Welcome to Panem Private (Clato, Katniss/Peeta)

Chapter Twelve

Cato POV:

"Cato, can I just ask why you did it? The homecoming game is in four weeks. Why would you try to jeopardize winning?" Principal asks me. 

"I'm sorry, there were just some rumors and stuff going around that I didn't like." I say with my head down. "Is Clove okay? Can I go check on her?"

I still can't believe I hit her. I'm such a douche-bag. I wonder what people are going to say now that I've hit a girl. What if people think I did it on purpose? I would never hit a girl, especially Clove. 

"She'll be fine, Mr. Hadley. I'm afraid that I am going to have to suspend you." He tells me. 

"No, please. I'll serve detentions and whatever you need me to. Please Principal Snow." I try to plead with him. I can't be suspended. I'd miss the game."

"I'm going to make you a deal." He sighs. "I won't suspend you. We need you for the game. You will serve detention for the next two weeks. Got it?"

I nod. Thank God. Detention will suck, but at least I get to play.

"And if word gets out that I let you off easy because the game, I won't be too happy. You hear?"

"Yes. Thank you Principal Snow." I smile and head out the office. I need to find Clove. 

Clove POV:

I can't believe he hit me! I know he didn't mean to but still. I could tell he felt really bad though. 

"Clove, your mom is here to pick you up." The nurse informs me. 

"Okay thanks." I say and throw away the melting ice and grab a new pack. I grab my bag from my locker and head outside where my mom is waiting.

"We'll just get your car later. Oh my goodness honey, you look awful." My mom gasps.

"Thanks, I love to hear that." I say sarcastically.

"I cannot believe Cato did that. He seemed like such a nice boy." 

"He didn't mean to." I try to defend him. Why am I defending him? He doesn't deserve it.

We pull into the driveway and my mom looks at me.

"Clove, your father is in there and he has some news for you." She tells me.

"Okay? What kind of news?" I ask suspiciously.

"Just go in there, honey." She tells me, smiling slightly.

I walk in the house to see my dad sitting at the table watching me. Okay, I'm nervous.

"Hi Clove." He says.

"Hey dad." I say.

"I need to tell you something, honey."

"Okay?"

"We have to go back to District Two for a little bit."

"How long?" I ask shocked. I don't want to go back! I love it here, except all the drama that has happened. 

"We leave next week and we'll be gone for a month-tops." He tells me.

"Why?"

"There's been some serious stuff happening over there that I need to settle. Especially with the reaping coming up."

"The reaping." I gasp. "Can I volunteer for District Two?"

I've always wanted to be in the games. To bring glory to them. To be known. Remembered. 

"Of course. That's what I wanted to hear." He smiles.

Cato POV:

(Next day)

"Cato, oh my gosh. You'll never guess what I just heard." Finnick runs up to me.

"What?" I ask. 

"Clove is going back to District Two and she's going to volunteer for the games! You need to stop her!" 

No, she can't be. I need to find her, quick.

I start running down the halls searching for her. 

Suddenly I see her talking to Glimmer by her locker. Her eye is swollen with black and purple color around it. I can't believe I did that. I feel like such a monster. 

"Clove!" I call while running towards her.

She glares at me with an eyebrow raised.

"What?"

"I need to talk to you...alone." I say before grabbing her and pulling her into an abandoned classroom.

"Are you going back to District Two?" I ask, staring at her straight in the eye.

"Yeah for like a month, then I'll be back. Why do you care?" She responds sassily while crossing her arms. 

"Please tell me you're not volunteering, Clove. Please." 

"You can't tell me what to do anymore." 

"Yes, I can if I know you're not thinking straight. Please Clover, you can't." I see her face go red at the nickname. Yes, she must still feel something for me at least. 

"Cato-"

"Clove, listen to me. Okay? I know everything has been super messed up in our relationship. I betrayed you, we got in that fight, you fucked another guy, I punched you. And I know it's super frustrating and complicated but you're worth fighting for. And I'm not going to let you walk into the games and potentially get killed!" I tell her while grabbing her shoulders. 

"You don't think I can win?" She asks me in a small voice.

"Yes, you can but I can't take the risk. I love you and I'm sorry."

"I love you too, but you can't stop me." She says and walks away with tear-filled eyes. 

This cannot be happening. Clove is a very talented knife thrower, she's quick, and she's witty. But she hasn't trained for the games in two months. As a career, she's used to everyday training so I bet she's not in the same shape as she used to be. She can't do this. I have to change her mind, fast.