Chapter 3: Strange Feelings At Reaping Day
Before The Reaping ...
-CATO-
Today is Reaping Day and I'm outside the academy, sitting on a bench under a tree which provides me a decent shade from the sun's rays, anxiously waiting for Clove. We agreed to meet up before the reaping for... well, whatever reason. To say goodbye, perhaps? Just for the meantime, of course. Because I'm definitely going back. Also, she's supposed to wish me luck, I guess. She made it absolutely clear last night, and I'm grateful. However, there's still that thing with her friend, who will be volunteering alongside me this morning, and I still don't know what to make of that. I certainly have no idea what she makes of that either.
Don't start, Cato. Snap out of it. I scolded myself. There are far more important things to worry about and you know it. Don't let anything as trivial as that get to you, okay? Because sooner or later you'll be out of here, for good, and come back as the victor. Keep it in mind.
But before everything else: the reaping, the capitol, the games - all of it - I just wanted to see her face. I don't know why, I just... I don't know. I don't know why I am feeling this way at all. I mean, who is she? She's just some girl, a friend and nothing more. Still, I can't explain why I got mad last night. I think I just got, I don't know, jealous, seeing her with Nathan... No. Wait a minute. I wasn't. I wasn't jealous. Not even close. How could I possibly be jealous? And even so, why should I? I have no right. It's not as if we have a thing going on. Besides, there is no use thinking about these things now, is there? Because she likes that Nathan and there's nothing I can do about it. They will probably enjoy spending time with each other while I'm away. But why am I so bitter?
Whatever. I just shrugged it all off and ended up my thoughts. I checked my watch. She's late, alright. What's taking her so long?
And that's when I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I looked around and saw Clove.
"Hey," she said cheerfully. I smile as I take her in. She wore a simple blue dress that falls to her knees and her hair is braided down her side. She's also wearing her best smile which I grew to love. Wait. Did I just say love? "You look handsome today."
"I always look handsome," I corrected her, simply because it's the truth. "That's why girls are the ones courting me to be their boyfriend." Her smile faded a little at that. "Anyway, you're not so bad yourself, Clove." I backpedaled a bit, but her smile is clearly gone right now. A pang of guilt then jolted up inside me even though I don't exactly know what for.
"Good luck, Cato. I hope you win," she said quietly, and just like that, walked away from me.
This can't be happening. This is certainly not what I have hoped for.
I quickly followed her and grabbed her hand to make her face me.
"Clove," I began. She didn't even look up at me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or anything." She still didn't budge. "Clove, please don't let us part like this." She flushed a little at that and looked me in the eye. That's when I felt this thing inside me which I know doesn't have anything to do with the games or the reaping. Looking at her, with my hand clasping hers, I feel as if nothing else matter. Now this is something I never saw coming.
A bored voice suddenly broke us apart then. I almost jumped.
"Clove. Thank God I found you." It was Allan - our trainer - who spoke.
"And what do you want from me?" Clove said in her usual irate tone when speaking to Allan, as if nothing had just passed between us, as if we hadn't had that moment, which I'm sure we had.
"Claire is your friend, right? How is she?" Allan asked, clearly concerned, however bored he may look. Probably because she'll be one of District 2's representatives in the games in no time now. How us trainees turned out will be his responsibility, after all, though not entirely.
"She has a serious leg injury, so she won't be able to volunteer or to participate," Clove said, her tone flat.
Allan and I, on the other hand, obviously looked flustered, because, seriously, who would have expected this? Okay, let me explain things a bit.
Here in District 2, where winning the games is a great honor, there are many of us who compete over the volunteering spot. That's why a system was made wherein trainees - those who trained at the academy, of course - who desires to volunteer for the coming year will give their names to the instructors and sign up for the said volunteering spot. The instructors will strictly monitor and observe their training until a month before the reaping when they will publicly announce whosoever emerged on top and claimed the honor of representing our district in the games. We only choose the best, you see.
This is a competition among ourselves where age is not a matter. You can apply for the spot and claim it provided that you're still of age (12-18). You can also come back the following year if ever you failed, as long as you're still in the age bracket.
Those who are chosen, however, may back down if they want, though something like this don't usually happen, because obviously, it is a very cowardly thing to do - here in our district, that is. Also, if the worst is to happen and they were somehow incapacitated or severely injured, thus being unable to participate in the games, whether accidentally or whatnot, then they have no choice but to step down, though this kind of thing does not always happen either. And our bloodlust does not go as far as assaulting volunteers for the sake of glory. We're not that despicable, so to speak.
Now, if these things did happen at some point, then we just depend on whoever will be picked at the reaping, believing that each and every one of us are well-equipped and well-trained for something like The Hunger Games, even those who don't attend the academy, those who train in their own ways, have what it takes to be a tribute, and of course, a victor.
"You're serious, Clove?" I asked again for confirmation.
"Why wouldn't I be?" she shot back, giving me a hard look as if this is all my fault.
"Rumor has it that she broke her leg or something," Allan said. "I never expected it to be true, though."
"Well, it is, and there's no use discussing it now," Clove muttered.
"Then I suppose we'll just depend on who will be picked," Allan said finally. He turned to me. "And Cato, make sure to do your best during the games, okay? Show them who's boss, alright?" As if I'd need any of that. I simply nodded and Allan walked away, leaving Clove and I alone for the second time this day.
I turned to face her and said, "I'll be seeing you soon." A light breeze made its way past us in that moment, ruffling her dress and the loose strands of her hair as she, too, walked away from me without another word.
...
-CLOVE-
I walked away from him without another word. What is wrong with me? All I wanted was to wish him luck and then I began thinking about him dying, in the games. He said he'll be seeing me soon, but will he? Why am I feeling this way? All because of him. How thick I am to think that he has feelings for me after last night. He will never like me. There are many girls who wanted him that he can choose from. I'm not that pretty. Anyway, what do I care? Still, I don't want him to die and I don't know why.
...
The Reaping...
-CLOVE-
People thronged in front of the stage just outside the justice building where the tributes will be reaped later. We are grouped by age with the oldest up front and the youngest down the back. I stood with the other fifteen-year-olds, anticipating for the arrival of our escort. On the stage are the two large glass containers where our names were placed: one for the boys and one for the girls.
After a while, our escort, Archie, finally arrived and greeted us with his capitol accent.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome. Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor. Now, before we begin, we have a very special film, brought to you all the way from the capitol." I didn't pay attention to the special film, given that they've been showing us the same film over and over ever since I can remember, though technically, ever since the end of the uprising and the start of the games, just saying. After roughly three minutes, the special film was over, finally. Because I couldn't care less about that stupid film. What I'm looking forward to is the tribute selection.
"Now, the time has come for us to select one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing District 2 in the 74th Annual Hunger Games," Archie said. "As usual, boys first." In our district, boys always come first during reapings.
Archie then made his way to the glass container where the boys' names were placed, but before he even place a finger inside it, a loud voice echoed down the middle. As expected.
"I volunteer!" A tremendous applause followed Cato's voice. Now here we go.
"I believe we have a volunteer," Archie said, faking a surprised look - though fooling no one, as our district provides volunteers almost every year - as Cato made his way onto the stage and another round of tremendous applause followed.
"And what is your name, young man?" Archie asked.
"Cato," Cato said confidently, smiling that trademark cocky smile of his, leaving me to think that maybe I'm just being paranoid. Cato will be back. I know it. Yes, there's no guarantee, but I just know it. He'll be back. He'll be back with me.
"Looks like we have yet another promising tribute to enter the arena this year. Let's hear it for Cato!" Archie led yet another round of tremendous applause, and I find myself clapping and whooping with pride and joy along with everyone else. I caught Cato's eye and he gave me a brief smile, as if I hadn't just walked out on him earlier. Now that's a good sign.
"And now, for the girls," Archie bellowed. That's when the cheering faltered and then totally died down as he made his way to the glass container where the girls' names were placed. No one volunteered, and I'm sure everyone was very much aware of that. After all, rumors spread in our district like wildfire. So he picked one of them and then shouted, "Clove!"
My hands, which are still glued together due to the previous clapping and cheering, went down limply at my sides. I was shocked, so shocked, to hear my name come out of Archie's mouth. I never expected this. What the hell is happening?
I straightened up and composed myself as I made my way onto the stage. Another tremendous applause broke off at that. Although, I admittedly don't feel in the mood for applause right now. And I certainly don't know what's wrong with me. I mean, I should be happy. I've been waiting my whole life for this, the chance to finally prove myself and bring pride and honor to my district. But something is holding me back.
I didn't let the guards help me mount the steps leading up to the stage. I don't want to appear weak in front of the audience, which is to say, all of Panem. I confidently stood beside Archie and gave everyone a dangerous smile that said quite plainly that I will be the victor. Well, everyone except Cato, whom I can't bear to look at for some reason. I can't even afford a glimpse or a sidelong glance.
"So here they are, our tributes from District 2, Cato and Clove!" Archie announced, and the cheers are just so deafening I feel like I'm losing my ability to think straight. "Well, come on you two, shake your hands." In the corner of my eye, I saw Cato holding out his hand to shake mine. I hold out my hand too and we shake each other's hands. Although, I still can't bring myself to look him in the eye and meet his gaze, and with the way he squeezes my hand, why do I get the feeling that he's thinking the same thing and feeling the same way? "Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor."
Now this is something I never saw coming.
...
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