Melting Ice

Chapter 48

Finally, I make it out of Cato's arms and to the training centre. The same women gives a friendly wave and a, "Hello Clove", which I reply with, "Morning". Then, I make my way to the changing rooms and strip out of my jacket and legging to put on some black with a red strip shorts with the number '2' written either side, showing our district. District 2, were you can die in the comfort of your family. I next pull on the old trainer jacket with my name and position displayed across the back. For some reason, I kept it even though I don't work there anymore. Slowly, I make my way to the gymnasium, to the knives. I carefully inspect them, running my fingers over the blade, until one pricks my pale skin and I bleed a little. The black grip feels firm against my worn out hand as I take my place on the starting line, eyes focused and my body correctly positioned for when the beep goes, signalling my 30 seconds to hit as many bullseyes as I can. I grunt in desperation as one hits just outside the bulleye. Aim...bullseye! Bang! Bang! Bang! I throw more and more bullseyes until the buzzer goes off and displays the score on the screen above, "Clove Kentwell...28. Highscore...29". Damn it! So, so close! I stop myself from screaming loudly in frustration. Instead, I mutter swear words as I collect my knives, including my favourite sharp knife.
"I thought I'd find you here", says a voice from behind one of the many marble pillars. I tightened my pony tail and see Cato leaning against a pillar with the arm muscles tensed and crossed.
"It is were I told you I would be", I mutter as I walk over to him slowly, copying his arm crossing.
"Why are you acting like this?", he asks me, meeting me halfway.
"Acting like what?", I reply innocently.
"As if we have broken up", he blurts out as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"Well I sure hope we haven't!", I say laughing a little.
"Good".
"Good". Cato steps towards me and takes my hand in his, the other pressed against my waist. That's gonna leave fingerprints! Cato licks his lips lightly before leaning on to kiss me. To his surprise, I dodge it and playfully run away.
"Hey!", he laughs, "I'm gonna get you!". So now I'm running away from him, hiding behind pillars. I can't see him, he must be hiding. Keeping watch, I crawl out from behind and quickly glance around until a head of blonde appears from behind a door, then goes again. I pick up my pace so I'm running towards where I saw him last and his blondness.
The hallway leading from the gymnasium is very empty and unusually quiet. Portraits from past pictures hang up on the walls either side. Making my way down, I take a moment to look at each one. Abigail Jefforson...Arny Startson...Barnie Lithway...Benny Willis...Cane Kentwell. I release a small laugh at his portrait. He is still the same annoying boy! The portraits continue down the, what seems, endless hall. Isabelle Kentwell. Her old fringe hangs down just above her eyes, her white teeth sparkling. On the opposite side, district 2's brightest stars, mentors and trainers portraits fill up the wall. Midway, Cato and my names make an appearance. "74th Hunger Games victors...Clove Kentwell and Cato Hadley". They just had to choose that picture of me to paint, didn't they?
"Gottcha!", a male voice yells from behind, lifting me off my feet and spinning my around so fast I squeal. I feel his hands smoothly holding the hem of my top as I turn myself round.
"Now remember Clovers, we are madly in love so feel free to kiss my any time you like", Cato reminds me softly as if I don't kiss him enough. I curl my lips into a gentle smile then, tease him by leaning in to his lips but then move my head so he ends up kissing my hair; I let out a pathetic giggle.
"Did Clove Kentwell just giggle?", he jokes.
"No", I snort, "Why are you here anyway?".
"Because I miss you", he says holding me hand as I pick up my bag. We walk forward together.
"I can't kiss you 24/7", I tell him as we make our way outside.
"Well...", he mumbles.
"I have this afternoon free", I turn round and say this facing him.
"Movie marathon?", he suggests pulling me closer.
"Movie marathon", I agree