Clato: Cuts Beneath the Surface

Chapter 8

Favian stays away from me the morning of the tournament, only pausing at the door to wish me luck. I guess that's a good thing. I am too focused on fighting to worry if he is mad. Funny how I have no fresh bruises and only now wonder if he is angry. I scarf down a banana to keep my muscles from getting stiff and jog to the academy.

I'm dressed in a green, close fitted top and stretchy athletic pants. Today we are allowed to chose our outfits in order to stand out from the crowd. I spot Ralae sucking face with Cato--and dressed in a skirt. What an idiot. She won't be able to move without showing everyone her underwear. So I guess it's a fairly normal outfit for her.

Cato sees me and breaks apart from Ralae with an apologetic smile. He comes towards me, raking a hand through his honey blonde hair.
"Trouble with the Mrs." I tease and he sighs.

"I know you don't like her much but please make an effort," Cato says.

"Why should I?" I'm feeling snarky today.

"Because I make an effort with you," he grins and I punch him playfully on the arm. We stand in comfortable silence watching the younger kids duke it out. They will go one age category at a time and as 18 is the most important we will be last. I'm barely 17 but no one comments. Good. I can beat anyone, older or not.

"Why do you hate her so much?" Cato breaks the quiet. I sigh inwardly and turn to face him. For a Career he's not very good at hiding his emotions.

"Because of all the things she's done to me. I know you don't want to hear it, but Ralae is not a nice person! I don't understand why you put up with her."

"So that's what you think?" Cato's face turns an angry red. "That she's just a mean girl? That I'm wasting my time? We may not be that serious but what about the next girl Clove? We're friends, you're supposed to make an effort. I'd do the same for you." He's staring at me intently now, blue eyes crystals in the bright lights. I'm new to this whole friend business and I know it can't last. But maybe if I get on Cato's good side I can trick him in the arena.

"I just think you deserve better." I say quietly. I meant it to be a mind game to keep him happy for the Games and am surprised to find myself meaning it. Cato smiles genuinely, the kind he only does when it's just the two of us. "And I am not dating anyone anytime soon so you can just forget about that Mr. High and Mighty."

"Ooh Clove now I know what to get you for Christmas!"

"If some random guy shows up on my door I will butcher him and send the remains."

Cato laughs and laughs.

Finally, it is our turn to compete. For Tournament the trainers like to keep us separated by age and gender. It makes things more interesting. With the 73 games over and the victory tour nearly a month away people are desperate for entertainment. Nearly half of District 2 has turned up to see me beat the crap out of Ralae.

But the boys are up first so I will have to be patient. My knives itch against my skin, a silver whispering that follows me wherever I go. I watch, bored, as several guys throw each other around, only sitting up when Cato takes his opponent down in half a minute. He really is that strong.

Cato takes down another half dozen guys and makes it into the final. I watch with baited breath as a monster of an 18 year old named Roni takes to the mat across from Cato. Cato has to win. If he's not the best guy we are never getting into the Games. Less than a minute into the fight it's clear my fears are for nothing. Cato throws Roni like a sack of potatoes, golden muscles rippling.

Cato aims a well placed kick and Roni goes down for good.  The auditorium of the academy erupts with applause. Argus and Roni are shaking Cato's hand. Ralae rushes towards him but I grin as he shrugs her off. Instead, he pushes through the crowd to find me.  
"Beat that," he smirks at me but I smile and brattily whip my hair back.