Vindictive | Chapter 14

Droplets of rain splatter against the roof of my car creating a pitter-patter noise. The weather forecast says that it’s mostly clear tonight so no one really expected the sudden downpour. But by the time I reach Clove's house, the place is packed with kids from our school and the party is already on full swing despite the bad weather. Excitement rushes through every vein in my body so I hurry to find a parking spot.

Lucky for me, a couple leaves the party early vacating the space on Clove's driveway. I take it immediately as the rain continuously pours. It’s not really that heavy since it’s almost summertime but it’s enough to soak anyone who stands under it for too long.

I kill the engine and I catch sight of Clove looking out her window before disappearing. Pulling my black jacket over my head, I open my car door and head out into the rain, the droplets already creating huge splotches on my clothes. I shut my door with an unintentional slam and lock it.

“Fuck.” I mutter as the hem of my jacket gets stuck on the door.

I glance up at the sky and it’s really not hard to tell the rain won’t stop any moment soon. It’s starting to soak my clothes as well and I can’t go to the party looking like I just came out of the shower fully clothed.

As I unlock my car and had freed my poor jacket from the door, I hear the usual sound of shoes coming in contact with the puddles of water on the ground. Split, splat, it goes.

“Cato!” The oh-so-familiar honeysweet voice calls out to me. “What are you doing out here? See, you’re drench!”

Clove hovers her black umbrella over us as her arm envelops my waist. She guides me towards the front door treating me as if I need some kind of assistance. When we finally reach her porch, I discard my jacket and hang it on the railing to dry.

“Look at you,” Clove says, running a hand through my wet hair. Her hand slides down to mine and she tugs on it, telling me to follow her inside. “Come on, I’m sure dad has some clothes for you to wear.”

Just thinking about wearing something of Brutus's makes my skin crawl. How can I survive the night knowing the fact that I’m practically wearing my parents’ murderer’s clothes? I don’t want to catch any disease or infection from that filthy old hag. I shake my head at Clove and smile.

“No, it’s fine. It’ll dry off eventually.” I say, taking a fistful of my shirt and waggling it.

“Are you sure?” Clove raises an eyebrow as she eyes me up and down. “I don’t think you’re going to dry fast, Cato.”

“Clove,” I sigh, “when I say I’m fine, I really am. Trust me.”

She raises her hands in defeat. “Okay, if you say so.” She sends me another doubtful look before picking her umbrella up and closing it.

“Aren’t you supposed to be going back inside? It’s your party after all.” I say, taking a quick glance at the window and I almost laugh when I see Marvel attempting to do pirouettes and splits on a coffee table.

“Nah, I think I’ll stay.”

I turn to look at Clove and I see her biting her lip and her cheeks are a bright shade of red. I’m pretty sure that statement was meant for herself only and it wasn’t her intention to voice it out. But I’m glad she did because with the way she said it makes me feel like she rather stay with me than enjoy her party inside. Call me arrogant or cocky but I have a feeling the reason she put this up is to probably spend more time with me.

All of a sudden, a loud crushing thunder follows the lightning and Clove literally screams at the top of her lungs and lunge herself onto me. I immediately wrap my arms around her securely.

“Clove, it’s just the thunder.” I tell her. All this are foreign to me since Clove put up this image of a strong girl who is not afraid of anything.

“I know. It just surprised me, is all.” She answers pulling away from our embrace. “I think you’re right, we should go inside.”

I grab my jacket from the railing and with a nod; Clove and I head inside to join the ongoing party.

* * *

I enter the house and the first thing that welcomes me is a bunch of silly strings being sprayed by a few people. While Clove and I make our way to the kitchen where the drinks are, most of the strings fall on my head that it almost become annoying to always have to reach up and remove it.

Clove notices my disturbance and she smiles reassuringly at me. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell Dan to cut it out. I swear that guy has some crazy obsession with silly strings that he never goes to a party without it.” She says opening a cooler to take out a beer and pouring a small amount in a red solo cup. She hands it to me.

“Do you usually hold parties like this?” I ask taking the cold beverage from her. I look around and my face scrunches when I spot a couple in the corner feverishly making out. It also seem like they can’t get their naughty hands off of each other.

“No, this is like my second time.” She answers as she pours herself a drink this time.

I bob my head.

“My maid isn’t really happy about the idea of me hosting a party but…I’m a teenage girl. I need to party sometimes.” Clove speaks up once again before taking a quick sip. “That’s why I gave her that coupon for a spa this morning and told her to have a day off for two days.”

I totally agree with her statement. Her maid should let loose most of the time. Clove is a year away from being eighteen and she can make decisions for herself and do things she wants to do. Not trying to sound rude but I think by the time the girl becomes a legal adult, she’ll probably want to live by herself and kick the maid out. Like she told me, she’s independent and having a maid around the house really isn’t her idea of being it. I bet she’s feeling like she’s being babysat every time.

“Well to be honest?” I start. Clove puts her cup down on the counter and she leans on it, her hazel eyes focusing only on mine. She never looks away, not even for a millisecond. “I think you should give her more day offs because this party is so sick!”

Clove smiles and it isn’t long before it turns into laughter. “I really should start taking your advices Cato because that is actually a pretty brilliant idea.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. “I think the school paper’s advice column better watch its back. Someone better is coming.”

I am so catch up in this new little world Clove and I had built together that I actually forget I’m in a party and the intimate couple is still on it in the corner. Seriously, one of them shall be in desperate need of oxygen by now!

“Clove! Cato!” Marvel's voice booms over the loud music as he maneuvers his way through the crowd to get to us. He notices the same couple and is disgusted by the surplus display of affection. “Hey, stop sucking each other’s faces! Or at least get a room. We have some innocent eyes around and you may not want to scar them for life. Horny teenagers.”

I burst out laughing and I know tears will build up soon enough. I look at the girl in front of me and she has her arm around her stomach that is probably aching from laughing too hard. We’re both trying to gain our composure but the looks on the couple’s faces are just too priceless.

Once the laughing finally dies down, Clove sighs in contentment. “That was…that was ridiculous. I can’t get over it.” She comments, giggling.

Marvel comes in between and wraps an arm around the both of us. “How are my adoring friends doing?” He slurs, taking another swig from his own red cup.

“I’m doing good.” I answer.

Marvel gasps and looks at me with pure horror. “Good? You should be feeling spectacular!” He pauses. “Like me!”

“You’re smashed, Marvel.” Clove states, taking his arm and pulling herself away from it.

“No I’m not, I’m just having fun.” He counters.

Marvel unwraps his arm around my shoulders and trudges back to the living room where most of the party is taking place. Clove and I watch as he dances tipsily to the rhythm of the song. Sometimes he will grab a random girl and will spin her before turning away and doing the same with another one.

“He can get a bit berserk when he’s drunk.” Clove notifies me.

“I can see that.”

Clove excuses herself to refill her cup and promises to be back soon, but she never does. I’m guessing Annie or Madge or anyone found her and dragged her with them to the living room. I know I shall not be thinking about these kinds of thoughts but I can’t help but to think, what if Clove's friend is secretly a matchmaker and decide to pair the girl with a random guy? What if they click in an instant and become a couple in the future?

While these thoughts swarm inside my mind, I put my cup down on the table and head to the living room. I need to find Clove; I need to keep her close. I may be a bit paranoid but as my feelings for Clove strengthens so does my desire to protect her.

I know I’m only feeling extra protective because with Clove's stunning features especially if she’s looking that gorgeous tonight in that figure hugging red dress, she’s bound to attract a lot of boys.

* * *

By the time I get to the living room, I stop by the entrance in total surprise. Clove's lebensraum is nowhere near its normal state. This is a party so this should be expected, but what I’m seeing now is definitely worse.

The room is trashed like someone attempted to vandalize it. Red plastic cups everywhere, beer stains on the carpet and furniture, a few picture frames are broken or disarranged; the coffee table looks like it’s going to give in and the small loveseat is ripped causing for the foam inside to protrude.

This sure is one hell of a wild party.

I scan the entire room and I don’t see any sign of the girl. I walk through the crowd, dodging a few arms that almost hit me while the person dances, and sometimes trying to keep some cups from spilling its content on me. All the while my eyes move around in hope to find the girl I’m looking for and see if she’s doing okay or what her friends dragged her into.

Annie passes by me and she raises her arms up while hooting when she realizes who I am.

“Cato!” She greets. “Didn’t know Clove invited you. Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought you guys aren't getting along really well.”

I chuckle. “We worked everything out so we’re fine now.”

“Good job! I always knew you had it in you.” Annie gives me a wink. “I’ll see you around.”

“Wait!” I call her back. Annie briskly turns around and stalks over to me, a huge grin playing on her lips. “Have you seen Clove?”

Annie rubs her chin in thought while her face scrunches up. “I think I saw her with Dan. They were heading upstairs.”

“Oh, okay.” I answer. “I guess I shouldn’t bother them, right?”

Annie shoves her cup into someone’s chest before gesturing me to lean closer with her finger. 

“I’ll be honest with you, Cato.” She whispers. “I know you like Clove and everyone in the school knows Dan as the motherfucking whore who sleeps with the entire female population, so I suggest you go and bother them because both of us won’t like the idea of that asshole getting his hands on our dear friend. Understand?”

I nod my head dynamically.

Annie simpers triumphantly. “Then what are you still doing here? Get your ass up there and save your demoiselle from the abominable beast!” She waves her hand dramatically before walking away.

As soon as she turns her back on me, I hurry up the stairs with the hopes of not being late.

I set foot on the second floor and the first thing that comes to my mind is that this can be a little hard. There are too many doors and if I try to open them one by one, I’ll be surprised with all the possible things I may see.

Kicking the first door open, I sigh in relief when I see no one. The room is completely empty and appears like it’s been untouched. Probably this is Clove's parents’ bedroom as it is so big it can count as a master suite.

I try the second door but even before I can open it, I hear a faint cry of a girl’s coming from the room across where I am. I immediately run towards it having recognized the voice. From the moment she mentioned Dan a while ago, I felt this uneasy sensation down my gut and right then, I knew I couldn’t trust the guy. And he has proven my speculations right tonight.

“Dan, get off me!” Clove cries as Dan struggles to keep her in place. I know that judging by his muffled shouts of commands.

I burst through the door and my eyes lock with Clove in an instant. Relief washes over her as Dan’s face reddens in frustration. I stalk towards the bed and take the bigger guy by the shoulder to remove his weight from Clove's small body. This action only infuriates him further.

“What the—!” Dan exclaims.

His sentence is cut short when I lift my fist and punch him square in the face. Dan’s face remains facing right as I help Clove get to her feet before guiding her out to the door. I actually think that Dan isn’t going to fight back when we manage to exit the room without him advancing on us.

But I thought wrong.

Clove screeches when we both topple over to the floor caused by Dan kicking me on the small of my back. I scramble to my feet as Clove runs into Annie and Madge's open arms, both ready to comfort the petrified girl.

“Who do you think you are, huh?” Dan interrogates me, grabbing a fistful of my shirt to lift me up. “You think you’re so tough you can defend Clove?”

I look around us and I notice that we had gathered a massive amount of audience. I think ninety percent of the party stopped whatever they were doing downstairs just to watch the commotion happening right here.

“Asshole.” I struggle to form my words as my neck is slightly tense from the way Dan is grabbing my shirt, attempting to keep my feet inches from the floor.

“What did you just call me?” Dan asks. He drops me down before backing away to remove his football varsity jacket. He pump his arms and throws a few punches in the air, while stretching his neck from side to side.

“I called you asshole.” I reply. “It fits you very well.”

Dan bellows in aggravation, his fist swings to hit me but I duck just in time. I copy his actions from a while ago and pump my arms as well.

“You missed.” I tease.

All around us the crowd starts to cheer for their chosen guy. I hear Marvel screaming my name and encouraging the others to do the same. In a short amount of time, almost everyone is rooting for me.

“Dan come on, you’re better than that.” One of his friends tells him. 

Dan's jaw clenches.

“Yeah, you’re better than that.” I mock.

Dan’s bony fist collides with my nose. He isn’t satisfied enough with what he’s done so he grabs both my shoulders and knees me on my crotch. The acute pain in my nose is enough to keep me imbalance and I end up stumbling on the floor. While I try to rise to fight back, Dan’s humongous feet alternately kick me on my back and on my stomach.

“Dan, stop it!” I hear Clove's voice loud and clear despite everyone’s vociferous cheers. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Serves him right for calling me an asshole.” He answers.

“Well, you really are an asshole!” Clove spats. I feel her hands circling my arms in order to help me on my feet.

I wiggle out of her grasp and as Dan turns his back on me to probably celebrate his victory, I grab his shoulder to spin him around and pin him hard against the wall. He doesn’t have any time to react when my fist comes in contact with his jaw four continuous times. He attempts to fight back but I manage to send him another punch but this time in his stomach.

“Cato, stop. Now.” Instead of Clove, Peeta who suddenly comes out of nowhere grabs both my arms and pulls me away from Dan. “You’ve taught him well enough.”

I wipe the blood my nose with the back of my hand as I allow Peeta to drag me to the nearest empty bedroom. Clove follows and so do the rest of my friends.

* * *

“Oh my goodness, I heard what happened!” Katniss comes storming inside the room, her eyes full of trepidation. “Cato, are you okay?”

I nod at her. “I’m fine. I just had to teach that douche a lesson for harassing Clove.”

Now it’s time for her to worry about Clove. She reassures the worried brunette that she’s fine but Katniss still wraps an arm around her for comfort.

“I’ve always known that guy couldn’t be trusted.” I voice out. “Why did you agree to come with him anyway?” Looking only at Clove, I address her.

“He forced me! He told me that if I didn’t come with him, he’d tell everybody that we…that we were…oh gosh, I can’t even bear to say it.” Clove flunks down on the other edge of the bed and massages her temple.

Madge comes to the girl’s side to rub her back as Katniss goes to the bathroom to dampen the cloth she found. She comes back a moment later and sits beside me. I wince in pain every time she tries to clean the bloodiest part of my face, which is my nose.

“Can you guys please give us a moment alone?” Clove requests.

Katniss stops cleaning my face and hands the cloth to Clove. The group silently leaves the room afterwards.

“Come,” Clove says, having noticed that the rain has stopped. “You need some fresh air.”

With the bloody dampen cloth in hand, Clove steps out into the balcony and I follow. I close the glass sliding door behind me before boosting myself up to sit on the thick stone railing.

“You shouldn’t have done that, you know?” Clove speaks as she gently presses the cloth on my face to clean the remaining blood.

I recoil when she touches the bridge of my nose. “I know. I just…I just I can’t imagine myself having fun downstairs unbeknownst to the fact that you’re being harassed.” I explain.

“How did you find out anyway?”

“I asked Annie. You were suddenly gone when we were talking in the kitchen so I just have to find you. She told me she saw you being dragged upstairs by Dan. We never really approved of that guy.” I respond.

Clove nods, finally putting the cloth down. I jump off the railing and place her there instead which makes her giggle.

“Can I ask you something?” Looking up at her adoring hazel eyes, I question.

Clove nods as she bites her lip.

“Did you and Dan have something before?” I search for any emotion in her face. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t feel like talking about it. I’m totally cool with that.”

I know Clove's hesitating.

“Dan was…” She inhales deeply. “He was the only guy that I liked ever since seventh grade. I remember sitting next to him in class for the whole semester. Our teacher was fond of letting her class share stuff with each other and I always end up sharing with Dan. He never really talked to me nor looked at me that much because like I said, I was an outcast back then. So by the time sophomore year came around, I guess I became ‘pretty’ and Dan finally noticed me. He found out about my long-term crush and he took advantage of it. We started dating and he was really sweet to me for the first month of our relationship and after that, he just became…distant. In the end, I found out via Madge and Peeta that he was only using me. The reason? I quote, ‘trying to satisfy my outrageous hormones.'”

Clove lowers her head. I stand in front of her and put both my hands on either side as if I’m caging her with my arms. I reach for her chin and make her look at me. She avoids my gaze.

“Look at me.” She doesn’t obey. “Clove, look at me.”

She hesitantly meets my eyes and I can see tears starting to well up. She won’t be in this state if we didn’t talk about Dan. I gave her the option to not answer my question but she did anyway. Perhaps she just wants to let it all out. Maybe this is one of the things weighing her down and she needs to take a breather, a break from all of it.

“Dan is a dick. He doesn’t deserve someone like you and he’s better off with an empty-headed bitch. But I’m telling you this, Clove. You’re a very beauteous and amazing girl, who doesn’t need anyone’s protection because she can fend for herself; who likes to do things her way and have raised herself to be independent; who has a tendency to ruin or make someone’s day better; who cares and loves every person she meets. Well, maybe not me but…what I’m trying to say is that, you’re the opposite of Dan and someone like you just don’t fit with someone like him. You deserve better than that.” I speak out, never breaking eye contact with Clove.

“Someone like whom?” She asks. I don’t know if she’s aware of her actions when she places her hands on my shoulders, pulling me closer.

“Someone who cares about your whole being; someone who is willing to protect you no matter what happens; who will stay there with you when everybody else leaves; someone who is willing to make you happy because they can’t withstand seeing you so down; someone who will listen to your ramblings even if it’s the most cliché thing around; someone who is—”

“You.” Clove interferes.

My eyebrows knit together in bafflement. “What did you say?”

Clove rolls her head back laughing. “I said, someone like you. Don’t want to crush your subtle act but it’s pretty easy to tell you’re describing yourself.”

“Oh.” I feel my cheeks heat up and I have to look at my shoes to hide it.

“Don’t hide it, Cato.” Clove tilts my head up. “I think it’s cute.”

“I guess it’s pretty obvious that I like you, huh?” I question, pressing my lips together. “I mean I’ve been trying to hide it for a long time. The first time we met I promised myself that I won’t fall for someone like you because you were just so full of your ego and then the carnival thing happened and I guess that’s when I—”

“Cato!” Clove half-yells, stopping me from my rant.

“What?” My breathing is starting to become irregular and Clove seems to notice it.

“Just shut up and kiss me.” She instructs.

“What—?”

“Kiss. Me.”

“But—”

“Oh, gosh.” Clove puts her hand on the back of my neck and pulls my head closer to hers.

The moment my lips press against hers, I virtually feel like I’m in heaven. For a second, I think I’m dead but I tell myself I’m only exaggerating. It takes me a while to kiss back because I’m still catching up with the fact that Clove is the one who made the move. That should mean something because if it doesn’t, then I don’t know what all this is about.

Her lips taste like strawberry, chocolate and a bit of alcohol. I love how it’s so soft and moves perfectly in sync with mine. I smile through the kiss when I feel her arms wrapping around my neck and my hands rest on her waist.

Being in this situation with Clove is a blessing and a curse. After all these years, I finally found the girl that is right for me. She’s my first kiss and if ever she becomes my first girlfriend as well, I’m willing to do anything just to make her laugh and smile. But of course, every time I experience felicity, I know there’s at least one bad thing about it. This time, I know I can’t be with Clove. Her father is the responsible one for the death of my parents. How can I engage in a relationship with Clove while taking my revenge on her at the same time? Most importantly, why must she be a Kentwell? Life’s just not fair.

We finally pull away as we’re both in need of oxygen. Clove smiles so huge and I really want to return it, but the thought of not being with her even though I want to is enough to sadden me.

“Is something wrong?” Clove asks.

I shake my head, forcing a smile. “Nothing. I’m just thinking…that was the best kiss I’ve ever had.”

“Me too.”

When she leans forward for the second time, my phone rings once again ruining the moment. I take it out of my pocket and when I see Finnick's name on the screen, I start to panic.

“I’m sorry.” I say. “I really have to get this.”

Clove nods. “I’ll be inside. I need to go to the bathroom anyway.”

I wait for her till she’s out of earshot before I pick up the call.        

“Hello?”

“Cato, you need to come home now.” Finnick orders. His voice resembles something like Ryan’s when he’s mad—harsh and cold.

“Why?”

“The CAA had just informed us a minute ago that Brutus has escaped from prison.” Finnick announces.

“What?” I exclaim. “B-but, h-how—”

“The plan is back on, Cato. You really need to fix things up with Clove because we’ll be needing her.” Finnick tells me.

“I don’t think we should use her anymore.” I start. “I don’t think I can use Clove as a bait any longer. A lot of things happened and—”

“Did you just say you’re only using Clove?”

I turn around and I drop my phone to the floor. I’m pretty sure Clove is in the bathroom and I’m also sure that we were alone all the while. So why is Katniss standing by the balcony door with her arms folded and her gaze so cold?