Clato - Like Cement (smut included)

Chapter 1 - District 2

Clove combed out her wet, conditioned brunette hair after her shower section by section. She was wrapped around a warm towel which she tied around her chest with a claw clip to hold it up as she put on some moisturiser and lip balm. In District 2, it was mandatory to show ones wealth and health through cleanliness. Particularly when showing up to training, although it wasn't as strict as what she'd heard District 1 was like, being the luxury District and all. District 2 was like the capital lapdog, it was the masonry District and was also the source of most peacekeepers and military defence.

Clove Kentwell was a 15 year old girl living in a 3 bedroom house around 6 blocks away from Victors Village. She lived with her mother, father and younger brother, Dax. She had been preparing for volunteering for The Hunger Games since she was 11 years old, one year earlier than most typical kids because she was dedicating her life to it. Clove didn't see much purpose in focusing on anything else until she was older than 18 because if she was reaped, unprepared, and nobody decided to volunteer for her (which is highly unlikely due to the fact that almost every year someone has to be escorted out of the reaping to a hospital because of a volunteering related scrap), she would want a high chance of returning alive from the games. People in District 2 were suck-ups to the capital, and as they wanted to show their utmost loyalty to them, multiple 16-18 year olds were ready to volunteer for those who were reaped. Clove didn't really approve of that concept because she didn't understand why the process of being beautified, interviewed and killing innocent selected teenagers from around the country showed loyalty to be exact, however she obviously played along with the idea because who was she to believe anything different?

Dax, Clove's 13 year old brother, was taking a ridiculous amount of time to eat breakfast and Clove needed to get to school. "Dax I'm leaving in five minutes with or without you so hurry up or give this note to mother telling her I have training until 5:30pm after school so I can't cook dinner. Emphasis on can't!" She shouted downstairs. Clove pulled on a navy blue sweater and some grey sweatpants then pulled the look together with a gold crescent moon necklace . She wasn't worried about her appearance too much today because she just had English, Woodwork and PE.

Dax decided to never hurry up, so Clove left and started walking down the cobbled roads towards school. The weather was oddly humid but cold. Unpleasant. The fifteen minute tedious walk was soon over as she entered the front gates and she spotted Terra and Alexis walking into the English block. School wasn't particularly fancy, the buildings were made of stone and the ceilings were very high. it was almost castle-like. "Hey guys" Clove initiated as she exhaustedly set her stuff down on her wooden desk next to Alexis.

"Hey Clovey, how are you?" asked Alexis

"I'm fine. You?"

"I'm decent. Are you going to training tonight?"

"Yup, I'm walking there and then hopefully I can get a lift home as there's a storm forecast."

"Okay, we'll both try to go tonight but it's my grandfather's funeral this afternoon and I might have to be emotional support for my parents. Take it easy at training though, you've been training harder than usual lately."

"I know, I'm just focusing on being prepared for the games, they are in 3 months and the time will fly. Maybe I'll even volunteer this year, you never know." Clove wished she hadn't said that incase she decided to change her mind and looked like a wimp.

"Take your time Clove you still have 4 more games you can be picked for." Terra remarked, Clove tried not to take it offensively but it felt like she was trying to insinuate Clove wasn't good enough to do it this year.

"I can throw knives, you know. I don't think I could get much better at it than I am-"

"Clove, that's not what I meant. Just, if you were to not come home, you're only fifteen like us and you still have your whole life ahead of you. Nothing would be the same without you."

Clove did think, that maybe they were right. Maybe it wouldn't be worth it at fifteen. Maybe her parents and brother would miss her too much over a situation so futile that could be avoided. "Attention everyone, turn to page 176 and answer questions 1-5. It will be homework if not completed by the end of the period."

A few hours pass and everyone is getting changed for PE. Today they were doing an obstacle course sequence with running, shooting and climbing. The PE teachers announced that it was a peacekeeper training taster and was mandatory for the District schools as you could apply to be a peacekeeper at age nineteen. Clove wore a black t-shirt and some black leggings like most other girls, but kept her necklace on for fidgeting with when it became indefinitely boring. She stepped outside and waited with Alexis and Terra, then all the girls were directed to the gym with the boys.