The Story of Us

Chapter One

Cato's PoV 

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I sigh. Today is Reaping Day. I'm already eighteen so it'll be my last time to get in the Games. Honestly--if I'm not reaped, I don't want to volunteer. I know my parents, my father especially as he's paid so much for training school, want me to win this year. But then again money isn't an issue for Father, he has so much money from his winnings that he can afford my school, and extra training without it making a dent in our budget.

I think about this morning at breakfast and what Father said. "There has to be a winner in the Jacov family son. There has always been one and there always should be." His real meaning? Win or regret it. I've had three other brothers who have been in the Games. Two older and one younger. None of them came home, which means that now my parents expectations all ride on me.

Sometimes I wish I could be a normal kid. That way, this girl I like could maybe view me differently than she does now. She goes to my school, and I train with her everyday. She's smart, beautiful, intelligent, talented. And I think I could have feelings that are more than friendly towards her. But I never think she will feel the same way because she has developed a view of me as snobbish, rude and conceited. Which is completly not true and unfair as she hasn't even tried to get to know me.

I look out the window of our car as we drive to the Town Center where every reaping is held. I step out of the car and into the bright sunshine. It's almost blinding after being in the dark vehicle for so long. I blink my eyes and gradually get used to it. Everyone is already assembled. So I have to hurry to hear the first name called. "And the female tribute is..... Clove Laurel." My heart drops to my stomach. Oh no. The Capital lady, Kyrsta, continues; "Are there any volunteers?" I know no one will volunteer because Clove is a favorite of previous Game Victors. So everyone wants to see if she is worthy of their favor and see if she can win I guess. The seventeen year old I think about so much walks to the stage. She is confidant in her stride, but because I've trained with her for so long I can detect the real meaning of the little twitches her hand makes. She doesn't want to go into the arena. I didn't want her to go in either but what can I do? Think Cato.

I try to think of a way to help her when Kyrsta continues, "And now for the boys." She pulls out a card and reads, "Niam Hunter." A scrawny boy of about fifteen years slowly makes his way to the stage. When he gets on it the Kyrsta again calls out, "Any volunteers?" Why is she asking this question? Every year, for the boys mostly, volunteers are the ones who go into the Games. Before I can think about what I'm doing, before anyone else can volunteer, I yell out "I volunteer!" Kyrsta responds, "What is your name young man?" "Jacov. Cato Jacov." She beckons me with her hand to come up to the stage with her and Clove. No one will volunteer again or risk upsetting my father. And no one wants to do that as he owns half of District Two and has shares on the other half.

I get onto the stage as the boy Niam runs off. He seems grateful almost. Clove shows no emotion. She keeps her eyes fixed on the crowd ignoring me completly. Great. I know as soon as the camera's are gone she'll blow up at me. But I don't care. I'm going in to protect her. I plan on getting her out no matter what. She can hate me now and get on with her life without me if I die. But I know if she dies, my life will be over. I can't live everyday not seeing her. She means so much to me.