Johanna pushed her way through the crowd, stopping for only loyal district seven sponsors. She had her eyes on one thing, and one thing only, the dessert table. If she, like every other presentable victor, was forced to go to this event, then she would at least indulge all the superficial needs she had.
As she surveyed the sea of neon in front of her, she watched other district mentors sweet talking potential sponsors.
'Are you kidding me? The games just ended' she thought.
She watched the newest member to the oh-so exclusive group of victors parade themselves with all the arrogance and pride she had come to expect from careers. Still Johanna couldn't help but feel pity and a little envy, for their ignorance of what's to come. She suddenly lost her appetite.
This façade, this image the capitol presented had fooled, had fooled all of them. The ridiculous fashion and the pastry that was mostly icing seemed so glamourous. It promised safety and satisfaction. Instead she, and many others traded their privacy, freedom, families, and humanity, for what seemed like, from the outside, a perfect life.
"These are so much better than sugar cubes."
Finnick's voice took Johanna out of her own head. She looked over to the Capitol's sweetheart walking towards her with a woman dressed head to toe in neon green and yellow. She looked like a toxic dandelion.
"My dear, can you give me and Johanna a moment to talk?" Finnick asked.
As soon as the woman turned her back to walk a way his charming smile left his face.
"Whoever said neon was in this season is an idiot."
"Aww, I think her outfit was nice, it really brings out your eyes."
Finnick laughed bitterly.
After a few seconds of silence between the two Johanna asked,
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Nothing, I just needed a moment without her pouring all of her 'problems' on me. I couldn't care less about her brand loyalty, just shop at both of the places," despite being taller, Finnick rested his forehead on Johanna's shoulder, "I just can't wait to go home."
Johanna looked down at her friend, and couldn't help but think about how vulnerable he looked. She couldn't have that.
"Hey, no moping. Not her, not now," she shrugged off Finnick and turned to face him, "You just have this party. Just push your way through tonight and you can go back to your little district family, or whatever so great in four. So, smile," Johanna put on an exaggerated smile, "and laugh with me."
She forced out a boisterous laugh and he followed suit. Whether it was from exhaustion or the bizzare, though grim, situation both of them were thrown into after the games, their laughter soon became genuine, if a bit hysterical.
After a few curious glances in their direction in their direction both victors calmed down and settled into a comfortable silence. After a few seconds passed, Finnick said,
"This doesn't end for me until tomorrow morning."
Some other Victor, one who didn't completely understand his situation, would have wink and say he was lucky, or sneer and accuse him of being, just like the Capitol's citizen, complacent and blind to what was truly going on. Johanna did neither, because she had once been in his position and had lost everything. Despite knowing what Finnick was going through, all she could think to say was,
"I'm sorry"
"Yeah, well I- "Finnick's posture and expression suddenly changed, "I enjoyed talking to you, Johanna."
As he finished speaking, his companion he was with earlier slipped past behind Johanna and once again linked her arm with the district four victor who wore the same charming smile he had when he first approach Johanna. He looked approachable and relaxed.
"Talking to you was like a breath of fresh air. Stay funny, See you around." Finnick winked and gave her a grateful smile before melting back into the crowed with the toxic dandelion in his arms.
Left alone at the dessert table, Johanna filled her plate with as much as she could and followed Finnick's lead. She entered back into the sea of neon, counting down the minutes until she could leave.
