𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔡 - Clove and Cato/Clato

XXIII

After the interviews, I sat on the rooftop of the district building which overlooked the capitol. The view was astounding, and yet I found myself realizing that I'd rather be at home by the sycamore tree gazing up at the stars than down at this wretched city.

Just then, the rooftop door burst open. I was expecting to see my "husband" but was greeted with a sarcastic feminine voice. "You look like you could use one of these," Johanna smirked, offering her opened box of cigarettes to me. I took one as she sat down beside me and tossed me her lighter. "You know, for a pregnant lady, you don't seem to care much about the baby," she scoffed, lighting her own.

I exhaled the cigarette smoke away from her face after taking a hit. "Neither do you," I replied before wrapping my mouth around the cigarette for another hit.

She laughed at me as she exhaled smoke. "Please," she started, "you and I both know there's no baby. It was a smart stunt though, that you pulled. It really got a rise out of them."

"Thank you," I replied. "I wish my so-called husband agreed with you."

She snickered. "Well how does he know you're not telling the truth? Unless...you two never...?" I looked at her in disappointment, giving her the answer she sought. Her mouth dropped open. "Wow, okay I wouldn't have expected that! You two just have such good chemistry I thought for certain you would've banged by now!"

"Thanks," I replied sarcastically, taking a long drag from the cigarette. After I exhaled, I spoke up again. "You know, I wouldn't even want to! He's not even himself he's like this robot that the capitol programmed and I don't want anything to do with that!" I ranted.

She grinned, "sure, honey."

"I'm serious!" I yelled intently. "If we were to ever...you know," my face flushed at the thought, "I would want it to be special. To mean something. And he can't give that to me right now..."

Johanna sighed. "Oh you poor girl. I used to feel the same way. Every girl does. But let me tell you, men are just disappointments! Every single one of 'em! Fuck 'em on your terms!"

I giggled and playfully shoved her before the door flew open again. "What are you two doing out here?" Enobaria called to us as she made her way over. "Clove! Don't you know smoking is bad for you?" She scolded as she took a Johanna's cigarette and put her mouth around it taking her own hit.

I scoffed in amusement. "You're such a hypocrite."

"Only 'cause I care," she winked as she sat down next to me. "Whatcha two talking about?"

"Nothing," I replied simultaneously with Johanna as she said "Sex."

My face flushed as Enobaria cackled. "You're too young for sex." We all laughed at the irony of the statement, seeing as I wasn't too young to die in the Hunger Games. "Oh, I have something for you," Enobaria stated, rummaging through her pockets. "A gift," she started, handing me an enclosed box, "from Apple."

I furrowed my brows wondering what could be inside as I opened it. I took a deep breath as I realized what I was looking at. It was the golden rope bracelet that Cato had gotten me. I had taken it off and forgotten about it some time after he came back as a completely different person.

Enobaria cleared her throat, "Apple said you might want to wear it for the games."

"Does Cato still have his?" I questioned.

"I don't think he ever took his off, Clove," she replied softly.

I sighed hearing this, to which Johanna put her hand on my shoulder. "Hey, kid. It'll work out in the end, I promise." She assured me, and I almost believed her. If only there was time where it could have worked out, but tomorrow would be the beginning of the end.