I don't own The Hunger Games.

A week had passed since she had arrived back in West Palms and now Clove stood on the soccer practice pitch, strategically eyeing the line of girls in front of her. The ten stood in front of her were the only remaining girls from the initial twenty two that had wanted to try out, a West Palms High record. They were on for one hell of a season, and Clove couldn't wait to whip whoever they ended up recruiting into shape. Last season's team had been the one to attend the Inter-State Games, but this season's team would be the one win State and carry on their victory from the year before.

"Alright, ladies. We're going to play a practice game to see who can be a strong performer against the best of the best. I'm only looking to fill four positions- a defender, two midfielders and a striker- so play your best. Good luck." The coach announced. She looked to Clove, silently telling her to say a few words.

"Our two current goalkeepers will play on each team. We're looking for mentally strong players who come to life on the pitch, so play the best game of your life." Clove advised them. From where she was standing, she could see the football team running plays on the practice field next to theirs. Cato wound his arm back and fired a bullet pass to Peeta Mellark, who caught it mid-air in the endzone. Their coach barked an order and they broke for a team talk. Cato pulled his helmet off, his blonde hair flat against his sweat covered forehead. Not that Clove was, you know, watching Cato. She just happened to look round at that time, and it was purely accidental that her eyes had found him immediately.

They split into their two teams to begin the practice game. Clove's team had her regular starters including Katniss and Johanna. She wasn't exactly expecting the game to be testing, but the girls who had survived the stamina runs the day before, the sprints and the strategy challenge were quality players- for beginners, at least. They were mainly sophomores, but a couple of them were different ages.

They started the first half of the match. As expected, Clove didn't find them too much of a challenge, but she could see the potential there despite the early goal they let through scored by Johanna. They ended the first half one goal to nil.

"Hey."

Clove wasn't sure what refreshed her more- the cool water that slipped down her throat, or Cato's soft voice in her ear.

She whirled around to face him. He was leaning against the chain metal fence the separated the two fields, his football helmet in his hand. His blue eyes glinted with humour as he took in her flustered appearance, and his hair was spiked up with sweat where he had run his hand through it.

"Hi." Clove smiled at him brightly. She wanted to be happy and nice to everyone all the time, like Melissa was. She had to change if she was to never lose someone she cared about again, and refraining from bitching Cato out on sight to reassure him that they were nothing was the way to go about it.

"How are the try-outs going?" He asked. The football team had conducted theirs months ago, but the girls' soccer team preferred to run theirs later in the year.

"Not bad. Better than I expected. A few girls are showing great commitment to the game. That girl over there...Why are you looking at me like that?" Clove trailed off mid-sentence.

"Sorry. Please, carry on." Cato shook his head and once he looked like he was listening, she continued.

"Paylor's showing a lot of promise in defence, and so is Cressida in the midfielder. There are a few other girls who are playing with the aggression we're looking for."

"Best of the best, yeah?" Cato grinned at her. "Will I see you later?"

"Um, when?" Clove frowned. If he asked her out on a date, she was going to push the fence through his face.

"This evening, six o'clock. Melissa's pool party? Did she not tell you?" Cato asked, pushing back from the fence slightly.

"No, she didn't. I'm sure she meant to, but yeah. I'll be home tonight." Clove sighed.

"Great. I've got to get back to practice, but I'll definitely catch you tonight."

"I'll be ready." Clove smiled at him as he gave her a small wave and ran back to his teammates.

Great. Looks like I'll be playing avoidance again.

…

"I don't think you can do that."

"I so can!"

"Okay…But I don't think that you should."

Cato was growing bored of trying to convince Finnick not to jump off of the Ashlar's roof naked.

"Why not?" He asked. Three and half beers later, and he was slightly tipsy as he gestured with his hands how it would work.

"Because Annie's a nice girl, but she'd fucking murder you if you tried." Cato laughed and patted his friend on the back.

"Nah. She loves me." Finnick grinned back.

"Whatever, man. I'm going to get a drink." Cato rolled his eyes and walked back inside the house that he had become familiar with in the last few days. He went into the kitchen to grab a Coke, only to find Clove had beat him to it.

"Ashlar!" He yelled. She jumped and hit her head on the top shelf of the fridge, much to Cato's amusement. She wore a simple black bikini and black and purple print shorts.

"Asshole." She scowled at him, rubbing her head. She grabbed another can from the fridge and chucked it at his head. He caught it, and her glare hardened.

"What, I was just supposed to let that hit me?" Cato raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Um, yes?" Clove snapped as if it were obvious. She shook her head as if she remembered something, and was suddenly all smiles.

"You're acting strange recently." Cato noted as he popped his can open and took a swig.

"How so?" She asked with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"You're not being a bitch?" Cato smirked as Clove went to hit him in the chest. He caught her wrist.

"That's better."

"Don't be a dick." Clove laughed. They stood quietly for a few moments before Clove gently pulled her hand back.

"How's things with Melissa?" Clove asked, a gentle reminder to him that he shouldn't cross any lines.

"Good." Cato responded with a nod.

"Having fun?"

"Yeah. She's a nice girl."

"You know, you never did explain to me why you were testing me so much in Miami." Clove said in a way that made Cato wonder if she thought about it much. She didn't dare mention the later parts of their time there- now that Cato was dating Missy, they both seemed content in carrying on like they never happened. Of course Cato remembered, though- he thought that Clove was a girl that he could easily fall in love with. In all honesty, he still felt that way.

"I guess I saw something in you." Cato said carefully. "Something that you didn't see in me."

Clove stared down at the floor so that Cato wouldn't feel her heart breaking.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Don't be. If it's not there, it's not there. I've moved on now, as you can see." Cato said, but his voice was sad and his smile wasn't in it.

Shortly after that, he went to find Melissa. They chatted and swam for the next few hours, until Cato agreed to go on a beer run as one of the only sober members of the group that night. Except this time when he saw Clove in the kitchen, she wasn't alone.

Her hands were running through short brown hair, and a pair of tanned arms were looped around her waist to hold her close. She was locked in a heated kiss.

"Clove? Marvel?"

They pulled apart faster than the speed of sound. Marvel smiled at him sheepishly.

"Cato, I-"

"It's late." Cato abruptly cut Clove off. "I should really get going."

He left the Ashlar household, slamming the door behind him. The last view he got was through the window, of Clove running a hand across her weary face.