Already Dead

Chapter 1: The Reaping

Chapter 1: The Reaping

Clove's P.O.V.

I wake up by a cool breeze that makes me shiver. I realize today is the reaping. I quickly get up to get dressed, but I find my body scared, frozen, and still laying in bed. I guess I'll go back to bed and get ready last minute, let my family wake me up. But I strangely stay awake, laying in bed thinking about the games. How every year two kids from my district have to go in the arena with 22 other tributes and fight to the death. I think about how that could be me, but I'm only 16. I don't plan on volunteering this year. I'll leave that up to Gianna, the 18 year old girl that always trains with Cato and me. Did I mention Cato? We known each other for years, he's 18 and I'm pretty sure he's going to volunteer. I know I'm going to miss him, but I know going in the games is his dream. I'll see him, when he comes back as the victor of the 74th annual games. Cato and I were always close and we always trained together. If he doesn't come back-- never mind. I won't think like this.

I find myself lost in my thoughts and I know that laying in bed won't do my any good, so I get dressed. I look at myself in a dark blue dress and gag. I'm not the type of girl that would get dressed up and put make up on and wave like a pretty princess. No, I'm a fighter. I'm a survivor, I like to get my hands dirty. You would never find me in a dress if it wasn't for the reaping. 

"CLOVE!"

I hear my name, but it's not from inside my house. My family wouldn't be awake. I look outside the window and find Cato there. Tall, blond hair, blue eyed, and so charming. I know I'm not suppose to have feeling for anyone that is obviously going to volunteer to be in the games, but I just can't help it. Mostly every girl in District 2 has a crush on him. I don't show my emotions to him, or anyone. I can't. I can't let everyone know that I'm weak... 

I open the window. 

"What are you doing?" I say with a smile.

"It's the reaping," he replies with a big smile.

"So?" 

"Just come on down," Cato says with a laugh.

I smile and close the window, hurrying to put my shoes on and running down the stairs. I find no one in my kitchen and sigh. I quickly write a note to my mom that I would be meeting her at the reaping and quickly grab a slice of bread. I walk out the door, but look behind at my house. My house that I grew up in. I remember that--. Dang it, I can't go down memory lane. Not now. I quickly lock my door and meet up with Cato.

"Hey," I say. 

"You look nice," Cato says with a wide smile.

"Same to you," I say looking at his tux. 

Cato puts his arm around me. I hold my smile in and let out some of my words, trying to make this conversation rolling. 

"Volunteering this year?" I say, knowing the answer. 

Cato looks down. "I actually don't know."

I look at him surprised. "C-Cato? What? You've been training for this all your life and you're just going to throw it away?" 

"I just want to stay here. With you..." Cato says.

I look into Cato's blue eyes. "Cato..."

"Do you remember our childhood promise?" Cato says.

I stop walking. "You promised to keep me safe," I say quietly.

"And that's a promise I'm always going to keep," Cato says looking straight at me.

I smile and nod. "Just don't throw everything you've trained for away. For me," I say. 

"It's my choice," Cato says. "I'm going to stay here."

I look down. Cato is throwing all his training away for me, at least he'll help me train I guess. But he always wanted to be a victor. I can't let him throw away his crown for me, but his choice been already made. At least he'll be here, at my side. I can tell that he has feelings for me and I kind of ignore them, but now it's time for that to change. I quickly kiss him on the cheek, without hesitation. I see Cato's eyes turn to me. Before I can talk, Cato kisses me back. But now on the cheek. Right on my lips. I feel his lips on mine and a smile creeps on my lips. 

"What was that?" I say in a quiet voice with a smile.

"I never thought that Clove could find anyone to love," Cato says with a laugh.

I punch him in the arm playfully. "Ha-ha, very funny."

"Are you ready for the reaping?" Cato asks me.

"No, but I'm not scared. With you by my side, I have nothing to worry about," I say with a smile. 

He smiles back and we continue walking.

As we reach the town square with the justice building I can tell we're late. All the kids are already lined up and everyone has been checked in. A few peacekeepers, I guess, knew we were missing and were waiting for us. The quickly check us in and I find myself in the line with all the other 16 year old girls. I look back and see Cato looking at me, he gives me a wink and a smile, and I smile back. Our presenter for District 2, Leena, does the regular routine, the video sent from the capitol and the mayor saying a few words. Then the reaping. I can hear all the people's heart racing, wondering who the tribute will be. 

"As always, ladies first!" Leena says bubbly. 

Suddenly, a rush of fear fills up my body. Why am I feeling like this? Why do I feel scared? I never put my name in there, I would never. But my name has been in there only 5 times. But now those 1 of those 5 can be drawn. I suddenly feel my fingers go numb, my heart starts to race, and my mouth runs dry. 

"Clove Sevina!" Leena says. 

My fingers don't feel numb anymore, my heart relaxes, and my mouth is filled with saliva again. But then it hits me, my name has been called. I am the tribute from District 2, going into the 74th annual hunger games. The reaping is full of surprises, because you never know. There are a lot of girls and boys that are wealthy here. They feel safe with all their belongings and their parents to pamper them. But there's one place where they can't feel safe. The reaping.