Melting Ice

Chapter 5

District 12

Before we walk out on stage, I'm in a room. No windows and a barely visible door. This is suppose to calm me down before I make my appearance. Minutes later, Cato is pushed through the door.

"Hey", he says. I don't bother looking up at him. "What happened to your arms?", he asks. The peacekeepers grip was very tight and then I was digging my nails into my arm for distraction anyway.

"Brianna is now on the victory tour with us by the way", he adds. I grunt under my breath. He grabs my hands and tilts my chin up.

"Stop it. Stop being angry, your the best thing that has ever happened to me. I won't let you out of my sight".

I can't help but give a small smile then whisper,"okay".

We walk out on stage, hand in hand seeing faces of disgust and disgrace. Without releasing his hand, I begin talking, "Cato and I would like to thank you all. Without all of you, neither of us would be here". We are then supposed to say something about the tributes. "I have to admit, I wasn't the most friendliest towards Peeta or Katniss. I'm sorry for you loss".

The other districts fly by us and by the time we get to District 1, we are exhausted. I am dreading walking out on stage I front of Glimmer and Marvels family. But, if I want to live, I must. Lillian gives me a dress: the bottom half is golden glitter and the top is silky Snow White. Glittery high heels match a long with the clutch bag and jewellery. I have my hair in a plaited bun with a golden flower. I would love to yell and curse once again at the audience but I do my very best to keep myself sane, Cato helps.

"Stay calm babe", he tells as we are waiting for the big silver door to open onto the stage, "Just read it and we can go and never return. You got that?".

"Stop talking to me like I'm wounded", I tell him.

"Don't act like it then. I know it's hard for you but what about me? Marvel was an okay guy you know".

"I know, I know, I'm sorry", I apologise.

He pulls me into his arms and whispers, "It's okay baby, it's okay".

Just before we walk out on stage, I quickly give Brianna a kiss whilst she is in the arms of Lillan, "See you in a bit", I tell her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the victors of the 74th annual Hunger Games: Clove Kentwell and Cato Hadley", booms a voice as the door open, exposing us to faces of hate and death.

I begin to read the same speech out for the last time, "Cato and I would like to thank you all. Without all of you, neither of us would be here. Glimmer and I may not of gotten on as well as we both expected but she was truly a wonderful person deep down", I lie trying to not burst out laughing, "Marvel was a good guy and I wish I knew him better. He showed mercy to the little girl, Rue. I did know her, very briefly".

As I begin to walk away, Cato steps forward, "What Clove didn't mention was that although we weren't close to either of them, is that they will always have a place in our hearts. Thank you". As he walks away, he grabs my hand and squeezes gently until we get inside, away from the drama.

"Well done you two", Lillian says, "Brianna hasn't stopped wiggling since you left!", she laughs as I cradle her.

"Thank you, how much time do we have before the train leaves?", I ask.

"Half an hour. You might want to change into something for Capitol like before we arrive".

"Of course", I tell her before Cato and I head back to the train. Just as we step on, something gently squeezes my butt...Cato! I playfully punch before we go our separate ways into our rooms to get ready.

My room hasn't change since the last time I saw it and I'm thankful, one less dramatic change in my life. I see that a cute outfit for Brianna has been laid out: and ice cream dress and ballet shoes, for me I choose and black and pink dress with frills everywhere and matching shoes. It's nice to be back in these clothes but I also miss being free to choice whatever I desire.

Once both Brianna and I are dressed, I knock on Cato's door and walk in.

"Hottie", I say as I put Brianna to rest on his bed.

"Not as fit as my beautiful Clovers", he says in a dark sexy tone. I lift my chin up, hinting for him to kiss me and he does, I bite his bottom lip gently and his hands fiddle with my hair.

"I love you", he whispers.

"You too Hadley".

The train leaves promptly 10 minutes later after we are done kissing. We put Brianna down for a nap considering it will be a 2 hour journey this time and walk back into my room. Cato instantly flops down on my bed, gesturing me to join him. We turn the television on in the background, some Capitol soap I guess.

"Do you remember that time we first met in the meadows?", he asks me. I rack my brain until I find the memory.

"How could I forget?", I say before quickly kissing him. He kisses me back on the forehead.

"Thank you", I tell him.

"What for", he asks while he pushes me over onto my hand. I grab his arms and attempt to push him away.

"Keeping me alive", I say.

"Your very welcome Clove", he replies and kisses me on the nose.

"A nose kiss?", I laugh.

"Yes a nose kiss".

"You want a fight?", I ask him.

"I though we were to mature for that?".

"Never", I say as I gently kick him.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't a full on hand to hand combat war, it was a tickle war...

By the time we are in the Capitol getting ready, each one of us was been smothered in gift and/or blinded by eyes, metaphorically speaking, of course but it sure does sting. Both Cato and I refuse to bring Brianna to the party as we don't know what type of creeps we will discover throughout the nights. Thankfully, Lillian has family out here and they are very happy to watch Brianna just one night.

As usual, I'm drowned in makeup and am transformed into Clove, the victor not Clove, the girl who fricking hates the Capitol. A black and sliver dress flows down my body in silky layers. The top half is quiet revealing, I have to admit but I deal with it. The shoes are more my styles: back and gold. They are still high heels but look more of what I would wear back home. The jewellery really makes the outfit whole with it's blacks and golds. Cato is dressed up in similar colours as me but in suit form.

The party itself is held as Presidents Snows palace; I have never seen anything so beautiful before, besides Brianna and Kayla. All walls are white as if the represent purity, I laugh at that. Although, with the splashes of red, I make an acception.