Hi! I put my heart and soul into this chapter, so I hope it's okay! Please keep reviewing, it means a lot! :) I finally figured out how I want to end the story, you all will be shocked! Have fun reading about the first day of training:)
Clove's POV
When I wake up, I still have on my brown shift from the opening ceremonies. I see the rest of my costume beside the bed and know that Cato must have tucked me into bed last night. I'm just so tired of being so venomous. I just want to be Cato's Clove, the real Clove. But when I am challenged or around the other tributes, I can't help myself. It's like I switch into auto killer mode. At least I have Cato.
The sun is just now coming up over the horizon, so I have woken up early. I take my time in the shower, using lavender foam mixed with steaming hot water to help relax me. Today is the first training session and I am as nervous as I was my first day at the academy. But just like that day, today I will have Cato to help me through it. I dress in the outfit that has been laid out for me. The midnight black pants fit too tightly for my taste, but the green shirt is very comfortable. I wonder if the other tributes have the same ensemble, but then I remember that each of us will have our own individual look. When I enter the dining room, I am the first one there. I am served a heaping plate of eggs, bacon, and a wonderfully refreshing glass of milk. My nerves are on edge, making it hard to scarf even a bite of eggs down. When I feel I will puke with any more bites, I just sit at the table and wait for everyone to wake up. Brutus and Enobaria enter together, still in their pajamas. They give me curt nods that I return with a sickly sweet smile.
"So, let's talk training. The instructors at the school tell me you're an expert with knives. That'll be very helpful. Just don't show off too much okay? You're already obviously a Career, so there's no need to prove yourself to anyone. Try to intimidate a few of the weaker kids though. Let them know you're not one to mess with. Other than that, keep an eye out for any good competitors. You'll do great," remarks Enobaria through her creepy altered teeth. She won her Games by biting out an opponent's throat. Lovely. I nod my head to show I understand and continue sitting and wondering what today will bring.
Cato's POV
The sun burns my eyes and awakens me from my light sleep. Darn it, I overslept. I quickly hop in and out of the shower in record time and throw on the clothes laid out on the bed for me. The dining room is quiet, even though everyone is there except me. I sit down and hurriedly scoop food into my mouth.
"How nice of you to join us," sneers Brutus.
"I try to always be fashionably late. Keeps the competition guessing," I reply, giving an overdramatic snarl towards Clove. She giggles then snaps her head up and looks straight at Brutus. I bet she's remembering what he saw go on between us the other night. I look at her and shake my head with a smile, trying to get the point across that it's ok. She gives a small nod and continues staring at her hands.
"Okay Mr. Mentor, what are your orders for training? Because I was thinking of just showing off everything I've got. Just to keep the weaklings scared out of their wits," I declare in my best arrogant voice. Brutus rolls his eyes and stands up to leave.
"Just be yourself. If that worked for you in the academy, use it. Good luck," my mentor replied. Enobaria bids us goodbye and follows him out the door. I stand and offer my arm to Clove.
"Shall we?" I ask. She gives a wicked grin and pushes my arm away. Time to show the other tributes that this year's Careers are not to be messed with.
Clove's POV
When we enter the elevator to head to the Training level, the tributes from 11 and the girl from 5 are already heading down. I give the girl from 11, the one we played around with last night. She looks up at Cato and me nervously. I give her a venomous smile and Cato just stares at her coldly. The giant from her district, I think his name is Thresh, puts a protective arm around her.
"How cute," I snide. The girl from 5, the sneaky looking redhead, gives me a quick glance then looks at her feet the rest of the ride down. We arrive on the bottom floor, the gymnasium. Our bunch is the second to arrive. The boy from 5 and the pair from 1 are already waiting. Cato and I head to our allies.
"I see you rode down with our little friend from last night," Marvel says, loud enough for the girl to hear. Glimmer leans in, and draws the rest of us into a huddle.
"The girl is fresh bait, an easy kill for the bloodbath. But that boy…I think we should try to recruit him. Then kill him in his sleep when his use to us runs out," she spats.
"Let's see his skills first. I don't want anyone letting anyone into our pack though without my permission, or else. Got it?" Cato demands. He always takes charge in group environments. Marvel and Glimmer have the good sense not to contradict him and agree. Tributes steadily roll in from the elevator, most looking nervous to the point of tears. The last pair to arrive is the kids from 12. The girl keeps glancing over at our little group. Cato gives her a hard stare and she turns back to what seems to be a humorous conversation with the blonde boy.
"That big blonde from 12 looks pretty impressive too. Kind of wimpy, but lots of muscle," I whisper. Glimmer slinks up to Cato and slides her arm around his waist.
"Yea guys, the girls in this group could use a little muscle to look at every once in a while," she suggests slyly. I nod my head innocently, poking at Marvel's arm as if he were the scrawniest kid here.
"What, we're not good enough for you?" Marvel laughs. "He's big, but looks like he couldn't kill a fly. Why don't we see what he's good at first? We don't want our group getting too big right?" he continues with a questioning look at Cato. Cato nods, though he is still laughing at Glimmer. A lady calls us to attention. She introduces herself as Atala. I zone out during her long explanation of the rules and stations offered to look around at my fellow competitors. Most of the girls are a bit bigger than me in size, but obviously not in muscle. We are finally released. I turn to find that Cato is still holding onto Glimmer. She is hanging onto him like a rag doll. How tacky…we talk quickly and decide to watch some of the potential future Careers first.
We observe the pair from 12 to check out the boy whose name we learned is Peeta. He doesn't leave Katniss' side and they actually seem to be having fun together.
"Weak," comments Cato, with a look towards me. That is exactly why we hide our relationship. I can already see Glimmer and Marvel trying to figure out how to use their closeness against each other. We turn our attention to Thresh, who is currently throwing some knives at dummies. He impresses us; he hits almost every target right in the heart. We observe him at the wrestling station, where he about breaks an assistant's neck in a choke hold.
"We want him," demands Cato. He nods his head for me to go offer him a spot with the Careers. I readily walk up to him at the rope tying station and casually start working on a knot beside him.
"Hey, how's it going?" I ask him. He just gives me a cold glance and turns back to his knot. "Look, we saw you practicing a little. You're not too shabby. We could use someone like you. What do ya say? Wanna be a Career?" I offer like it's the best thing I could ever offer him. He looks up at me, appalled.
"I don't join alliances with people who pick on little defenseless girls," Thresh replies harshly. I respect his cunningness, but respect shows weakness.
"Big mistake," I threaten him. I storm off to the spear throwing station where the rest of the group is waiting.
"What did he say?" Cato demands, and then nails a dummy in the head with a long wooden spear.
"He said no. Apparently he doesn't want to win, so I say we just finish him off as soon as possible. Maybe make it a slow death to show him what a mistake he made," I comment.
Cato turns to me and gives me the look he gives any other opponent, a look he's never given me before. "If anyone decides anything around here, it's going to be me. Got it?" he spats. I take a step back from him, speechless. I've seen Cato turn on others like this before, but never on me. "Got it?" he shouts a little louder. Glimmer and Marvel awkwardly turn their attention to the lunch bell that just rang. They nervously mumble about saving us seats and walk away. I just continue to stare open mouthed at Cato. I still see the fire smoldering in his eyes and actually am afraid. He roughly grabs me by the arm and pulls me up to his face. "I asked you a question, do you understand? I'm in charge in this group and only I make the decisions!" he yells. I nod, tears threatening my eyes. The look on his face softens, the realization of his action registering in his eyes. I quickly head to the lunch room, scared of the Cato that might appear once the actual Hunger Games begin.
Cato's POV
I can't believe what I just did. The hurt in Clove's face makes guilt override my arrogance. In past interviews before the Games, tributes have talked about wanting to not let the Games change them. To stay true to themselves and not turn into a murderous monster. Looks like it's too late for me. Clove scurries to the dining room, leaving me to fester in the guilt that has filled me. I slowly make my way to the table I see my allies have reserved. They all seem happy and confident, even Clove is acting through whatever emotions she must be feeling. I push my feelings deep inside me, like the academy taught me to do. I throw on my Career act and sit down at the table. We glide through conversation, meaningless threats and small talk. Clove laughs and talks but doesn't look at me the whole time. A bell rings signaling the end of lunch and we head back to the gym. We fly by through the fire station and sword fighting, which I dominate. The afternoon ends and Clove and I head to the elevator. I notice on our way out of the gym a glass window that allows the Gamemakers to observe our training. A few of them, Seneca Crain included, watch us leave with grim expressions. I wonder what devious plans they have for us running through their heads. Clove and I enter the elevator with the pair from 10. We don't talk the whole ride, just stand in silence until we reach level 2. Clove storms to her room without a word to Brutus, Enobaria, and Lucy, who are waiting on the couch for our arrival.
"Tough day?" asks Enobaria. I turn back onto my arrogance that is already causing me guilt.
"She just can't handle the fact that I'm the leader of the Careers and better than her," I say passively. "She'll get over it when she's dead." They nod and tell me to prepare for dinner. I head to my room and think about my last comment. How rueful can I be? First I hurt the only one I love, and now I am threatening her death? But I remind myself that it's only an act. That I'm just doing it to protect her in the long run. But it's looking like I am the one she might need protecting from.
Clove's POV
My room muffles the sound of my crying into my pillow. I know we would both have trouble balancing our love and our chances at winning the Games, but I never expected this. I use a food machine to order a dinner of lamb stew and hot chocolate. I can't eat with him tonight. After my meal I take a quick shower and throw on some pajamas. The pillow is still wet from my crying earlier. The silver metal ceiling reflects me as I lay on the bed. There is a soft knock at my door, and when I look up I see a note sliding slowly under the crevice.
"Go away!" I shout at the figure behind the door that I am sure is Cato. After ten more minutes of staring up at my reflection, I retrieve the note from its spot on the floor. It's reads in Cato's sloppy cursive:
My dearest Clove,
I cannot tell you how sorry I am. I came here with you to protect you, to keep my promise to you. But all I have done is hurt you more than you would've been if I hadn't have volunteered. I'm still keeping my promise to you, even though I understand if you forget all about me. You deserve to win this thing and meet a man much better than me, one who can keep his control. I am so sorry. I understand if you never want to see me again. If that is the case, I regret how our relationship ended. Thank you for being there for me all of those years at school. I'm sorry I failed to return the favor.
Forever yours,
Cato
P.S. I will always love you.