Promises (A Clato Fanfic)

Chapter 3: Reaping

Clove POV:

I wake up and get a shower. By the time I'm done showering, I walk out of the bathroom and into my bedroom.I look through my clothes and try to find something to wear. I find a short dress that is rose petal pink, fitting at the top and ruffled at the bottom, with pink ballet flats. I curl my hair and put it half-up half-down. I put on a little sparkly eyeshadow, a little mascara, and some eye liner. When I'm done getting ready, I go downstairs and eat breakfast.

When I get downstairs, I see my mom cooking some bacon. I sit down at the table and eat. "So is Cato bringing you to the reaping?" my mother asks.

"Yea. Are you still gonna come to the reaping?" I ask her

"Yea. I have to." she replies. After I eat my bacon, someone knocks on the door and its Cato. "Hey beautiful. You ready to go?" he asks

"Yea, just let me tell my mom." I go inside tell my mom I'm leaving and go back outside. "Are you nervous?" Cato asks.

"A little. I don't know if I can trust you not to volunteer. You promise you won't?"

"I promise."

"Good. Now is Emily scared since its her first reaping and all."

"Yea she doesn't want to go. I'm worried about her because I don't want her going in, you know because she hasn't trained."

"Yea. I'll keep her safe. If she gets reaped, then I'll volunteer."

"No! You are not going to volunteer. If I'm not then you're not. I don't want you risking your life just so my sister can live. Promise me you won't volunteer."

"I promise." I reply. After that discussion, we pick up Emily and head to the town square. I take Emily and get in line with her while Cato goes to the boys line. Emily starts panicking. "What's wrong Emily?" I ask.

"What are they gonna do to me at that table?" she asks

"There just gonna prick your finger and that's it. It hurts a little but not much." I tell her. The peacekeeper calls her up and she gets her finger pricked and makes her way to the 12 year olds section. I get my finger pricked and go to the 15 year old section.

This weird looking lady walks out on stage. She introduces herself as Shirley. She has a white puffy wig on, a strapless white peplum dress with a red belt, and red ankle boots. "Welcome everyone to the reaping of the 74th annual Hunger Games. Now before we begin, we have a very special film brought to you all the way from the Capitol." Shirley chirps. They play that stupid video that they play every year.

"Now the time has come, to select one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing District 2 in the 74th annual Hunger Games. As usual, ladies first." She makes her way to the fish bowl with hundreds of names in it and picks one out.

"Emily Ludwig." she calls out. I feel relieved that it wasn't me, but then I realize the name again. Cato's sister. I promised Cato but I also promised Emily. She asks for volunteers and the words just come out of my mouth. " I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE" I call out.

"Well it looks like we have a volunteer. Come on up dear." I make my way to the stage."Now what is your name?" Shirley asks.

"Clove Fuhrman" I dare not look at Cato right now. He will pissed off at me. I just hope he doesn't volunteer.

"Now for the boys." Shirley walks over to the other fish bowl filled with names. "James Finley" I feel relieved that its not Cato. But then Shirley asks for volunteers. "I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE" an all to familiar voice screams out. Cato's voice. He makes his way up to the stage and gives me a disgusted look. "And what's your name dear?"

"Cato Ludwig" he says. "Your tributes from District 2, Clove Fuhrman and Cato Ludwig! Go on you two shake hands. When he shakes my hand he looks me in the eyes and gives me the 'we need to talk' look. We are escorted into the Justice Building by some peacekeepers.