Cato's POV

I take one last look at my hometown before heading over to the city central of District 2. They had already prepared a wide stage arena for the tributes to stand up in, and for our escorts to address the crowd. There are banners with the Capitol sign on them, and a massive screen rolls slowly down.

I take a look around to see if Clove is anywhere in sight. Entering the growing line, I see her queuing, a blank expression on her face as she looks up at the banners. I can't tell what she is thinking now, but I just hope that she won't scheme a plan of volunteering.

A Peacekeeper beckons to me and pricks my finger with a small taser, dabbing my finger on to paper. I withdraw my finger from them, giving them a cold stare, and start making my way over to the 18-year-olds section. In District 2, we are rich enough to have chairs to sit on, but this makes the suspense even greater if somebody gets called up, if somebody volunteers. I sit down on a random chair next to the edge, and the boy next to me immediately moves to another empty chair. I snicker. At least I can have some privacy.

The whole area is almost filled when the escort starts tapping on the microphone. In my opinion, she's hideous. Her face is pale white with make up, and her lipstick green. Her hair is a sick greenish-yellow colour, and she wears a dress that looks like rags, painted shiny to look rich. Her name is Dolly, and it suits her sickly sweet personality.

"Hello! Welcome, welcome!" Dolly sings in a high-pitched tone, "Welcome to the selection of the 74th Hunger Games!"

She holds up her hand and the repetitive film starts again. The film was brought to us all the way from the Capitol about the uprising and the terrifying war. I roll my eyes in disgust. Ever since I was 5, I had watched this clip over and over each year. I don't even understand why they need to keep playing the same film, yet alone play it at all.

When it has finally finished, Dolly takes off her right glove and rubs her hands together. The crowd watches her intently as she trots over to a big, glass ball, filled with pieces of paper. We are the only district who chooses the boy tribute before the girl. She carefully chooses a piece of paper and unfolds it slowly, trying to create suspense. However, not many people are excited, because they know that someone is going to volunteer anyway.

"Kansis Trundle!" She announces. A small boy slowly stands up, hoping that someone will volunteer. He's lucky that I'm here - he won't stand a chance in the Hunger Games.

"I volunteer." I say loudly, fixating my eyes up on Dolly and clenching my fists. I see Kansis sit down in relief in the corner of my eye as I make my way up the brightly lit stage. As I step next to Dolly, I see Clove. Her eyes are sad, but she smiles up at me.

"You look like a fine man to take part in the games! Are you related to Kansis?" Dolly asks me and grabs my hand. I jerk my hand away from her and shake my head.

"What's your name?"

"Cato. Cato Hadley"

"Ah, a fine name indeed" She says and walks up to the second glass bowl for the girl tribute. I can only hear the clip-clop of her heels, as my eyes are fixed on Clove. There is the same sound of the unfolding, when Dolly says the name I dread most.

"Clove Sequira!"

I turn to Dolly immediately, my eyes widening in disbelief. Clove?! Out of all the girls, why Clove? Then I realise that there will be a volunteer. Of course. I turn back to the front in relief, but nobody has volunteered yet.

I glance over to Filote, who is desperately trying to get the winner of the girls to volunteer, when I see who it is. It was the same girl who Clove had beaten, Lou, if I could remember right. She snickered and giggled quietly with her friends, her eyes shining as she looked at Clove. This was her way of revenge for humiliating her. When I get back here, I know what my first priority is to do.

Clove finally stands, her eyes filled with surprise. She slowly walks to the stage, and Dolly takes her hand to hurry her up. She looks even more miserable than before, but I don't get it. Wasn't this what she wanted? To be in the games with me? I follow her gaze and I see that she is glaring at Lou. I guess we both want to kill her.

"Okay, why don't you two shake hands?" Dolly suggests as she takes a big step backwards. I have no choice but to hold my hand out, but Clove is in a daze. To wake her up, I clear my throat loudly, and she quickly notices my hand and shakes it. She looks up at me in confusion, maybe why I'm not as depressed as she is. The truth is, I'm quite happy that I have a reliable, trustworthy teammate with me, and that I won't have to separate from my Clove.

"Let's hear it for this year's tributes: Clove Sequira and Cato Hadley!" As the crowd cheers, we get taken into the quarters inside the building to say our goodbyes. I enter the small room as the door shuts behind me, pacing back and forth.

That's when I realise why Clove was so downhearted. At least one of us would have to break Syne's promise.

No new reviews T.T I'm going to make it that I need 2 reviews every chapter posted! I'm sorry xP

Anyway, thank you again for reading! This is leading up to the HG, and most importantly, more Clato! Thank you for the faves and follows :)