Finnick pulls up on an empty parking lot and shuts the ignition off his white Volvo S60. I remain sitting on the passenger’s side as I glance out the windshield to take a full look of the school I am going to be attending for the rest of the school year. I hear myself gasping at the sight. It is a very cubical and futuristic glass building that gives off an air of elegance to every comer. The initials of the school’s name in thick bold, white letters arranged in a vertical order on the left side of the glass building. Lush green bushes perfectly parallel from each other outlined the walkway to the entrance of the school’s lobby.
“Are you just going to sit there admiring the school or are you going to get out there and put our plan to action?” Finnick asks from beside me.
I tear my eyes away from the humongous building that is my school and looks at him with incredulity. Without saying a word, I grab my bag from the backseat and unload the car. Before I can start walking towards the main building, I hear the faint sound of the passenger side’s window rolling down. Finnick leans in to get a look at me.
“Remember what we planned yesterday. Aspire for a low profile; appear to be the shy and quiet new guy but don’t overdo it as though Clove wouldn’t even notice you.” Finnick instructs me as I listen intently.
“I’ll make sure I do all that.” I respond.
Finnick nods. “Good. Now, go.”
As soon as I start walking, I hear Finnick’s ignition coming back to life and rolls its wheels beside me.
“Cato!” I hear him calling.
“What?”
I did not mean to accost him, but this guy is starting to get in my nerves. Why can’t he just tell me everything at once and not make it seem like his information are the puzzle pieces that I have to coalesce to make sense. But Finnick apparently did not notice my rude attitude towards him as he goes on giving off his instructions.
I tear my eyes away from the humongous building that is my school and looks at him with incredulity. Without saying a word, I grab my bag from the backseat and unload the car. Before I can start walking towards the main building, I hear the faint sound of the passenger side’s window rolling down. Finnick leans in to get a look at me.
“Remember what we planned yesterday. Aspire for a low profile; appear to be the shy and quiet new guy but don’t overdo it as though Clove wouldn’t even notice you.” Finnick instructs me as I listen intently.
“I’ll make sure I do all that.” I respond.
Finnick nods. “Good. Now, go.”
As soon as I start walking, I hear Finnick’s ignition coming back to life and rolls its wheels beside me.
“Cato!” I hear him calling.
“What?”
I did not mean to accost him, but this guy is starting to get in my nerves. Why can’t he just tell me everything at once and not make it seem like his information are the puzzle pieces that I have to coalesce to make sense. But Finnick apparently did not notice my rude attitude towards him as he goes on giving off his instructions.
“One more thing: always stay near where the girl is.”
“Got it.”
With a sigh of relief, Finnick drives away.
I don’t know why Thresh enlisted him as part of our team. It actually surprised me two days ago when Thresh brought Finnick home after a long day from work, saying that he will be a good addition to our group. I questioned Thresh what group was he talking about and he discussed how my plan to avenge was surprisingly a good idea and that he wants to develop a team that could help me throughout. He told me he liked the intensity and action it would bring to his job that required him to sit in front of the computer all day, even if it means risking the president finding out about it.
“And how exactly is he going to help?” I asked Thresh with my arms crossed over my chest.
“Finnick is a colleague of mine. We used to go to the same university and just to be straightforward he is a genius. He conjures up plans and strategies right on the spot, and considering that we are going against the most dangerous syndicate in the country, we may need a sneaky, conniving brain and Finnick,” Thresh reached over and tapped his friend’s shoulder repeatedly, “is the man for that.”
I rubbed my chin with my hand as I kept the other crossed over my stomach. I’d say that I’m not the smartest when it comes to coming up with strategies but I wouldn’t say I’m dumb. I have a few tricks up my sleeve but after I’ve used them all, I’d come out empty. Having Finnick around might be a huge help.
I pried myself away from the wall and strode towards the tall bronze haired man. I extended my hand and smirked at him, taking a quick look at his still fastened nametag. “Welcome to the team, Finnick Odair.”
* * *
It’s the seniors’ free period by the time I exit the student services center. Stopping right outside the door, I feel a headache coming already just looking at the influx of graduating seniors in the hallways. It is at that moment it hit me that these students are going to be the people I will have to deal with for the remaining months of school. Being the new kid is hard, with all the hassle of finding your classes and the catching up to do. But those are beyond my concern. I did not agree to come to this school to expand my knowledge, I come here for one reason: Clove Kentwell.
This is the plan Finnick had so adroitly came up last night. As a matter of fact I am the youngest out of the three of us and am still be able to come to school; I will be the one doing all the work. Besides, I am the one who wants to avenge on the first place. Finnick thinks that my coming to school and befriending the daughter of my parents’ murderer, is an excellent tactic for revenge. His goal is to find out what the girl really is about deep beneath her façade, whatever it may be. Once that is attained, I can fool Clove into anything and use her as a threat to Brutus.
Since I am that type of person who wouldn’t exactly voice out that an idea is a smart one, I acquiesced at Finnick's strategy.
My thoughts had been interrupted when I feel someone slamming into my broad back. I briskly twist my body around to look at the person my back had so unintentionally hit. As soon as I do so, I notice a girl kneeling in front of me, her hands feverishly gathering all her diffused materials.
“Fuck this.” I hear her mumbling under her breath as she picks up her thick math textbook.
I kneel as well, helping her gather all her notebooks and pencils. But my hand had barely even touch a single item when I feel a stinging sensation in my hand and I look up at the girl.
I raise my hands up in surrender.
“Okay, chill. I was just trying to help.” I say.
“I don’t need any help.” She mutters as she violently shoves everything inside her bag. She scrambles up to her feet while she struggles to zip her messenger bag close. “Shit, come on, just…ugh!” She gives up with her bag and just allows it to hang from her shoulder, looking like her bag’s about to puke out all her materials.
“So…” I begin. “Are you sure you still don’t need some help?”
“I’m fine,” The girl, hisses. She finally tilts her head upwards giving me access to her features. “Besides, don’t you have somewhere to be?”
I soon find myself not being capable of producing even a single decent answer to her question, as I finally see whom I just had an encounter with. The daughter of my parents’ murderer, the reason why I attended this school, the girl whose privacy has been invaded by me when I went researching for her background history just two days ago. I am quite aware that I am staring at her. The Clove in the picture is nothing like the Clove I am face-to-face with. Her eyes are exquisitely green today and her pale cheeks are covered with faint freckles. Still, not even a single trace of makeup is present.
“Clove.” I breathe out, and her reaction to what I just barely said is honestly priceless.
She hoists the strap of her messenger bag farther up her shoulder before crossing her arms in a very intimidating way. It kind of offends me because considering our size; I shall be the intimidating one between us. She shall be the one being intimidated and not me. But then again, she can be dangerous so…
“And tell me again: who are you and how in the world did you know my name?” Has she not wave a hand in front of my face, I will not have realized she’s asking me a question.
I blink three times before adjusting my expression. I flash her my infamous smirk that scared almost everyone back in my town. I’m kind of hoping that Clove will fall under its “spell” as well and take a step back out of fear.
“Name’s Cato Hadley, and I came from District 2. You know, the town just outside the Capitol—”
“You came from District 2?” Clove interrupts, her voice so fragile as if one move can do so much to harm it, while her arms freeing it from being crossed for a while. I take note that her strong girl act is slowly dissipating and her eyebrows that are knit together are relaxing. It is all because I mention District 2.
This girl cannot be more interesting.
“Yeah, I came from there.”
I tilt my head to the side, out of confusion. I wonder what is with the district that made this emotionless girl in front of me soften even for just a trace amount of time. I mentally give myself a pat on the back as I had finally—accidentally—learned one thing about Clove that can make her vulnerable in an instant.
Glancing down at my schedule in hand, I realize that free period is almost over considering that it only takes thirty minutes. Time does fly by without you knowing it. With one last look at her hazel eyes, I smirk.
“Free period’s almost over. I better find my next class.” I say.
She chuckles and rolls her eyes.
“Good luck with that. New kids usually have a hard time figuring out how the school works.” She informs, a ghost of a smile creeping upon her lips.
“Well…can you help me?” I ask.
Hey, why not take this chance to actually get to know her and become her friend by the time lunch comes around?
“No, thanks. I still think you’re a creep.”
Unbelievable. This girl is unbelievable. I swear, her attitude only reflects her syndicate father’s wrongdoings. It seems like she has all these walls put up on all four corners around her and anyone who dares to step inside her little box of hey, look at me I’m strong act, is not leaving without punishment.
“Okay then.” I press my lips together before letting out a sigh.
I watch her turn to her heels and walk away. Her messenger bag is still distractingly wide open and I notice that a book is about to fall off. Under my breath, I start to count to three, and just as I had predicted, it falls out.
Surprisingly, Clove is unaware.
I jog towards where she dropped her book to retrieve it. Seeing that she hasn’t gotten that far away from me yet, I whistle. She turns around.
“What?” She asks sternly.
I hold up her book, waving it. Her jaw clenches and her fists tighten as she reluctantly walks back to me. Since I’m taller than her, I take this as an advantage to mess with her. I hold her book up to my arm’s extent, which of course earns me a vicious glare. Who knew Clove is a good entertainment? With her short height, it’s fun to see her jumping like a little child as she struggles to redeem her book.
Finally, as the school bell rings, I lower the book and she literally snatches it away from my grasp. Seriously, she can rip my arm out!
Without a single word said, Clove storms off.
“I’ll see you around then!” I shout at her.
“See you in hell!”
“Oh, it will be an honor, your highness.”
Clove turns around and I give her a little bow before turning to my heels and heading to the direction I hope leads to my next class. I smirk to myself when I hear Clove letting out a groan and screaming at random innocent students walking pass her.
She knows she lost the battle.
* * *
Clove Kentwell is a lot of things.
I guess I can say that I had judged a book by its leather bound cover. From the moment I saw her picture on Thresh's computer, I thought she is someone who is easy; someone that is very gullible, kindhearted and lowly. Basically, what I was thinking is that she is the complete opposite of her murderous father. But from what had transpired in the school hallways just outside the student services center a while ago, she would probably be the most airy person I ever met. Maybe that’s what wealth brings to a person. They think that with such amount of money, they are above everyone else. They think that if anyone tries to step on them, they can just dig out their checkbooks from their adorable little purses and purchase that person a palpable punishment.
Ha-ha. Hate to break it but that’s not how this world works.
Although I admit, she’s very…enticing. And oddly, I enjoy it very much.
By the time lunch comes around, I have not accomplish my first mission yet. It never once occurs to me that being friends with Clove may be a tough job to do. Looks can be deceiving they say and Clove's undeniably pretty face had, unfortunately, deceived me. As I enter the large cafeteria, I mentally remind myself not to let such thing happen again. Cato Hadley had never been caught weakening at the sight of a pretty face. Never. And I won’t let Little Miss I’m the Queen of the World be that pretty face.
Scanning the periphery of the lunchroom, I catch sight of Clove's familiar jet-black hair. Almost blocking my view, her group of friends surrounds her as if she has the juiciest gossip in the city. It appears to me that Clove is a very likeable person when she’s around the people she wants to be around. Her airy façade only comes up when she dislikes the person she’s interacting with.
I didn’t realize I’m standing by the entrance door of the lunchroom and glancing at Clove's direction for a good five minutes until I see a curvy blonde girl with seemingly perfect features sauntering her way towards where I stand. Before I can even react or order my feet to move, the girl now stands in front of me with a bright radiant smile it can probably light up a whole room.
“Hi.” She greets. I take it she’s English, her evidently thick accent giving it all away.
“Hi…?” My response comes out more of a question.
The girl apparently senses my confusion as she sticks out her hand for me to shake. “I’m Glimmer Belvill. My friends call me Glim, but you don’t have to. You can call me anything you want.” She introduces herself to me as I take her extended hand and shakes it firmly. I keep smiling at her not knowing what to say next, when I notice her pink tinted lips forming a rather large O.
“I’m sorry, I must be confusing you right now.” She says, giggling. “I came to talk to you because my friends and I couldn’t help but notice you staring at my friend.”
“Who?” I ask, not sure which friend she’s talking about.
“Clove.” She answers with a friendly eye roll; as if it’s a fact stated in the school’s handbook I should be quite aware by now.
Before I can even open my mouth to speak my defense, she places a hand on my arm and leans in to whisper. She doesn’t go all the way though, only stopping once her mouth is inches away from my shoulder. “Look, I know Clove's a pretty lady but she has tons of lads going after her. If you happen to intend to do such, sad to say but you have to wait in queue.”
Glimmer leans away from me and flashes me once again her pearly whites.
I shake my head, chuckling. “Apparently, I am nowhere near interested in your friend. She’s pretty, yes, but she’s not my type.”
“Oh well, too bad.” Glimmer says shrugging and finding that her manicured to perfection nails are far more interesting than I am now.
So I decide to change it a bit. “You know what?” Her emerald eyes snap toward me. “Just to be honest, your friend intrigues me in a very peculiar way and…it’s making me want to know her more.”
I see a smirk slowly forming upon Glimmer's full lips. She drops the hand she was inspecting just a moment ago only to grab my arm and pull me towards her lunch table. I keep my eyes focus on Clove to see what her reaction will be like once she sees that I am about to join her little posse for lunch. Just as expected, her glare is as deadly as stabbing a knife on your flesh and sawing it back and forth in a painstakingly slow motion.
Once I am sitting on a chair Glimmer had so generously stole from someone, I notice Clove rolling her eyes and throwing a fry purposely in my direction. I believe she wants it to appear that she didn’t do it, so I pretend that her action did go unnoticed. A smile – more of a smirk, I should say – appears on her usually gloomy and non-emotion features.
“So, Glim, what’s up with you and freak show?” Clove utters, her hazel eyes piercing holes into mine. She stares deep, like real deep. It’s like she can see through your soul.
“Hey! Be nice, young lady.” A boy with brown hair and almost the same built as I am but slimmer speaks from beside Clove.
“Shut up, Marvel.” Clove hisses in between tiny bites of her tuna sandwich. “It’s not my fault he knows my name before he even met me. I have every right to feel like I’m being invaded.”
The said boy ignores Clove and turns his body to face me and does the same thing Glimmer had done a while ago. Seriously, I don’t know how Clove is friends with these people. I mean, they’re all smiles while Clove is all – serious.
“I’m Marvel. The Marvel Weignman. Yep, you heard it right. I am Panem High's best class president it ever had.”
“Stop flattering yourself, Marvel. You haven’t even won yet.” A girl with the same hair color as Marvel speaks up. I will not have realize she is there has she not spoken up. Her expression transitions from annoyed to friendly once she turns to me. “I’m Katniss.”
I acknowledge her with a nod following a smile. After that, everyone starts to introduce him or herself as well. A guy named Peeta is the shortest male in the group. He has dirty blonde hair that falls over his baby blue eyes. Typical American looks. Two girls who introduced her as Annie Cresta and Madge Undersee pretty much contrast one another. Annie is Cinderella in a glass slipper as Brooke is Cinderella in combat boots. So to say, Annie is more of a girl than the other.
“Anyway,” After being silent for a while, Glimmer, to my relief, finally interrupts the somewhat awkward exchange among the rest of the group including me. “Since everyone had already introduced themselves, would you care tell us your name?”
“Cato.”
Everyone from the group turns to look at the person attached to the voice. Even I am surprise about the fact that Clove answered the question for me. I figured a while ago that she’s the type of girl who does not fancy remembering names of people she dislikes. Then again, I misjudged the book.
“You’ve met him before?” The girl Annie asks.
“I’m not really in a mood to talk about it and never will I ever, so let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty encounter.” Clove says, gently pushing her lunch tray away from her and sits back on the chair.
The rest of the time allotted for lunch is spent exchanging vicious glares between Clove and I, whilst the group takes such effort to include me on their conversation that feels like it’s going to go on for eternity.
Yet, I don’t have the slightest clue as to how Clove is part of this all-smiles bunch.
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