Born to Die (Clato Fanfic)

Chapter 7

"How was that one!" 

"Too much power, just like the last two!" I yelled, rolling my eyes. 

"Fine, I'll do another." Cato said with a laugh. 

"Just don't get it stuck up high in the tree again! I shouted, a smile twitching at the corners of my mouth. 

"Oh please, I know we both can't climb.

Cato and I had been training together for at least  two months now, and it had gone surprisingly well. I guess once I got over the fact that he had once practically killed me, and realized we had a lot in common, it was easy. We started with just talking more at the academy, but with Cato's graduation coming up we knew we had to train more. So, we decided to train in Cato's backyard. Cato's yard matched his gigantic house perfectly. I couldn't stop admiring the beautiful architecture, and design. It was a work of art compared to my garbage pile of a house, and I looked forward to my time there. His parents were both Hunger Games victors which made a lot of sense. 

 Cato mainly needed help in knives, which he still could not get. To finish top eighteen year old, you would have to be amazing in every weapon, and Cato's knives were really letting him down. He was improving though, with my help. After the academy, we would take all our supplies out back, and set it up, trying not to waste a second of time. Then we'd usually start with knives . I would sit in the lower branches of his Oak tree, yelling commands and laughing at his failed attempts. Later we'd eat dinner, in the branches of the tree. Cato and I sat side by side, the branches bending from our weight, and devoured the meal. Cato's mom made the best food that left you craving more when you hadn't even finished. I made sure to bring leftovers back for my father, who would probably just eat sweets for the rest of his life if I let him. The thing was, Cato's mom didn't care. She actually said she always wanted a daughter, and she made me feel like I belonged there. Training with Cato was the best thing that ever happened to me. 

"It's getting late," I observed, "I should probably head home now." 

Cato stopped throwing, and turned toward me. "Are you sure? You can stay the night, we'll practice tree climbing. We seem to really need to work on that." 

I laughed, and hopped down from tree. I had slept over at Cato's house plenty of times before. I was afraid it would be awkward, but it turned out to be just fine, even fun. "Nah, I need the sleep."  He agreed and guided me out of the yard. 

"Bye," I shouted over my shoulder, as I headed off toward home. 

" I'll see you tomorrow." he said, and I could practically hear his smile. 

And he did. I would spend every tomorrow with him , and every tomorrow after that. What were the odds, that two kids that wanted to kill each could become best friends? 

The annoying part with being friends with a boy is that everyone seems to think you're dating. Victor even came over to me at the academy, to say that he gave me permission to date Cato. I had told him, that first of all, we weren't dating and second, I didn't need anyone's permission, for anything. Once I brought my knife into the picture, he hadn't bothered me since. 

I really wouldn't have minded dating Cato. I may have had a little crush. It's not like I stayed awake at night,  thinking about how is hair shines in the sun, or how his arms tense up when he throws the knives. Nope, most certainly did not. He had kissed me. Was it possible he was in love with me? These sorts of thoughts had been clouding up my mind lately. I did my best to slap them back into place. 

A few weeks later, it seemed that Cato had finally gotten the hang of the throwing. 

"Did you see that one!" He called pointing at the board with a knife near its center. 

I smiled broadly. "Yes!  Almost as good as me." 

"Oh, I'll never be as good as you." 

"That's probably true," I agreed. 

I tossed him another knife, and he eagerly took it. 

"This one will land right in the center, right in the red circle." He shouted.

I clapped and cheered pretending to be his massive audience. 

"This one is for my fans!" He added.

I laughed as he let go off the knife.

"Aw, so close. Hand me another one." He said with disgust. 

"This one for sure?"

"Yep." 

I watched his muscles ripple down his back as he warmed up some throws. His hand tightened around the blades handle. The knife whipped through the yard, slicing the air. Until, it landed into the board, deep and definitely in the middle. 

"Yes!" He hollared dragging me down from the tree branches. My body was pressed up against his as he spun around, and around, and around. "You, Clove Sevina, are the best knife trainer ever," he whispered into my ear. 

"I know," I muttered, into his skin. 

He finally set my down, just about when I thought for sure I would pass out from dizziness. He kept glancing back at the board, excitement exploding in his eyes. Eventually, we both tumbled to the ground our heads dizzy from so many spins. 

"What do you wanna do?" he asked, sprawled out beside me in the grass. 

"What do you mean?"

"In celebration, of your training, and my amazing skills." 

"Oh," I said, surprised. There really wasn't much to do in 2. We were so loyal to the capitol that all people seemed to do was work. 

"I think there might be an ice cream shop down by the Nut. Wanna go?"

"Sure." I said, trying to recall the last time I had ice cream. It was probably when my mother was still alive. 

"Well we better get going!" He yanked me up with him, and I followed him out and onto the road.

The victor's village, where Cato's family lived was not far from the Nut, making it a short walk. The Nut used to be the main source of mining for district 2. Now it serves as a military base, holding all the Capitol's weapons. It just so happens that it's where most of the shops, and businesses are located around. 

"Here we are," Cato called pointing to a small building next to a large bakery. My stomach rumbled with hunger, as we stepped into the shop. The sweet air made my head spin, and I realized I had forgotten to eat lunch today. 

"Hungry?" Cato asked.

I nodded and instantly headed over to the display cases. 

"Clove, what do you want?" He asked standing next to the counter. 

"Whatever you're getting." I answered not taking my eyes off the desserts. 

"Two chocolates please." Cato said to the man behind the counter. 

The man grabbed two crispy cones and placed two scopes each, in both. He handed one to each of us, and Cato placed ten coins on the table. The man smiled, as we headed out. Cato led me to the curb, where we sat to eat. 

"To our amazing skills." he said lifting his cone.

I lifted mine but burst into giggles. 

"Come on you gotta say it." 

"To our amazing skills," I said trying to imitate his voice. 

We clinked cones, and laughed as bits of the dessert flew onto the pavement. 

"Now we enjoy our achievement." He cheered. The delicious flavor that exploded across my tongue, told me I was enjoying it pretty well.