Forgot to mention that this story is based off the fact that Catching Fire never happened. Other than that enjoy!
Mako's POV
The next day at breakfast, Finnick and Annie come and we all become acquainted. Well, Finnick does; Annie just sits there staring at her eggs.
"So," says Finnick, "first thing is first: I need to know if you two are willing to kill."
"Only in self defense," says Ariel.
"To protect her," I add, motioning to my girlfriend. Finnich leans over, pops his head on the table, and groans.
"Another pair of 'star-crossed lovers'," he mumbles. "Fantastic."
I see Ariel blush and I immediately know what she is going to say.
"We are not 'lovers'. We're both virgins."
Bad choice of words in front of the all-famous womanizer. She barely gets the word "virgins" out before Finnick bursts out laughing.
"Hahahaha!" he booms towards the ceiling. Annie by now has torn her gaze from her breakfast to watch blankly as Finnick tries to catch his breath. He looks at Ariel, and then with a raised eyebrow says, "Oh, you were serious?"
Ariel's POV
Now I really do not understand what my friends see in Finnick Odair. Yes, his seemingly eternally youthful looks are indeed eye catching, but the man is so full of himself. He has probably been with every Capitol girl who has thrown herself at him.
"I am serious," I say sharply. Finnick smirks into his fist.
He is also immature. I suppose that is what happens when you win the Games at fourteen.
"Anyway," he says, "So under circumstances, you are willing to kill."
We nod.
"Well, what are you good at?"
Mako must have been a swordfish in another life. He is a natural fighter. He can even make weapons if he has the time and resources. Me, I have done barely anything worthy to mention. I can handle a harpoon pretty well. However, when has there ever been a harpoon in the Games? None from what I remember. I can handle a knife (thanks to Mako). My one talent is swimming. I can hold my breath for a long time and swim deeper than anyone else I know. Mako can swim fast, but I am faster. However, if there is not any water than I am dead. I am a klutz on land. My family and friends always tease me saying I should have been born a fish.
After explaining our "skills", Finnick groans at me, and "hmm's" at Mako. I have a feeling he will want to mentor Mako and then Mako will end up going home, despite his determination to protect me.
"So…you can swim?" Finnick says flatly. "You are 'alright' with a knife. Ariel, no offense, but your only redeeming quality is that you can shoot a harpoon. Most girls I get from District 4 can only weave nets and make fish hooks."
Oh yea, I can weave nets too. Didn't think that counted.
"What about spears? Morning stars? Archery?"
Once again, Mako can do all of that. I make the nets; I do not use them.
"Some career, you will make," Annie randomly spurts out, twitching a few times. We all stare at her for a minute as she stares at the spoon in her hands. I scowl at the mad woman and finish my breakfast in haste, tears just burning to spill over my cheeks. I leave quickly, but I hear someone follow me into the next train car.
"Hey," says Finnick, "as much as Annie is right-"
"Gee, thanks," I snap, brushing his hand off my shoulder.
"I was not finished," he grumbles.
"I am!"
"Ariel, you have true potential." He sighs. "Honestly, more potential than your boyfriend back there."
This catches my attention. How could someone like me, who can barely walk straight, have more potential than a fit, multi-talented seventeen year old?
"I'm listening," I say sarcastically. "This should be good."
"He lacks any motivation other than protecting you."
"That's all he needs."
"No," he snaps. "No it is not. If you died, would he try to win?"
I shake my head.
"Now, if he died, would you continue to fight to win?"
"That doesn't-"
"Would you?" His voice drops an octave and his face darkens. I look down and sigh.
"Yes."
Mako's POV
Annie and I are left alone as Finnick goes after Ariel. I think about the situation. Since my name was called, I have been thinking of ways to make sure Ariel gets home. I've known all along I will not live.
"Alright, here's the deal," I say, getting Annie's attention. "The only reason you won is because you can swim." Her voice contorts as if in a bad memory. "I want you to mentor me."
She looks at me confused.
"Why?" she mumbles.
"Because I know how to fight. I am fine. Ariel cannot fight worth anything. She needs Finnick to train her. Make sure he chooses her, not me."
"You know he favors you already," Annie stutters madly.
"That's why I need you to convince him to mentor her."
Annie is motionless for a moment then nods rapidly, and bows her head so low her hair completely hides her face. I feel the train stop and I know we are at the Capitol.
We meet our stylist, and her team practically tears us up, at least I think so. I am glad they do not mess with my spiked hair too much. All they do is trim them down a bit. I hear them talk about how they are glad Ariel and I are both naturally tan and how it makes it easier on them. I have to keep myself from laughing though, because they are all freaking out over Ariel's chlorine damaged, split ends. All she did back in District 4 was swim in our school's pool so it is not surprising it affected her hair. The next time I see her, her chin length, light brown hair has been repaired and there are blue streaks here and there. It is actually pretty.
However, when I see our costumes for the Opening Ceremonies, I almost die immediately.
I look in the mirror and see that I am dressed as a freaking shark, fins and all. I almost punch our idiot stylists, but I do not hit girls so that would not work out. I think Angel has a few screws loose if this is what she can think of. District 12 did better when the world famous Cinna was their stylist.
"You look so scary!" says Angel, flashing a blinding white smile.
Ariel comes in dressed as a fish as well, but I think she is a flying fish because her sleeves look like their wing-like fins. Other than that, she looks almost as ridiculous as I do.
"Kill me now," she hisses. I laugh at her because her "tail-fin" is a tight skirt that flairs out at the bottom like a fish tail.
"You don't look that bad," I lie.
Author's Note: Ok, this one was a little shorter, but I wanted to put a little humor into it because Finnick has to be my favorite victor. Finnick *drool* lol jk. So what did you think?