Welcome to Panem

Chapter 7

2 weeks later – Cato POV

"Cato! You playing attention? Shouldn't you be trying to catch up after your... terrible incident," snaps Glimmer, an exaggerated fake "I feel sorry for you" look plastered across her face. I know she doesn't feel the slightest bit sorry for me or Clove, especially considering she recently got together with Gale. Man I despise them both – the two worst people in the world now a couple. "I'm terribly sorry Miss Snow," I reply sarcastically, causing her to frown as suppressed sniggers spread across the room. Great. Now she's going to work herself up into a strop just to get me into trouble. But instead she sighs, flicking her hair and continuing with her presentation. Didn't expect that, maybe she's finally done with me and Clove. Or maybe she's just leaving us alone with all the shit we've been through, waiting to strike just when we think things are returning to normal. That sounds more like her. May as well enjoy the freedom whilst I can. Speaking of freedom, I haven't seen my dad in forever; once I finally got out of hospital a week ago, all I was left with was a note on the counter, a rushed words scribbled across it: 'Going away, food's in the fridge and don't get into trouble,'. Wow not even an apology. Thanks dad. Pretty much the rest of the day is a bore, spent daydreaming and contemplating on life. I've not seen much of Clove today as we only had one lesson together and I had basketball all lunch; that's why I'm really looking forward to this evening. Finnick is hosting a big end of year summer party and our whole friendship group is staying the weekend meaning I get to spend two nights with Clove! Well and the others of course. But I can't deny that I'm looking forward to spending time with Clove the most. After what seems like forever, the day comes to an end and I find myself strolling over to her, dressed in my other sweater seeing as my old one sort of got... drenched in blood. Smiling, I plant a kiss on her lips and she hugs me, "how are you doing?" Damn she is the sweetest. "I'm good, bit of a boring day but this weekend is gonna be amazing,"

"I know right, I can't wait!" she exclaims. "Especially for spending time with you," she adds, her cheeks flaming crimson. I find it adorable that she still blushes; it just makes me love her even more. "I can't wait to spend time with you either, mouse," I smirk, and she playfully slaps my arm, "you too lion." We begin our stroll home, it's a while until the party starts so we have plenty of time to spare, although I'm sure it will take her a year to get ready. Typical girls. I just wish I could spend more time alone with her, because I really do love her so much. "How was your day then Clover?"

"It was ok I guess..." she trails off and I know there's something she's not telling me.

"What is it?"

"It's just.. Gale.."

"What did he bloody do? I'll beat him up tonight for you," I joke, although mark my words, I will.

"He just ... well he sits next to me in art and..." she begins to tell the story of how she was sat, minding her own business and Gale purposely spilt paint over her work. She's a phenomenal artist and I know her work is everything to her, he's such an asshole. Then she went to tell the teacher and he threatened her saying he would get Glimmer to pass messages to the principal about her or me. And I know for a fact Glimmer has her dad wrapped around her little finger and anything she says goes. He then annoyed her for the rest of the lesson, messing with her and whispering threat after threat. Reminding her that now he had Glimmer, he had power. "he's.. he's just an ass," she finishes. Just what I was thinking. "I'm so sorry Clove, I promise I'll do whatever it takes to get him off your back," She smiles and we stop as she embraces me, laying her head on my shoulder. "Don't get yourself hurt for me," she whispers as I stroke her hair. "Don't bet on that one Clover," I simply say. I would take a bullet for her, whether she liked it or not. She's my life, my heart, my soul; and I vow to never lose her.