Cato:
Thank god for the thunder rumbling outside, because if it wasn't for that, then I would have missed the Reaping. The Reaping; the one day I have been awaiting my whole life, all comes down to the next hour, the next weeks to come, the rest of my life would change drastically all in one day, today. The thunder cracked loudly throughout my house as I quickly slipped on my nicest clothes and heard the loud alarm throughout the district ring off to warn everyone to report to the Square.
I was late, too late. Ever since my mother and father passed away a few months ago, and my brothers had to work almost every hour of the week, I was left to fend for myself. The light blinking on our phone instantly caught my eye as I was making my way out the door. I pressed the flashing button and Clove's beautiful voice rang throughout the room, "Cato," her voice sounded choked, and you could hear her sniffling as the tears drained out of her, "Cato I'm scared, I don't know why though, maybe for my parents, or Lust please hurry up, you're going to be late for the Reaping." Then it automatically turned off.
Shit I thought to myself as I looked at the time, I only had five minutes to make it to the Square. I rushed out the door without another thought and slipped my shoes on as I hobbled down the streets. Then, I started running, my feet slapping the face of the pavement as rain poured down. Clove had shown me a few years ago a shortcut which made you cut behind allies and down muddy old roads that took you to the Square, so I ran faster as I twisted around the allies and roads. I thought of Clove's call, which I didn't care to check when she had particularly called. I understood that she was scared, and I knew somewhere deep inside of me I was too but I didn't know why. I knew that either I or Clove would be crowned victor, which reassured me a little but if Clove were to win that would mean death for myself. Death. That's what horrified my mind and crept into my nightmares. The thought of it just made me shake, but I had to wipe it off, I knew how to kill, I knew what I had to do save myself and Clove.
By the time I arrived at the Square, Floster Tomquin the District Two escort was rambling about the Dark Days where the districts had rebelled against the Capitol, which started the Hunger Games. I ran to the check in as a woman shocked my finger, and let a drop of blood slip out, which she then scanned. "You're late," she growled.
"Yeah, yeah." I nudged her off and took my place by some boys who were also my age. "Let's start with LADIES FIRST," Floster shouted, while his pink suit sparkled in the sun that matched his hair and lips. He turned to the screen board, where the girl with the highest Academy Score would be chosen. The big screen calculated the scores as I turned to look for Clove in the crowd where she should be standing, but I never found her.
CLOVE CASTER
That's when I saw her submerge through the big crowd. Her face was plastered with a big smile, and pulled a knife out from her hand and chucked it directly at me. I was the whole Square away but everyone in between us managed to dodge the knife which came at towering speeds, and I caught it just as she winked at me. I smiled back, and then noticed how flawless she looked. Her hair was left untouched as it flowed down her shoulders, and stopped at the bottom of her ribs. A light yellow strapless dress that was the color of a dandelion fell down to her knees, and she wore tall heeled shoes which clicked whenever see walked. Clove, the Clove I loved was shining brighter than the sun this was her moment.