The Willow Tree || A Clato fanfic||

Chapter 2 - Clove

I woke up, and an instant feeling of happiness swam through me. I had no idea why until I realized I had unread messages while I turned off my 6'o'clock alarm. When I picked up my phone, something flat and rectangular clattered to the floor. I obviously had been sleeping with it. I picked it up. Wuthering Heights. Of course. I stayed up until one'o'clock yesterday reading it. I heard my phone buzz but ignored it. That's why I felt so happy. Wuthering Heights was so heartwarming... and heartbreaking in a way.

I checked my text. They were all from Isobel, Jessica, Rosemary, and Annabelle.

Iso: Aren't you guys excited????!!!!! We're GRADUATING! No school for AGES! Hey, you guys out for ice cream? I'm paying specially!

Iso: hey I'm not taking orders no delivery man, studdup. Yeah Clove your turn tomorrow right?

Jess: yeah it was definitely Annabelle. Clove's driving.

Jess: Clove you there?

Jess: Clove you coming to sleepover tomorrow? We can get ice cream first and then my house?

Iso: Clove think you're not looking anyway persuade your mom next morning see you tomorrow. HAVE TO COME TO ICE CREAM WITH ME.

Jess: yeah... convince your mother. Night, guys

I quickly replied.

I continued reading Wuthering Heights until I put on my graduation gown and hurried downstairs. My sister, Lily was already there, stiffing her mouth with cornflakes. Lily and I look alike, dark hair and tall, both long hair. Only I have more abilities than her. She can't ice skate for beans, or do math for a pig, or make friends any better than a skunk. Still, she's worth being my sis, she's nice when she wants to be. So sad that doesn't occur often.

Mom enters the kitchen and sits down, browsing something on her phone. I remembered my deal with Isobel, Jessica, Rosemary, and Annabelle. I looked at Mom.

"Mom... Isobel wants to go out with ice cream with me and Jessica, Rosemary, and Annabelle. Jessica's inviting us to her house after that. All the other kids' mothers say they can go. Can I go to?"

Mom looked at me. "Sure" she said, as if it didn't matter. Mom was used to me having sleepovers and going out with them. I've been doing it for 6 years.

Lily opened her eyes wide. She's just 7, and she gets overwhelmed a lot. "I want to go, too! I've never been to one!" She said, opening her grey eyes to Mom. That's another difference between me and her. I've got blue eyes, Lily grey.

"Exactly why you can't. Now hurry up. Clove, remember, don't accept the first boy who asks you out. He's just trying to get your attention."

"Sure, and thanks Mom. See you tomorrow."

I wave goodbye to Mom and Lily at seven. Panem Primary begins at half past eight (I know, brilliant, right?) But it's graduation so we have to get there a bit earlier than usual. Today is Friday. Monday is the dance party. Tuesday is the first day of vacation. According to Mom, most girls get their boyfriends and most boys their girlfriends at this dance party.

This is not going to be my last dance party... Panem middle and high school have three dance parties per semester, A.K.A six dance parties per year. One at the beginning, one middle, and one at the ending of each semester. It's a miracle how Panem primary, middle and high gets handpicked as most educational school every year.

I hurried in to my car and set off for first stop, Annabelle's house. After I picked up Jessica, Rosemary and Isobel, I headed to school, chatting with my friends.

We arrived at the school at ten past seven. None of the boys or girls were already there. No surprise. We were destined to come at eight sharp. We usually got to school early.

Me and my friends always get to school at least thirty minutes earlier, usually about fifty. We buy our lunches, look around the library, chat, and sometimes go back in our car and go brief shopping. I look like I'm perfect. I'm not. I'm really cheeky and a bit naughty, I just don't get in to trouble. I'm actually a troublemaker sometimes. But the biggest troublemaker in the school is Johanna Mason. She's even cheekier than me!

So, we go to the library since the cafeteria is not open today, we return our books and borrow some new ones.

At about seven forty we checked our five more books and headed out of the library, chatting that the librarian told us off.

The moment I stepped foot out of the library I saw Peeta Mellark standing outside. He's early.

"Hey... Clove..." he said awkwardly.

"Hey" I say back. Peeta has a group of friends that includes almost everyone in the school. It's amazing how he plays football, he's one of the best in his team. He eats with Katniss Everdeen, this girl called Madge, her boyfriend Gale, and this guy called Cato Hadley who is the best football player in the school.

I think I knew why Peeta was here. He's rarely seen around the library. I remembered what Mom told me. Don't accept the first boy who asks you out. He's just trying to get your attention.

But... was Peeta trying to get my attention? He was a very nice boy in general, after all. No, he was not. He genuinely wanted me as his date to the dance party. Anyway, I was right about why Peeta was here early and near the library.

"Sooo, Clove, I was wondering if you would like to go to the dance party with me?" He said slowly.

I smiled. I was right. "Of course, Peeta. Should I pick you up or will you?"

"I'll drive to your house and see you at seven, since the party begins at half past seven in the morning." I beamed.

"Deal!" My friends teased me all the way to the stadium outside the school. Everyone was talking and laughing. I looked around. Glimmer, Marvel, Katniss, Madge, Johanna, and Cato were all talking together. Strange. Cato hardly hangs out with Glimmer or Marvel, neither does Katniss, Madge, or Johanna. Glimmer was talking to Cato, and Cato was trying to make his way out of Glimmer and Marvel. He looked in my direction. I smiled at him for a second. Then I continued chatting to Isobel, Jessica, Rosemary and Annabelle.