, "So you can't go around thinking that we are either. That could cost us sponsors and the Games."
"Well I actually came to tell you that it's dinnertime and that we need your tokens to be approved by the Gamemakers," Brutus announced.
Clove walks to the drawer, takes out her charm bracelet, and hands it to Brutus.
"Cato?" Brutus asks.
"Be right back," I say.
I leave the room and return with my dog tag.
"Good. You two can eat now," Brutus says.
We nod and walk to the dining room.
~Clove's POV~
I can't believe I just had sex. I will admit that I was a little scared, but with Cato everything just felt so right.
When we get to the dining room, we are given steak with mashed potatoes. I begin to eat.
"Did the roof help?" Lolo asks.
"Yes it did," I say with a smile.
"But she will be the most memorable death in the Games," Cato says referring to Katniss.
"Which is why I'm getting her," I say.
"I want her!" Cato exclaims.
"We planned it at training with the others remember? Aqua and I get fire b*tch, and you, Shell, and Loserboy get the boy," I explain.
"Who's Loserboy?" Manus asks.
"Marvel," I say.
"Why is he a loser?" he asks.
"Trust me. If you're asking that, clearly you haven't heard him speak," I explain.
Cato nods… even though I thought that Cato and Marvel were close.
"So your interviews are coming up… How do you feel?" Lolo asks.
"I can't believe the Games are in three days," I say.
"It seems like just yesterday we were at the reaping in District 2," Cato says.
"I still can't believe fire girl got an 11. For what? Sympathy for coming from a pathetic district and volunteering? I would've volunteered regardless of who it was," I say.
"Yeah. I volunteered for a kid that I've never seen before the reaping. Shouldn't that mean more?" Cato asks.
"Well the scores are for what you did during your private training sessions…" Amy explains.
"I hung upside down and hit every target in the gym. And I took down every moving dummy. Explain to me why she got an 11 now," I say in fury.
She doesn't say a word.
"Thought so," I say.
"So how about some dessert," Manus says.
"Dessert sounds nice," Enobaria says.
"Oh Cassia," Manus says… probably referring to the Avox.
Cassia, our Avox, comes to the table.
"Can we have seven brownies à la mode?" Manus asks.
Cassia nods and walks away. When she returns, she serves us.
"Thank you," Amy says.
Cassia nods and walks away.
"Wow Brutus, you've been quiet today… Something wrong?" I ask before eating.
"These are delicious," Cato compliments.
"I agree," I say.
"And nothing's wrong Clove. I just feel separated from you two," Brutus explains.
"Well you better not be soon, you're in charge of our sponsors," Cato says.
"And we don't want you to kill us in the arena." I say.
"Well neither of you are dying," Enobaria says.
"But there can only be one winner…" Cato says.
"Well the winner will be one of you," Enobaria says.
"It's going to be Clove. I can't imagine a life without her," Cato says.
"No it's not Cato. If you die and I win, I'll kill myself before the Victory Tour. The second I get home," I explain.
"Clove. You can survive. You're the strongest girl in Panem. I love you which is why I'm sacrificing my life for you," he says to me.
"Cato, don't. I won't be able to live without you. I know you Cato. You're strong, powerful, and you're going to become a victor."
"Clove listen to me. You need this more than I do. I love you and I only want the best for you. I want you to live and not die at the hands of a random person."
"Awww," Lolo interrupts.
Lolo's such a sap for romance.
"Well what are you going to do?" Manus asks.
"I'm dying and Clove's winning. Simple as that," Cato explains.
"No. It's the reverse. If you die, I don't want to live a life of guilt because your death will be my fault," I say.
"But Clove, that's what I want," Cato says.
"But that's not what I want. I want to win, but I don't want you to die."
"Don't you think that that's what I want too? To win with you?"
"The sad part is that only one can win. I want to spend the rest of my life with you outside of the Games. But no, the Capitol just had to be a major b*tch and mess with our futures."
"Clove! The Capitol created you! Don't talk about it like that!" Enobaria exclaims.
"Number one, my parents created me. And number two, the Games are the reason that I will never marry the guy of my dreams and later have kids with him," I explain.
"Listen you two. You are the strongest tributes that I've ever had. The only weakness you two have is each other," Enobaria says.
"What are you getting at?" I ask.
"The thing is that I don't know who to bring back. If it was up to me, I'd change the rules so that both of you can win. Then I'd make sure that nothing crazy happens next year for the Quarter Quell when you two will be mentors," Enobaria explains.
"Can you change the rules? You can at least do something right?" I ask.
"I'll do what I can. No promises," Enobaria says.
"But can you please make sure that Clove wins if you can't change the rules? Please Enobaria?" Cato asks.
"Don't listen to him. You have to bring Cato back. He needs this more. He deserves to be like his brother," I say.
"That's why I want you to win Clove. My family already has a victory child. Your dad will be proud of you following his footsteps."
"I don't care about what my dad wants. If I'm not with you, it's just not the same."
"Listen Clove, I love you and I want you to be happy and live."
"But what's the point of living if I'm not with you? I can't imagine a day without you. When I try, it's always me either depressed or killing myself."
"Clove, you're strong and we all know it. You have what it takes to win."
"You do too Cato. You're just as good with spears and swords as I am with knives. We already secured spots in the final 2, but what happens when we get there?"
"I'm going to stab myself with my spear."
"No Cato. I won't allow it."
"But Clove, it's what I want."
"Wait. What if-"
"What if what?"
"What if we both tried to kill ourselves? There always has to be a winner and the Capitol will flip if there isn't."
"Kind of like that play from before Panem called Romeo and Juliet where they both die in the end."
"Exactly! If we're about to kill ourselves in the final two, then the Gamemakers will realize what we're doing and stop us. Then boom! We both win."
"But then the Capitol will think that you're trying to rebel…" Brutus interrupts.
"Why? Because we love each other and we can't live without one another? If that's the case, then I don't understand," I say.
"If both of you refuse to win, then the Capitol will think that you are plotting against them," Enobaria explains.
"So two people in love during the Games means that we're rebels?" Cato asks.
"We're district 2! We don't rebel! We've been training forever for this and now we both either want to live or die together. How does that make us rebels?" I ask.
"You know what? Just forget it. I'll try to change the rules as best as I can," Enobaria says.
"And it's getting late, you two should rest," Amy says.
"Fine," Cato and I say.
I stand up and walk to my room. To my surprise, Cassia made my bed after Cato and I had sex. I shut the door behind me and change into pajamas.
I hear a knock at the door. I don't bother answering it because it's probably Cato.
The door opens and Cato comes in wearing pajama pants. He shuts the door behind him.
"Hey cutie," I say.
"Hey babe," he replies.
"Listen Cato. I really really love you and I don't want you to die for me. I wouldn't be able to live with the pain and guilt of you dying for me."
"I know it's a lot, but it's for the best for you."
"I love you," I say with tears in my eyes.
"I love you too," Cato says and wipes away the tears.
Cato lies down on my bed and I do the same. I bury myself in him and I'm entangled in his arms until I fall asleep and dream of killing Katniss.
~END OF CHAPTER 5~
A/N: So that was chapter 5! Tell me what you think in a review! Also, next chapter is going to be a filler chapter because my friend wanted more of a certain character. So the interviews will take place in chapter 7 and the games will start in chapter 8.
Also, since I took a long time to update and I already wrote some of chapter 6, here is a line said by a character:
"Uh, can I get a towel? Or a doctor or something?"
Any ideas of who will say that line in the next chapter? Insert your guess in a review and I will give you a virtual cookie! And extra points if you can guess the situation!
I'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can because I have a lot of schoolwork and what not… So review!