AN: Before the Hunger Games begin, tributes will be staying for close to 3 weeks in the Capitol.
Disclaimer: Suzanne Collins owns the Hunger Games Trilogy.
I won't let you turn around
And tell me now I'm much too proud
To walk away from something when it's dead
La Roux - Bullet Proof.
Katniss P.O.V:
I made my way to District 12's chariot, and brushed my fingers through the horse's mane. It must be so easy to live a life of a horse. Just meander around and eat hay, as simple as that. Absolutely no care in the world.
I glanced around the Tribute Parade hall, my eyes bulging at some of the things the tributes had to wear. The stylists were very eccentric. I glanced down at my costume and I was glad I had Cinna. The jumpsuit, boots and cape were comfortable and easy to breathe in.
"Hello Katniss." I heard a voice call out to my right. I glanced at the individual and cursed under my breath. Finnick Odair smirked as he noticed my reaction to his presence. The Capitol's Sex Symbol; who whispers sweet nothings in your ear at night, then is nowhere to be seen the next morning. He kind of left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I angled my body to face his, but kept my fingers tangled in the horse's mane.
"Finnick," I said flatly. His smirk seemed to widen at my tone.
"Want a sugar cube?" He raised his hand to reveal a square sugar cube. "I mean it's supposed to be for the horses, but who cares? They've got years to eat sugar, whereas you and I…well, if we see something sweet, we better grab it quick."
I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him. The urge was hard to resist but I managed.
Finnick was attractive. More than attractive actually. But I can honestly say he's never been attractive to me. He didn't affect me in the way he affected women and had them making a fool of themselves in a matter of seconds. But I'd have to be an idiot to not notice his extraordinary beauty. Tall, athletic, with golden skin and bronze-colored hair and those sea-green eyes of his. I shook my head. It didn't appeal to me, fortunately. He was an amazing fighter too, being able to wield a trident like a warrior, especially back in his 65th Hunger Games.
"No thanks," I say to the sugar. "I'd love to borrow your outfit sometime, though."
A golden net was draped strategically knotted at his crotch. He wasn't technically naked, but he was about as close as anyone can get. His stylist must have thought the more of Finnick's body is revealed, the better.
His eyes flashed with kept amusement. "You're absolutely terrifying me in that getup. What happened to the pretty little-girl dresses?" He asks. When he wets his lips all I can think of is old Cray. I bite back the grin wanting to breakthrough.
"Obviously, I outgrew them," I say.
Finnick takes the collar of my outfit and runs it between his fingers. "It's too bad about this Quell thing," he says nonchalantly, "You could have made out like a bandit in the Capitol. Jewels, money, anything you wanted."
"I don't like Jewels, and I have more money than I need. What do you spend all yours on, anyway, Finnick?" I say.
Finnick snickers. "Oh, I haven't dealt in anything as common as money in years," He says in thought.
I fully turn my body to face his, a wry smirk finds its way on my lips. "Then how do you they pay you for the pleasure of your company?" I ask in false innocence.
"With secrets," he says softly. He tips his head in so his lips are almost in contact with mine. My grey eyes meet his sea green ones and my breath gets caught in my throat. "What about you, girl on fire? Do you have any secrets worth my time?"
I feel an unusual grin stretch my lips. "No, I'm an open book," I whisper back. "Everybody seems to know my secrets before I know them myself, apparently."
Something flickers in his eyes and his smirk widens. I could feel a few eyes on us now, considering our close proximity. "Unfortunately, I think that's true." His eyes flicker off to the side. "Peeta is coming." But he makes no move to walk away.
He studies me for a few seconds then takes a small step back. His eyes danced with fascination and amusement. "You're not at all what I expected, girl on fire."
I expertly swiped a sugar cube out of his hand and tossed it into my mouth.
"Well you know what they say Odair."
Finnick quirks an eyebrow. "What?" He asks.
I suck on my sugar cube. "Expect the unexpected." I say in mock sweetness. A loud guffaw escapes his mouth, drawing attention to those who weren't already openly gawking at us.
He shakes his head and abruptly turns and saunters off, all the while plopping yet another sugar cube. I honestly wonder how he is able to still have nice teeth with all the sugar he ingests.
And as I turn back to the chariot horse at hand, I pretend not to notice the shaky breath that leaves my mouth.
As I mentioned before, he does not affect me. Whatsoever.
AN: Thank you for reading.
