There's Nothing More Important than Family, chapter 10

A six. I got a six. It keeps me awake as I lie on the bed. Sure, I might’ve gotten a better score if I would’ve touched one of the weapons, but still, a six! That doubled my expectations! And Nathan got an eight, which I knew he would. Georgie got an eight, Mark got a six and Breah got a seven... And Addalie too. Addalie got a six! I remember the other twelve-year-old, the girl from 12. She only got a three, but I got a six.

That’s all I can think about for the three hours until dawn. I know it’s unwise to be too tired, but y mind is buzzing, so I don’t feel too tired at all.

To my surprise, Sean bangs on the door and calls, “Wake up! We have things to do! Let’s go!”

“What could we possibly be doing today?” I ask Nathan. “The interviews aren’t until tomorrow!”

“I don’t know.” He replies. “Maybe they want a dress rehearsal.” Nathan shrugs, and we put on some simple clothes (or as simple as the garments can be, coming from the Capitol) we found in the dresser drawer.

When we reach the table, I ask Sean and Olivia, “Why do we have to be up so early?”

“We have to prepare you for your interviews.” Sean responds.

“Prepare us?”

“You have to know how to act. We want sponsors to like you, so you will need to be ready.”

Olivia continues for Sean. “You will each spend four hours with Palana for presence and four with one of us for content.”

“Sounds good.” Says Nathan. “Where are we starting?”

“You aren’t doing this together.” Sean corrects him. “You are starting with Palana, and Zania is starting with Olivia.”

“Why can’t we go together?” I ask defiantly.

“There isn’t enough time.” Snaps Sean. “Please, Zania, just grow up a little, and do this. You’ll see each other at lunch and dinner. Please.” He’s begging me.

“Fine.” I say. “But I don’t have to like it.”

“I never said you did.”

When it is time to start, Nathan follows Palana into the sitting room and Olivia leads me to her room. I’ve never been in there before, but it’s personalized, since she stays here every year, as mentor. “Loveable.” She says unexpectedly.

“What?”

“That’s your angle. Loveable. Each tribute has an angle they play up when at the interviews, like mysterious, brutal or arrogant. You are loveable.”

“No I’m not!” I smirk. “My mom says I’m obnoxious!”

“You are, sometimes. But when you’re feeling scared and vulnerable and you need help, I think you can be quite loveable.”

I roll my eyes. “What’s Nathan?”

“Charismatic, I believe.” Olivia says. “I haven’t really talked to Sean about it. Sean is Nathan’s mentor, after all. Charismatic should be easy enough for him. He doesn’t have a problem talking to people.” She stops, and looks at me sternly. “But let’s get back on topic. No more stalling. I have four hours to teach you how to be loveable. You need to perfect your character. You have to be flawless during your interview.”

Olivia spends the next four hours teaching me how to give compliments, smile adorably and what to say to make others fall in love with me. I didn’t know how much there was to learn. Olivia tells me I have to be extra polite and sweet. She says the Capitol audience will eat it up.

“If you talk about your family, that might make your job a little easier.” Olivia informs me. “The fact that this has happened and how you’re adapting is key. Try to act like it is a tragedy, but you’re keeping optimistic and hopeful. Positive, even. Talk about your relations back home. Make them want to send you back to District 9. You can even act a little fragile, but not too much. We want them to sympathize with you, not pity you. When you show how resourceful you are in the arena, the sponsors will be lining up.”

“About the sponsors,” I begin, veering off track once more. “The alliance. How...?” I don’t know how to explain what I’m thinking.

Thankfully, Olivia understands me, and says, “Sean, the mentors of your friends and I will be working together. You are an alliance; so are we. District 11 only has one mentor, Azalia, but she will be helping Breah and Harvey. Jason’s mentor, Mags, is probably the oldest of us, but she doesn’t mind Jason turning on the Careers. She, in fact, encourages it. She was never a Career herself. Anyway, someone who wants to sponsor one of you is really sponsoring all seven of you.”

I nod. “Olivia, at your interview, what were you?”

“What character did I ‘play’, you mean?” she laughs. “I was aloof. I acted indifferent, like I didn’t care. Like I wasn’t scared, happy, sad or excited. It was so much fun!”

“How did you win your Games?”

“I got a high training score and lots of sponsors. The Careers spared me so I could guard their supplies. I waited until there were only five of us left, murdered the two remaining Careers as they slept, and hunted down the two others. The last boy, from 5, he put up quite a fight. But I finished him off in the end.”

“What was your arena like?”

“It was a bunch of intertwining caves. There was no above-ground, just the tunnels. That was a big disadvantage. The gamemakers killed off a few others by sending gas into one of the tunnels, but it spread, and killed others. The Cornucopia, I remember, was just a giant hole in one of the cave walls. It was like a labyrinth down there. It was so easy to get lost.”

“Were there any mutts, or plants?”

“There were some mosses and algae all over the walls. In one cave, there was a pond with some water plants. There were mice, and rabbits, which was so unnatural. There were random piles of wood every mile or so, and tunnels that shot upwards, like vents. The gamemakers could close the vents as they pleased. And you asked about the mutts? There were these mole-like creatures. They spat out venom and had razor-sharp teeth and claws. One of the Careers got ripped apart by them, right in front of me. When I have nightmares, that’s what I see.” Olivia checks her watch. “It’s time for lunch. I think we’re done anyway; you’ll play your part well!”

Palana, Nathan and Sean are already in the dining room, waiting for us. It’s weird, but it seems like Palana and Nathan are ignoring each other. That makes me apprehensive about the next four hours since Nathan is hardly ever mad at anyone.

Capitol attendants serve us thick, creamy stew silently. I don’t think I’ve ever heard one of them talk. They’re quieter than Moray, and that’s saying something. I doubt they’re allowed to talk. The Capitol has such strange rules.

Sean sees me watching them “They’re avoxes.” He whispers. “They’re traitors against the Capitol. Their tongues have been cut out; they can’t talk. You’re not supposed to talk to them unless you’re giving them an order.” I look at the avoxes again, differently though. What crimes did they commit? How bad does the crime have to be to become an avox?  I know I can never look at the attendants the same again.

Palana clears her throat awkwardly. “Erm, Zania, I think we should start soon...”

I finish the last of my stew. “Yeah, okay.” Sean takes Nathan to his bedroom, and Palana ushers me to the sitting room. I stand uncomfortably as Palana starts at me. “What-“

“-Shh!” Palana snaps. “I’m trying to figure out what you need to work on.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you’ll have to learn how to walk, how to sit, how to smile and how to talk.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m twelve. I already know how to do all that!”

“Not properly!” she continues to survey me. “Your posture is better than your brother’s. He slouches so much he looks like a human candy cane! Anyhow, we have a lot of work to do!”

Palana starts by dressing me in super high heels and a floor-length gown. She has me walk around, and when I stop tripping and falling, she has me try to balance a book on my head while I walk.

“Remember,” Palana instructs me, “keep your head high and your shoulders back. Walk with gentle steps, on the balls of your feet.”

Palana teaches me many things; how to smile in 11 different ways, bat my eyelashes when I compliment someone and how to speak extra politely. She tells me I must always keep a polite tone, no matter how irritated I am. Palana tells me I’m doing well, although she spends forty-five minutes trying to show me how to sit like a lady.

“DON’T slouch!” she cries. “And don’t you dare cross your legs! SHOULDERS BACK!!!” I know that if the next two hours go on like this, I might end up by strangling Palana. All I hear for four hours is, “don’t slouch, Don’t Slouch, DON’T SLOUCH!” I find it very hard to concentrate, but I know Palana is just trying to help. I now understand why Nathan and Palana couldn’t even look at each other. I’m better at holding my tongue; he’s much more outspoken. It’s gotten him in trouble with Mom on countless occasions.

Mom. I haven’t thought about my family in days. I wonder how they’re doing. Has Dad come out of his shock yet? Is Mom still crying? Does Alex know what’s happening yet? Does he know that I might not come home? How is Louisia doing? Has David recovered from fainting? And Katie, oh Katie. If Nathan and I don’t come home, she won’t remember us at all. What if our family never speaks of us again, because the memory is too painful? Will Katie even know we existed? No, I’m certain Alex would tell her, at the least; Louisia and David too.  They wouldn’t forget about us. I’m sure they wouldn’t. Anyway, if I win, as Nathan is planning, I would make sure he would never be forgotten. Katie would know about her brave, kind, and loving older brother. She’d know about his sacrifices. What he did so that I could live.

Palana dismisses me with a final, “Don’t slouch!” and I march out of the sitting room. I must look angry, but it’s just covering up the depression I feel burning inside. Thinking about my family is just so painful; how I may never see them again. It’s heart-breaking.

“Don’t give up hope!” I tell myself quietly, under my breath. “Don’t underestimate yourself.” I smile slightly, and can’t help adding, “And don’t slouch!”

There's Nothing More Important than Family, chapter 9

When I am eating the next morning, Sean marches in and confirms what I’ve been dreading about later. “Today, you will be having your private sessions. This is when you will go in alone and show the gamemakers what you can do. This is your chance to light fires and throw weights and whatever else you’re good at. When every tribute from every district is done, they’ll assign you a training score, from 1-12. 1 is horrible, 12 is impossible. This will affect the sponsors and whether or not they’ll want to sponsor you.”

I play with my oatmeal boredly. It’s stupid that Sean is explaining this, since they have the Games every year and we already know the protocol. I feel like there is a lot of unnecessary explaining and repeating in the Capitol. The Hunger Games has gone on for thirty-five years and I’ve been forced to watch every year of my life. After twelve years, you tend to remember how things work.

I know I’ll only get a two or a three. I’m barely twelve years old, and I can’t do anything very well, except light a fire. Unless they think I’m a pyromaniac, they’ll score me low because I’m useless. The Careers always get around 8-10 as their scores, so I wonder what Nathan will get. He’s so big and strong, I’m sure it will be high.

I can’t eat any more. I push the grey glop-in-a-bowl away from me, as far away as I can. Even in the Capitol, oatmeal is gross. “Remember to show them the obstacle course.” Nathan reminds me. “You’re really good at it. I think you were the best at it, after Breah.” I nod half-heartedly.

“That’s news to me.” Says Olivia. “What else can Zania do?”

“Well she’s a whiz at recognizing edible plants. And after Georgie gave her a few pointers, she was doing alright with the swords.”

“Good. Very good.” Says Sean.

“It won’t matter!” I cry. “I’m not as good as the other tributes! It just won’t matter.”

“Zania, they don’t compare you to the other tributes.” Olivia explains. “If you’re good at something, but someone else is better, they won’t score you low just because you’re not as good. If you are good, they’ll score you accordingly.”

“Whatever.” I grumble. Just so I can have something else to complain about, I say, “Why hasn’t Kerany dragged me off to be dressed up yet?”

“She’s feeling a little under the weather.” Palana replies. “She also wants to be ready for the interviews. She says your dress will be divine, and I for one can’t wait to see it! I wish Kerany would design my clothes!”

“She’s sick.” I repeat, ignoring the other half of Palana’s statement. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

I leave the cold oatmeal lying on the table and hurry up to my room. Since I can’t find anything better to wear, I wear the black bodysuit Kerany designed, but skip the makeup and put my hair into a high ponytail. My token is secured around my head. I get quite a few compliments from my crew, and Nathan beams at me. “Nice to finally see my sister coming to training.” He says.

When we get to the training level, some of the trainers stop us at the door, and forcefully tell us to sit down on benches in the hall. Mahogany is sitting closest to the door, since they are calling us in by district, males first. I sit in between Nathan and Mark, but I feel bad for the boy from 3 who has to sit beside Vella.

We’re called in one by one. With every tribute called, I get progressively more anxious. Each session is around fifteen to twenty minutes long, so I know my session will be after lunch. By the time it is lunch, only six tributes have gone in.

We are permitted to eat in the cafeteria, but we don’t talk. Jason sits with the Careers. He told me it would tip them off if he sat with us. I know he has a point, and even from our table on the other side of the room, I can see him eyeing them murderously when they aren’t looking.

I still don’t eat, although I know I should since I hardly ate any breakfast. I admit, I am hungry, but I couldn’t swallow a bite if I tried. No one else seems to be eating much either. Hassan orders us back to the benches, and he says that if we are done our session, we can return to our apartments. I breathe a little easier when Dane and the others are gone. Jason is called in next, and my anxiety shoots through the roof. I wait for an hour, then another on the uncomfortable wooden benches. It’s three o’clock when Hassan calls Georgie in, and I realize Nathan is next, then me. I am literally shaking in my seat. Nathan pats me on the back reassuringly.

“Roberts, Nathan.” Calls Hassan gruffly.

“Good luck.” I mumble.

“See you on the other side.” Laughs Mark nervously, and Nathan winks.

It feels like Nathan is in there hours longer than anyone else. I worry about what must be going on. After an eternity, Nathan leaves, looking somewhat confident, and Hassan calls my name.

I walk slowly into the empty training room. Most of the gamemakers look bored and are focusing more on the food than me, although the Head Gamemaker and a few others seem mildly interested.

“Name?” one of them calls.

“Zania Roberts.” I cry. “District 9.”

“Proceed.”

I start by setting a fire. They have matches, but I’m used to using flint and steel at home, so I use that instead. I have a roaring campfire going in a matter of seconds. A few of the gamemakers who are scribbling something on their clipboards. I get through the obstacle course quicker than I did on the first day, but I stumble a couple times. To finish off the session, I pass the edible plants test with flying colours. Finally, the Head Gamemaker tells me I can leave.

I wave to Addalie and Breah on my way to the elevator. When I reach the 9^th floor, Nathan is waiting with our mentors.

“The scores won’t be televised until seven o’clock.” Palana informs us. “That’s in four hours.”

“What are we going to do until then?” Nathan groans.

“Well, you could start by telling us what you did during your session.” Suggests Olivia.

“I threw a couple medicine balls, and showed them what I could do with a trident and a sword. Then they told me I could leave.” Nathan recounts.

“What were they’re reactions?” Sean asks.

“Lots of them weren’t paying attention, but the ones who were seemed impressed when I threw the weights. I wasn’t really watching them when I was using the sword and trident.”

“That’s okay; it’s good you were focusing.” Olivia smiles. I know they want me to speak now.

“I set a fire, went through the obstacle course and did the edible plants test.” I say simply.

“You’re gonna have to give us more than that!” cries Sean in frustration. “How do you think you did? How did he gamemakers react?”

“I built a fire pretty quickly and they started writing things down. I did the obstacle course pretty well; I only stumbled once or twice. And I got all the questions right on the edible plants test. The gamemakers just looked really bored. They weren’t watching me most of the time.”

“That’s just rude!” exclaims Palana and I think I hear Olivia laugh quietly.

“They usually get bored around District 5.” Sean tells us. “I remember when I was mentoring you, Olivia, and you told me they were singing a drinking song!”

Olivia smirks. “Yeah. At my games, the gamemakers were all drunks!”

“Don’t talk about them that way!” scoffs Palana. “Reginald was very nice, and he was a very good Head Gamemaker. It was a tragedy when he died!”

“How’d he die?” Nathan asks.

“The Capitol hung him.” Sean says bluntly. “The year after Olivia’s game, he was too drunk to come up with any good ideas, so everything, from the arena to the mutts, was exactly the same as the year before.”

“Pleasant, isn’t it?” jokes Olivia. I’m thankful that I had different gamemakers than Olivia did, although it might’ve been funny.

We have dinner at six. Kerany joins us, and she shows no sign of ever being sick. She’s as haughty and vain as ever. Moray’s there too. I haven’t spoken to him ever, but he seems much more reasonable than Kerany.

At seven, we gather around the television, and Sean turns it on. We started watching in the nick of time. Caesar Flickerman, the host of the Hunger Games, is on the screen, explaining training scores. Every year, his hair, makeup and clothes are a different colour. This year, it’s pale green, so he looks like he’s about to vomit.

“Let’s get started!” he says with a smile, and I give him my undivided attention. “From District 1, Mahogany, with a training score of 9. And Satin, with a score of 9 as well.” Each time he calls a tributes name, a picture of them (just a simple headshot) is shown on the screen, with their training score underneath. Caesar continues, “From District 2: Dane, who has a score of 10…and Vella, with a score of 9! District 3’s Colby has a score of 5, and Maria also has a score of 5. From District 4, we have Jason, with a score of 10…And Kelly with a score of…11! “
I don’t know why I’m surprised Kelly got and 11. She is rather good with her knives. But 11 is just so high.
I miss the scores from 5 and the boy from 6, but I tune in just long enough to hear Payla get a 9. Great.

“District 7!” Caesar goes on. “Xavier: 8. Sahra: 4.” Just like the gamemakers, at about District 5, Caesar gets bored, and usually cuts down on his words. “From District 8. Carter: 5 and Georgie: 8.” I silently applaud Georgie in my head, but my heart skips a beat, because I know what district is next. “From District 9: Nathan, 8!” I give Nathan a congratulatory hug. “And Zania, 6.” I beam, and Nathan gives a ‘whoop’ of approval. I never expected to get a score that high. “District 10!” drones Caesar. “Mark: 6! Addalie: 6!” I can tell he’s trying to rush the last scores. “District 11: Harvey, 5; Breah, 7. And last, but certainly not least, District 12: Luca with a score of 4, and Colleen with a score of 3.” Caesar puts down his papers in a neat pile. “Great job, tributes! Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!”

Life With Annie, chapter 4

Sleep when it finally comes is restless, and full of dreams.
With the victory tour so close, my mind relieves all the horrors of the arena. Every life I took, all the fear, and anxiety I felt in the arena, comes flooding back in a swirl of memories.
The Lake Mutt, Luna being pulled underwater by the eel, Weasels knives, Annita's bloody body, and worst of all, hunting down the careers and killing them. As I dream of pinning Alexia to the cornucopia, my mind flashes back to the interviews, and how she twirled on stage like an elegant ballerina. Then I am standing by Luna's broken body, only this time she is still alive, and she is pleading with me. I watch in horror as I raise my trident, and stab her in the heart.
I sit up in bed gasping, covered in sweat. I look at the clock: 4:00 AM
I sigh and roll out of bed, pulling on some jeans and a sweatshirt, I go downstairs, and decide to go for a walk.
The streets are empty, all the dock workers don't usually start until five.
I inhale deeply, breathing in the salty sea air.
I decide to go to the one place that calms me. The sky is turning from black to grey as I reach the beach.
I walk along the shore slowly, savoring the feeling of sand beneath my feet, and the sound of the waves.
I know exactly where I'm going, and soon I can see the tall dune in the distance.
Walking up the side, I sigh as I reach the top, and sink into the hammock. Here is where I will stay, this place is where I belong.
I take another deep breath, and let it out in a sigh. Soon I am lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean, and the gentle sway of the hammock.
The dreams return with a vengeance, and this time they are even more twisted.
I see myself in Weasels place, slicing and torturing the other tributes with glee. I hunt down the week tributes, and slaughter them without mercy. I push Luna into the lake, and watch her get ripped to bits by the lake Mutts. As Annita lies dying, she yells my name, pleading with me to stop but I silence her forever with my trident. Then I see Robbert, standing behind Annita's dead body.
"Finnick. What's happened to you?"
His eyes are so sad, and he looks so disappointed in me.
"I told you not to change. Now you're the monster, and I don't want you to be around Annie. She deserves a better friend."
I yell in anger, and throw my trident, piercing him through the chest.
"Finnick!"
I turn around, and Annie is standing behind me, staring in horror at my blood-covered body.
"What have you done? You killed Robbert! How could you?"
I look down at my blood stained arms, then back up at Annie.
"I...I did it for you...you wanted me to win..."
She shakes her head, taking a step back.
"No. You did this for yourself, you are no better than the careers. You kill for fun. You're a monster, a capitol creation...a Mutt!"
I step toward her, shaking my head.
"No! I did this for you. I'm not like them...I'm not!"
"Finn! Finnick can you hear me?"
The dream fades away, and I jerk awake, falling out of the hammock.
I drop onto the sand hard, and cough as I try to regain my breath.
Annie rolls me on my back, and brushes the sand off my face.
"Are you alright? I woke up really early and went to your house to see if you were up. But you weren't there, I figured the only other place you would go is here, and when I showed up you were yelling and jerking around on the hammock. I couldn't wake you, so I tipped you out of the hammock. Sorry about that by the way."
I sit up, and shake the sand out of my hair. Then I rub my forehead, trying to ease the growing ache in the back of my head.
"What time is it?"
She shrugs.
"When I left your house it was almost five-thirty. So it must be almost six by now."
I stand up, and brush the sand off my clothes. Then I grab her hand, and pull her down the dune.
"We have to hurry. My team is coming to get me ready around six, and I better be home by then or we are in big trouble."
We go directly to my house, running the whole way. By the time we get there, the sun is starting to rise.
Once we're inside, we both collapse onto the couch.
"We made it."
Annie says with a smile. I look down at my sand covered clothes.
"Well, sort of. Have you said goodbye to your mom yet?"
She shakes her head.
"She's going to drop by and say goodbye to both of us before we leave."
I'm about to reply, when the doorbell rings.
"Well, they're here."
I answer the door, and my prep team dashes in.
"Aren't you excited!"
"We can't wait!"
"Oh it's going to be so fun!"
They all start chattering at once about all the parties they are getting to go to, and little things like that. I'm still holding the door open, and Dalia walks in at a more reasonable pace.
"Morning. Did you sleep well?"
I smile.
"Just fine. How did you sleep?"
She shrugs.
"I don't sleep much. Let's get you and Annie looking fit for the tour."
They split up. Petunia and Violet work on Annie, while Fuchsia and Dalia work on me.
Soon they have us cleaned and dressed up.
The weather is kind of chilly, so I am dressed in a pair of heavy black pants, and a grey sweater vest over a white button down shirt. My hair is styled in it's usual wave, and they sprayed the highlighter stuff in my eyes.
I wait in the living room for Annie, with Fuchsia and Dalia. She appears with Petunia and Violet.
She's dressed in a Dark purple dress that reaches her knees, a pair of black leggings, and furry grey boots. A soft white coat completes the outfit. Her hair is straight and silky, and she has some light makeup on.
"Annie, you look great."
She grins, and twirls.
"I think I might get to like this. You don't look so bad yourself."
A knock sounds on the door, and it turns out to be Mrs. Cresta. She says goodbye to Annie and I, telling us to be careful, but to have fun. Then Mags and Brutus show up followed by a bunch of camera wielding reporters. Annie and I smile and answer a few questions, then we are whisked off to the train station. We board the train, and take one last look at district four.
"We'll be back before you know it."
I tell Annie reassuringly.
"I know we will. But I want to have some fun first! Come and show me around the train, I've never been on one before. It's marvelous! I've never seen anything so grand."
I grin, and show Annie all around the train.
That night, after a wonderful supper, Annie and I retire to our rooms.
"Goodnight Annie. I'll see you tomorrow."
She gives me a hug.
"Thanks for everything Finn. Goodnight."

Life With Annie, chapter 3

I'm sorry I didn't get anything out yesterday, I've been so busy, so here's an extra chapter, just for you guys!

I roll over in bed, and sigh.
The victory tour is tomorrow, on the bright side, Annie is coming! It will be so great to have her there, I know I can make it through seeing the families of the people I murdered, with my best friend there with me.
I can't believe how fast the week has gone by, only yesterday it seems like I was talking to Mags about the victory tour.
Wait a minute...
I sit bolt upright, and jump out of bed.
"Dang, dang, dang, dang! Oh man I am in so much trouble!"
I look at the clock, 9:30.
"Shoot!"
I don't have time to take a shower. I can't believe I forgot. Today is Wednesday, the day my prep team shows up with the crew from the capitol magazine. What was it called? Weekly Gush? I have a photo shoot and interview today, and I have no idea when everyone is showing up.
I groan as the door bell rings. To late, they're already here.
I run downstairs, still dressed in sweatpants and a dark grey T-shirt.
I jump down the last four stairs, and skid to a stop in front of the door. I take a deep breath, and open it.
"Finnick!"
"It's sooo good to see you!"
"It's been too long really!"
Fuchsia, Petunia and Violet all squeal excitedly when they see me. They rush into the house, and all start talking at once.
"Woah, woah, woah. Calm down, I can only listen to one of you at a time."
They all giggle, and take turns criticizing me.
"Goodness! You forgot we were coming didn't you?"
"Did you just get out of bed?"
"Oh dear! You haven't kept up with yourself at all!"
Fuchsia turns to the other two, and claps her hands.
"Alright! It looks like we have a lot of work to do, Dalia is going to arrive in an hour with the magazine crew, and we need to have him looking like a victor again. Petunia, you work on his hair. Violet, get to work on his horrible dry skin. I will work on all the little details. Hurry now! We don't have much time!"
They push me upstairs, and set up in the huge master bathroom. They run around preparing things here and there, then they get to work.
"Well at least you still work out. I think you're even more toned then when we first met you!"
"He's grown taller too!"
"I see you've started shaving too! Your jaw is all prickly!"
They all make comments like this with giggles as they speedily get me looking like a groomed young man once again.
They have me "acceptable" By the end of the hour. Just as they are doing the finishing touches, the door rings.
"Oooh! There here!"
"I can't believe their next issue is featuring you!"
"Here put this robe on, they'll have outfits for you to wear."
They run downstairs, and I follow them at a slower pace.
The front door opens, and the magazine crew starts pouring in.
They are all from the capitol, but in place of the bizarre clothing, they are all wearing black uniforms with the logo for "Weekly Gush" on the back.
They all get to work transforming my living room into a studio. Setting up lights, and white screens, and cameras. They also pull my furniture out-of-the-way, and put in more "fashionable" Chairs, coffee table and couch.
As they all bustle around preparing things, Dalia comes up to me with two very capitol looking people.
A man and a woman. The man is dressed in a silver suit, has silver hair and makeup on, and silver tattoos shaped like moons all over his arms. The woman is dressed all in gold, including hair and makeup, and she has tattoos on her arms as well, shaped like stars.
Dalia is dressed all in white as usual, and she gives me a hug.
"Finnick! it's so good to see you. This is Glam, and Glitz. They are the creators of "Weekly Gush"
Glam shakes my hand as he gives me a wide smile, even one of his teeth is silver.
"Finnick! So good to meet you!"
Glam smiles, flashing her gold tooth.
"I can't believe we are meeting you!"
I fall back into my 'capitol' personality.
"I am so honored and excited to be featured in your next issue! Really the honor is all mine."
They look at each other, and squeal.
"Oh we picked right!"
"I say! He's perfect!"
They clap their hands together twice, and everyone lines up in front of them.
"Listen up crew! You've all done an amazing job on the set, thank you sooo much!"
"In a minute we are going to start, you all know your places!"
Everyone scurries to their spots, as Glitz explains what they are planning on doing today.
"We are going to start with pictures. We have talked to Dalia about what our vision is, and she has made all of your clothes! You'll get changed into one outfit, and we will have the light and decor coordinated with it, once we have enough pictures, you'll get changed, and we'll do it all over again! After the photo shoot, Glam and I will interview you. The interview will be published in the magazine, but it will also be featured on television! So we are going to be the whole time as well. Sounds like fun doesn't it?"
I give her an exaggerated smile.
"Let's get started!"
Dalia takes me into the other room, and has me dress in a outfit that consists of: A dark green rather clingy shirt, a pair of jean shorts, brown sandals, and a thick wooden wristband.
"This outfit is supposed to reflect on your more casual everyday look."
We walk back into the living room, and I blink in surprise. They have transformed it to look like we are on the beach. A screen projection mimics the ocean in the background.
They have set up a hammock, and a wicker chair.
"Wow."
Is all I manage to say.
Glam and Glitz jump up and down, both exclaiming at the same time.
"Isn't it wonderful!"
They have me sit, stand and pose in a million different ways. After about a thousand pictures, they tell me to go get changed.
Dalia hands me another outfit.
"Time for a more tough guy look."
I see what she means when I'm dressed in a white T-shirt, black jeans, a leather jacket, and a large gold watch.
The set has changed from a beach scene, to a street sidewalk with a backdrop of a city.
Next is the "sophisticated" Look. With a dark grey suit, and a blue tie. The scene is completed by the stage set up to look like a classy club.
After several more changes, and a million pictures. They have me change into one last outfit as they set up the interview stage.
Dalia hands me a pair of jeans, and a button down dark purple shirt.
"Leave the top couple buttons undone so you can see your token."
I do as she says, and leave the top open so that you can see the token I took into the arena. A thin gold chain, with a trident charm. Annie gave it to me when she said goodbye, and I haven't taken it off since.
My living room has been changed back to its normal state, the only difference being that they pulled the couch and two armchairs into the middle of the room.
Glitz and Glam are sitting in the chairs, and they tell me to sit on the couch.
"We will start filming in a minute. They just have to make a few adjustments."
Several lights are set up, and the cameras get in place.
"Start filming in three...two...one...go!"
Glitz turns to the camera, and starts the interview.
"Hello! And welcome to Weekly Gush! I'm Glitz..."
"And I'm Glam!"
"We're here to present our newest issue!"
"And the subject for that issue is none other than the victor of last years hunger games: Finnick Odair!"
The camera pans over to me, and I smile and wave.
"Now, to start our exclusive interview. Finnick, how did you feel when you found out we were featuring you in our newest issue?"
Glitz asks.
"To tell the truth, I was lost for words."
I answer.
"When you find out that you are going to be in one of the most popular magazines in the capitol, there are no words to describe it."
Glam asks the next question.
"How has your life changed since you won the games and returned home?"
Great, figures they would throw that one out. I can't exactly say: Oh I hate having attention drawn to me, and I hate that I can't even take a walk without getting mobbed, either by fans or haters.
"Well, it definitely has changed. When I arrived home, the first thing I was told was that my friend Robbert had passed away."
They both looked shocked, and cover their mouths dramatically.
"Oh dear! Not the same Robbert who you volunteered for?"
I nod.
"He had passed a few days after I was reaped. Mrs. Cresta was the one who told me."
Glam starts crying, so Glitz asks the next question.
"That must have been hard, coming back from the games to find out that you lost your close friend while you were gone. How did you handle that?"
I stare into space, and tell them the truth.
"The only thing keeping me from losing it after the games, was the thought that I would be able to get medicine to help Robbert. Then when I found out...well the truth is I almost lost it. But I had to stay strong for Annie, she needs me, especially then. And I promised Robbert that I would look out for her. So I have, and we made it through together."
Glam gets her tears under control enough to ask the next question.
"There has been a lot of talk going around that you and Annie are more than friends, is that true?"
I shake my head.
"No, absolutely not. Annie has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. We have always been close, but never like that."
Glitz raises his eyebrow.
"That brings up the question. Are you single? We know that you were before the games, but it's been six months, and you've only grown better looking. Do you have a girlfriend yet?"
I give the camera a cheeky grin.
"I do not. Haven't found the right girl yet. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet her on the victory tour."
Before they can ask the next question, someone knocks on the door. Glitz and Glam look at each other, then at me.
"Who could that be?"
I shrug.
"Well, why don't you go see! We could use a break anyway to discuss what we will be talking about next."
Someone yells "cut" and I get up to answer the door.
"Annie?"
She is standing in the doorway dressed in a short yellow dress over brown leggings, and a pair of brown boots that almost reach her knees. She's wrapped in a brown pea coat, and no wonder, the weather is quite chilly. Sometimes you forget that it's winter time in district four. The temperature stays moderately warm, and it never snows.
"Hey Finn. I was going to the shopping center and was wondering if you would like to go. I know you don't like shopping all that much, but I was thinking we could hang out after and talk about tomorrow...Why are you dressed up?"
"Um...A magazine from the capitol is featuring me in their newest issue, so I had a photo shoot and I'm doing an interview."
She raises her eyebrows, and looks past me into the house.
"What, you mean like right now?"
Before I can answer, Glitz and Glam rush up.
"And who might this young lady be?"
"A fan perhaps? Wishing for the famous victors autograph?"
I scratch my head, and smile.
"Not exactly. Glitz, Glam, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Annie Cresta."
They both drop their jaws in shock, and open their eyes wide.
"No!"
"Really?"
I nod, and they clap their hands together.
"Oh this is too perfect!"
"The Annie Cresta!"
Annie was staring in shock at the two flashing people in front of her. I forget the only capitol person she's ever seen is Tiffy Cuff, the districts escort. She blinks several times, and smiles.
"Um, Hello. It appears that Finn has already told you about me. I was just asking if he wanted to come with me to the market, but I didn't know he was busy. I guess I'll talk to you later?"
Glitz and Glam give each other a look, and they each take one of Annie's hands.
"Annie. You probably do not know we are the creators and managers of "Weekly Gush" a capitol magazine. Our newest issue is all about Finnick Odair. And well, since you're his best friend...how would you like to be in the rest of the interview?"
"Please! It would mean the world to us! It would be a HUGE Bonus to have you in the magazine as well!"
"What do you say?"
She looks at the two shiny people standing pleading with her. Then she looks at me.
"Sure. Why not?"
Glitz and Glam jump up and down clapping their hands.
They rush back inside to decide what to do for the rest of the interview, and I lead Annie inside.
"You know you could have told me about this ahead of time."
Annie mutters to me as we walk passed the stage and the crew.
"Sorry, I didn't think you would visit today. I kind of forgot about it myself to tell the truth."
Dalia walks by, then pauses and turns back around.
"This can't be who I think it is?"
I smile,
"Annie, this is my stylist Dalia. She is responsible for making me look amazing when I need to. Dalia this is my best friend Annie Cresta."
Dalia shakes Annie's hand, smiling as she says.
"It's good to finally meet you. Although I feel like I already know you with how much Finnick talks about you."
Annie smiles, and I can tell she likes Dalia.
"It's good to meet you too. Finn talks about me a lot huh? Not anything bad I hope."
Dalia shakes her head.
"Far from it. Are you going to be in the rest of the interview then?"
Annie smiles, and shrugs.
"I guess so. Although I'm not used to any of this like Finn is, although he's a natural anyway. To tell the truth I'm kind of shy."
Dalia pats her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Finnick will help you. Won't you Finnick?"
I nod my head.
"Of course. You don't have to worry about anything."
My prep team rushes over.
"We heard that Annie was here!"
"Oh my! She is so adorable!"
"You didn't tell us how cute she was Finnick!"
introductions are made, and they all insist on giving her a makeover.
"You don't need much!"
"Please! Just hair and makeup!"
"Oh it would be such an honor!"
She finally agrees, and they pull her off in the direction of the master bathroom. She looks over her shoulder and shoots me a glare. I smile and wave cheerily at her. I know how much she hates girlie stuff, and now she is going to have a makeover.
I'm called back over to the stage, and Glitz and Glam ask me several questions.
"Is there anything we should know about Annie before we start filming?"
I think for a minute, then answer.
"Well, she is usually shy around people. She doesn't usually open up to people, especially if she doesn't know them, so maybe ease into the whole questioning thing. Oh, and whatever you do, don't mention her brother Robbert. It's been really hard for her, and I don't want it to be brought up."
They both nod sympathetically.
"Of course not."
"The poor thing."
My prep team run into the room, and squeal excitedly.
"She's ready!"
"Oh Finnick wait until you see her!"
"She is so cute!"
Dalia walks in and shoos them away.
"She's embarrassed enough already without you making a huge announcement. Go away and leave her in peace!"
They leave reluctantly, and Dalia leads a blushing Annie into the room.
I hear Glitz and Glam gasp, and I feel my jaw drops as she walks in.
She is dressed the same, except she's not wearing her jacket anymore. Her eyebrows have been plucked into perfect arcs, and she has the slight hints of makeup on her eyes cheeks and lips. Making her features bolder, but making it look natural. Her hair has been curled, and it's pulled up in a pigtail, the shorter hair around her face has been curled, keeping her natural look of having hair in her face, but making it manageable and pretty.
"Wow."
Is all I say, she wrinkles her nose.
"I look so girlie!"
She says it with disgust, but she's grinning.
She sits next to me on the couch, and I give her some simple instructions.
"Always sit up straight with your shoulders back, remember to smile and speak clearly, and don't be nervous, I'm right here."
She straightens her back, and gives me a nervous smile.
"Good! Don't worry, you'll do great."
She keeps smiling, but I can tell she's nervous.
Glitz and Glam take their seats, and the camera crew start counting down.
"Filming in three...two...one...go!"
Just as the camera starts, I grab Annie's hand and hold it tightly so you can't tell she's trembling.
"We're back! And during the break we had a surprise!"
"Joining us today is none other than, Annie Cresta!"
The camera pans out to show Annie and I. She squeezes my hand, and we wave at the camera.
Glam starts the interview up again, and she does ease into it, asking me the first question.
"Finnick, why don't you tell us a little about Annie."
I gaze terrified at them.
"What? I can't do that! She's sitting right here!"
They laugh, and I grin at Annie, and she smiles back. There's the Annie I know.
"Well, how about you tell us how you first met."
I squint my eyes, thinking for a minute.
"When I first met Annie...Well, it was around eight years ago. I was just a lanky little seven-year old, looking around the docks for work. Well, I went around to the boating docks for the wealthier people who could afford their own boat. I heard shouting, and decided to see what was up. There was a boat about thirty yards away from shore, and there was a woman screaming in it. I spotted someone floundering in the water, and so naturally I dived in. Turns out Annie's mother had taken the boat out, and Annie had snuck on without her knowing. Halfway out Annie falls out, and Mrs. Cresta can't risk turning back around because of the boat propellers. Anyway, I pulled her back to the boat, and we've been friends ever since."
Annie holds up a hand.
"Hey! I didn't fall out, I jumped."
I turn to her.
"But you couldn't swim."
She shrugs.
"I was an over-confident five-year old Finn, what can I say?"
Glitz and Glam laugh.
"Now I notice Annie, that you call Finnick, Finn. Is this his nickname, or do you just call him that?"
Annie smiles.
"It started out as a joke. I couldn't say his name right when I was little, so I called him fish. Which might have also had something to do with him saving me from the water, as I got older though, I made the connection that his name Finnick, shortened is Finn, which is the part of a fish it uses to swim with, so it changed from fish, to Finn, and it just kind of stuck."
I laugh, remembering little Annie calling me 'fish'
"Finnick, are you going to miss Annie when you leave for the tour tomorrow?"
I look at Annie.
"Do you want to tell them? Or should I?"
"You go ahead."
I smile at them.
"Annie is coming with me as my special guest."
They gasp in surprise, and clap their hands.
"That will be wonderful! You'll get to see our beloved capitol!"
"We hope that you'll have a lovely time!"
The rest of the interview Annie is laughing and answering their questions with ease.
Once we are finally done, Glitz and Glam say goodbye as their crew pack up everything.
"Thank you so much!"
"The magazine is going to be amazing!"
"Don't worry, both of you will be getting the first two copies!"
"We hope to work with you more in the future!"
The crew of "Weekly Gush" all bid goodbye, and leave for the capitol. The last to go are my prep team and Dalia.
"We'll see you tomorrow!"
"The train leaves early!"
"So be ready this time!"
They rush off to the hotel as Dalia says goodbye.
"Get some rest tonight Finnick, I'll see you tomorrow."
Annie sighs as I close the door.
"Whew! I guess shopping is out of the question now. It's almost six!"
I yawn, and stretch.
"What did you want to go shopping for?"
She shrugs.
"I wanted some new outfits for the tour."
I grin.
"Guess what?"
She looks at me curious.
"What?"
"On the train, they have these closets that you can program it to give you almost any outfit you want."
She looks at me suspiciously.
"You're kidding right?"
I just grin.
"Wow really! That's awesome, I don't have to pack anything!"
"Yes it's a dream come true. Don't worry, my prep team will make sure you are looking your finest when we go somewhere."
She cringes.
"I'm going to look so girlie all the time."
I give her a hug.
"But you look so pretty! Don't you want to look girlie?"
She pushes me away smiling.
"Get off of me!"
"Oh come on, you love wearing makeup and having your hair done pretty don't you?"
She rolls her eyes, and walks to the door.
"Goodbye Finn."
I follow her to the door, teasing the whole way.
"You can't wait to get all dressed up and have another makeover, and go talk to all the capitol girls about fashion, and what boys you think are the cutest and..."
She opens the door, and walks out without looking back.
"Goodbye Finnick!"
I laugh, and stand in the doorway.
"I'll pick you up early tomorrow morning!"
She waves and walks down the street to her house.

There's Nothing More Important than Family, chapter 8

Of course, the nightmares come back. This time, I’m in the arena. The Careers, except for Jason, are circling around me, like a pack of wild dogs. They have me tied up and Satin is holding me up by the collar of my shirt.

“Poor little tribute girl, all alone.” Hisses Vella.

“So tiny, so fragile.” Cackles Mahogany.

“So young.” Satin whispers in my ear. I shiver.

“Hard to believe you’ve made it this far.” Dane is jeering, just like he was in the training centre.

Kelly steps forward, holding a foot-long machete. “What, a charming little girl like you doesn’t have a sponsor? No protector?” She smirks maliciously.

“NATHAN!” I scream. “GEORGIE! SOMEONE, PLEASE! HELP ME!” I feel myself breaking down into tears.

“Zania!” I hear Nathan cry. “Zania, hold on, I’m coming!” Nathan and Georgie come running towards me out of the woods. They are both holding swords.

“Boys, you know what to do.” Orders Kelly. Dane and Mahogany advance on my friends. Georgie is the first to fall. Mahogany impales her with his spear.

“Whoops?” says Mahogany, but his voice is unapologetic.

Nathan is filled with adrenaline. He manages to slash Dane with his sword, but Dane fights back, and stabs Nathan in the heart. I start to bawl hysterically.

“Poor little girl.” Sneers Kelly. “I’d better put you out of your misery.” Kelly slits my throat, and I wake up, tears streaming down my face. Nathan is holding me in his arms comfortingly. I see the sun is rising, so it must be morning. I throw my hand to my neck, but it’s perfectly fine; Kelly didn’t cut me after all.

“Shh, it’s okay.” He mutters softly. “You’re alright, you’re safe.”

“B-but Dane, and Kelly!” I whimper. “A-and Mahogany. A-and you, y-you were dead!”

“It was just a dream.” Nathan reassures me. “You were dreaming you were in the arena, weren’t you?”

“Y-yes.” My words are muffled by the steady dream of tears flowing down my cheeks.

“And the Careers had you, didn’t they?”

“H-how did you know?”

“Lucky guess.” He tells me. “You were screaming in your sleep. Calling my name, and Georgie’s.” I burrow my head into his warm chest, and he pats my head soothingly. “We should probably go get something to eat.” He says, after a minute or two. “Kerany will want to ‘beautify’ you before training.”

I take a couple deep breaths, and wipe the tears from my face. “Nathan, remember when I was six, and you used to carry me around everywhere?” I ask quietly.

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Can you carry me to the dining room?” I whisper childishly.

He laughs. “Fine. You’re so lazy!” he jokes. Nathan slings me over his back, and gives me a piggy-back ride to the table. Kerany is lounging there, and Sean is reading a book.

“Good, you’re awake.” Says Kerany when she sees us. “Zania, we need to get started right away. I already have your token in my room, let’s go.”

“Come on, let her eat!” snaps Nathan.

“This doesn’t concern you!” Yells Kerany angrily. I drop down from Nathan’s back, and stare at Kerany. Her face is flushed with anger, and I secretly think she must be bipolar or something.

Sean intervenes hastily, “Kerany, Nathan is right. Let her eat! And give her some space.”

“I’m just trying to help!” Kerany huffs and she disappears into her room.

I eat as slowly as I possibly can, then follow Kerany. My prep team decorates me the same way they did yesterday. It’s nearly time to leave when they’re finally done with me. I locate Nathan near the elevator, and I’m about to follow him down to the training centre, when Olivia says, “Zania, wait. Nathan, you go ahead. I just need to talk to Zania.” Nathan nods and leaves me standing by the elevator doors.

“Come with me, to the sitting room please.” Orders Olivia. I nervously sit beside her on the couch.

“Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble.” She tells me sweetly. “Nathan told me you’ve been having nightmares and I was just wondering if you wanted to talk.”

“No, I’m fine.” I tell her firmly, although on the inside I am screaming, wanting her to hear me. I’m embarrassed by the dreams, they make me seem weak. And since I’m one of the youngest tributes, I’m pretty weak already.

“Zania, there’s no shame in having these nightmares.” Olivia tells me. “Heck, I still have nightmares about when I was in the arena!”

“It’s okay.” I say, my voice trembling, and I repeat, “I’m fine!”

Olivia doesn’t sound very convinced when she answers me. “If you need anyone to talk to, I’m here. But now, you need to go to training.”

I nod, and scurry into the elevator. The other tributes are already at the stations, but my friends are waiting for me in the middle of the room.

Nathan hugs me when I reach them and says, “I thought you were going to get into trouble.”

“No.” I laugh.”It’s all good.”

We decide how to split up; Georgie and I head to the spear station, Mark and Nathan try out the swords and Addalie drags Breah back over to the obstacle course. I see the boy from 4, Jason, watching me closely. I give him a dirty look, and he flinches. ‘Serves him right,’ I think to myself. He actually volunteered to be here.

The trainers who were missing the day before are now here, so Payla has someone decent to fight. I try not to watch her, because the bloodlust in her eyes terrifies me.

I can hardly look at the Careers, either, after my dream. I subconsciously jump every time Vella shoots an arrow at a target and it meets its mark with a thump. Dane’s sword fighting with a trainer, who cusses loudly when Dane cuts him with his sword. I hear Dane and the other Careers snicker as Dane is told off by the trainer, who is cradling his bleeding arm.

“Idiot.” Says Georgie. “The gamemakers are going to make sure her perishes in the arena now.”

“That’s better for us.” I reason. “One Career down!”

“He’s not down yet.” Georgie argues logically. “This just makes it a little easier, I suppose.

I catch the boy from 4 watching me often, and it makes me uncomfortable. It’s like he’s sizing me up; getting ready to viciously murder me in the arena. But it’s not just Georgie and I he’s watching. I see his green eyes follow Breah at the obstacle course, watching Nathan slice a dummy in half and looking at Addalie while she fumbles with some knots. He completely ignores the Careers and the other tributes. I think he’s creepy. Nothing seems to slip his gaze.

I can’t focus while he’s staring at me, so I watch Georgie fight with the hand-to-hand combat instructor. She’s giving him quite the workout. He’s quick, but Georgie is quicker. In no time, she’s brought his feet out from under him, and he’s lying on the ground.

Hassan is up in the gamemakers booth. He’s supervising the training while talking with the Head Gamemaker; a plump woman with ruby red skin. When he realizes what time it is, he yells at us to go to the cafeteria. I sit with my friends, but I can still feel Jason’s eyes on the back of my head. Suddenly, he comes over to our gathering and slams his hands down on the table. “You’re an alliance.” He cries.

“Yeah, so what?” says Addalie.

“This is perfect, just perfect.” Jason mutters to himself.

“What do you want?” Nathan snaps.

“To join you, of course!”

“No.” Mark growls. “Anyways, aren’t you with the Careers?”

Jason evades Mark’s question. “Wait, now hear me out.” He tries to persuade us. “I didn’t volunteer at the Reaping to win. I volunteered to help someone else win. The Careers can’t win this year.”

“You make no sense.” Hisses Breah. “Why wouldn’t you want the Careers to win? You are a Career!”

“You don’t understand. Yes, I’ve been training as a Career, but that’s only because my dad forced me to. When I volunteered, I knew I wouldn’t win. My dad was a Career, but he never got a chance to volunteer. He’s been trying to live through me ever since I was twelve but I’ve always hated Careers.”

“Why?” Georgie asks, sounding somewhat interested.

“When I was eleven, a victor murdered my mother when he was drunk and she was selling liquor in the market. The Peacekeepers left him off the hook, just because he won the Hunger Games, because he was a Career. Since then, a Career has won the Games every year except one, when that girl from 9 won. Your mentor.” He says to me. “I promised myself that if I ever did get into the Hunger Games, I’d prove that other districts can win too. That underdogs can make it to the top.”

“But you’re a Career!” I debate. “If you win, that defeats the purpose!”

“I’m not going to win.” Jason answers. “One of you are. I’m just going to help you. I can be a valuable ally; I’ve been training my whole life!”

“So have I!” counters Georgie.

“Yes, but I have Career training. I know how the other Careers work and I know their tactics inside-out. You can trust me; I have no love for the others.”

Nathan stands up and jabs a finger at Jason’s chest. “We’ll let you tag along. But if you step one toe out of line, we will beat you so badly, they won’t even be able to recognize you when they retrieve your body from the arena.”

“Understandable.” Jason says lightly. “I can sit here with you, then?”

“Yeah, okay!” Addalie replies. I’ve noticed she’s very trusting. It’s not like I’m going to double-cross her, but this is a fatal flaw to have when going into the Hunger Games. But the fact that she trusts us at all makes me smile, and I haven’t smiled in a while.

Life With Annie, chapter 2

I finished shopping about an hour ago, and now I'm on my way to the beach.
It's the one place I can get away from it all, the one place where nothing is different, but is always changing.
The beach is usually empty, especially during the school year. And when people do go to the beach, they usually hang out at the party places.
There are a few places on the beach that have fire pits, and a large shelter. This is where the teenagers hang out when they come to the beach, a few will take walks, but apparently there is nothing 'interesting' on the open beach.
I don't understand how they think this. The open beach is my favorite place in the whole world, it's the one place I can think clearly without any interruptions. Just listen to the sound of the ocean.
I avoid the open streets, and duck around behind buildings and travel through the alleys.
I leave the wealthier section of the district, and enter the more shady part of town.
You have to be careful here, there's no knowing who you might run into.
Most people will leave me alone. After all, I ruthlessly killed people in the arena, and as far as anyone knows, I will kill outside the arena as well. This is not true of course, in the arena it was self defense, and I was forced to. I duck behind the run down building which serves as a bar, as I hear several footsteps coming my way. It turns out just to be some fishermen returning home after a long day of work. I take a deep breath, and continue to the beach.
"Going somewhere?"
The voice is harsh, and I would recognise it anywhere. It's the voice that has tormented me my entire life, the one that would wake me up in the morning with some jeering comment and a slap.
I turn around and face him.
It's Surf, a six and a half-foot tall eighteen year old that lived in the same community home as I did. His dirty blonde hair is cut close to his head, and his cold blue eyes have the usual wicked glint in them.
He's dressed in some ratty jeans and tank top.
With him are several of his cronies.
I give him a cool smile, and stand with confidence. Shoulders back.
"Actually yes, I was going somewhere. Not that it's any of your business."
He smirks, and swaggers over. He stands in front of me, and although I am tall, he still has five inches on me.
"Oh that's right. You don't talk to us commoners, Cinderella finally got her crown, and her kingdom. Bow down to the royal highness lads."
They all snicker as they bow mockingly.
I just keep smiling.
"I'm glad to see your finally showing some respect. I earned my victory, and you filthy swine should know better than to mess with me."
Surf's face turns bright red, and he grinds his teeth together.
"So, you didn't learn your place earlier did you? Well, looks like we'll have to teach you another lesson!"
He swings his fist at my head, but I saw it coming and ducked. His hand collided with the wall of the bar, and he roars in pain. As I duck, I through a punch in his ribs, knocking the breath from him. He recovers quickly, and brings up his knee, catching me on the jaw. My teeth slam together, and my head hits the wall behind me. I'm still seeing stars, when I feel Surf's next punch hit me in the left temple. I kick out as hard as I can, and my foot comes in contact with his torso, sending him flying back. My vision clears, and I jump on Surf, pinning him to the ground as I start punching him. Blood is running from his nose and his busted lip when he yells to his buddies who have watched the whole time. There's three of them, and they grab my arms and yank me from him. They're not as big as Surf, but there is three of them, and only one of me. My struggles prove useless, and they pin me to the wall. Surf stands up, and spits blood.
"You're going to pay for that you little rat!"
He smears the blood on his face as he tries to wipe it off. Then he walks over to me, and punches me hard in the stomach. I gasp and double over, trying to breathe. I try to kick him, but his buddies keep me pinned to the wall. Surf punches me again in the face, and my nose starts bleeding. He grabs my hair, and slams my head against the wall.
"You see princess, just because you won a little game, doesn't mean that you get to come back here, and act like you're better than us."
I strain against the arms pinning me to the wall, and gasp out a reply.
"Yeah well that 'little game' happens to be hell on earth, and I didn't see you jumping up to volunteer. If it's so easy to win, why didn't you go? Big tough guy like you, shouldn't be a problem. Or maybe you just didn't have the guts, because deep down, you're just a frightened little girl."
He roars with rage, and slams his fist into my jaw. Then he presses his arm against my neck, and applies pressure.
"You shouldn't have said anything, because now I'm going to make sure you'll never say anything again!"
I gasp for air, choking as my oxygen is cut off. Everything starts swirling into blackness, when I hear a shout.
Suddenly Surf steps away, and him and his buddies run off.
I fall to my knees gasping and coughing up blood.
I feel someone grab my arm and help me up.
"Bruce?"
He holds my arm, supporting me.
"I thought that was you. Come on."
He puts my arm over his shoulders, and supports me with his other one. He helps me into the bar, and sits me down at a table in the far corner. He sits down across from me, and calls to the bartender.
"Hey! Mr. Gibbs! Can we get a wet cloth and some whiskey over here?"
A large man with a bald head and an enormous dark brown beard. Stomps over and hands Bruce a bottle of whiskey, and a damp cloth.
"I was wondering where you went Bruce, picking up alley rats now?"
Mr. Gibbs has a booming voice, and he laughs as he pats Bruce on the shoulder.
"Not just any alley rats. This one happens to be a very special one, aren't you?"
Bruce asks me. I lift my head, and look at Mr. Gibbs. He raises his eyebrows shocked.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the famous Finnick Odair. What were you doing lurking around getting beat up in alleys?"
I hold the cloth to my blackening eye as I shrug, and reply with a cheeky smile.
"Oh you know, I need to have some excitement around here. This place seems so safe and peaceful compared to the arena."
He laughs, and slaps me on the back, making me grind my teeth together. The bruises from earlier are still throbbing, and after my recent encounter my whole body aches.
"You're just looking for trouble messing around in the alleys. I don't doubt that a strong healthy lad like yourself can take any one or even two of the knuckle heads around here, especially since you've had training and experience, but they always travel in gangs. You should always carry a weapon of some sort if you're going to keep traveling in the alleys."
I nod my head, and wipe the blood off my face.
"Will do. Thanks for the advice."
He accepts a few gold coins from Bruce, and walks back behind the counter.
Bruce leans back in his chair, and takes a swig from the whiskey bottle.
"Now, what were you really doing back there?"
I sigh, and wince as I shift my position.
"I was on my way to the beach. I take the alleys because there aren't as many 'fans'"
Bruce laughs,
"But there are more haters. Wouldn't you rather be asked for an autograph, than get beat up?"
I shrug.
"I hate all the attention, and I can't stand all those girls throwing themselves at me. It's disgusting."
Bruce raises his eyebrows.
"Really? I would think a boy your age would love that."
I drop the bloody rag on the table.
"Well maybe other boys would, but I just feel sorry for them. All those girls have no self-respect or shame, their whole lives they will spend on chasing boys, but the only ones that will pay them any attention, are the ones that they should look out for."
Bruce nods slowly.
"That's true. You've got a lot of sense for a kid your age."
I grin.
"I know."
Bruce chuckles and shakes his head.
"And a lot of cheek. What you said makes me wonder though."
I frown.
"Wonder about what?"
He sits silent for a moment, then looks at me.
"Maybe the reason you despise those girls so much, is because where they're heading, they'll end up like your mom. unmarried and pregnant, with no one willing to help."
I look up surprised. narrowing my eyes.
"How did you know about that?"
He shrugs and takes another drink of whiskey.
"One hears things. You're a celebrity now, everything about you is public news now."
Ugh. That's awful, I didn't exactly want everyone to know that my mom was no better than a prostitute.
"Here. Drink some of this. It'll help with the pain."
He hands me the whiskey bottle, and I take a drink. It's strong, and burns at first. But then it soothes down to a warmth, and I take another drink.
"Oh. I might as well tell you now, you're invited to come to dinner at the Cresta's tonight."
Bruce stretches, and tilts his chair back on it's back legs.
"Well that's nice. I can't make it though."
I swallow some more whiskey, and set the bottle on the table.
"Got other plans?"
He shrugs.
"Something like that. You better get home and cleaned up if you plan on showing up presentable."
I nod and stand up with a groan.
"Will you be alright getting home?"
I hold my ribs and straighten up.
"Yeah, I should be able to get there without much trouble."
He stands up, and pulls a large knife out of his belt.
"Here, keep this with you just in case you get jumped again."
I slide the knife into my belt.
"Thanks. I'll see you around."
He nods, and sits back down with the whiskey bottle. Staring off into space, lost in thought.
I slowly walk back home, every step is painful, and when I finally make it in my house, every muscle is throbbing.
I don't have time for a shower, so I brush the dirt out of my hair, and put in some gel to keep it manageable. I change into a nice pair of jeans, and a dark grey sweater.
I look in the mirror, and wish that I didn't have a black eye and busted lip. This will only bring up questions.
I grab some pills from the medicine cabinet, and take several to help with the pain.
Then I walk over to the Cresta's.
Their large pale yellow house isn't too far from mine, and I reach it in about twenty minutes.
I knock on the door, and Annie answers it.
"Hey Finn, you're late..."
She trails off when she sees my face. But I just smile, and step inside.
"Hi Annie. Sorry I'm late, I just couldn't get my hair to look right."
She closes the door. And replies to my remark.
"Oh dear, we couldn't have Finnick Odair over for dinner if his hair wasn't perfect. You are forgiven."
I sigh inwardly. She knows I don't want to talk about it. She leads me into the dinning room, where Mags is already waiting, sitting at the end of the table.
She gives me a quizzical look when she sees my face, but I just give her a small shake of my head. She nods, knowing I'll tell her about it later.
"Hello Finnick, we were wondering when you would show up."
Annie grins, and sits on the right side of the table.
"He couldn't get his hair to cooperate. You can sit across from me Finn."
I sit down as Mags laughs.
"Well we couldn't have that could we?"
Mrs. Cresta walks in from the kitchen, her dark brown hair pulled back with a bandana.
"Finnick! Glad you could make it."
I smile. She's the closest thing I have ever had to a mother.
"Hello Mrs. Cresta."
She gasps and rushes over to me when she sees my face.
"What happened? Are you alright?"
She tilts my chin and examines my face.
"I'm fine really. I just tripped and fell down the stairs."
She looks me in the eye.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
I grin, and pull her hand away from my face.
"I'll be just excellent once I start eating your delicious cooking."
She smiles.
"Oh fine then. Annie, can you help me bring out dinner please?"
She hops up and follows her mom into the kitchen.
"So, you fell down the stairs?"
Mags says with a doubtful expression.
I sigh, and lean back in my chair.
"I'll tell you about it later."
She shrugs.
"Fine. Oh and about what we discussed earlier. I called a few people, and they said in some circumstances it would be allowed to take one person with you on the victory tour as your special guest."
I smile and sit up quickly.
"Really? So I can take Annie?"
Mags laughs at my excitement.
"As long as Rachel is okay with it."
For some reason it's always odd to hear someone call Mrs. Cresta by her first name. But right now I'm too excited to think about it.
Mrs. Cresta and Annie emerge from the kitchen with platters of food. A large roast with vegetables and gravy, served with bread and wine is the meal for the evening. And we take no time in digging in. After the meal, Mrs. Cresta brings out dessert. A berry crumble with coffee to go with it.
As we are eating dessert, I turn to Annie.
"Annie, I feel really bad about missing your thirteenth birthday. So I got your present early."
I reach in my pocket, and pull out what I was shopping for this afternoon. I hand Annie the long wooden box.
"I know you don't like real girlie stuff, but I hope you'll wear this."
She opens the box, and pulls out a simple pearl necklace.
"Oh Finnick...it's beautiful!"
I smile as she puts it on.
"If you look closely, the thirteen pearls in the middle are light pink, where as the others are ivory. I told them to make it as non girlie as possible, and trust me I got some weird looks."
She laughs, and turns to her mom, then to Mags.
"How does it look?"
"It's beautiful."
Her mom says, and Mags laughs.
"And it doesn't look to girlie. It suits you."
She runs over and gives me a hug.
"Thank you, I love it!"
"Well, I have another surprise for your birthday. But I'm going to have to ask your mom first."
Her eyes light up.
"Another surprise? What is it?"
I look at Mrs. Cresta, and back at Annie.
"How would you like to go with me on the victory tour?"
She gasps, and her eyes grow wide.
"You mean like to the capitol? And the other districts?"
I nod.
"We would go to all the districts, then to the capitol. At every district there will be a dinner party, and the capitol will have the biggest party ever."
She looks from me to her mom.
"How long would we be gone?"
"Several weeks."
She looks back at her mom.
"Would I be allowed to go?"
Mrs. Cresta thinks for a minute.
"She would be with you the whole time?"
I nod. She looks at Annie, then smiles.
"You can if you want to."
She runs over and hugs her mom tightly.
"Thank you! I promise I'll behave, and I wont get into any trouble."
Mrs. Cresta laughs, giving me a look.
"It's not you I'm worried about. You'll have to keep and eye on Finnick and make sure he doesn't get in trouble. Keep him acting like a victor."
Annie walks over to me, and crosses her arms.
"You hear that? You've got to behave like a victor."
I laugh, and bow to her.
"Of course my lady."
Annie jumps up and down, and then stops.
"When do we leave?"
"Thursday morning."
She looks back at her mom.
"Are you sure it's okay?"
She nods.
"You deserve to have some fun, especially on your birthday."
Annie gives me another hug.
"You're the best friend ever!"