Head Over Heels

Chapter 6:

Clove :

Everyone is making they're way towards the District square for the reaping. I turn around to mum and dad who currently are tearing up. 

"Bye." I say trying not to sound nervous or upset. 

"Bye my little Clove." Mum says as she almost bursts into tears. 

"Don't be sad, I'll see you when you come to visit me in the room they take tributes, ok?" 

She doesn't reply but simply just nods her head, sniffling. Dad however says, "Clove. I'm proud of you, I always will be. My brave little soldier." I smile up at him give them both a hug and give little Pheonix a hug too, he doesn't quite know what is going on. Too young I guess. 

I make my way out of the house, take a deep breath and start to merge myself into the crowd of people going to the reaping. There's tons of us, all 12 to 18 years old. Im ther pretty quickly as the walk from my house to the square isn't at all far. I go and stand in one of the queues to sign in. I hate this part they have to prick your finger to get a blood sample so they can match your identity to who you 'claim' to be. I stand in wait.

Cato :

I can see her, she's in the line opposite me waiting to get signed in, near the front. I can't help but smile and laugh a little as she steps up looking reluctant to get her finger pricked. I wish I could be with her, tell her it's ok. Maybe if I sign in quick enough I can talk to her just for a few minutes, it's the last time she'll she me till after the games. Not that she would care. I hope she would. I do.

The line goes quicker than I expected and I'm 3 from the front. 2. 1. I step up gift my hand while the lady gets the device and jabs my finger. "Ow." I say quietly trying not to screw up my face. They say that the smaller the cut, the sorer. Guess that's true. It's not bleeding to much and I think I'll survive so I make my way and see if I can find Clove.

Clove : 

I want to find Cato, say goodbye. I look up to the reaping countdown clock. "10 minutes left." I shuffle around, partially because im nervous, partially because I'm excited and partially because I want to find Cato.

Through instinct I can feel someone creeping up behind me, I quickly turn around before they can get me incase they're trying to kill me.  

"Awwww, I was trying to scare you Clove!" Cato says in a playful yet childish way.  

"Cato!" My voice sounds worried, scared even as I hug him tightly burying my head into his chest. Quickly I back away, realising what I just done.  

"Oh, umm, sorry, I just ..." 

"It's ok, your nervous I get it, everyone is." He says, laughing, "Anyway I liked it." 

He smiles. I smile. The clock ticks, signalling our separation. 2 minutes left. 

"Well I best go and stand with the guys, may the odds be in your favour Clove." He hugs me tight.  

Butterflies. 

"Thanks, may the odds be in your favour... Cato." 

I don't want to let go, don't want to say goodbye, but I must.

The timer goes off and everyone moves to their groups; boys on one half and girls on the other, youngest at the front going backwards.

I look off into the distance and I can see the Victors Village. I’m going to be living there. I’m going to be living there with Cato! I focus my attention back to the present.

Everyone is silent.

Canasis our district reaping spokesperson takes to the stage. As usual he looks as wacky as ever; light green hair, purple tinted skin and this strange looking blue suit. He walks towards the microphone and starts to speak.