Cato's POV
Peacekeepers surround Clove and me, shoving us into the marble luxury of the Justice Building. I take in the golden vases and extremely high ceilings. The grandness of it overtakes me, but I'm sure it's nothing compared to what the Capitol will have to offer. I glance at Clove and see her amazement breaking through her hard tribute mask. I snap into reality. All that I've trained for is here. As my primary nature, I turn on my cocky and confident attitude. The attitude the academy molded me to have. The attitude to attack at the slightest challenge and protect my belongings at any cost. The attitude the Capitol people will love, and Clove will hate.
Clove's POV
I look at Cato and see his expression change. I know that look anywhere. He has turned back into confident Cato. He is no longer entranced by the Justice Building's grandeur, he acts as if he lives in the President's mansion and this a shack on a dirt road. I hate that Cato. When we first met at the academy, he was always the shy and goofy Cato I know. But when we started growing up, the instructors morphed him into another Capitol mutt. I don't blame him though. It's all show. I have my game face too. I've learned to mask my emotions. Bury them deep inside to where I can't find them anymore. I may look small and innocent, like I am inside. But the academy taught me to act as a ruthless and greedy killer. They taught Cato and me to act like the Victors we are to become. I involuntarily snicker at the thought of those I will kill. Those who I will kill to protect Cato, the future Victor of the 74th annual Hunger Games.
I am shoved into a small room where the sound of my excited breathing is muffled by the thick crimson carpets. Time for the goodbyes. The only family I have is my mother. My father died when I was 5. He had always had a weak heart, and I guess the stress of sending his daughter to a school to learn to kill stressed him out a little too much. My mother and I were never that close though. We only saw each other on weekends when she drove up for a visit at school. She enters silently and takes my hands in hers. I don't expect a mushy goodbye. I look into her eyes and see the yearning for the past we could've had. The wanting of a closer relationship with me. But I can't consider these things now. Not when I am going to die. The Clove my instructors trained me to be, the Academy Clove, pushes her way into my head.
Look at how weak she is. Sad over something that can't be changed. The Academy Clove is silenced by the quick hug my mother gives me. Then she is gone.
I whisper into the silence as the heavy door swings closed, "Bye, Mom."
Cato's POV
My mother and father rush into the room.
"What are you thinking, Cato? This isn't you year. Your selfishness just dishonored this whole family to our community. We are ruined!" my father shouts. My mother just stands there, bottom lip quivering. Confident Cato takes over like he always does around my dad.
"Look, I've got this okay? I kill a few kids and you get to spend the rest of your life in my house in Victor's Village."
"Yeah, go ahead and do that. Kill Clove and get over it. She deserves to win. You would've too if you had waited your turn. Goodbye, son," he spats back. He turns on his heel and walks out the door. Confident Cato takes his leave with one look at Mom. Her eyes are spilling over with tears and I can practically hear the sound of her heart breaking.
"Mom, Clove is going to win. Whatever you see me do on that screen, know that I am doing it for her okay? I love you." She's always known Clove and I were together. She and Clove are the only to people in Panem who genuinely care about me. Mom gives me a hug and a peck on the cheek, and runs to keep up with my smoldering father.
A Peacekeeper enters to tell me it's time to leave. I stride out the door, smirking as if I'm already a Victor. Just like I've been trained to do. Clove steps in beside me with the same air, and I playfully nudge her with my elbow. She giggles and returns the gesture. We walk the short distance to the train station, a swarm of cameras and guards surrounding us like Tracker Jackers. We distance ourselves from each other to appear separate, and I wonder how we will be able to seem that way in the arena.
Clove's POV
The cameras flash and I give my best smile. Cato and I stand in front of the train doors, letting District 2 get one last good look at us before we are sent to the Games. Lucy Shine motions for us to enter the device that will take us to the Training Center. We should be at the Capitol tomorrow morning. The doors close behind us and Lucy bounces off to alert our mentors of our arrival. Even though we know hidden cameras are watching, Cato and I give each other a hug of comfort before beginning our journey to the shining ruling city of Panem.