𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔡 - Clove and Cato/Clato

XIII

Cato and I said nothing during breakfast. In fact, no one really said anything at all. It didn't seem right. I couldn't sleep at all last night, and I wondered if Cato was the same way. Though I had gone to get my usual cup of tea, no one was there to greet me. His words from earlier last night had stuck with me, constantly repeating in my head as I tossed and turned during my last night in a bed.

He knew about Charmaine and what Claudius had done to her. Did he even care? Why did he hide it from me? Was it all just an act to string me along and charm me?

Enobaria and I entered an elevator that would lead to the aircraft for the games. Cato and Brutus took a separate one. "I get it, kid," Enobaria started. "I know how you feel." I looked over at her and realized that this strong, violent woman, had let a few stray tears fall. "I see a lot of myself in you, you know. But it's okay to feel emotions. It's okay to feel how you feel right now."

"Is it?" I asked, genuinely wondering. My entire life revolved around hiding emotions and feeling nothing toward anyone. I was confused and hurt. My entire life's practice came down in one week all because of Cato Hadley.

Enobaria nodded in response. "Honestly, you two are lucky only one victor can emerge. There is never a true winner of these games. If Snow knew how you two felt and you both came out of there, he would use you two against each other."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that the games aren't what our district makes it out to be. And I'm sorry. I really am. If I could swap places with you, I would. No kid should have to go through this, especially not with someone they care about." The elevator slowed down and stopped, then the doors opened.

I squinted, letting my eyes adjust to the sunlight as the aircraft came into view. Enobaria stopped me before I continued walking toward it. "Clove," she said, holding back tears. She gave me a big hug, and I hugged her back. I realized over the course of this past week that I had made a friend. But it did not matter whether or not I had relationships outside of the arena, because I was likely to die before I ever saw them again. She pursed her lips and tried to smile before letting me go. "Give 'em hell."

With that, I smiled back at her, and mouthed "thank you," before continuing to make my way over. Cato was already on the aircraft when I arrived. He looked up when he saw me. His eyes were subtly puffy, but I could see it clear as day. I noticed anything about him.

We said nothing as I was ushered to sit on the other side of the aircraft and across from him. I was sat next to the Girl on Fire. I wanted to kill her right then and there, but instead, I just shot her a death glare. One of the peacekeepers took my arm and inserted a tracker in it. I looked at Cato as they did his and winced when they put it into his arm. Somehow, seeing his hurt me more than my own.

The aircraft was silent as it elevated. The room as heavy, full of feelings of anxiety. I kept looking at Cato, but he was leaning forward and looking down.

When the plane landed, we were all separately escorted to different rooms. When I entered mine, my stylist Jewel was waiting for me. I said nothing as she offered me my jacket. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out the golden rope bracelet that I had worn during the interviews. Then, she spoke. "Prove to them that you are a force to be reckoned with. You're not just a small girl, you are Clove." She then pulled me into a hug. Softer, she spoke again. "I believe he's willing to die for you," she whispered.

We pulled apart and I looked at her in confusion. She gave me one last nod before I had to enter the tube to the arena. Everything went silent as the tube sealed behind me. I watched as the floor where Jewel was standing became further and further away.