Clove POV
It's been about 6 weeks since the accident and I am pretty much back up to par. I only have 3 more weeks until the Academy starts up again so I'm planning to make the most of these next few weeks.
Every Saturday Cato would come over to my house and we'd have a grand feast. I've gotten to know him a lot better, but I still can't be sure if I should call us friends. He talks mostly about his siblings and training, I guess those are the most important things in his world.
Apparently he matured really fast and entered the academy when he was only 6 years old. All of the kids there made fun of him and didn't think he'd amount to anything, and for a while he believed them. That was until he had a conversation with his father and that got him motivated. He trained day and night, and within a month he had grown 6 inches.
He practiced every single type of weapon that was available and mastered it over the years he's been there. After 6 years, he's gained everyone's full respect and is even feared by some students. He doesn't really have time for socializing with all the training he does.
But during our time off, which is about 2 ½ months, his main priority is his family. Almost every day I see him out on the front yard with his younger brother and sometimes his sister. Occasionally there is that boy who I met in the cafeteria, but lately I've been seeing less and less of him-probably anxious to get back to training.
Papa has been spending a lot of time at work, and pretends to not even know I exist. So I keep to myself and think about things. Where did Mama go? I wish she hadn't left Papa and me for that strange man. Doesn't she know we love her? Doesn't she know that Papa loves her?
And Chloe, I can't forget about her. Everyone now and then she drops by with some groceries, since Papa doesn't bother to buy any, and cooks me some meals since Papa once again, won't. I'm beginning to think he's ashamed of me, I remember when Chloe was. Perhaps she still is. Chloe thinks that he's gone into depression, I don't know what it means for sure but if she's right it means that he is closed off from the world and doesn't feel very good about himself.
For a few days I even had to go live with Chloe in her condo since Papa came home in a bad state during the middle of supper. They had a yelling fit and I ran upstairs and hid in my closet. I recall hearing words like, intoxicated, bad role model and other things that I don't understand. Chloe came upstairs and took me home before it got really out of hand.
We've been getting a lot closer her and I. I think she's trying to make up for all those times she's been wicked to me. I never really new what it was like to have a big sister who cared, who I could look up to and who would scare off the mean kids. I think I'm beginning to appreciate her more than ever.
I'm at home in the backyard swaying slightly on the little white swing that was installed when we bought the house. It's one of the warmest days it's been all year, so it's refreshing to be in the shade.
I'm wearing a pink tank top and a pair of white shorts. There is nothing on my feet nor head and Momma would have a fit if she saw me like this. But then again she's not here, so who cares.
I hop off the swing and sit at the edge of the pool. I dip my legs into the water and let out a sigh as my body cools down almost immediately. Coming from one of the neighbor's yards is the sound of a dog barking loudly. When I first moved in I was utterly annoyed by the sound, but now I absolutely adore it. One day the dog got loose and came into our front yard when I was playing hopscotch.
I was so frightened as the puppy came bounding towards me. It was a pretty black and brown dog with pointy ears and a shaggy like tail. He licked my hand and I cautiously pet him. I remember giggling when it's tail started shaking fiercely and it's tongue hanging out of his stinky mouth.
Ever since then I've wanted a doggy, but never brought it up. Knowing that Papa would say no and give hundreds upon hundreds of reasons not to get one. And the first on the list would be, because I said so.
"Hot out today isn't it?" I am startled by Cato's loud voice coming from behind me. I turn to face him and I notice he's wearing fewer clothes than usual. Today he's wearing a pair of blue trunks and nothing else, well except for his sandals of course.
"Um, yeah. Why are you dressed like that?" I ask realizing the blush that's beginning to take shape.
"Well, I was just about to ask you if you'd fancy a swim" He says cheekily
"Sure, but I need to change, I'm not uh wearing my swimsuit" I say as I stand up. He nods his head and I rush into the house.
I rush into my closet and grab my few swimsuits. The first one is a pink tankini with white polka dots all over it. I toss it to the ground, as it won't do. Then I pull out a yellow swimsuit that has ruffles on the edges-far too girly. Then I grab a black bikini that is bedazzled with purple and blue sequence. Too revealing for my age, and when did this even get in my closet?
Finally I grab onto a piece of blue fabric. I unfold it and gasp as I see how beautiful it is-in my hands is a blue swimsuit with blue camouflage all over it. I hold it against my body to see if it will fit and I think it will. I rush into the bathroom and try it on. I can barely get it over my legs. I must have grown….
I rush out of the bathroom and grab the bikini; it looks like the only one that will fit anymore, even if it isn't my favorite. I slip it on quickly, glance at myself in the mirror, approve, and rush into the backyard where Cato is waiting patiently. On the way there I grab some sunscreen, my sunglasses and a towel.
Cato POV
I'm swimming around the pool, when Clove comes out of her house. She's wearing a bedazzled bikini that looks very pretty on her. It brings out her big eyes and her hair looks enchanting.
"Take a picture Cato, it will last longer" She giggles as she throws her towel and sunglasses onto a lawn chair
"What?" Dang it, she must have seen me staring
"I dunno, I heard my sister say it once to her boyfriend" She chirps as she finishes rubbing sunscreen along her arms. Then she jumps into the pool and makes a big splash.
When she surfaces I ask her, "So your sister has a lot of boyfriends?"
She thinks for a moment and then replies a short "Yup"
I laugh as I chase her around the pool splashing her the while. Then she dips under the water and grabs my legs. I suddenly feel myself being pulled under.
This goes on for a while, us just fooling around in the pool, splashing one another. Clove gets tired and goes to lie on one of the lawn chairs. I-not so gracefully- climb out of the pool and lay on the other one beside her.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" I look up and see Chloe standing in the doorway of the sunroom. She has her arms crossed and a smirk plastered on her face. I hear Clove gasp and Chloe walks up closer to us.
"What have you two been up to?" She asks suspiciously and sends a pointed look at me
"Cato and me were just fooling around in the pool Chloe, nothing to be worried about, we're just friends" Clove says a little too quickly to be believable.
"Clove in a few years those words will mean something entirely different" Chloe says with a hint of laughter in her voice, "Mind if I borrow her for a while?" She asks me
I nod my head furiously and she smiles.
"Clove go get changed, I would like to go with you somewhere" She says and walks back into the house. I look over at Clove and she gives me an apologetic look before she leaves and follows her sister.
Chloe POV
I never realized Clove was already popular with the boys. Well at least the Davis name will keep up its reputation with Clove. But damn, that kid is one of the most popular boys in the academy so this is the perfect chance for Clove to raise her social situation.
Maybe I can help with that as well, a makeover sure could do her good. Her eyebrows are growing so bushy and that is so last year. And she is only 7 but it wouldn't help for her to begin wearing some makeup as well as an updated wardrobe.
After a few minutes of me sitting on the couch in the living room Clove comes prancing down the stairs wearing a white tank top with tiny blue roses dotted all over it and a pair of light blue jeans. Her hair is pushed back with a black headband and on her feet she adorns a pair of yellow flats. In her hand is the bag Mother bought her last year-A pink Chanel bag.
"What exactly are we going to do today?" She asks in a cheerful voice but I can see right through that fake smile that she wanted to stay with Cato. Make the boy work for you Clove, make him show his worth.
"Well, I was thinking about having a girl's day…. you know, pedicures and shopping and makeovers" I finish with a big smile
"Oh, I guess that could be fun" She says slightly less excited
"Oh Clove, darling, this will be fun, and afterwards that blonde won't be able to take his eyes off you" A triumphant smile crosses my face as Clove lights up with energy
"Really? You think that Cato would like me? Like, like-like?" She asks in an innocent but excited tone
"Of course Clove, now come on, we don't have all day" I say as I grab her hand and lead her outside where my Bolt 170 waits in the driveway.
Clove POV
We reach the center of District 2, where all of the stores and such are located. Chloe finds a parking space and we begin our girl day.
"What are we doing first?" I ask as I circle around, taking in all the big lights and hundreds of people walking down the streets
"Well, I was thinking about doing some shopping, then going to a beauty parlor where they will do our hair and nails for us" She says as she makes her way into a store. I quickly follow her, not wanting to be engulfed by the herd of people walking aimlessly here and there.
Wow. This store is huge! It has high ceilings and everything is painted a polished white, bringing out the different shades in the clothes on the racks before me. Against the walls are shelves with shoes of any color you can think of stacked on them.
Chloe rushes to one of the racks and begins scanning through the clothes. I notice that those items look a bit too old and large for me and I slowly stroll through the boutique.
In the left back corner the clothes begin to look more appropriate for myself and I rush to one of the glass racks and begin to sort through the splendid and expensive clothes. My hands brushes against a soft blue fabric and I gasp as I pull it off the rack; In my hands is an electric blue, sleeveless dress with a wide neckline and a crochet weave under the top.
I hold the beautiful dress against my body to get a sense at how big the dress is on me. It looks fine and I throw it over my arm as I push through the fabrics again. Almost immediately I pull out a lavender colored dress with a sweetheart neckline and a ribbon around the waist. I grimace when I realize that the dress is a little too small for my size. I place it back on the shelf and begin to search through again.
I pick out a few more items such as a baby doll dress with a Paris green colored top and a tope colored skirt. Another item I picked out was a short-sleeved pale shirt with a floral pattern in red, coral and green. It has a front drawstring as well as an elastic smock at the neckline, sleeves and hem.
In another rack I pick out a sailor style dress with a stitched hem and a summer dress with a floral pattern with red and teal. Chloe picked out a few skirts and tops for me as well as a bold red dress with a gold chain around the neckline. The full skirt has 3 layers of thin, sheer fabric and feels nice against my legs. I am still in awe at this place, everything here seems so pristine and expensive. It gives the illusion of cleanliness and spacious. Of course, it is spacious, with the high ceilings and mirrored walls. This is place is so big, I could get lost in here, which in fact, I have already.
"Darling wouldn't you like to get some shoes to match your clothes?" The attendant helping me asks. Her nametag reads Jezebel and she has long brown hair in loose, wavy coils. Her eyes are a solid crystal blue and she has a tiny, slightly upturned nose like myself. She has a big smile and a smooth voice that makes me feel appreciated and special.
"I think that would be acceptable," I say in a teasing voice as I rush to the shoes section. She picks out a pair of hot pink flats that would go perfectly with the white lace dress that Chloe helped me pick out. I also grab a pair of wedge flip-flops with a striped pattern on them.
After what seems like hours we finally end up in line to pay for our merchandise. In total I am buying 8 dresses, 7 shirts, 6 skirts, 2 shorts, 3 trousers and 4 pairs of shoes. And Chloe says we still aren't finished. She bought a few dresses and a pair of expensive platforms that she says with goes perfectly with this little black dress in her closet at home.
I hand Jezebel my credit card that Daddy gave to me a few days ago. I've never used it but he said that I was his favorite child now and that he wanted to spoil me rotten like I deserve. Chloe didn't seem to appreciate that display of emotion when he said it in front of her.
She swipes it through this machine and after a few seconds a beep goes off and she hands me my bags. Chloe and I make our way out of the boutique and back into the bustling street.
As we're walking down the crowded sidewalk I look into the windows of all the stores. Nothing really catches my eye until I walk past a store's window that has a lot of clothing options for children my age. It also has something that says 70% off Sale. I grab onto Chloe's hand and drag her into the store.
This place is even more crowded than the last store! I guess that's what you have to expect due to the fact that they are having a sale. I run excitedly up to one of the racks that seem to have a lot of blues and pinks mixed in. I pull out a pink bedazzled dress that hangs nicely on the hanger. I place it carefully on my arm and rush to a table that has pieces of clothing scattered all over it. When I get closer I notice that the items are all swimsuits.
I push all the girls out of my way and glare at the ones who dare to rebel and shove me back. I pick up a blue halter one-piece swimsuit and throw it onto my arm. Then I go back in and grab a pink tankini with white dots scattered all over it.
Then I rush to the back where I see a wall of shoes. I sit down on one of the plush purple couches and call over an attendant. She has bright red hair that's pulled back into a fishtail braid that hangs over her shoulder. She has narrow eyes and thick red lips. She seems taller than Jezebel and her nametag reads Annalise.
"How may I help you miss…"
"Davis" I complete her sentence for her "I would like to try on those white Mary Jane's with the small heel. She brings them to me quickly and while I'm trying them on I point to a pair of beige sandals with jewels encrusted into the straps. This goes on for a while until Chloe points out that our salon appointment is in a few minutes. I finish trying on a pair of teal flats with a decorative zipper on the front.
I grab 5 of the 8 shoes I tried on and rush up to the cash register. A new lady stands behind the counter; she is a little plump and has blonde hair with brown highlights. She has a cheery smile and rings my items through quite quickly.
"Your total comes to 143 dollars," She says as she finishes putting the shoe boxes into two large bags. I hand her my credit card and punch in a few numbers on that strange machine and we're out of there in 20 minutes.
"I think you would look cute with lighter brown highlights and maybe a trim…Oh and I know, I could make some light curls to give you some shape…Maybe if I thinned out the back here it wouldn't be such a hassle to comb…What about bangs? You would look very cute with them….Oh, ok Miss Davis" My stylist, Leonora, chirps and she washes my hair.
She pushes the chair back in front of the mirror and begins to comb it all out. I'm pretty sure I heard Chloe say she wanted some red highlights in the inner layer of her hair and for some side bangs. Gosh she was right, this has been really fun. Except for the fact that we need to carry all these bags around. But now we can relax while theses nice ladies do our hair.
While Leonora is putting the highlights in a thin girl who looks no older than 18 comes over and begins to shape my nails. Then she uses a buffer and a smoother to get out all of the ugliness as she says. Then she brings a trolley that is jam packed with different colors of nail polish. I decide on a vibrant but light orange and on my thumbs she is going to make a purple butterfly with little jewels encrusted. And for my toenails I picked a summery blue with white dots scattered over all the nails.
After my hair and nails are all done I take one long glance in the mirror, I look so beautiful. My hair seems so mature and really brings out cheekbones and the shape of my head. But Chloe, she looks absolutely gorgeous. I just hope she was right about Cato thinking I am beautiful, as pathetic as it sounds, I think I may be getting what Chloe calls a crush.