A/N: Hey, long time no see! Well AP's are kicking my butt right now. Very very very stressed right now. Do you know what would make me feel soooo much better? REVIEWS. lots of them because they brighten my day
Well, this chapter's kind of a filler, but hopefully next chapter will be up soon. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Is Alexander Ludwig married to me yet? No? Then I don't own the Hunger Games.
Chapter Four
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I wake up with a start, certain that I'm back in the arena. But as my eyes focus, I find myself in a sterile white room that smells of antiseptic. The Remake Center. I swallow hard- how long have I been out? My mouth feels dry and my legs are stiff an- where's Cato?
I look around, but it's only my bed in the room. Where is he? I think back to the Games. It must have only been a day or two ago, but it seems like a million years ago. I remember his bloody, mangled leg. I had been confident that the Capitol could fix it, but what if they couldn't? What if there were complications? My mind races to the worst possibility, and I desperate call out for him in a hoarse voice, "Cato!"
The door opens, and I sit up excitedly. However, it's not Cato, but an Avox servant. I slump down again, and that's when I realize that the Capitol has completely erased all signs of my time in the arena. My previously rough and scarred hands are soft. The calluses from years of knife practice, a source of pride for me, are all but gone. I sigh, and examine the rest of my body. My hair has been washed and brushed, and glistens down my back. All my scars and scratches have been polished away. I've never looked better, but my unmarred skin just leaves me feeling empty and somehow cheated.
I sigh, and notice that the Avox has put some food on my bedside table. I pick up the glass of water and drink it sloppily. "Thanks," I say breathily between gulps. The Avox girl tenses in surprise, and I realize that I've never said a word to her before. She slowly looks up at me, and then ducks her head respectfully. I put down my glass, and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. "Thank you."
Well this is new. I've never been particularly polite, never really appreciated anybody. But it seems that my time in the arena has made me grateful just to be alive. I stiffen at the memory of the Games. The Avox girl seems to understand, and she just tucks the blanket over my naked body.
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It seems almost peaceful, but then of course Letta bursts into my room. My escort rushes over to me, beaming with pride.
"Oh Clove! Congratulations! You have made us all so proud- and imagine, my third year escorting, and I get two victors!"
I roll my eyes, typical of Letta to focus on herself. I'm annoyed with her, but for some reason, the corners of mouth turn upwards. Same old Letta. I glance behind her and see my stylist, Merino, and Enobaria. The Avox girl is nowhere to be found now.
Merino looks at me with dazed eyes and simply says, "I already started working on your Victory outfits. They'll keep you safe and pretty."
I frown. What does that even mean? I'm about to ask, but Enobaria just butts in. "Yes, yes, there'll be plenty of time to talk later. But now we have got to get you up and ready. The crowning's in a few hours-"
"Wait, tonight? So soon? How long was I out? Where's Cato? Is he alright? When can I see him?" The questions spill out of me, and Enobaria frowns at me.
"Yes tonight. You've been unconscious for four days, the doctors wanted to make sure your concussion was fully healed. And Cato's fine. More than fine, his leg's completely healed. In fact, we're just waiting on you now, so. get. up."
Letta chirps happily, "You two lovebirds will be together soon enough! They want to get the reunion on tape, so no seeing him until the crowning! Oh you two were so cute during the Games- who knew you were so in love?" Never gave the slightest indication of your feelings, it must have been hard to keep it a secret…"
I snort. Cato and I are not exactly lovebirds, but we all just ignore Letta and let her babble away. Merino helps me out of the bed. She's always been quiet, dreamy and faraway, but right now, I appreciate her calming presence.
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She leads me to my old room. I fight to keep my emotions in check on the way there. Last time I was here, the Training Center was bustling and full of energy and hope. Now, it's just me and Merino. Everyone else is dead.
No, I remind myself. Cato's still alive. The thought calms me down a little bit, and I'm almost stable when I see my old prep team. Ambrosia, Easton, and Nika all rush to greet me. They are as silly as I remember, and while it annoyed me before the Games, the fact that they haven't changed is like a reassuring pat on the back. Nothing's changed Clove. Everything's fine.
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The prep team chatters through my showering and make-up while I try to keep down the food I ate earlier. Merino just stays in a corner, lost in her own designs and sketches. Once they're done, Merino pulls out a white gown. I take the soft dress, slightly confused. This is a far cry from my gladiator armor and sultry red gown.
"Are you sure?" I ask.
"Just put it on Clove," she says dreamily.
I slip it on, and turn towards the mirror. While the prep team all ooh and aah, I just stare at myself, not sure what to make of myself.
Nika has done my hair in a braid that frames my face like a halo. Ambrosia and Easton have put a soft glow onto my face. I look fresh-faced, innocent, lovely. Completely unlike myself.
But the dress is the most off-putting. It's draped in the style of a Roman toga, I suppose to match my parade outfit. But that's where the similarities end. It's trimmed delicately with gold, and ends billowing at my knees. It's delicate- practically angelic. The dress goes against my entire upbringing, but I've never looked so beautiful.
I swivel to face Merino suspiciously. She just looks back at me, not looking quite as vague as usual. "I thought you might want to try something a little different."
I just nod. There's something going on here, but I'm too groggy to ask. Letta pops out of nowhere, as is her specialty. "Clove, you look beautiful! The crowning starts in a half hour, now let's get going!"
I'm tired and all I want to do is go back to sleep, but I trail after her obligingly. I'm eager to see Cato, make sure he's alright.
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Enobaria is there to meet us at backstage. She raises her eyebrows questioningly at my outfit, and then tells me to wait for Caesar's introduction. I stand there while Letta shoots directions at me. This is happening. I am the victor of the 74th Hunger Games. Cato is still alive. I am going home.
Suddenly, I hear Caesar's voice calling for me. I take a deep breath and wipe my hands on my dress before plastering a smirk onto my face and walking onto the stage.
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Like every other time, the Capitol lights blind me temporarily. I blink rapidly to adjust to the flashing lights and cheers. I look out into the audience. I see Enobaria, Letta, Merino, my prep team before flashing them all a mischievous smile. The crowd roars in approval. Satisfied, I turn to face Caesar, but my eyes catch Cato instead.
My breath catches in my throat because he seems too good to be true. I never dared dream we would both leave the Capitol alive. The crowd fades, and I run towards him. Cato has that giant grin on his face, and he's covering the stage with long strides before we crash into each other.
I hug him fiercely, as tight as I can. He picks me up, and I whisper hard into his ear, "-we did it."
He pulls away from the hug, beaming with a simplicity I would never be able to manage and says, "I never doubted it for a second."
"Bullshit," I say, but I'm smiling broadly all the same. In the background, I hear Caesar Flickerman laughing and riling up the crowd.
"Clove Feldspar and Cato Slate, ladies and gentlemen! Your 74th Hunger Games victors!"
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