𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔡 - Clove and Cato/Clato

V

Reaping Day.

My father was nowhere to be found when I woke up. I could hear drones flying above and collectively marching from excessive peacekeepers. The entire capitol was waiting for today, as they did every year. Today was the day they got the first look at their tributes. I needed to make an impression. My father would be there watching me, but I wouldn't know which one he was. I sat up and glanced at the chair across from my bed. On top of it lay a crimson-red dress made of velvet. This was the most expensive thing I had ever owned in my life.

I recalled Cato's words, "If you are going to stand on that stage with me, you need to look presentable." The thought of him suddenly filled my head with rage.

—
"My beautiful little lucky charm." Her voice was gentle and warm like the sun. She held me closely singing a tune I would never hear again. "My lucky little Clover."

Clover.

—

According to my father, I was a miracle child. My sister, being twelve years older than me, was likely the only planned child of the Kentwell family. My mother was older when she had me. I was smaller than the other babies and I came out blue. My chances of survival were slim to none. Somehow, though, I made it through. If my chances were lucky at birth, maybe that same luck will be with me in the arena.

I reluctantly grabbed the dress that Hadley had granted me. I almost decided against wearing it, but I knew I needed to make an impression on the capitol. This was one sure way to do that. Red makes me stand out. It's bold, it's violent, and it's the color that my victims will be once I'm finished with them.

The dress slipped on perfectly. It was slim fit to my body, had sweetheart neckline and dropped right in the center of my thighs. I examined my figure in the mirror and somehow felt as though I could be deemed attractive. It didn't matter, though. How I look does not determine if I win. Attractiveness might only just get sponsors, but skill is how you win.

I braided my hair into a little crown, symbolic of my future victory. There are plenty of volunteers from district two, how would I be able to stand out? Maybe my demeanor would be enough. Maybe my size will draw people in, having them wonder why someone so small would be willing to volunteer. Maybe my dress would be enough. Most girls in district two cannot afford something so elegant. Maybe they'll know how hard I've been training and how long I've been waiting for this moment.

I shuffled through the dusty drawers; the drawers that rarely are opened. What I was searching for I hadn't seen in years. I wasn't even sure it still existed. Father kept it hidden away, hoping never to see it again. I felt something in my stomach when I picked it up. I unfolded the ripped and tarnished piece of paper and on it revealed my family before the tragedies. My father looked soft and kind. He was dressed in his typical peacekeeper uniform, but without his helmet. He was holding me, I was just an infant. My sister was around twelve or thirteen at the time. She wasn't smiling, she was looking up at my mother. My mother was smiling. It seemed as though she had everything she needed in life.

I snapped out of whatever feelings I was experiencing and swiftly folded the paper. I slipped it into my combat boots, the only shoes I owned. I wasn't worried about keeping it in proper condition seeing as it was already decrepit. I took a deep breath before making my way out the door. I didn't find myself looking back at the house I grew up in. I didn't have a reason to.

The air was brisk and there was no sun today. I looked up at the overcast, a few birds flew overhead. I wondered what it looked like from the sycamore tree on the hill. It didn't matter, though. I may never see it again. As I neared the town square, groups of children started forming, mostly younger than me, few older. I was sixteen about to be seventeen. Most seventeen and eighteen year olds volunteer, and either don't come back or come back safe from the reaping. I hoped the latter option would happen to me.