Born to Die (Clato Fanfic)

Chapter 9

I stared blankly at the floor under my feet as my heart beat out of my chest.
What am I going to do? This is a disaster.
I certainly had not expected my dream to turn into a nightmare.

I was leaning up against the wall, and the sofa standing next to me was not inviting. In fact, the whole room was giving me uncomfortable shivers. My eyes wandered to the windows where I could make out the rows of children being dismissed to go home. They were all talking excitedly, and couldn't wait for the games to begin. I, on the other hand, could most certainly wait.
My visitors would be arriving soon, to say goodbye before I was sent to the Capitol. I couldn't stop imaging the peacekeeper awkwardly opening the door to tell me that no one was visiting me. For some reason the thought was amusing. I giggled to myself madly, until someone busted open the door.

"You've got two minutes!" The stranger said as he pushed someone inside.
Oh great, my first visitor.

"Clove! I'm so proud of you!" My father said as he stepped inside the room.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"It's so cool that Cato was picked too. Now you'll have a friend in the games!"

I was gonna punch him.

"Are you excited? Oh, you must be! This is a big deal!"

I kind of half shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."
All I could think was please, stop talking.

"Your mother would be so proud of you!" He shouted as he hugged my small body.

My mother. He just had to say that.
I was not in the mood for him. Not at all, and he made so many mistakes. My mother would not be proud, she's dead. "If you didn't stab her, she would be here." I whispered. I hoped he heard it, and his face said he did.

"Clove, how many times do I have to say I'm sorry?"

"Saying sorry for KILLING someone doesn't make it better." I stepped away from him watching the shock devor his face. I didn't care, the anger was bursting out of me.

"I was drunk."

"You always were." I said almost casually. I didn't really want to start a fight, but he was making that very difficult.

"I'm not anymore. Her death woke me up. I haven't touched a drink since."

"So, it's a good thing she died?!"

He angrily ruffled his hair, and closed his eyes. "No, I'm saying that I regret everything. It wasn't the real me. I would give up anything to have her back."

"So, you could abuse her more?" I was on fire.

"CLOVE!"

"Thirty seconds!" The peacekeeper said, popping his head in.

"Why are we talking about this now? We should have talked about this years ago. Why can't this wait?" He said sadly.

"Because I might not come home!" I yelled turning away from him.

"Don't say that!"

"Why would you care now! You've never cared about me! NEVER! You never ask me how I am, you didn't talk to me for three years, you never, once in my life said you loved me, BUT NOW YOU SUDDENLY CARE!?"

"Of course, I love you! Clove, please, I'm supposed to be saying goodbye to you, let's not fight."

" I'M NOT DONE! NO, YOU DON'T LOVE ME, YOU JUST NEED ME! ADMIT IT! YOU WON'T SURVIVE A WEEK WITHOUT ME!" My voice stabbed the air, over and over as I got louder and louder. "You know, mom said you would get better, everything would work out. She lied." I hissed.