The Star Crossed Lovers of Distict Two

Chapter 6

Clove POV

We pull into the Capitol. We have both changed into the clothes that one of our mentors, Enobaria, calls "appropriate for the Capitol." I wear a crimson v-neck tank top with black leggings and bedazzled combat boots. Yuck. I hate sequins. I see Cato is wearing a crimson blazer and a black sparkly tie that matches my boots. Every time we look at eachother, we smile and look back down at our feet. We can't let the people think we are the star crossed lovers of district 2, that would make us look vulnerable. Plus, the gamemakers will separate us to hurt us. They might even force us to kill eachother. I plan to explain this to Cato after the chariots. We get off the train and are told to go to the building where our stylists will dress us up. I hope they don't make my interview dress orange. I absolutely hate orange. I am instructed to go into a different room than Cato. I hold his gaze for a few seconds before Enobaria pushes me away. They instruct me to lie down on the table in the middle of the room. They undress me (thank god I'm out of that itchy v-neck) and put me in a plain blue smock. Frankly, I'd rather wear this to the interviews, but I know that would never happen. They wax my legs, arms, and eyebrows and scrub me down. They massage an oil into my hands and begin on my finger nails. After they are trimmed, they are scrubbed, dried, and painted. They are mostly black, with little knifes on the ends. They pick up a pair of scissors and I know that they will cut my hair. They can whatever they want to my body but they could never touch my hair. I grab the scissors that the man with the purple hair was holding and point the sharp side towards him.

"You leave my hair alone, understand?" I demand. He shakily nods and takes back the scissors. This, I realize, is why I don't have any friends. Except Cato. I think about him while they wash my hair. Where is he? Did they cut his hair? I've always liked his messy blond hair. Did they change all the features I like about him? The freckle just to the left of his nose? I noticed that freckle just before he kissed me. The kiss. What was that kiss? Was it real? Was I just accepting a dare? Did I like it? Yes. Why did i like it? Do I love Cato? Does Cato love me? I'm interrupted from my thoughts when a short, pudgy man walks in.

"And you are?" I question.

"Quidbee. You must be-"

"Clove." I cut him off.

"Charmed." He says sarcastically.

"I'm not very good at making friends." I say.

"I noticed." He says coolly.

"So." I say before he insults me any further. "Are you here to make me look hot or what?" I say.

"Ha. Why? To impress the sponsors or your boyfriend?" He says.

"That's it." I mumble and jump off the table. He has a look of terror plastered on his face. I like that look. It really suits him. I pin him to the wall and reach into my pocket to feel for my knife. Crud. I'm wearing this stupid smock.

"You are so lucky I don't have my knife on me. You do not talk to me about Cato unless you absolutely have to. Understand?"

He nods, terror stricken.

"Good." I say and let him off the wall.

"So." Quidbee says casually as if nothing just happened. "My job is to make you look 'hot' as you put it."

I roll my eyes.

"We are going to dress you and...your companion...up as warriors. We need the sponsors to remember you, so you will be wearing gold armor and helmets."

Well, at least it's not orange, I think.

After what seems like forever in fashion tips, make up, and practicing standing in heels, I'm ready to go see Cato. Honestly, I can't wait to see him. Although it's only been a couple of hours, it feels like it's been forever. Probably because half the time I was getting yelled at by Quidbee and the other half I was yelling at Quidbee. I'm standing by my chariot awkwardly petting the horse and then the door opens. I look up, hoping its Cato, but it's just the district 1 tributes.

"Hey, district 2!" They say in unison.

"Jinx!" They yell at the same time and laugh. I laugh too because these guys could be useful allies.

"So, what's your names?" I ask.

"I'm marvel and this is glimmer." The tall brunette boy says. Glimmer. What a stupid name. Fits the blonde though, her eyes are practically glowing from all the makeup.

"Cool, well, I'm clove. Cato should be here any minute..." I begin but I trail off because Cato walks in. My full attention turns to him. He looks absolutely stunning. He's wearing the same gild armor and helmet as me, but somehow, he looks so much better in it. I must be staring because glimmer starts laughing.

"He is pretty hot, isn't he?" Se says flirtatiously, staring at Cato. I want to pin her to the wall and stab her for calling him got, but she isn't lying. No, what am I saying? I've been over this with myself a million times. I am not in love with Cato. But what was that kiss about? I'm about to get into an in-depth argument with myself, but then Cato walks up.

"Wow, you look pretty." He says. I assume he's talking to me so I smile. But then glimmer says, "Oh you do too, gorgeous!"

I look over at Cato and he is flashing glimmer a sly smile. I look over at marvel and he looks just as confused as I do.

"I'm glimmer by the way," glimmer giggles.

"Glimmer. That's a perfect name because you do shine. I'm Cato." He says.

Glimmer and Cato laugh and then marvel interrupts the conversation.

"C'mon glimmer, the chariots are about to leave."

"Kay Marvi. See ya later caty!" She giggles and walks away with marvel.

"Bye glim!" Cato calls after her and she turns her head and waves.

Marvi? Glim? CATY?

After they are out if earshot, I practically yell at Cato.

"What the HECK was that?"

"What was what?" He says casually.

"'Wow, you look pretty'? 'Glim'? Are you trying to make me jealous or something?"

"Why? Are you jealous?" He says and leans in closer. I slap him across the face.

"What the heck, clover?!" He says angrily.

I hold eye contact with him. We hold eye contact a lot, it's a good way of speaking without actually saying anything. Usually, we are looking into each others eyes with passion, need, and love. Now, I'm looking into Cato's eyes with anger, confusion, and, yes, well, jealousy.

"Don't call me clover." I mumble and storm into the chariot. Once I'm in the chariot, I glance at Cato. He has the same look on his face as he did after he put his hands on my waist. But instead of joining him, this time, I'm going to fight. Two can play at that game.