Oh my god so sorry for not updating! My internet was down and I was freaking out because I couldn't update.
I would of updated sooner but I spent a good portion of last night curled up in a ball, in the linen closet, having a panic attack. /(^_^)\
Any way... moving along now...
Thank you to my lovely reviewers! You have NO idea how happy I get when I receive a review, especially one that gives me advise!
PS, a special thanks to Eliseu27, soccergal21, Hunger-games-lover555, FizzyCash man, Lacey Robinson,Cloveycato555 and Purple-Tacos-R-Da-Bomb for reviewing the last chapter!
The anonymous review too! :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
The best moment of my day is when I receive a review! Thanks so much! :-)
Chapter 13
Clove's POV
reaping day
I wake up a with a grimace. It's reaping day, possibly the worst day ever.
You would think that being a career I would look forward to reaping day, be excited even.
But no. I hate reaping day.
Not because of the reaping itself, but because of the crowds.
District two is so highly populated that you have a better chance of getting trampled to death then getting reaped. Once the tributes have been selected and the mayor dismisses us, everyone makes a run for it.
The last thing I want to happen today is get stuck in a stampede of people.
I roll over and pull my shabby blanket up over my head, refusing to see the light.
I feel completely exhausted but I know if I show up late to the Justice Building I'm going to get punished.
Being publicly humiliated in front of thousands of people is defiantly not on the agenda for today.
With a yawn I push the blanket off me and open my eyes.
I shriek and my body automatically flinches.
Cato is causally leaning against my wall, arms crossed, dressed in a suit.
My eyes go wide and my jaw drops in shock. "W-what the hell are you doing here?" I stammer.
He laughs."Well good morning to you too sunshine." He says. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't sleep in." He says with a grin.
I stare at him in utter disbelief. It takes a minute for me to find my voice again. "That's why you broke into my house?" I question shakily.
"Technically, I didn't break in because the door was unlocked." He says.
I don't answer him, instead I try to calm my rapid breathing.
"Are you ok?" He asks me after a minute.
"No, you scared the hell out of me!" I say, my voice going higher at the end.
"Awww, poor Clover got frightened." He says while sticking out his lower lip. He pronounces his R's with W's like he's a small child.
I shoot him a dirty look.
"Sorry I scared you." He says in a lighter tone while walking to the side of my bed. He lightly tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
His hand lingers on the side of my face and he lightly stokes my cheek with his thumb.
I look up at him, still breathing heavily.
"Calm down already." He says softly.
"Well what would you do if you woke up and someone was in your room?" I asks him, trying my best to igrore the butterflys in my stomach.
"Depends on who it is." He says. "If. if was you..." He trails off while smiling mischievously at me. "If it was you I would probably use you to keep me warm, you're really soft, you know that?" He says.
I feel my face heat and I lightly chew my lower lip.
He smirks at me.
"How long were you standing there anyway?" I ask him trying to change the subject.
He looks at the ground and doesn't answer.
I stare at him,waiting for him to reply. "Go get your reaping cloths on, we don't want to be late." He says ignoring my question. I let it drop for the time being.
"I just woke up!" I say. "And if you didn't know, I don't have reaping cloths." I tell him.
He makes a face. "What do you mean? Everyone has reaping cloths." He says.
"Remember, when my house was broken into and they destroyed my cloths and took the only money I had." I tell him tiredly.
"Yeah...but can't you maybe wear your moms cloths?" He asks hesitantly.
My face twist into a painful expression.
"I haven't been in her room since-." I stop talking and take a sudden interest in my bed spread.
"Since...?" Cato presses.
"Since you know, my father killed her." I say emotionless.
He frowns. "I'm sorry." He says.
"Don't be, you're not the one who stabbed her to death." I say, my lips curling up in disgust at my fathers actions.
How ironic. I can think horrible things about him but when I commit the same crime it's suddenly acceptable.
Well it is. Revenge and killing in cold blood are two totally different things.
I look up at Cato who is fumbling with the pockets of his suit.
"I'm going to wear one of her dresses." I tell him firmly, trying to convince myself more than him. Every day after my mothers death I convinced myself that there was no need to go in her room, even if the bed was bigger.
He smiles.
"I'll wait out here." He say while walking out the door. I roll out of bed and follow him out of my room.
My mothers room is directly across from mine and I feel myself start to tremble as I approach it.
I can feel Cato's eyes on me but I refuse to look up at him.
I lightly place my hand around the door knob. It feels cold and smooth.
I slowly turn it. The door creaks open and I catch my breath.
It's exactly the same. I quietly close the door behind me and step further into the small room.
The queen bed is up against the back wall with two small nights stands on each side. My mothers dresser sits in the left hand corner of the room. The mirror that hangs above the bed has a thin coat of dust and the gold paint has begun to chip on one side.
The light blue color feels warm and welcoming.
I briefly wonder why this room was left untouched when my house was broken into but I quickly banish the thought away.
I could never bring myself to open this door, in fear of what I might find, but it's not that bad at all.
Almost like she can walk in right now and read her book by the window like she used to.
But she won't.
Because she's dead. Because she's not coming back.
Ever.
I swallow the lump in my throat and proceed to the small wardrobe. The cold wooden floor creaks beneath my feet and my eyelids flutter closed as I grasp the small handle. In one quick motion I swing open the door.
I hesitantly open my eyes.
My fathers trousers hang next to my mothers pale green dress along with a collection of other attire. As I shakily reach for the dress my fingers brush the edge of my fathers dress pants. I quickly retract my hand as if it burned me.
I take a deep breath. "Pull it together." I mutter.
I reach for the dress again and successfully remove it without touching any other items of clothing.
I gently take the dress off the hanger and lay it on my mothers bed.
I walk around the bed over to the dresser. It's made of an old oak tree and has small flowers carved on the handle. I almost forgot that. I carefully pull open the top drawer.
I'm surprised to find several new undergarments with the tags still on them.
Might as well put them to use. I think. I rip off the tags and quickly remove my pajamas and slip on the new items.
I walk back over to the bed and carefully lift the dress up over my head. I pull it down and smooth out the creases.
It stops about three inches above the knee and has a light gold trim around the edges. The shoulders poof out a little and a piece of thin green fabric wraps around my waist to form a belt.
It fits me well. I smile at myself before heading back out to Cato.
I close the door behind me and look up at him.
"Just give me fifteen minutes and we can go." I say.
"What do you have to do that takes fifteen minutes?" he asks sounding annoyed.
I answer his question by walking to the small linen closet next to my room and taking out a wooden bucket.
"I have to go get water." I tell him.
"Actually your water isn't shut off." he says sheepishly.
"What?" I say confused.
He smiles widely at me.
"Oh no, what did you do?" I groan.
"Oh nothing, just went down to the Justice Building and had a little talk with the water system manager." He says innocently.
My jaw drops. "Y-you can't do that!" I stutter.
"Why not?" He asks.
"Because!" I say.
"There's nothing wrong with a little help Clove." He says.
I don't need help, from anyone." I tell him firmly. "'I've lived on my own for almost three years now." I say.
He raises his eyebrows. "And how's that working out for you?" He asks sarcastically.
"Just fine." I tell him curtly.
"Clove, there's a hole in your roof." He says.
I automatically look up and see a small hole about the size of a baseball in my roof, right above my head.
"That must have happened after the storm." I say indifferently. "What's that got to do with anything anyway?" I ask.
"You need my help, but you're just too proud to admit it." He says.
"I do not, and I will not allow you to pay my water bill!" I say firmly.
"Actually I didn't pay it, I just told them that the Victors of the 58th and 59th Hunger Games requested that the water never be shut off at this address." He says with a shrug.
"Well...ok then, thanks." I say a little surprised as I place the bucket back inside the linen closet.
"No problem." He says.
I still don't like the fact that he got my water back. I know he means well but I'm not helpless.
"I'll be right back." I tell him. I turn around and walk stiffly over to the bathroom to get washed.
I open the door and flick on the small light. I quickly wash my face and tense slightly when I feel the hot water. A smile instantly spreads across my face. I don't remember the last time I had hot water.
Still smiling, I grab a towel and dry my face.
I grab the tooth paste and squeeze a glob on my tooth brush and shove it my mouth.
As I brush my teeth my thoughts wander over to today's reaping. I hope one of our volunteers win. We haven't won for two years. Last year district three won when it should have been us. The girl from our district that year, Alexis, died at the cornucopia.
The boy tribute named Simon was used as a human shield by a district three tribute.
Stupid district three taking all our glory. I think sourly.
I sigh as I place my toothbrush back on the on the counter.
I turn off the light and walk out the door when it hits me, I have electricity.
I cross my arms over my chest and march over to Cato.
"What did you do?" I demand.
His eyebrows furrow. "What do you mean?" He asks.
"Why do I have electricity?" I asks him.
"Oh, ummm, I don't know?" He says. It comes out like a question.
"Yes you do know." I say angrily.
"Fine, I took care of it, happy?" He says.
"No, I told you I don't need help!" I say.
He sighs."What was I supposed to do?" He asks. "Let you live in a house with no running water or electricity?"
"Yes." I say shortly.
He shakes his head. "You're impossible." he mutters.
"Why did you do it?" I asks him.
"Because I felt bad that-" "I don't want your pity." I growl.
He rolls his eyes. "I don't pity you." He says.
Without another word I turn around and head towards the front door.
"Were are you going?" He calls after me.
"The reaping, where else?" I say over my shoulder.
I swing open the front door and take the porch steps two at a time. I walk quickly down the dirt road, very aware of Cato's eyes one me.
"Clove!" He calls.
I ignore him. I don't need his help! Why doesn't he see that? I'm fine on my own. I didn't need my parents and I don't need him. I know I'm lying to myself but I ignore the feeling of guilt beginning to bubble beneath my skin.
I grumble to myself about how the reaping is a waste a of time. Everyone already knows who's going to volunteer, so why should the rest of us have to go?
I reach the end of my street and turn left. The pebble road feels uncomfortable beneath my feet and I silently curse whoever designed it.
"Clove will you just wait for me?" Cato calls.
I ignore him again.
After about five minutes the Justice Building comes into view. I walk over to the table where the Peace Keepers take a blood sample and get in line.
As I wait for my turn I replay my fight with Cato in my head. When is he going to realize that I don't need help? 'I felt bad.' He said.
I scoff. Sympathy is the last thing I need. I don't want to admit it to myself but I feel almost afraid that he'll leave.
The voice of a Peace Keeper pulls me out of my thoughts.
"Next."
I walk forward and wait in front of the table.
"Hand." She says to me. I extend my hand and wince slightly as She pricks my finger and presses it against a paper.
"Next."
As I walk to my designated area I feel like I'm being watch. I quickly turn my head and look around for the culprit. I find Cato looking at me from across the way with a small smile playing at the edge of his lips.
Our eyes meet and I try to break his gaze but I can't. I continue walking, still looking at him, till I smack into something.
"Oh sorry." I say, looking up to see who I bumped into. He has dark brown hair and blue eyes, but they're nothing in comparison to Cato's.
"It's ok, hey you're Clove right?" He asks.
"Yeah, do I know you?" I ask him.
"I go to the Academy." He says.
"Oh yeah? I've never seen you before." I tell him.
"Yeah, and I think your boyfriend wants it to stay that way." He says. I turn around to look at Cato. He lost his smile and he looks like he's ready to kill someone.
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, and I have no doubt in my mind that if I don't stop talking to you your not going to live to see your next reaping." I say.
"Well in that case, I'll be going." He says while offering me a nervous smile.
I nod and continue walking to my age group.
Soon everyone fills in. A short women dressed in hot pink with an outrageous purple wig and a pound of make up walks up the steps that lead to the stage.
"Welcome, welcome, and happy Hunger Games!" She says in an incredibility high pitched voice.
"It is now time to chose a courageous young man and women, to have the incredible honor of representing District two in the 73rd annual Hunger Games!" She squeals.
"Ladies first." She says in a sing song voice while walking over to the reaping ball. She reaches in and pulls out the first name she touches.
She unfolds the paper and smiles at the crowd. "Rosalyn Donalds." Says the escort in her thick capital accent.
"I volunteer!" A shrill voice yells. People step aside as a tall girl around sixteen makes her way to the stage.
"Oh! A volunteer, how lovely!" She says happily. She's starting to get on my nerves.
"What's your name dear?" She asks when the girl reaches the stage. "Katrina Kipp." She says proudly.
I roll my eyes. She'll be dead in a week.
"Well congratulations Katerina, now to chose your district partner." She says.
She walks over to the second reaping ball.
She swirls her finger around the edge of the glass before sticking her hand inside.
She grabs a paper and delicately unfolds it.
"Willie Doyle." She says happily.
"I volunteer!" Someone shouts. A boy I recognize from training makes his way to the stage.
"What's your name dear?" She asks.
"James Powell." He says with a smile.
"There you have it everyone!" "District two's tributes Katrina and James!" She shouts.
They shake hands and the crowd erupts in applause.
Our mayor steps forward from where he was standing quietly in the back.
"Congratulations to our two volunteers!" He booms. "May the odds be ever in your favor!" He says while smiling at them.
"Now we are going to dismiss you by rows." He says to us.
Before I'm aware of what's happening I'm being shoved backwards by the crowd. Everyone begins pushing each other to get out first. I have no chose but to turn around and follow them.
"Ladies and gentlemen please wait to be dismissed!" The mayor says panicked. No one listens.
"Clove!" I turn my head in the direction my name was called. I see Cato trying to get to me though the sea of people, but its no use.
I suddenly feel guilty.
Any feeling of anger I had towards him vanishes when I see how desperate he is to reach me. I try to push my way towards him but I can't. People are shouting at each other to stop shoving but no one's listening. Everyone wants to get as far away from the Justice Building as possible.
Someone pushes me roughly from behind causing me to loose my balance and trip.
I collide with the ground and groan as someone steps on me. A hand roughly grabs my arm and pulls me up.
I look to my left and see one of Cato's friends.
"Are you ok?" He shouts over the crowd.
"Yeah, thank you!" I yell back.
"Get off me!" Someone cries.
"Ouch! Stop hitting me!" Yells another.
I some how mange to make it to the side of the road but not before someone pushes me again causing me to tumble down a slope on the side of the road. The ground feels cold and the leaves crunch beneath my body. I slowly loose momentum and my body comes to a stop.
I lay on my back, breathing heavily. I wait till everything stops spinning and sit up. My heart is pounding loudly and I have an ugly bruise beginning to form on my arm.
I rub my temple and look back to the main road. People are still shouting and pushing each other and I decide it would be suicide to try to make it back out there.
I look around to see exactly where I landed.
It's a small woodland. My eyebrows furrow. I remember taking a few walks here and I'm pretty sure I know my way back home.
I walk quickly though the dense vegetation, occasionally stepping over a fallen tree or small boulder. They sun peeks though the thick under brush giving off a golden glow.
It's very beautiful. I admire the dark green moss that covers the bark of the trees.
I walk for about ten minutes until I abruptly stop.
"Cato." I whisper. I suddenly get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. He's fine. I tell myself. But my mind seems to disagree and I begin playing different scenarios of events in my head.
Without a second thought I begin running at full speed through the thick underbrush.
My breathing soon becomes labored, not because I'm running, but because I'm in full panic mode.
I roughly push past a thick bush and stumble onto a dirt road. I'm taken aback by my sudden change in location but I only hesitate for a moment.
My house rest on the only dirt road in district two and I automatically turn down it and sprint to my house.
Part of me expects Cato to be waiting on my porch but he's no there.
"Cato." I try to yell but it comes out as a mumble.
"Clove?"
I whip around and see Cato walk towards me. His suit has a few dirt marks along the sides with a couple of slashes.
"Cato!" I shout. I jump off my porch and run towards him. Before he has time to react I jump on top of him, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.
He stumbles back slightly but quickly regains his balance.
I bury my face in the crook of his neck and breathe in his intoxicating smell.
"I take it you're no longer mad at me?" He says while wrapping his arms around my waist.
I shake my head.
"You're ok right?" I ask him, my voice muffled by his suit.
"Now I am." He says.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME AN IDEA FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER? I'M DESPERATE !
:) Thanks!