Melting Ice

Chapter 3

Cato

"Kayla...", whispers Clove. Her whole body is frozen in my arms with the occasional sob. I don't know how long she is clinging onto me for.
"Hey...", I finally say, "You don't know if it will be her. There are other victors, not just us two". I can't think of anything else nice and helpful to say.
"Tomorrow, I'm taking you out on a proper date. No cameras, no Capitol. Just us. How does that sound?", I offer. It's the least I can do.
"Perfect. 100% perfect".
In the morning, I wake earlier than I expect and earlier than Clove. She looks so beautiful when she is sleeping. Trying not to disturb her, I climb out of bed and go to the kitchen. I check the pantry for food and see that we have plenty. So, I decide to make Clove an omelette. This takes about an hour, including: the omelette itself, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, her medication(pregnancy), a rose and a hand written letter saying:
Dear Clove,
My love, not a day has past that I have not loved you. Our love is enteral even though it is not perfect. However, you are my definition of perfect and our child will be too. What ever the world throws at us, I will be by your side, ready to comfort or fight at a moments notice. Let this letter bring a smile to your beautiful face and I shall see you later.

All my love,
Cato x x x

I carry all this up on a wooden tray;Clove is awake and propped up on a few pillows reading a book.
"Good morning beautiful", I greet. She grins and puts her book back down on the cabinet.
"Good morning the manly definition of beautiful", she replies, "You have food...I like food", she jokes and wriggles her eyebrows.
"Especially for you. I have to run, I'm helping the new students at the training centre. They wanted you to come but I said no".
"I will be there in a bit".
"Don't rush baby". I kiss her on the cheek but, she turns her head so it lands on her lips. Her hands run through my hair and she kisses me again. I want to kiss her for longer and I say so.
At the training centre, I see a line of students. Jake introduces me to them one by one; I get to choose Clove and mines students. I go for a girl named Storm. She looks tough. And a boy called Xander who seems to of already built up some muscle. Without Clove, it seems quieter but in a bad way. She really lightens up the place. I go through the safety rules with them the, introduce them to Maia, Kayla, Chaz and Rocky; they are also in our group. The four go off the their usual stations as I ask what strengths Storm and Xander have.
"Anything sharp. I want death to hurt", says Storm.
"That's the spirit!", I joke although she seems to take my seriously, "How about you Xander?".
"I like throwing rocks! Once, I nearly killed my sister with a rock". It that a joke? Or should I call the peacekeepers?. Instead, I show him the weights and Storm the knives.
"Kayla. Do me a favour a help Storm with the knives?", I ask her.
"Okay", she replies with a sigh then busies herself with Storm.

Clove

Once I finish breakfast, I take a shower and pull on a plain black tank top, leather pants, combat boots, brown leather jacket then throw my hair up in a high ponytail then walk to the training centre.
I see Cato with the new students. They look tough. As I push my way past people, I get odd looks; it's either I'm 15(nearly 16) and 6(7 months tomorrow) months pregnant or I'm a victor. Everyone makes way for me, I guess the bump is pretty noticeable.
"Looking good babe", he whispers in my ear with his hands around my waist. I smile but not letting him see before giving him a quick kiss on the lips.
"Ew!", squeals a girl.
"That's Storm", he points to the girl, then to the boy, "That's Xander". I greet them both then let them continue with what they're doing. Cato seats on a beanbag and pulls me after him. I resist at first but finally give.
5 minutes later, I announce, "I'm gonna go throw some knives". The weight of the baby is getting to me but I'm not gonna let that stop me. My hand grabs the sharpest, slickest knives they can find. I'm careful not to do anything to violent but, this surely isn't too bad. I aim and....bullseys! This happens for all 6 targets; a round of applause follows along with some whistling curtesy of Cato. My cheeks blush for a moment before returning to normal. I search the room for Kayla, only to see her being pinned to the ground by a girl my age. Some about her reminds me.... That's it! She is the girl in the gang I fell out with before the games. I jog over to them and neither notices me.
I hear her say, "Is little Kayla going to be a victor just like her bitch of a sister? That idiot is wanted dead by the Capitol and so are you. Look around you little prick, no one can save you". They still can't see me as I'm behind a wall but, as soon as her hand reaches down the punch Kayla, I grab her by the collar and pin her up against the wall.
"What the hell was that?", I demand, "You think it's funny to pick on her? Well listen up, to me your as good as dead. If we were still in the games, I would kill you right here on the spot, but we aren't", I hiss, "Doesn't stop me from hurting you". I jab my knee into her stomach when she squeals in terror. My fist tightens as I smash her nose, making it bleed just like she did to me. She stares at my whilst the metallic liquid trickles to her lips. To be honest, I didn't hurt her too badly. She could be dead by now if I wanted her so.
Still with her body up against the wall, I hiss, "Don't you dare come anywhere near me again or you will be dead. I promise;I keep my promises". I release her from the wall and she kicks me in the shins but I kick her back harder. She comes to slap me but I'm pulled away by a great force. Suddenly, muscular arms are gripping me.
"Let go Cato", I demand only to feel myself even more restrained.
"It's not good for you or the baby. We are going home".
Not a single syllable is said on the way home. His hand is gripping onto mine like a child, not wanting me to run away. It's a lonely walk although I'm not alone. The sun is setting gradually by the time we are home. Cato fumbles for the keys at the door, I stand in front of the door, look him right in the eye and say, "You have every right to be mad at me but I just want to say tha-". My last word is cut of by his lips crashing into mine, his hands running up and down my body.
"What you did was amazing", he whispers into my neck which tickles. His kisses move onto my neck making a moan escape my mouth. Next, he lifts me up and inside; then into our room where he lies me down.
I won't go into too much detail of what happened next. Let's just say it was lots of fun...