I apologize for any and all grammatical errors.
The dazzling sun radiates upon the rolling waves. Diamonds twinkle through the swells of the pure blue sea.
Waves lap against the edge of the small fishing boat. The blonde man behind the wheel of the boat squints out into the open sea. His shirt has been removed and now is wrapped around his head, shielding his head from the worst of the heat.
He wipes the back of his hand over his sweat dripped brow.
"Here's good!" He bellows, over to his companion by the anchor.
It's a small boat, but it has an engine, one of the few in District 4. Owned by the the Pierce family. Cousins Sam Evans and Brittany Pierce are taking it out as their final test. Final test before they are to inherit the family business. They have chosen their team and are supposed to go out and bring back an average day's haul without the help of any their parents.
"Britt drop it!" Sam barks. He's more than a little nervous. He needs to make the family proud and this is their final test.
"It's down Sam!" Brittany calls back, removing her shirt to reveal her bikini top. Sam rolls his eyes when he notices one of his two other team members admiring his cousin. And it isn't the man.
"Santana get the net ready!" Sam orders his lead team member. He hates to admit it, but Santana Lopez knows more about the fishing business than he does. His family simply owns the boat, Santana has been fishing since she was old enough to swim. And if legend stands correct, Santana has been swimming since the age of 3.
"Get your head outa your ass Sam, give it a second to calm down. Shut off the engine!" Santana barks back. Sam knew he would have problems when hiring Santana, but she is the best at what she does, so he couldn't not hire her just because of her attitude.
"Blaine, help me out with this, will ya?" Santana asks the fourth member of their team. Though they are all teenagers ranging from the ages 16-19, they are considered at the height of their careers.
Blaine is 16 (almost 17!), and the youngest of the group, but is much like Santana when it comes to the fishing business. Though he isn't quite the swimmer Santana is, he knows all about currents and shit Sam isn't going to pretend he understands. It's strange, it's almost like Blaine can sense when fish are near.
"Not yet." Blaine shakes his head, dipping his hand into the ocean, running his fingers through the water.
"Oh stop it with your fishy sixth sense, you'd think I'd be the one with-" Santana starts, untangling the net.
"Ok Santana!" Blaine interrupts before his oldest friend can get too vulgar.
"Hey San! Let's go for a swim!" Brittany claps excitedly at her idea. Sam steps out of the cabin and walks onto the deck next to Brittany.
"Britt we can't!" Sam complains trying to hand his cousin back her shirt.
"Oh c'mon Sam! Let's have a little fun!" Brittany frowns down at her shirt and tosses it aside. Santana looks delighted by this action, she removes her own shirt, shoving it at Blaine so she can make her way towards Brittany.
"I didn't hire your girlfriend so you could have fun." Sam rolls his eyes and walks over to Blaine, helping the only person who isn't missing their shirt untangle the net.
"You're right. You didn't hire me, Brittany did. And she hired me because I'm the best." Santana argues. As if to prove prove her point Santana takes a small running start across the deck and jumps into a perfect dive off the bow of the boat and slices through the water.
Santana doesn't surface until she holds up a fish triumphantly in her hand. She tosses it over at Sam, hitting him right in the face.
"Holy shit." Santana curses under her breath. She's impressed with herself, it was mostly a fluke that she was able to catch a fish with her bare hands on the first dive.
Brittany squeals excitedly, diving off the bow to reach Santana. Her dive is even more graceful than Santana's which in itself is impressive. Brittany is graceful in that way, always has been.
Brittany and Santana have been together, officially together, since they were 15. They have been best friends since their first reaping day 3 years prior to that. Brittany had been so scared, having to split up from Sam, not only because he's a boy, but because he's two year older. Santana usually would have passed by the terrified girl without a second glance, but there was just something about the blonde that reeled Santana in. She took Brittany's hand and lead her to their designated area.
Brittany swims over to Santana allowing her girlfriend to take her into her arms and kiss her. They pull apart before they can sink under water.
"This isn't the spot." Blaine announces to the group, pulling his hand out of the water, shaking it dry.
"What? Are you serious?" Sam groans taking his head in his hands. The heat is really getting to him. It took them half of their designated time to reach this area, they figured the further they went out, the more chance they would bring in a bigger haul They don't have much time left on the open water.
"We're not going to get anything here." Blaine lets them know. He's not sure how he does it, but he can always sense it when they're going to have a large haul. And this isn't it.
Sam is about to call in the girls when he realizes that his cousin and his employee are quite possibly getting it on in the middle of the ocean.
"Oh god." Sam's head whips away so fast he nearly injures his neck. Blaine looks confused for only a moment then turns his attention to the girls.
"Brittany put your top back on. Santana get your hand out of Brittany's underwear. We have to go." Blaine sighs.
Blaine and Santana have been working the same crews for years now. He's used to her antics. He could even say that Santana is his best friend, though he and Sam are starting to form what Sam likes to call and 'epic bro bond'.
Brittany and Santana are reluctant to pull away, but do so regardless. They know the importance today's haul could be.
Blaine only moves them about a mile closer to the shore before he announces this is their spot. The waves are calmer, in fact the ocean is almost smooth.
"You sure? It doesn't look too busy out here." Sam questions, but Santana and Blaine are already tossing the net over the side of the boat.
Sam gives up on trying to be the boss and simply comes to the terms with the fact that they are a team.
"You going to see Annie today?" Blaine asks Brittany, now that the net is out, all they can do is wait.
"It's Sunday." Brittany agrees cheerfully. They all lay out on the deck, with this heat, there isn't much they can do.
"Finnick Odair in town?" Santana asks, spitting out the man's name. She's never liked the arrogant asshole, but he takes care of Annie Cresta for one reason or another, so she can respect him for that.
"Finnick is awesome." Sam whispers in awe. He's always admired the man who was able to win the games at a mere age of 14. Plus he's rich and always has a woman on his arm on television. What guy wouldn't want that?
"Finnick is hot." Blaine adds in a dreamy voice, then coughs. "But other than that he seems kind of like a tool."
"He's always nice to me. And I think he might be in town, Katniss and Peeta will be here in a couple of days." Brittany tell them.
Ah yes, the elusive star crossed lovers of Panem. Santana knows their relationship is all for show. Everyone knows it. There's a rebellious group already formed here at District 4, they're planning something for the day they arrive. Santana has her family to worry about, there is no way she can put them in danger by joining.
Brittany and Sam come from a relatively wealthy family, they've never had to worry about having food on their table. The only time they are screwed over by the Capitol is when they tax them.
Blaine however, only has one parent left. It's been Blaine and his mother for years now. After losing his father and brother during a terrible storm, Blaine's mother has been unable to recover. Blaine has been the sole provider for his family. He's growing more and more agitated towards the Capitol. He's been caught making off handed comments, speaking ill about President Snow. You can be executed for less, but luckily it's only ever Santana, Brittany, and Sam who hear him. They often wonder if Blaine has already joined the rebellion.
The sun is setting when they pull into the docks, Blaine was right yet again, they brought in their largest haul yet. Blaine hops out, tying the boat to the dock. Peace keepers await them.
It's a normal sight to see Peacekeepers on the docks, waiting with the collectors to retrieve their days catch. This is where they get paid for the days work. Along with the Peacekeepers is Caleb Pierce, Brittany's father.
Every employee on the boat is allowed 2 fish a day along with their pay. The owner of the boat is allowed a bucket along with his pay.
Santana wraps their fish in Capitol propaganda posters, showing them (with a sneer) to the peacekeepers to prove that she is only taking 2. She does this for Brittany, Sam, and Blaine so they can place them in their respective bags.
"Wow crew! Amazing work!" Caleb praises the teens, patting Sam on the back when he steps onto the dock. Sam grins over at the boat, it may not be the biggest haul, but it sure makes the top 10.
"Alright here you go." The peacekeeper hands over a small bag full of coins to Caleb. Caleb looks at the man expectantly, but that is all the peacekeeper offers.
"Is that all?" Santana barks at the man in the white uniform. Caleb throws a weary look over at the girl, silently telling her to calm down.
"Demand has lowered." The man tells them lazily.
"Yesterday we brought in half as much and got paid twice that!" Blaine barks, stepping forward. Caleb holds his arm back, halting the boy.
The peacekeeper finally turns his full attention to the group. He takes in the angered faces of Santana and Blaine. The hard look on Caleb's face, and the slightly intimidated ones on Brittany and Sam.
"My mistake." The man growls. He takes the bag from Caleb and removes a handful of coins, then tosses it back at the man. Brittany has to place a calming hand on Santana to stop her from doing something stupid.
This time Sam starts forward.
"Samuel!" Caleb's commanding voice stops the boy.
"Anything else?" The peacekeeper asks, smugness radiating off of him.
"No sir." Caleb leads the teenagers down the docks, away from the hostility.
"We can't let them get away with this!" Sam exclaims as soon as they are far away enough.
"We must." Caleb argues. He reaches in and pulls out the kids pay. Handing them their usual pay, even though they were murdered by the supposed 'taxes'.
"No sir, I can't accept this. I cost you-" Blaine refuses to take the money. He knows his big mouth cost the Pierce family their usual pay. Caleb shakes his head, pressing the coins into the boys palm.
"You did nothing wrong boy. My advice? Learn to control that mouth of yours. All of you." He looks at all of the teens in warning. "Brittany, I'll see you at home. The rest of you? Tomorrow at dawn." Caleb walks away, his shoulders slightly slumped in defeat.
They had all decided to accompany Brittany to Victors Village back on the boat, but now that they are walking back into town, Blaine doesn't look like he is so up to it.
The sun is beginning to make it's decent behind the hills on the west of town, painting the small fishing wharf in dim light.
"Blaine you coming?" Brittany asks just as they are to turn into Victors Village.
"I'll catch up with you guys later." Blaine shakes his head. Before the three teens can argue with their friend, he's already gone.
Annie's house is the 6th house in, right next to Finnick Odairs. Brittany usually walks right in, but this time, she finds the door locked.
"That's weird." She mumbles, releasing her grip on Santana's hand to knock on the door. It's even weirder when Finnick is the one who opens the door.
"Oh Brittany!" He smiles his normal charming smile. He looks down at his expensive watch and back up at Brittany and her companions. "It's Sunday! Right, nearly forgot."
Santana glares at him while Sam looks at him sort of awe strucked. He's never been this close to his hero.
"Girlfriend, cousin." He greets them with a smile.
"Right well today isn't a good-" Before Finnick can finish, Sue Sylvester, winner of the 49th Hunger Games, opens the door a bit wider. She has her usual look of disdain on her face. Just behind her they can see Ron Stafford, Mags Cohen, Annie Cresta, and other previous Victors.
"What do you want?" Sue barks at them. Sam has the good sense to look scared, but Brittany is busy trying to look over their shoulders to get a good look at Annie.
"We're here to see Annie." Santana replies in a hard tone. She's never liked Sue Sylvester, she's not afraid of her.
"Sue this is Brittany and friends. She comes by to visit Annie every sunday." Finnick introduces. Sue's face softens a teeny bit, but otherwise remains firm.
"Come back tomorrow." Sue tells them before slamming the door in their faces. The curtains at the window flutter before revealing Annie, smiling brightly at Brittany and waving. Mags Cohen appears, pulling Annie away from the window.
"That was .. interesting." Brittany notes, not at all phased by having a door slammed in her face. She takes Santana's hand, leading her girlfriend and her cousin out of Victors Village.
"That was awesome!" Sam cheers. " I've never been that close to so many celebrities!"
"Why were they all there?" Santana questions, something about that meeting felt off. Were the talks of a rebellion true? Were the Victors behind it?
Before anyone can pipe in with their guesses, they hear a commotion going in just ahead.
"What the hell is this? Who did this?!" It's the familiar voice of Head Peacekeeper: Monty LeCler.
The curiosity of the teenagers get's the better of them. They follow the sounds of the voices and a small group starting to gather around a barren wall. Only it's no longer barren. Right in the center of it is a black mockingjay, the words: The odds are never in our favor painted in a circle around the it.
"Keep moving." Sam hisses at them, keeping his head down, urging the girls to do the same. A tension fills the air as they pass by, only eyes glancing at the graffiti.
"I saw the kid go that way!" A peacekeeper points down an empty alleyway.
The three teens continue through the dark town. Only the occasional light post guiding their way. Suddenly a body comes crashing into them full force, almost knocking the group to the ground.
"What the fuck-" Santana curses, but then realizes it was Blaine who knocked right into them. He's panting, looking completely terrified. Almost as if...
"What have you done?" Sam asks, taking Blaine's hands, to get a closer look. They are smudged with black paint.
"Hey you!" Someone yells in the distance. Blaine was being pursued.
"Holy shit!" Santana curses, pulling the four of them into the shadows.
"Brittany kiss me!" Santana orders, pinning her girlfriend against the wall. They are obscured in the shadows, but if they are just standing there, they will look suspicious.
Though Brittany looks terrified, she complies, easily pressing her lips against her girlfriends passionately.
"Shit shit shit." Sam mumbles. He mirrors the position Brittany and Santana are in, pinning Blaine against the wall. "Put your hands up my shirt." Sam hisses at Blaine.
"What?" Blaine asks, still out of breath. Sam grabs Blaine's hands, stuffing them up his shirt, obscuring them from view.
"What are you doing?" Blaine hisses.
"Pretend like we're making out." Sam orders. He's ever been more terrified in his life. If this will keep them alive, then he's more than willing. He will not let his best bro be executed.
The echoing stomps of people running are headed their way. Light's flicker in their direction. This is it. Blaine hides his face in Sam's neck, hoping to appear like they are in the middle of a make out session.
The light shines briefly in their direction. Then moves on after a peacekeeper barks:
"You kids get out of here!"
The group doesn't move until they are sure the peacekeepers are long gone. And even then they wait an extra five minutes.
With their hearts in their throats, and their hands trembling, they pull apart to look at each other.
Somewhere in the distance a man strolls through the cobble stone streets. He whistles a familiar four note tune. The melody echoes throughout the town and melts away into the waves of ocean.
I know I said I probably wouldn't update soon, but I fell asleep thinking of this chapter. I hardly got any reviews, but then again, I hardly got any hits.. but I can't help it. I'm really loving this.
I don't want to mark this as a crossover because though Huger Games characters will be making appearances, this is all about our lovely New Directions from Glee. This is their journey through Panem.
I hope you guys liked it.
What did you think? -A