Clato: Cuts Beneath the Surface

Chapter 13

Cato was a mistake. I think back to all the time we've been together these last few months and finally understand. I let him into my life so it is my fault for everything he's done. I've been so concerned about him that I didn't kill him at the tournament. I should have. It would be better for everyone if he were dead. But I can't do it. And that is the trap I've laid for myself.

I should never have trusted him. That Jerk! That ungrateful, conniving, meat-headed jerk! He just sat there while Ralae made a fool of me and did NOTHING.

And how did Ralae know all that stuff anyway? Cato told her. It took him two minutes to tell his blonde Barbie the deepest thing I've ever shared about myself. This is why I never talk about myself. This is why I don't tell anyone about Favian. People will always hurt you. And the more they know about you the worse the pain is.

I wander the streets aimlessly. Houses flicker by slowly like that of an old movie screen. I'm not sad. I never cry. I am furious at having been so naive. I am Clove Fuhman. I am the best tribute contender for the 74th games. I will not let Cato win.

I am dangerous. I am cunning. I am heartless.

I can't go back to the training center. Not today. But if I go home early Favian will be angry. So I continue to wander the streets in the bitter cold without a good jacket. I'm still in my training clothes and my bag is at the academy but I'm not going back for that. All I have on are sneakers, yoga pants and a thin t-shirt. I shiver violently.

Too cold to continue, I duck into a small shop along the main strip of town. Needless to say I've never been here before. The place is warm but sterile and full of fancy clothes. I leave and enter the cafe across the street.

The cafe is nearly empty. It is blissfully warm with faint classical music playing in the background. I sink into a booth in the far corner and free my dark hair from its braid. My brown locks spill over my shoulders. I hide behind them in the shadows, not really sure what I'm doing here.

I stay there alone, hugging myself for a good twenty minutes. No one gives me a second glance. I get up and use the bathroom and when I come back a steaming mug is sitting on my table. I look around and see the sole serving girl watching me. She looks about 25 and has a streak of her hair dyed red and purple.
"I don't have any money." I say.
"It's on me. Drink up." her voice is low and husky. I nod slowly and sit back down, wrapping my hands around the mug.

The hot chocolate is steaming and frothy and delicious. It's one of the best things I've ever tasted. When the clock hits 4 I decide it is late enough to start heading home. The girl comes and collects my mug.
"Thank you." I tell her.
"Anytime. I'm Lisette."
"Clove." Then I leave.

I wrap my arms around myself as I walk home, passing bare trees swaying in the bitter wind. I'm so cold my bruises have faded into my blue skin. I turn onto Elmore road and hear a shout.
"Clover!" I freeze. Cato comes running towards me from the other end of the street. He's carrying my duffel bag in one hand and my jacket in another. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" I whip around and start walking the other way.
"Clove! Come back here will you? I'm trying to help you." I keep walking. "For Gods sake Clover I've got your jacket! It's freezing out here." I keep walking. He catches up to me and walks along side. I ignore him resolutely. "I know you're mad but will you please take the jacket." I shiver again. "I am going to wrestle you into it if you don't take it." I stop and turn to glare at him.

"You're an ass." I tell him and rip the jacket out if his hands, yanking it on forcefully. He grins. I take the duffle bag too. "Don't follow me." I hiss and take off running.

"Wait, Clover." I can hear the hurt in his voice. Good. He deserves to feel guilty about what he did. "Merry Christmas!" Yeah, right. I don't answer, I just keep running.