"What do you want Finnick?" I ask with an eye roll. Sure, the guy is attractive, but he is also so freaking annoying. He has definitely lived up to Haymitch's nickname of "Peacock". Ever since the Parade, he keeps pestering me with poor attempts at flirting with me.
Finnick feigns sadness as he dramatically puts his hand over his heart as he responds dramatically, "Aw, Katniss! That hurts my feelings! Why would you say such a thing? I thought that we were friends!"
I sigh as I try to regain concentration on tying my rope, "You know as well as I do that being friends with you would never work out. You have enough of an ego to fill up the arena and then some!"
I hear him chuckle as he mumbles, "Says the girl who refuses to ask for help on a knot that she clearly sucks at…"
I look down to see that his observation isn't that far from the truth.
"Fuck! I would have done it if you weren't distracting me Odair!" I growl as I throw the rope down in annoyance.
"Yes, and the sun was in your eyes too. Please, me coming here is a godsend for you and your adequate at best knot making skills."
"Yes Finnick. Not only are you God's gift to the people of Panem, but you are also God's gift for little me. Whatever would I do without you…"
Suddenly, I feel a presence behind me as Finnick whispers in my ear, "We all have a role to play Everdeen. You might be surprised about who is playing a role and who isn't."
I will be confused by his response once I have time to think about it, but right now I am too busy trying to hide the chill that runs down my spine. Just because the peacock annoys me, doesn't mean that I can't find him somewhat attractive…
His chuckle lets me know that he noticed my response, but gives no further indication as he puts a new rope in my hands.
"Now, you aren't too bad at the basic knots. But you keep making a common mistake when it comes to the more sophisticated ones. You are giving too much slack when you are trying to reinforce the knot's integrity. I made the mistake all the time when I was just learning this. Frustrated the hell out of me…" He whispers in my ear while his hands continue to guide mine on the knot that I was initially struggling with.
I try to focus on what he is teaching me. For an arrogant showoff, he does know a thing or two about knot making. But I have a feeling that he is also trying to flirt a little more and I know that I can't let him know that he is affecting me.
So, I resort to what I know best, using my sarcasm as a defense mechanism.
"So Finnick, got another rope in your pocket, or are you just that happy to see me?"
I actually get a genuine sounding laugh, which I was honestly surprised to hear coming out of his mouth.
"Damn Everdeen! And here I thought that you were a little innocent thing!" He whispers while continuing to flawlessly guide my hands on the rope. In no time, the knot was made and was perfect.
"See? Not too hard. I'm sure that you'll get it in no time on your own." Finnick says at normal volume as I feel him step away from me.
Dammit, he did help me with that knot with little to no flirting.
"So, I'm guessing you want a thanks for helping your opponent out with something that was considered a weakness of theirs?" I ask as soon as I get over my initial shock that he helped me out with a problem of mine.
"Not at all, Ms. Everdeen! It's the least I can do for a friend! All I ask is that you remember what I taught you. It would do you wonders if you implemented those during the games, believe me." Finnick answers while giving me a mock bow.
As he turns to leave, only one thought has entered my mind.
Shit, he thinks that we are friends? Now he'll never leave me alone…
What scares me the most is that I'm actually not pissed at that notion.