Secrets

Chapter Two

"Step onto the line if you have a weapon." Mr. Kent says, observing the class. Over half the students step forward, all with big smirks on their faces. Mr. Kent looks at the few who don't step forward, including me, "If you guys don't have a weapon, what is it that makes you different from the others?"

A girl at the end of the line says plants and some boy says strength, but Mr. Kent just nods with a hint of disappointment on his face. When his eyes land on me, I swallow hard, "Whats your super power?"

"Plants, I guess."

Kent just looks away and rubs his jaw. There are only six of us that didn't cross the line, but that means six of us are useless. He's probably wondering how we even got into this class. Mr. Kent looks at the other students and crosses his arms, "Six of you pick one of those students and you will train them in your weapon. Nothing special, just the basics."

Before anyone can argue, a voice speaks up and says, "Clove."

My eyes flick across the area searching for whoever spoke, but my confusion is settled with Cato steps forwards and looks at me.

"What?" I look at Mr. Kent, "I thought he couldn't train with other kids."

"She's right, Rauls, you aren't allowed to-"

"I can do it." he interrupts, looking from me to Mr. Kent.

Mr. Kent remains silent before nodding, "Alright, but if you get into trouble-"

"I won't," Cato looks back at me then motions for me to follow. I hesitate at first as my suspicion grows, "Are you coming or not?"

"Yeah," I mumble, "sorry."

Cato leads me over to the swords while the other five get picked by the other students. He slowly turns to face me once we've reached the rack of shiny metal, "I saw you."

My eyes quickly jump over to him, "What?"

"I saw you in the academy. You were the girl who snuck in. I know it was you. You're short enough to be recognized."

I give him a look, "It wasn't me."

"Oh really?" he narrows his eyes then grabs my wrist, showing the callous on my hands. "Then what are these from huh?"

I yank away from his grip and step back from him, "My mom is a gardener."

He snorts, "A gardener? You get this from-"

"Will you shut up?" I hiss at him.

Cato smirks, "If it wasn't you, then why are you getting so mad?"

"You picked me because you wanted to help me learn a weapon. So can we fucking do that please?"

"Ouch, so hostile." Cato picks up a sword slowly, his grip tight on the handle. I rub my face in annoyance then grab a sword. Cato chuckles when I observe the handle, "Used to something a lot smaller I presume?"

I glance at him, "Shut up."

"Like a knife?"

I point the tip of the sword at his throat, "I said shut up."

"What are you gonna do? Stab me?" Cato's cocky grin grows as he pushes aside my sword with his sword, "You need to relax, Rivers."

"Don't call me that. It's Clove."

"Whatever, sweetheart."

I swing the sword at him in a shaky way and he blocks it laughing, "Be careful there, you don't know how to swing that thing. Could hurt someone... or yourself."

"I don't care." I fume.

"Well, you should if you don't want me to tell Mr. Kent over there where I saw you."

"It wasn't me!" I yell, slamming my foot down.

"Who else was it then, Rivers? Alana? Valerie?" he outstretches his hands and motions them around the gym, "I'm not an idiot. I know it was you."

I set the sword down and start walking away but Cato's grip on my wrist pulls me back. I yank it away and shove his chest as hard as I can, but he hardly moves, "Can you just leave me alone?"

"Can you be honest with me?" his voice is much quieter now. He looks over my face and I scrunch up my nose.

After a few seconds of silence, I respond, "It was me."

Cato lets out a breath of air and crosses his arms, "I knew it."

"But," I look away from him then back at him quickly, "please for the love of god keep it a secret."

"A secret? Why should I?" he narrows his eyes, "You snuck into the academy to train with knives. How am I supposed to keep that a secret."

"Because no one knows I do that, Cato." I drop my arms and run a hand through my hair, "Look, if you tell anyone you will regret it. I promise."

"Why is that?" he hums, a small smirk on his face.

"Because.... because I'll volunteer."

At first, I think he's gonna start yelling, but when he breaks out into a fit of laughter I look around the gym hoping attention doesn't draw to us. He holds his stomach and wipes away at his face, "Gosh, so now you're a comedian?"

"What's so funny?"

"You think I'm afraid of someone like you volunteering for the games?" he strides closer to me.

"You should be," I mumble, his face now inches from mine.

His blue eyes pierce into my green ones, his voice is low when he speaks, "Prove it."

"I-I can't." I stumble out, looking away from him.

"Exactly why I'm not afraid of you." He backs up and gives me a nasty look. "You're all talk and short. Nothing about you scares me. Not even that death glare you're giving me right now."

I ball my fists, the words fall out of my mouth before I can think, "Fine. You want me to prove it? I will. I sneak into the academy every night around ten. If you're there. I will show you. I'll prove to you that you should be afraid."

He stares at me for a bit, a questionable gaze on his face, "Alright," he nods, "ten then. I will see you there."

I just nod, "Now, can you do what you were asked and teach me the swords?"

Cato shakes his head, "No. I can't train with other students."

Before I protest, he turns his back to me and walks back towards the swords, "Screw you, blondie."

He glances over his shoulder, "Right back at you, Rivers."