This Soon Shall Pass

Parties and Personal Problems

Slate's POV
I jolt out of my dreamless sleep to the sound of shrieking. I groan, pondering going back to bed. Before I can finalize my decision, I hear my door creaking open and in walks Willow.
"Slate? Are you awake?" She asks.
"Sadly, yes." I reply.
"Aren't you worried about Clove? This is the third night this week she's screamed in her sleep."
"She's fine."
"No she's not."
"You're what? Ten? What makes you think you know better than me?"
"It doesn't matter how old you are: if someone is screaming in their sleep, they're not okay."
"Nightmares are common. You'll understand when you're older."
"I'm gonna go help her." Willow states and leaves my room.
"Ahhhhh!" I exclaim into my pillow before getting out of bed and following Willow to the other end of the hallway. If there's one thing worse than one sister screaming, it's one sister screaming and the other crying.
"I can handle it. Go to back to bed." I order. Willow stares at Clove's door, then me, before eventually turning around and walking back to her room. I sigh as I open Clove's door and the screaming gets louder. I shut the door behind me and turn on the lights. I walk over to Clove and grab her flailing arms. She immediately wakes up and starts gasping. She looks at me with wide eyes as I hold her still.
"Do you hear me?" I ask. She nods her head as she continues to hyperventilate.
"Good. Here's what's true: your name is Clove Sevina. You're the middle child between Slate and Willow. You have a mom and a dad. You're in bed in your room in Area 2. You are not in the Hunger Games. The people you care about aren't dying. You are safe. Anything that I have not just said is false. It's not happening. It's not true. Do you understand?" I explain. Her hyperventilating begins to slow down as sobs start erupting from her mouth. I sit on the edge of her bed as she falls forward into my arms. Great.
Glimmer's POV
"And you're sure your mom doesn't care that you're throwing a party while she's away?" I ask Cato as he and Sagara set up the bar.
"I mean, I didn't ask, but she's been on this bonding kick with me recently so I figure as long as the house doesn't get destroyed it's fine." Cato explains.
"I need a drink." I state and make my way behind the bar as Clove walks in, exhaustion written all over her face. She immediately flops down on Cato's couch.
"Sevina? You doing okay?" Cato asks, leaning over the couch to look at her. Clove groans in response and covers her face with a pillow.
"Forget I asked." Cato mutters with more venom than I would've expected. I glance at Sagara, who shrugs. Cato joins me behind the bar and takes a shot of the first thing he sees.
"Cato, what's up?" I whisper as Sagara slowly makes her way over to Clove.
"What do you mean?" He quietly replies, leaning his elbows on the bar.
"You know what I mean." I reply, mimicking his movement.
"It's complicated."
"She looks awful."
"How sweet of you to say, Glim."
"You know what I meant. The Cato I know would never walk away from Clove when she looks like that. Have you two been having problems?"
"I don't want to talk about this."
"Well, too bad. You have to talk to someone about your relationship problems and since your best guy friend is AWOL and your best female friend is your girlfriend, that leaves you with me or Sagara."
"Although I would love discussing my relationship problems with my ex girlfriend-"
"Give me a break-"
"That would imply that I'm in a relationship, something that Clove has made abundantly clear isn't the case." Cato spits and flings the shot glass he'd been holding against the wall, shattering it. Sagara jumps up at the sound.
"Do we need to go outside?" I ask. Cato's face gets progressively redder until he storms out of his house.
"I've got the glass." Sagara states and I nod as I follow Cato out the door.
"What the heck was that?" I ask once I find Cato halfway down the street. He turns to look at me in the middle of the road.
"I can't stand this anymore." He says.
"Can't stand what?"
"This. All of this."
"Did you and Clove breakup?"
"Breaking up implies being together."
"Stop with all of the vague garbage and tell me what's going on." I order and watch Cato slowly shrink as he calms down.
"She... she doesn't want me."
"Explain."
"Every time I want to do something like kiss her in public, she refuses. It's like she's embarrassed of me."
"Cato, that's not true."
"Isn't it? What other reason would Clove have for only wanting to act like a couple when we're alone?"
"I don't know but you and Clove have been partners for practically your entire lives. If she was embarrassed by you, don't you think she would've found a new partner by now?"
"That's professional. I'm a great partner: I'm strong, I'm great with swords and spears, I'm charming, I'm loyal. Every girl in Two wants to be my partner. Personally though, I don't know. Maybe once she got to know me on that level she just... lost interest."
"Cato, that's literally insane. Forget being partners, you two have been best friends for years. You're inseparable. She's known who you are on a personal level for years. There has to be another explanation."
"I've tried to think of a different reason for weeks."
"You two have been fighting for that long?"
"Not consistently. We can go a week or two without a fight and it'll be fine, but the moment that can of worms is opened..."
"And you've told her how she makes you feel?"
"No."
"No? Why not?"
"It's weak. I'm Cato Hadley, my reputation relies on my self-confidence. I can't tell her that she makes me feel bad because she won't kiss me in public, it's lame."
"Yet you'll tell me?"
"You're my friend. It's different."
"How so?"
"Clove and I just became... whatever we are. I can't trust her with that yet. You and I have been friends for years. You don't have an expectation of who I'm supposed to be. You know who I am."
"Cato, do you realize that when we were together and Clove was your friend you pulled this same crap? You'd tell Clove everything that made you upset and I would just be given some bogus story even Willow wouldn't believe."
"That was different."
"You're right. That was different. You and I weren't compatible. We both knew you were waiting on Clove and I was someone to be with in the mean time."
"Glim, I'm so sorry about that."
"I know. Don't be. Sure, I ended up falling for you, but deep down I knew I was just sad that Marvel didn't seem to care."
"What's your point?"
"My point is that you have trust issues. The moment someone gets too close to seeing the real you, you freak out and shut down. Once you do that it's only a matter of time before some stupid fight implodes the relationship."
"This isn't stupid. She... I feel like I'm doing everything wrong but all I'm doing is being myself. Clove has never made me feel this way before."
"Then talk to her. Tell her how you feel."
"Glimmer-"
"If you want this to work-"
"Of course I want it to work-"
"Then you have to be vulnerable. You have to trust her with that side of you that you lock away from the rest of the world."
"I don't know how to do that."
"Only you know how, Cato. I can't tell you that."
"Crap."
Lanni's POV
From: Marvel
I'm outside.
I begrudgingly remove myself from my bed and look out the window. Sure enough, Marvel's car is parked in my driveway. I take my phone and call him.
"Why are you here?" I ask.
"We need to talk."
"About what?"
"You know what."
"Don't you have a party to get to?"
"A party thrown by my ex girlfriend's ex boyfriend."
"So instead you're badgering your other ex girlfriend?"
"You're the lesser of two evils. Just come down here, I know you were invited to the party too."
"A trap, I'm sure."
"Come on, Lanni. Isn't senior year all about forgetting petty drama?"
"That's laughable. Coming." I hang up and get ready as quickly as possible. After telling my parents where I'm going, I get into Marvel's car and he pulls away from my house.
"You didn't show up on Friday." Marvel states, not making eye contact with me.
"I know." I reply.
"Why not?"
"Marvel, you know why not. I'm done, I'm out."
"You can't be out."
"Yes, I can."
"Lanni, I know Finch did some sketchy stuff-"
"She nearly cost my dad his job, maybe even his life. She clearly didn't think of the consequences for anyone but herself. I have a good life. I'm not gonna risk it for her."
"You don't mean that."
"Yes I do. The Hunger Games could quite literally kill me. I still have nightmares from last year and I was barely in it. No way I'm putting myself through that again."
"The only way for you to join the rebellion-"
"I said I'm done, Marvel. With everything. I'm moving to Seven once I graduate and that's that."
"You can't just avoid what's happening by moving to Seven. That dude can't protect you."
"That dude is building a life for me. He wants to marry me and have kids with me. He has a job."
"He still can't protect you from a war."
"And you can?"
"They can."
"Did they send you?"
"You're changing their plan. You're a wild card. Of course they sent me." Marvel replies as he parks near Cato's house.
"Well if they really want me on their side, they'll find a way for me to move to Seven." I say and get out of the car, not looking back as I enter the party.
Cato's POV
The music is pumping as more and more people enter my house. I notice Sagara talking to Marvel and grunt, heading towards the other Area 2 seniors.
"Where's your better half?" Victor asks as he hands me the ball they're using for beer pong.
"Not sure. What about yours?" I reply.
"Adrianna? I think she's one of the girls dancing in the basement."
"Figures." I say and erupt into cheers a few minutes later once Victor and I win our round.
"Wanna go again?" Victor asks. Before I can agree, I see Glimmer waving me over.
"Maybe later." I reply and pat him on the back as I make my way over to Glimmer.
"What?" I ask.
"Clove is here. She's talking to Sagara and Marvel." Glimmer states and I tense, remembering the fallout from earlier today.
"I didn't think she'd show up."
"Sagara said she was more sad than angry this morning. I don't think she likes fighting with you any more than you like fighting with her." Glimmer admits and I sigh as I see Clove from across the room. Clove crosses her arms over her chest once she catches me staring at her.
"This is gonna suck." I mutter as I begin to walk over to Clove.
"Good luck." Glimmer calls after me and I grunt. As I reach Clove her resting scowl deepens into a frown and I tilt my head to the side in response.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, crossing my arms.
"Can we talk, in private?" Clove asks, looking down.
"Sure." I say, Clove following me upstairs and into my room. I close the door behind me and lean against it as Clove sighs.
"I don't want to fight." She says.
"Me neither." I reply.
"I just don't understand why you're mad at me. I don't like... being physically affectionate in front of others. I never have."
"I know."
"So then what's the problem? Did you really expect me to kiss you in public?"
"I'm not asking you to kiss me, but acting like we're at all together would be nice. And if the time is right I would like to have the option to kiss you even if there's a risk of people seeing."
"But why?"
"Why? Because I want more than what we already have. Don't you?"
"Yes-"
"Then what is it? Am I really that unattractive? Am I that embarrassing?" I exclaim and she slightly shrinks.
"Cato-" She says and I put my hand up.
"No, I get it, really. Ha ha, Cato admits doubts about his appearance." I mock and turn away from her, trying my best to not hit the door. I can feel Clove's hand on my shoulder moments later and I let her slowly turn me around.
"Cato, I wasn't going to make fun of you. You know me better than that." She says calmly, her hand returning to her side.
"Then what? What do I need to do for you to want me? I'm so tired of not being enough. Not enough for my mom to care, not enough for my dad to stay, not good enough to do the one thing I've been working towards my whole life, not good enough of a friend to Marvel for him to believe I'm not out to get him, so bad at being your partner that you have to rely on Lover Boy to get the full support you need... nothing I do is ever good enough. Nothing." I admit, quickly regretting it. I never meant for her to know that. It just all toppled out. I wait, in terror, for her to react.
"Cato, you are so much more than enough. You... You're the only reason I've made it this long without completely falling apart. You looked after my sister for months and you protect me from Ajax at every turn and you've basically decided I'm winning the games, implying you're not... I don't know what I did to deserve someone who would do all of that for me. My problems with PDA are not because you're not enough or because I'm embarrassed of you or because I don't want you. Far from it." Clove explains and I feel the knot in my stomach start to lessen.
"Then what is it? What am I doing wrong?"
"It's just... I'm not good with the whole showing off part of being with someone. Maybe it's just me, but I don't feel comfortable being affectionate in order to establish to everyone around us that we're... physical. I don't know."
"Is that why you think I want to do those things? To show you off and prove a point to people?"
"Is that not the reason?"
"Not at all. Why would you think that?"
"Well, with Ajax-" Ohhhh.
"I think it's safe to assume that anything you went through with Ajax is not how a real relationship works."
"Oh. I didn't know. Ajax was my first time with any kind of relationship."
"That doesn't count as a real relationship. So he would... show you off? Like a piece of meat or something?" I ask, my fist clenching as I recognize the pain in Clove's eyes. Her hand begins coaxing my fist to unclench by calmly stroking the top of my hand with her thumb. I eventually let her fingers slide in between mine, clenching my jaw instead.
"I guess it was stupid of me to assume that anything he did was normal. I've been trying to push it down, but I can't. I'm sorry. He would just... hold onto me too tightly and call me his girlfriend and kiss me and other things in public just because he could. And I know you're not the same as him, but I can't help it. I guess I'm just broken." She says, shrugging as tears well up in her eyes and her breathing quickens.
"Clover, you are not broken. Not at all. I should've known better when you said you weren't comfortable. I should've thought about your past and that asshole. I'm so sorry." I say and pull her into my arms.
"I want to be the person you want as a... girlfriend. I just... can't."
"We can go as slow as you want. I just needed to know what you wanted."
"Okay."
"And... Clove, when I want to be affectionate with you in public, it's because I care about you. I don't really know how to explain my intentions because it's just... an impulse, I guess. It's the same reasons why I'm affectionate in private, just in public." I add and can feel her arms hold me tighter. I smile and kiss the top of her head. We're gonna be just fine.
Lanni's POV
I leave Cato's basement in search of water and a nice place to cool down. I go to the kitchen, pour myself a glass of water, and walk outside. I gasp a little bit at the cold, but welcome it after being trapped between a dozen sweaty girls in the humid basement.
"Lanni? Are you okay?" Glimmer asks as she joins me outside.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you care?" I reply, shocked at her interest.
"You're my friend."
"We haven't hung out since before Marvel and I got together."
"I know, and I'm sorry about that. I got caught up in boys and lost sight of myself, you know?"
"I get it. I heard you and Marvel broke up. I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
"Can I ask why? He just seems so miserable I can't imagine it was mutual."
"He... I wasn't a priority for him. Once summer ended and things started to get a little busy he'd just drop our plans for no reason."
"That doesn't sound like Marvel. He'd never cancel plans unless someone was dying."
"Maybe you meant more to him."
"Hah. You're joking, right? The entire time Marvel and I were together he still had a crush on you. Even when we broke up he was more mad that it was right before your party than upset I had cheated."
"I don't know about that-"
"What were his excuses when he canceled plans?"
"Ugh, he barely even tried to come up with good reasons. He would just say something came up or errands or sometimes no excuse at all."
"Huh. Weird."
"I know."
"I'm cold. I'm gonna go back inside. I'm glad we talked." I quickly say as I go inside and track down Marvel. I find him sitting on the stairs, grab his arm, and drag him up the stairs. I don't let go of his arm until I find an empty room and close the door.
"Lanni, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Marvel asks as I turn on the light and lock the door.
"We're not hooking up, relax." I state as I turn to face him and his red face.
"Well, yeah, we're not hooking up. Even if you hadn't said that, we wouldn't be hooking up."
"Would you relax? I just talked to Glimmer."
"My two ex girlfriends were just chatting. Oh I'm really calm now."
"You let Finch ruin your relationship with Glimmer."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do. Canceling plans for no good reason? What else did you have to hide from her?"
"I would forget we made plans or my mom would need me to go to the store-"
"Please, you would not ditch Glimmer to go grocery shopping. Any idiot on the street would call bs on that."
"No one outside of the five of us is allowed to know." Marvel admits after a few moments of silence.
"I knew it-"
"I had to lie because things like the sledgehammer would happen within moments of my plans with Glimmer so I'd panic and say I had errands. I know it was stupid, but I didn't know what else to do."
"I can't believe this. Finch's garbage ended the relationship you've wanted since forever, and you're still doing her bidding? You of all people should know how I feel."
"What we're doing is important-"
"No more important than your relationships with the people you care about. You've barely hung out with the Careers since your breakup and I'm supposed to believe that's a coincidence? That you're hanging with us by choice?"
"That situation is a lot more complicated than my breakup with Glimmer."
"Still. You're not happy, Glimmer isn't happy, your friend group isn't happy, and it's all because Finch didn't care about anything but her plan."
"Finch didn't make me ditch Glimmer, Lanni, I did that all on my own."
"Because Finch wouldn't want anyone else in on her special plan. Admit it. I'm right." I say and Marvel crosses his arms in front of his chest. I mimic his action and raise my eyebrow.
"What we're doing is for the greater good. Once I can talk about it, I'll explain to Glimmer."
"If we can ever talk about it, what makes you think Glimmer would care?"
"Hope."
Sagara's POV
I find Cato and Clove at the beer pong table, Cato and Victor from 2 playing against Brandi and Radiance, both from 1. I join Clove in watching the match and roll my eyes as Adrianna loudly cheers whenever Victor gets the ball in a cup.
"Amazing shot, baby." Adrianna coos and kisses Victor for the millionth time. I share a look with Clove as she fake vomits into her drink.
"You know, Clove, there's nothing wrong with supporting your boyfriend." Adrianna comments and Clove snorts.
"It's beer pong. Victor has been training for the games since he was six. There's nothing impressive about him throwing a ball into a cup." Clove remarks and Cato chuckles as Brandi gets a ball in one of his cups.
"Whoa there, Sevina. I'll have you know this game is incredibly difficult once you're on round five and have lost four out of five times." Victor teases, faking offense.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. How could I forget?"
"Apology accepted."
"Beer pong wasn't my point. I just mean that a good girlfriend knows how to put her boyfriend first." Adrianna sneers and I can't help but scoff.
"And now I'm shutting up." Victor states as he drinks his and Cato's last cup, signifying Brandi and Radiance's win.
"I knew better than to talk in the first place." Cato adds.
"Well we can't all be perfect."
"Put her boyfriend first? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Clove asks.
"Oh of course, how would you know? No guy has ever taken an interest in you before. Don't worry sweetie, it's a learning curve, and Cato is a great teacher." Adrianna comments. I forgot they used to date. I can feel Clove tense beside me, but she doesn't back down. The boys seem too terrified to breathe.
"You know what, Adrianna? This is Cato's house, which means it's his party, his music, and his guests. Do you really want to be antagonizing me right now?" Clove says calmly, a menacing smile on her face.
"So what? You'll get Cato to kick me out? Victor will just follow me out the door, won't you Vicky?"
"That's not necessary. Adrianna, can you get me some water? I don't feel so good." Victor says, his face turning slightly red as a few of us chuckle about Vicky.
"Aw, is Vicky feeling sicky?" Adrianna says in a baby voice, causing anyone listening to snicker as Victor's face becomes the color of a tomato.
"Yes... Vicky is feeling sicky." Victor mumbles as Adrianna gives him a quick peck and leaves to get the water.
"Vicky?" I ask.
"Dude, why do you stay with someone like that?" Cato says.
"Hey, we all have our reasons. I won't defend her when she's out of line, but I'm not gonna insult her either." Victor replies.
"Relax, man."
"I'm just tired of everyone asking me that. I don't ask why any of you date the people that you do, and boy there have been some question marks. I like her, she likes me."
"We get it, Vicky. She's got a side of her we don't see, but you do. We'll shut up now." I order and Cato falls silent.
"Thanks. I'm gonna go find her." Victor says and walks away. At the same time, Marvel walks over to us.
"Have you guys seen Glimmer recently?" Marvel asks.
"Why do you care?" Cato replies, crossing his arms.
"Because no one has seen her in half an hour. That's not like her. I want to make sure she's okay."
"Fine. I'll look with you." Cato says and the two of them take off.
"That reminds me, I need you to help me resolve this Marvel problem." I tell Clove who immediately groans as she sits on the nearest couch. I sit down next to her.
"What?" I ask.
"This day has been so freaking long and so full of drama and emotions and I just want it to be over." Clove exclaims as she looks at the ceiling.
"I take it things with Cato are...?"
"Fine. They're fine now. Thanks. This is all just a lot. I'm not used to having this kind of drama in my life. I'm used to watching this kind of drama unfold and making fun of you or Glimmer or Cato or Marvel for ever putting yourselves in this kind of situation. It's exhausting."
"Aw, our little Clove is growing up."
"Oh shut up. I'm so not in the mood."
"You're never in the mood." I giggle as Clove chuckles.
"You're right. As usual. How am I supposed to help resolve the Marvel problem?"
"Well to be honest, I'm kind of over being mad at him. I'm not sure I was ever really mad at him to begin with. Sure in that whole you hurt Glimmer by being stupid so you have to die way I was pissed, but personally Marvel and I are fine. And I don't think Glimmer really wants us all to be mad anyway. She just seems ready to move on."
"That's fair."
"But I know you and Cato have other reasons to be mad at Marvel, so I guess I'm just hoping that you three could make up?"
"Why not ask Cato?"
"Is that really a question?"
"No. I wouldn't mind putting the Marvel thing to rest. Anything at all related to last year I'm ready to put to rest."
"What about Cato?"
"I'll talk to him, but, and this stays between us, I don't think he's really mad at Marvel. Marvel and Glimmer's relationship problems aside, the only reason Cato got so offended was because he regrets a lot of last year. He and Glimmer both do, probably because Marvel is still upset about it to this day. And before December he and Marvel were really getting to be close. There's no way he doesn't miss that, right?"
"Right. And just so you know, I think you're handling your first relationship pretty well."
"Thanks. I just want all of these people to go home so I can go to damn sleep. If they're not gone in the next half hour I might as well walk home and go to bed."
"How did you even get out of the house? I thought between Slate and your mother it was practically prison."
"I'm sleeping over at Glimmer's house, in theory. My mom wanted to call Glimmer's mom to clarify, but Slate and my dad talked her out of it."
"Slate?"
"Yeah, he's been acting like an actual brother recently. It's weird."
"Maybe being back home made him realize what he's been missing."
"Or he knows that he and I are both most likely competing in the games so he wants to be on my good side for the arena."
"Not everything is strategy, Clove."
"It is to a Sevina."
Cato's POV
"Did you find Glimmer?" Clove asks as she joins me in the kitchen.
"Yeah, she was outside thinking. Sagara is with her now." I reply and begin to chug a bottle of water.
"That's good. How was looking for her with Marvel?"
"It was... awkward and tense." I say and throw the bottle away.
"I'm so tired of things being awkward and tense." Clove says and leans her elbows on the counter.
"What do you mean?" I reply, walking around to her side of the counter and leaning my back on it in order to face her.
"There's always something with us, you know? There's always tension and fighting and passive aggressive comments and drama. I'm tired of it."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying... can we just move on? I'll deny it if he ever asks, but I do miss Marvel and I know you do too. It's our senior year and we've spent most of it being apart and it's just..."
"Stupid. You're right."
"I know." Clove remarks, smirking as I chuckle and shake my head at her.
"And they say I'm the conceited one-" I'm cut off by Clove coming in for a kiss, I being too stunned to react before she pulls away, her face red.
"Thank you." She says quietly and I smile.
"I haven't even done anything yet."
"I know, but you will." She states confidently and I lean my forehead against hers, beaming.
"Awww." Glimmer says as she walks in and we break apart.
"Stop." Clove orders as Glimmer continues to giggle and bounce.
"Sorry, sorry. I just came in here to say that most of the crowd is starting to head out. Sagara and I have already started cleaning up." Glimmer says.
"Good. The quicker we clean, the quicker I can sleep." Clove comments and leaves, Glimmer bouncing again.
"Thank you." I say.
"You're so very welcome!" Glimmer exclaims as she skips out of the room.