Clove POV:
I stare around at the empty island and the rest of the group's expressions. But all I can feel is a small rush of happiness, now I won't have to see Gloss again, and with that thought, I smile. I look around at the survivors who all look confused, then I look at Cato. He was already staring at me, so when I look we share eye contact. He smiles reassuringly.
"Well great, we're on the island. Now what the fuck are we supposed to do?" Gale asks. I ignore Gale and I look over at Annie and Finnick. He has his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. She's leaning into him. I look on in envy. That is what I've always wanted, a relationship where both sides trust each other with their lives and they love one another so deeply. That's what I thought me and Gloss had. We were dating for four months when one night he was out drinking with friends and came home late. I got up and went to help him, but when I touched him, he punched me in the face then pinned me to the wall of our apartment. I looked into his eyes as he calmed down, when his breathing slowed, he sighed and dropped his head onto my shoulder. Sobbing. He apologized that night, swearing that it would never happen again and begging for my forgiveness. Of course I forgave him, I didn't know what else I was supposed to do.
"We all don't know," Cato snaps at him. I see how they share eye contact, glaring at each other.
"We should get shelter," Katniss says.
"We should find food and water," I add. I see Cato staring at me from the corner of my eye, but I don't turn.
"We should fish," Mags adds.
"I think we should try to build a fire so rescue planes can see us," Finnick comments.
"I disagree, I think we should clean ourselves off from the plane accident and try to find other survivors from the crash," Marvel responds.
"Well apparently they do know," Gale says to Cato, smirking.
"We should just choose one idea and start with that," Annie says quietly.
"I strongly suggest that we asses our wounds due to the injury. I suggest that we all remove our clothes because some wounds may not be so noticeable due to adrenaline and such," Marvel says.
"Horny, aren't we Marvel?" Gale asks, smirking. Marvel rolls his eyes.
"If there are wounds that you do not see, then you may bleed to death or get an infection. If you would like that then by all means, keep your clothes on. But when you do bleed or do get infection, I will not help you," he says firmly. Everyone strips their shirts and pants off. But I know that I shouldn't. Me taking off my shirt and pants would expose all my bruises and cuts from Gloss and myself. I look over to Cato who doesn't move either. Everyone looks at us.
"Well, what are you guys waiting for?" Katniss asks. I look over to Cato who reluctantly pulls off his shirt, then his pants. I open my eyes wide to see bruises covering his back, stomach, chest and legs. Everyone's also staring and Cato shifts, feeling uncomfortable.
"I got pretty hurt in the crash," Cato says and everyone looks away. But I continue to stare. The way he's bruised reminds me of myself after a long beating from Gloss. I squint and I can almost see a hand imprint. I look quickly into Cato's blue eyes and I find a pleading look. I wrinkle my forehead in confusion, but he just looks away. I need to know more before I can automatically assume that he's been abused like me. I think and I check his wrists, but no signs of cutting. Cato walks over to me closely.
"Why aren't you removing you're clothes?" he asks. I shrug, not knowing what to say. "It's okay, I know what it feels like," he whispers. I look at him in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" I ask quickly. He looks knowingly at me, then looks away. I watch as Marvel examines everyone. He then walks up to me.
"You're not nervous of bleeding out or infection?" he asks.
"No," I answer. He looks at me in disbelief, but walks away to examine Cato.
"How are none on you're arms?" Marvel asks Cato.
"Believe me doc, if I knew I would tell you," he says. Marvel looks at them again.
"Well some of these look old," Marvel says, surveying his back.
"Yeah, well me and some guys got into a fight," Cato responds robotically.
"A fight? Why don't you have any bruises on your arms?" Marvel presses.
"Because they didn't punch there," Cato says, staring at Marvel until he drops his gaze. I tug at my sweater, I'm burning hot and I'm sweating like crazy.
"Should we go find some food and water, or shelter?" Mags asks.
"Food and water, my throat is parched," Gale says. Everyone dresses then we all decide to team up into groups of two. I pair up with Cato because he's the only person who I trust a little bit. We all decide to meet back to where we are at sunset, marking the meeting spot with a couple of rocks Cato and Finnick found around the edge of the forest. Cato and I decided to walk straight into the forest so we could walk straight back out. As we walk Cato decides to find some weapons, claiming that there was no use in trying to find food if they can't catch it. He finds smooth rock and gives two to Clove and two to himself. As they walk they talk.
"Cato, can I ask you a question?" I ask.
"You can if I can ask you one," he replies.
"Ok," I say. He nods. "How did you get those bruises?" I ask.
"Why wouldn't you take off your clothes?" he questions.
"I asked first," I say. This feels so strange, having an actual conversation with someone besides Gloss.
"Okay, it was because I got into a fight. Now tell me why," he continues.
"It was because I am actually self-conscious," I lie.
"Come on Clove, I know I don't know you well, but that's bullshit," he say, slightly smiling.
"And you're lie is bull too," I remark.
"And how would you know that?" he says, smiling.
"Because I can tell when people lie, and also your excuse makes no sense," I point out.
"And why is that?"
"Because when people get in fights they punch all over, just in just places where it's not visible," I reply. I see his smile falter for a second.
"Can I tell you something? Something I've never told anyone?" he asks.
"Sure," I say, looking at him.
"And you promise not to say anything?" he asks on. I smile and pretend to zip my lips and throw away the key.
"My dad used to abuse me," he says in a quiet voice. I knew it! It was all too obvious. The way his dad punched him, they were in places that no one can see.
"Have you told anyone?" I ask, slightly touching his shoulder.
"No, why would I?" he asks.
"Have you showed anyone?" I ask again.
"I feel like it already happened, so what was the point," he admits.
"Well what happened to your dad?" I ask him.
"Now that is a secret," he says, slightly smiling.
"And when will you tell me?" I ask.
"When we're not strangers," he says, giving me a small smile, then he continues on his way. As he walks I look at him.
"I was abused too," I say when he has his back turned to me. I watch him stop and turn around slowly.
"Yeah?" he asks.
"Yeah."
"And who did it?" he asks, walking towards me until we're close.
"My boyfriend, well my exboyfriend," I say, looking down at the ground.
"Is that why you were going to Italy?" he questions.
"Yeah," is all I can say.
"How recent?" he asks.
"I left today, when he was gone I fled the apartment," I say. I was already saying too much, but I felt like I should trust him. He already told me his secret. All of a sudden I feel a lump in my throat and before I know it, tears are clouding my vision of Cato's feet. He sees this too, so he takes one finger and gently and slowly lifts my chin up so I'm looking at him.
"It's okay, it'll be okay Clover," he says, gazing into my eyes. I nod. He slowly brings me into a soft hug. It doesn't last for too long, but it's enough.
"Can you tell me why you're wearing a sweater?" he asks.
"Now that's my secret," I say.
"And when can I know?" he asks, a smile tugging at his lips.
"When we're friends," I say, smiling.
Clato and Odesta! Please give write reviews if you don't like the story, have any questions, requests, ideas, or any concerns. I want to write the story so you guys enjoy so please give me some criticism. Thanks guys.