Gladiators -- Clato

-To Train Alone-

"Well, then, Clove, come on upstage. You've earned it."

Pride blooming in my stomach, I march up the cobblestone steps to the stage and stand in my designated spot beside Plumeria. When I look down, Peacekeepers have arrived to carry Zetta away. I smirk, satisfied to see my competition eliminated.

There's a sparse smattering of applause as I come up onstage.

However, the waiting crowd of girls isn't spared my fury either. Clove Kentwell is a popular name in District two, although it's thrown around in a wide manner of ways. I won't forget the way they laughed when Zetta teased me.

Plumeria moves onto the male tribute. "Let's pick our boy now. He is..." she pauses to read. "Jax Golding."

"I volunteer!"

Cato's roar can be heard above the collective murmur of the crowd on the boys side. Surprisingly, no one makes a move to volunteer after him. Maybe that's my fault.

When he walks up to the stage, I swear I can see all the girls swoon over him. He's wearing a crisp ironed gray suit, and has his blond hair perfectly combed. I roll my eyes to myself and look away.

His father, mother, and younger sister sit on the top balcony terrace of the justice building, watching him as he comes onstage, backed by the resounding scream of approval from the crowd.

Cato Hadley is a simple creature. His identity can be described in a few simple words. Swords, Girls, Ambition, and money. His charm comes from his looks and the cocky way he talks about himself. I can tell he's trying to catch my eye, but I refuse to look at him,

"We have our tributes for District two!" Plumeria chirps enthusiastically. "Happy Hunger Games, and May the Odds be Ever in your Favor!"

She then beckons us, and we follow her behind the large iron doors that lead into the DIstrict 2 Government Building.

When Inside, We're taken to a private room in order to have our last few minutes with our loved ones. Oh, god. How I've dreaded this moment since I've begun to train.

It takes only seconds for Cato's family to burst through the door and encircle him with praise and affection. Sure enough, I sit there, watching as his sister and mother wrap him in a hug.

"Cato, we are so proud," His mother says tearfully. "I know you'll win. You'll make us so proud."

"Of course, ma," He says solemnly. "Make sure the boys are training while I'm gone."

I cross my arms and look away. A deep, dark part of me screeches in jealousy. For thar support. For that love that I'll never get. But I realize I'm thinking about the wrong thing and immediately shake the thought from my mind.

Even then, his father stands stoic on the far side of the room. He's a terrifying man, pure District 2, stocky and hardened. He looks at his son with what seems like pride, mixed with anger.

Eventually our time is up and I've just about had it with Cato's family wooing over him like a little puppy. Theyre escorted out by some peacekeepers, and finally Plumeria takes us towards the train, where Our mentors will be waiting.

"Hey," I hear Cato say.

I don't reply to him.

"Hey, Clove."

Again, I ignore him.

"You don't have to completely ignore me."

"Just shut up," I snap, turning to face him while we walk.

"Geez."

I shake my head. He's so incredibly hard-headed. I was dreading having to go into the arena with him, of all people. He's sure to pester me. Well, guess what, Cato. Your charms don't work on me.

We climb onto the train and I make sure to sit in the seat farthest from Cato. I don't trust him, not one bit. We're both in this game to win it, and we sure as hell can't win together. Any sort of friendship between tributes, in my opinion, is just unnecessary attachment.

All those other Districts do that. They try to protect their partners, get close to them, work as a "team." It just makes them easier to kill.

However, an alliance between Careers is inevitable. It's a fake, shallow procession with no purpose other than to combine our powers and kill more tributes. Usually, the career pack ends up turning on one another well before the games are over. It's stupid, I think. I would much rather go into the games alone.

Our mentors, Enobaria and Brutus, enter the train car just as the vehicle begins to move. I've seen them before on my walks by the Victor Village, lounging around and talking to one another. Enobaria in particular is an interesting victor. She won her games by ripping her opponents throats out. After her games she had her teeth sharpened into fangs. While I personally thought this was a little too flashy, she's no less of a ruthless woman.

They immediately sit down to start talking strategies with us.

"We think you two should train together," Enobaria states. "We've gone over both of your report cards from the training academy and you both excel in everything. Training together would allow you two to cooperate better in the games."

I give Cato a look out of the corner of my eye. He's looking intently at Enobaria, nodding whenever she says something. His boastful pride is gone now, replaced by a dog-like agreement to everything the mentors say.

I cross my arms and don't look them in the eye. "I want to train alone," I mutter.

Enobaria gives me a sharp, snakeline look. "You heard me. You'll train together."

"But-"
"No buts!" she snaps. "That's the end of it." she turns her sleek head toward Brutus and scowls. "I'm starving. Do they have any protein on this damn train?" she rises from her seat and marches out of the train car into the next, followed by Brutus.

"Clove, training together isn't that bad," Cato interjects. "You need to stop ignoring me. We're allies."

"Until you try to kill me," I turn to look at him, trying to look as menacing as possible.

Cato sighs and scratches the back of his neck. "It's going to be one of us, you know. We may as well help each other."

"I don't need help," I argue. "You've seen me throw knives."

"And you've seen me with a sword." that slight air of arrogance has crept back into his voice now that our mentors are gone. "You want to be sour, fine. Good luck getting favor in the Capitol."

He then gets up and walks off the same way Enobaria and Brutus left.