Ok so this chapter is TWO YEARS LATER. This is the only chapter where I will fast forward this much time. Cato and Clove are both 14. Review!

Clove POV

TWO YEARS LATER

I wake up at 4:00 AM and can't fall back asleep. Groaning, I roll over and force myself out of bed. I walk across the hall to the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. I rub my eyes and look up lazily at the mirror.

I'm not very pretty. I have plain dark brown hair and I'm pretty short for my age. I used to have hazel eyes but over the years they've turned to the same color my mother had.

Emerald green.

I used to try and avoid mirrors, because seeing my eyes only reminded me of my mother. And the way her eyes looked when she died. Cold, glassed over. Lifeless.

I once went six months without looking in a mirror. Now, I feel almost proud of myself for being able to see my reflection and not become a sobbing mess.

I pull my thoughts away and slip out of my pajamas and hop in the shower. I let the freezing water run over my body. Living alone has it's disadvantages. Like having to chose between food and hot water. I got a job a year ago polishing weapons at the training center before everyone arrives. The pay is horrible, but it's better than nothing.

After shampooing my hair and scrubbing down my body with the small amount of soap I have, I get out of the shower and dry off. I shuffle over to my room and dry my hair with the damp towel. I slip on my bra and panties and then put on my trainers uniform. I walk to the kitchen and grab an apple. I look down at the blood stains on the wooden panels of the floor. As I slowly make my way to the door I see two large trails of dried blood. One my mothers, one my fathers. Blood stains cover the kitchen walls and the couch from when I was stabbed in the leg.

I've tried to get the stains out. It's no use. If it's possible, the stains looked even redder when I was done scrubbing them with soap. I sigh, and walk a little faster.

I close the door quietly behind me and set out for the training center. It's still dark out, just how I like it.

I sigh and take a bit into my apple. It cost me three dollars, that's half of what they pay me a day.

At lest they give us lunch here. Some days that's my only meal.

When I reach the Academy I take out the key Amari had made for me and unlock the door. I turn on the lights and head over to the supply closet. I take out the liquid that makes all the weapons shinny and head over to the spears. One by one I polish their tips. In two minutes I polish four spears.

In half an hour I finish polishing.

Just then I hear foot steps. I throw the polish in the supply closet and step inside before anyone can see me. I leave the door slightly ajar and peek out. I see a boy about my age walk over to the spears. No! I worked hard on polishing them. I think. He takes one out and throws it. It hits dead center. I slowly open the door and step out. I watch him throw for a long time. He abruptly stops and walks over to the knives. He picks one up and throw it. It's a bulls eye. I wonder why he's here. Maybe he has no friends. Like me. I walk up so I'm right behind him.

"You're really good." I say. He turns around and looks at me a me for a second before answering. "Thanks." He says. I stare at him for a second. He's very handsome. He looks familiar too. Then I realize why he looks so familiar. He's the kid I met on the first day of training. The only person that asked me if I was ok...

I didn't realize I was staring at him until he cleared his throat.

I don't know what to say and I don't want to seem rude so I attempt to strike up a conversation.

"You're really good." I tell him.

He turns around to face me. He looks almost surprised to see me. Someone with such skill should know when you're sharing a room with somebody.

"Thanks." he says airily.

After that I introduce myself and simply watch him practice while practicing on my own. Maybe we could be actually be friends. He doesn't seem too bad of a guy.

Hell, having a friend would be nice. Well, I don't know that for sure seeing as I've never had one but one can only hope.

I stop practicing to watch him demolish over seven dummies. I wish I could use a sword like that. Maybe I could ask him to help me out? No, he'd never agree to help me. He'd probably think it was a joke and laugh at me. But I really want to lean how to do that with a sword. That's it. I'm going to ask him.

I clear my throat quietly before opening my mouth to ask. He doesn't hear me the first time, he's too busy slashing. After he finishes I try again.

"Hey, do you think you could maybe teach me to use a sword?" I ask.

"Isn't that why we have trainers?" He asks me.

Oh no. what do I say?

"Oh, I thought that you would be able to use a sword better." I say as causally as I can possibly manage.

He watches me for a moment before answering.

"Yeah, I guess I could help you." he tells me.

I smile on the inside.

Maybe I can make a friend after all.