"Today you start training," Explains Finnick as I run on the treadmill like I have been doing for the past hour, "Which is why I'm making you exercise."
"Really? I thought you were trying to kill me," I smirk at him and turn the treadmill off. "You can make me do anything else, but I'm not running anymore."
"Annie, half of the time you're going to be running."
"I won't be running in the arena if I die running here now will I?" I grab the bottle of water out of his hand and take a sip.
"About training, don't show your strengths, that will make people want to kill you."
"So what am I suppose to do? Look like a piece of meat?"
"No, do something you're not partially good at, learn new things at the stations. Just don't look deadly. Also don't fight any of the other Tributes cause that will make them want to kill you."
"You're so reassuring," I frown at him.
"I'm not supposed to be reassuring, I'm suppose to help you live."
"Right, what about that thing with the Gamemakers tonight?" I'm sitting on a mat doing crunches now.
Finnick squats down next to me, "Show off. Show them how strong you are; show them any other skills you have. You want to do your best. Whatever you do don't look weak."
"Okay, got it." I stop exercising and ask Finnick what time it is, it's eight a.m.
"Training starts in an hour, rest up and then get dressed.
I take a quick shower, eat a sandwich, and then get dressed in my training outfit which says District 4 across the back of my shoulders.
Phineas and I head down to the training center and I am immediately amazed at what is in front of me. Tributes are throwing things around, shooting arrows, and boxing, throwing spears, climbing up rock walls, and tying fishing nets, plus more!
I decide that I should try spear throwing first, I've never thrown a spear in my life so I probably suck at it. Finnick practically told me to make sure I suck at what I'm doing.
I pick up a spear and notice the boy from District 3 staring at me again. He is over in the archery department. I grasp the spear firmly in my hand and throw it as hard as I can at my target. I expected myself to miss completely but instead I'm only about five inches off.
I think its beginners luck so I throw another; this time I hit the target directly. The boy from District 3 raises his eyebrows and continues shooting. I decide that I'm not doing myself any good here and move onto the rock climbing section. Nobody is at that one and I'm relieved.
I greet the trainer and he advises me to keep my body close to the rocks and not to look down. I wipe sweat off my hands and then grab two different rocks with my hands. Step onto another one and hoist myself up. I repeat this until I'm halfway up the wall. I grab onto a rock but it explodes and I'm thrown off the wall. I land on the ground with a thud and rub my back, which I happened to land on.
"Rocks aren't always safe, half to be careful on which ones you grab." The trainer tells me. I get back up and begin climbing again. This time pulling at the rocks to make sure they are stable.
Before the training session is over I have climbed the entire rock wall, after two failed attempts, learned that I can throw a spear pretty well, boxed, swam a few laps in a wave pool, and thrown knives at dummies.
Training is almost over when the District 3 boy approaches me.
"Avon," He sticks his hand out. After giving it some thought I shake it and introduce myself,
"Annie."
"You're pretty good with that spear."
I shrug, "Hidden talent, you weren't to bad with that bow either."
He shrugs, "Hidden talent…listen," He props his knee up on the edge of the chair I'm sitting in and leans against it, "You seem deadly, I know you're hiding something. But like me you aren't a Career. By yourself you wouldn't stand a chance against one of them. But with me watching your back and you watching mine, we'd be unstoppable. What do you say, allies?"
Finnick warned me not to trust anybody, "I'll think about it, got to be careful who you trust around here."
Avon grins, he's quite handsome, "Smart girl, I like that. Just get back to me before the games start."
"I'll make sure of it," I stand up and begin heading over to the exit.
"Good luck with the Gamemakers." He says behind me.
"You too."
I meet up with Phineas in the hallway as I'm walking to the elevator but he doesn't say anything to me. We load into the elevator and I press the button for the twentieth floor.
"How was your training?" I ask Phineas, "I didn't see you much."
Phineas shrugs his shoulders, "It was fine; the girl from District 12 is really nice."
"That's good, you aren't going to form an alliance with her are you?"
Phineas looks at me, "If I did, I don't see how it's any of your business." I'm slightly taken aback by his reply.
We arrive on the twentieth floor and the elevator doors open, Phineas steps out and I follow behind him. He opens the apartment door and then heads off to the gym. Deciding I should avoid Phineas, I go out onto the balcony for some fresh air.
Its mid day and I can see Capitol people walking around going about their daily business. Immune to the fact that twenty-three children will die in the next few weeks. They don't see the horror of it all, they don't see the bloodshed as a bad thing, they see it as entertainment.
Their children don't have to compete in the Games, most of their kids have never had to work for something a day in their life. Everything is just given to them.
I head back into the living room and Finnick is coming down the stairs in a robe and his hair is wet and going in every direction. He is extremely distracting.
"Hey, Annie. You almost ready for your show?" He arrives at the bottom of the steps and takes a seat on the sofa. I sit down next to him and realize I probably stink, so I scoot away. I can smell him from the other side of the sofa, he smells like a happy day during summer. When I'm lying on the beach and the sun is on my face, the waves crash and I can smell the salt. Then there is another smell that I can't describe, a warm smell that appeases everyone. That is what Finnick smells like.
"Not really," I reply to his question, "I have no idea what I'm going to do."
Finnick rubs his chin, for the first time I notice he has a shadow on his face.
"Well, I hear from the trainers you were good at throwing knives. Do that, knife throwers always get high scores."
"Finnick, what if I get a low score? Then what happens?"
Finnick places a hand on my knee, which I have brought up to my chest, "You won't get a low score Annie. Now go get ready cause its almost time."
Thirty minutes later, after nearly hyperventilating in my room, it's time. Finnick takes Phineas and I down to where we are suppose to wait and gives us both last minute words of advice. I bid Finnick goodbye and then take a seat on a bench with Phineas.
I spot the boy from District 3 leaning against a wall and staring at me. I know why this time. I stand up and casually walk over to him.
"I've been thinking about your offer, I think it would be smart for us to team up. But, we aren't going to be able to wait for each other when the gong sounds."
Avon nods.
"We'll have to meet up, but we can't wait we have to keep on the move. We can look for each other though. When we find each other we stick together. Got it?"
"Sounds like a plan," Sighs Avon, "Shake on it." We shake hands and then I go back over to sit with Phineas.
"So you can make alliances but I can't?"
"I thought you said what you did wasn't any of my business?" I retort.
"It isn't," Phineas mumbles.
The Tributes from District 1 and District 2 have both finished and I give Avon a smile as he passes me and is escorted by a Peacekeeper into the room. Avon comes out of the room and walks by me without giving me a second glance. The District 3 girl goes in next and five minutes later she comes out. Phineas is called next and then me.
I enter the room and the Gamemakers are sitting up in a balcony overlooking the entire room. They are drinking and eating and when they spot me the head Gamemaker, Seneca Crane, calms everybody down. Everyone's eyes are trained on me.
"Annie Cresta, District 4."I say proudly.
I remember Finnick's advice about the knives and pick up about seven knives in my left hand. I then take one in my right and twirl it, while making my way over to the dummy area. Like in the training center the dummies head's are the only thing visible. They are on tracks that move side-to-side and there are four of these tracks. Each track contains three dummies. Once a dummy is hit it explodes.
I press the start button and ready my knife. The first dummy darts up and moves left, I throw my knife at it and hit it in the chest. The dummy explodes and then the next pops up and moves left then right, I throw a knife at it and hit it in the head. That one explodes as well. I decide to show off and, while the dummies are in the process of changing and or exploding, I drop to the ground, roll, prop myself up on one knee and throw a knife at the second to last dummy; hitting it in the crotch.
I can hear the male Gamemakers gasp and some chuckle. I smile and realize I'm doing extremely well. The last dummy pops up but then it does something weird and goes back down. Then it pops back up and goes from right to left. I focus on it and when it goes to go back down I throw the knife—it lands, if it was a person, where the right eye would be.
I place the remaining knife back on a hook and am greeted by applause from the Gamemakers. I thank them and then hurry out of the room, not wanting to be in front of them anymore.
Once I'm back in the comfort of the apartment I shower and change into pajamas. Then I'm being called to dinner.
"So how did your shows go?" Asks Zax, Phineas' stylist.
"Mine went really well," Begins Phineas, "I think I'll get a decent score."
"How about you Annie?" Pixie asks me; the stylists, who are now considered teammates, have begun joining us for dinner. I can't say I mind them. Pixie is kind and funny; yes she is a bit quirky but I like that about her.
"I—I think I did well, they seemed impressed."
"What did you do?" Finnick asks me, he is sitting next to me and he still smells like a happy summer's day. It's so distracting.
"I, um, threw knives at the dummies." I gulp down some water.
"Really? Did you hit them?" Finnick continues.
I nod, "All of them."
Mags coughs and Finnick and I's heads both snap in her direction, "Phineas what did you do?" She asks him kindly.
"I threw a heavy boulder, climbed the rock wall, and then used the sword."
"Impressive," I say and Phineas glances over at me. I think Finnick senses the tension between us and clears his throat.
"We should finish up," Mags advises, "The scores will be on soon."
We finish eating and the Avox take away our plates. We all gather around on the circular sofa, Finnick turns the television on and Caesar Flickerman's face fills the screen and his blue hair is overwhelming.
"Hello, people of the Capitol!" He says brightly, "Tonight is a very exciting night! Our Tributes scores are finally being given to the public. Alright we'll get to it because I know all of you are just dying to hear them." He clears his throat, "District 1—"
The District 1 boy, whose name is Sean receives a nine; the girl, Alice, a ten. In District 2 the boy, Alec, a seven and the girl, Rose, eleven. Avon gets a ten and the girl, named Selena, a nine. District 4,
"Here it is!" Zax nearly jumps out of his seat. Finnick and I giggle. Phineas name is first, he receives a nine and everybody gasps.
"Great job Phineas!" Mags pats him on the back and Finnick gives him a thumb up. I'm next.
I'm beginning to breath heavily and Finnick takes my hand. Caesar stares at the paper he is reading the scores off of and his eyes go wide,
"Annie Cresta…has received a twelve." Caesar smiles and claps his hands. Not many people get a twelve.
I'm in shock; I was expecting a fair score, a nine maybe, but not a twelve! Twelve is the highest you can get. Everyone pats my back and congratulates me. Finnick squeezes my hand and I thank him. I don't even listen to the rest of the Tributes scores. I'm overjoyed and at the same time I'm terrified. A twelve might get you sponsors but it also gets you enemies. Enemies who want to slaughter you.
Everybody listens to the rest of the scores while I'm zoned out in my own little world. I'm in a trance and everybody around me is silent. But I know they really aren't. I can see their mouths moving, forming words. Hands' coming together to clap and on one occasion a wine glass falls onto the floor and shatters. That is when everything is consumed by darkness and I fall to the ground.
I awake with a cold washcloth on my head and I'm lying in my bed. I blink my eyes and cough. There is a squeak of a chair and then Finnick is looming over me.
"What happened?" I moan, my head is throbbing in pain and everything is so bright.
"You passed out," He notices me squinting my eyes and goes over and turns the light off, when he returns I thank him, "How are you feeling?"
"Like somebody is hitting my head with a hammer." I moan and roll over so my face is shoved into my pillow.
"I'll go get you some medicine, I'll be right back."
A few minutes later Finnick returns with a glass of water and two pills. I pop the pills into my mouth and down the water. Then quickly lie back down and shove my face into my pillow. Finnick sighs and sets the water on the side table.
"The pills start working in less than ten minutes, so you should start feeling better pretty soon."
"Shhh…" I mumble into my pillow, "Talking hurts."
"Sorry," Finnick whispers. Finnick places a hand on my shoulder and rubs it. It feels good.
Finnick was correct, after about ten minutes my headache subsided and I began feeling better. Finnick leaves the room and lets me go to sleep, reminding me that tomorrow is a big day. It is the last day before I go into the arena.
I'm sprinting through a dark jungle, the sound of monkeys and birds squawking echo in my ears. I can hear the vines swing in the air as the monkeys follow me, awaiting my death. I can hear it behind me as it barrels through the jungle, hunting down its prey. Its hungry and angry and it wants me.
I trip over a vine and I tumble to the ground. I try to get up but I can't; I'm stuck, hopelessly, to the ground while snakes and spiders crawl all over me. I shriek and try to get up again. I'm back on my feet and running, still screaming for help. I hear the mutated animal getting closer to me. I hear its breathing and growls, I feel the ground rumble as it runs through the jungle.
I'm on the beach now; I run towards the water but am thrown back by a force field. Now I'm paralyzed and the beast hovers over me. Ragged flesh stuck in its teeth. I scream again but nothing comes out. I scream and try to run away but I'm stuck.
The beast lets out a roar and bites down on my leg and begins dragging me back into the jungle. I scream and thrash around and then suddenly somebody is calling my name.
"Annie! Annie it's okay!"
The monster bites down harder and I scream and cry out in pain. The monster is shaking me and I begin to cry.
"Annie!" There it is again. I blink once and then twice.
I'm back in my room and Finnick is sitting next to me in bed, with his hands on my arms. He had been shaking me. Not the monster in my nightmare; I whimper.
"Are you okay?" Finnick asks me, still holding my arms. I shake my head no and burst out into tears. Finnick pulls me into his arms and holds me tightly, I sob into the crook of his neck.
"Shh, Annie you're okay." Finnick places a hand on the back of my head and laces his fingers in my hair. "Nobody's gonna hurt you, I got you." Finnick says reassuringly.
"Finnick," I choke out through tears, "I'm gonna die." His hold tightens on me and I sniffle.
"No you're not, Annie. You've been training everyday, you've got a good of a chance as anybody."
I laugh coldly as tears pore down my cheeks.
"Annie, you're not going to die. I've already got sponsors lined up for you. People love you Annie, they want you to win."
I cry into his shoulder and he just holds me, telling me everything is going to be all right. That as long as he is alive nobody is going to hurt me. After I calm down Finnick brushes the remaining tears off my cheeks and holds my face in his hands.
"Are you okay?" Finnick asks as he gets off the bed to go back to his room. My hand automatically darts out and grabs his.
"Could you stay?" I ask sheepishly, Finnick nods and crawls into the bed with me. He opens his arms and I immediately crawl into them. I rest my head on his shoulder and his arm curls around me.
"Finnick?" I ask him a few moments later.
"Yeah?"
"Who do you want to win?"
He turns his head to look at me, "What do you mean?"
"You keep telling me I'm going to win, but what about Phineas? Don't you worry about him?"
"I worry about both of you, Annie." Finnick sighs and thumbs my chin, "I just—I don't know how to say it without wishing someone's death."
"I know what you mean," I say and Finnick's arm tightens around me.
"I want you to live, Annie. Mentors want their mentee to live."
I nod, "Right."
"But it's not just because I'm your mentor that I want you to live," He continues, "I like you Annie, you're a good person. A great," He stops for a moment, "A great friend."
"So are you Finnick."
Finnick dozes off but I remain awake, still to frightened to close my eyes.
In the morning I awake to an empty bed, I've only gotten a few hours of sleep but I'm surprisingly wired. I dress and head out to the dining room for breakfast. Finnick, Mags, and Phineas are already eating, but from what I see it's lunch.
"Hey Annie." Finnick pats the seat next to him for me to sit down. I walk over and take a seat. I grab a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a cup of milk and begin eating.
"You looked so sleepy I didn't want to wake you. Figured you should sleep in on your last day."
Right. Last day. "What time is it?"
"Eleven," Says Mags as she drinks some coffee. I take a bite of my sandwich and notice Finnick staring at me over his beer. I had never noticed Finnick drinking alcohol before.
"What?"
"Nothing."
I finish my sandwich and chug the rest of my milk, then I head back to my bedroom. I change into the clothes I'm supposed to wear when I'm exercising and then go to the gym.
I run out my fears on the treadmill, kill my doubts on the pull up bar, and erase my pain while lifting weights. I'm sweating like a pig and I have forgotten how long I've been exercising. I'm in the middle of doing pushup when Finnick comes back and squats down by my side.
"You've been back here for over three hours."
"I'm going in tomorrow, I'm just doing last minute things."
"Annie, you need to rest."
"I'm fine." I grunt as my arms begin to burn.
"Annie, seriously."
I collapse onto the ground, "Finnick, you said yourself you want me to live. This will help ensure I do win."
"You need to rest, also your stylists want to start prepping you for tonight in about an hour."
"The interview isn't until seven! And it's what two right now?"
Finnick raises an eyebrow and I notice the flecks of gold in his eyes sea green eyes, "It's four."
"Really?" I asked, shocked. I wipe the sweat of my forehead and Finnick tells me to get up. I do as I'm told and then he tells me to go back into the dressing room.
Instead of going to the metal room in the back of the apartment I am driven to Caesar Flickerman's studio. It is huge from the outside and the inside isn't much different. Rich red curtains hang over the windows in the hallway leading to the dressing rooms. A golden carpet rests beneath my feet and under that a marble floor. I am led to the dressing rooms and a Peacekeeper lets me into a room with my name on the door.
I enter the room cautiously and my prep team immediately surrounds me.
The one with bleached, curly hair, who I have come to know as Eva, puts her finger over her noes and coughs, "You smell retched!"
"What. Did. You. Do. To. Yourself?" Amandla, the one with the pink Afro, says coldly.
"I was exercising," I say simply.
"You're just trying to make things difficult aren't you?" Channel, the one with purple and yellow striped hair tells me, "You hate us don't you?" He puts his lip into a pout and I let out a sigh.
"I can go take a shower—" I begin, but Amandla cuts me off.
"Oh, no, no, no!" She shrieks, "We must get you ready, we'll wash you here! Plus you'll get so much cleaner!"
Channel, Eva, and Amandla undress me and stick me into the bathtub, scrubbing me clean.
After they finish, they rub lotion all over me and spritz me down with what they tell me will make me smell like vanilla for the next twenty-four hours. When I ask them what vanilla has to do with my District, they tell me that everything in my District smells bad and that I should just be quiet and listen to them. I agree because they were beginning to look threatening.
"How long did it take to scrub me clean?" I ask them. They begin to chuckle and Eva sighs exasperatedly,
"About an hour, at least. You have so much dry skin on you we had to scrub it all off. You will not go on national television with dry skin. Especially with Caesar Flickerman!"
"Okay, calm down, calm down." I put my hands up in defense. Eva backs off and they circle around my naked body, making sure everything is perfect.
"I think she is ready for Pixie," Channel says as he props his finger on his chin.
The prep team leaves the room and Pixie comes in shortly after. Her hair is up in a bun on the top of her head and she is wearing overly long false eyelashes. Her nails are painted gold and she is wearing a form fitting black pantsuit with red heals.
"Hello, Annie. How did the prep team treat you today?" She asks me as she inspects me.
"They were…nice." I lie; they were anything but nice, going on and on about how sweaty I was.
She smiles without showing her teeth and hands me a robe. I quickly put it on and she tells me about my dress.
"It is going to be a little more risky than your last dress." She smirks, obviously loving the idea, "It is going to have a sharp v in the front and the back, and I want you to be desirable. People love that. It will be midnight blue and loose. The v neck is enough sexy." She bites her lip, "Oh, you're going to look delicious. You will also have a thin braided gold belt around your waist that is tight and gives you a waist. Your hair will be straightened and shiny. I want to keep things simple so it doesn't distract from your dress and your chest," She giggles at that. "Your shoe are going to be clear stilettoes, you'll probably appear barefoot to most people." She looks at the clock on the wall, "Lets get started!"
She takes my robe away and helps me step into my dress; the V-neck is so low that it shows the sides of my breasts and I feel almost naked. The back of the dress is low as well and stops right above my bottom. She puts the tiny golden belt around my waist and pulls it tight. My curvy waist, who disappeared the somewhat loose fitting dress, is back and I see the curve of my hips meet the curve of my waist. She straightens my hair and runs her fingers through it, feeling the softness of it; then she rubs some foam in it which is suppose to make it shiny.
She then moves to my face and paints foundation all over me, she tells me it isn't on heavy and that it is just to make me look perfect. Then she curls my lashes and creates a smoky eye using blues, and then she applies false lashes and orders me to blink a few times. When she is positive they won't fall off she goes back to my face, applying bronzer to my cheekbones. Then she applies a nude colored lipstick and covers it with a shiny gloss.
After she helps me into my five-inch stilettoes she allows me to look into a mirror. I step off the pedestal I'm on and stumble over to the mirror. Unlike the other night, this girl in the mirror is not me. With prominent cheekbones, fierce eyes, and a voluptuous chest. I'm definitely desirable, but it isn't me. I have to admit that I look pretty sexy. The dress covers my feet and the thick straps cover both shoulders, I turn around and my back is completely open. I look like no one I have ever seen in my life.
"You look so sexy," She squeals, "People are going to love you."
"Yeah, I suppose they will."
"It's almost time for your interview, how do you feel?" She asks me as she checks me over, not wanting a single hair out of place.
"Nervous, just really nervous. Where's Finnick?" I blurt out, "I need him here with me."
Pixie smirks and licks her lips, "Is there anything going on between you and Finnick?"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, you know. Hanky panky?"
"Hanky panky?" I laugh, "Of course not! He's Finnick! Plus you see how he looks, he would never go for a girl like me."
"I don't know, have you looked in a mirror lately?"
"Well, this isn't me. This is—I don't know who this is. But I don't look like this."
"I bet you, you don't know all that much about Finnick. I think he wants a girl like you."
I sigh, "So where is Finnick?" I repeat.
"Oh he's probably outside waiting with Mags." She waves off my question and begins rambling about how she is sure something is going on between Finnick and I. I ignore her and hurry out of the room. I look frantically around for Finnick but don't see him.
I pick up my dress and walk around. I spot the other Tributes and some of them are eyeing me. I can't possibly look that good! I don't even know what Pixie was thinking when she went for the whole desirable thing. I'm about as desirable as a three legged cat with one eye! I turn around to head back to my room and bump directly into Finnick's chest.
"Sorry!" I say quickly, "I was looking for you and I couldn't find you—these stupid heels are so uncomfortable!" I shout randomly. The shoes are pinching my toes together and I feel like I'm going to fall over any minute.
"Annie? Wow, you look—completely different." Finnick breathes in awe. He is wearing a black suit with a black tie and white dress shirt. He looks handsome if I don't say so myself.
"Yeah, Pixie is going for the whole desirable look." I say desirable look with finger quotations and Finnick chuckles.
"I'm pretty sure it's going to work, but why does your dress have to be so low cut?"
I shrug,
"Don't do that during the interview." He warns.
"Do what? Shrug?" I shrug my shoulders again.
"Yes! Don't do that your dress is too low cut to do that and it, well, yeah know." He scratches the back of his head.
"Oh! Oh sorry." I chuckle, realizing what he is talking about. I sway back and forth and stare at my dress, "It's pretty amazing though, isn't it? The dress, that is."
Finnick nods, "Come on, we have to go to the waiting room."
Finnick guides me through the hallway of dressing rooms and through a tight metal hallway, then we are taken into a room with soft sofas and chairs, there is a table with food and drinks on it, although none of the Tributes are eating anything.
Finnick takes me over to the chairs with District 4 printed on the back and I sit down next to Phineas. Mags stands next to him.
"You look gorgeous, Annie." Mags says and I thank her.
The other Tributes are talking to one another or snickering at others. I spot Avon talk with the District 5 girl and wonder what they are discussing.
"Okay, we have to go get seats in the audience," Says Finnick, "They fill up quickly."
"We'll see you after the show," Says Mags, they leave and we are left alone in a room filled with Tributes.
The District 1 Tribute watches Finnick and Mags leave and then approaches me, completely blowing off the other District 1 Tribute. His dark hair is styled so that it looks wavy and soft. He is wearing a dark suit and looks very attractive.
"You look lovely," He says, taking my hand and slowly pulling me out of my seat. He spins me around and inspects me. "I'm Sean." He kisses the back of my hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Annie."
"The pleasure is all mine," He purrs and drops my hand
I think Phineas thought the situation was awkward because he got up and walked over to talk with the Tribute he was with during training. Sean walks behind me and places a finger on my back. Its cold against my warm skin and it sends shivers down my spine. His finger lingers on my spine,
"This V-neck—you'll probably get all the attention tonight. You sure have caught mine."
I chuckle, trying to match his seductive tone, "Well that's what I was going for."
Sean smiles and removes his finger from my back and comes back around to face me.
"So," He purrs again, "How did you score that twelve?" His mouth is right next to my ear and I feel his hot breath on my neck.
"Well, I have my ways."
Sean leans back and looks me in the eye, "Until you tell me what you did, you're an enemy in the arena. After all, your body is so distracting, it causes people to loose focus on your true skills. Don't I recall you being good with knives?" He smirks.
"You have no idea," I say through clenched teeth.
He leans in again and his breath is hot on my neck, "You're first."
With that he leans back on the balls of his feet, smiles, and then walks away. I'm flabbergasted, I have been avoiding people and I've already been marked first on someone's kill list. Heaven help me.
Sean goes out to his interview and pulls the same seductive tone he did with me, minus the death threat. The girl goes out next, Alice, and she is in a provocative see threw black dress. The crowd goes wild.
After the District 2 Tributes go, Avon is next. He is in a sports jacket with no shirt underneath, showing off his rippling chest. The girls in the crowd go crazy; he waves at the crowd and does a great job with his interview. He is funny, sexy, and utterly amazing. Apparently he is quite violent…or so he says.
After the District 3 girl goes, I'm next. I am ushered next to the entrance by a worker while Caesar prepares my entrance.
"Next is District 4. Now, you may remember her as the girl with the moving dress! Here is Annie Cresta!" Caesar opens hi arms in my direction. When I step out from the door the audience gasps, then they begin to clap more, and there are whistles, and shouts. It's amazing.
I wave back at the crowd and when I arrive by Caesar's side he shakes my hand and kisses both of my cheeks.
"May I just say, that you look amazing, that dress is just—wow!" He claps again and urges the audience to as well. But they don't need the pushing.
"Well thank you," I say loudly, over the claps. Caesar sh's the crowd and slowly the noise dies down.
"Now," He crosses his legs, "Do tell, what did your family think when you were reaped for the Games?"
I swallow, "Well, they were very sad and scared of course. My little brother, told me to win."
"And do you plan on winning, Annie?"
I gulp, "I do."
The audience roars with cheers.
"They seem to like you!" Caesar chuckles.
"I'm pretty sure most of them just like the dress," I reply, I didn't mean for it to be funny but Caesar bursts out laughing and so does the audience. Caesar sh's them again,
"Now, isn't it true that your mentor is Finnick Odair?" He raises his eyebrows and the ladies in the crowd all go 'oooo.'
"Yes, that is true."
"What is he like? All of the ladies in Panem are dying to know."
"He's very, umm," I don't know what to say, "Kind?"
"Just kind?" Caesar asks.
"No," I regain my confidence, "He's amazing, he's encouraging, helpful, kind, he really believes in you."
"Do you two ever, do anything not involving the Games?"
What the hell is he getting at? I raise an eyebrow, "No, I mean we talk about other things, but we don't go out to eat together. If that's what you mean."
Caesar and everyone in the audience laugh, "Oh darling that is not what I meant. I'm just shocked you haven't succumbed to his charms. Most ladies have."
The camera zooms in on Finnick in the audience and I can see him on the giant screen. He's smiling but I can sense that something is wrong with him.
"I would love to stay and talk with you all night, but sadly we're on a time limit." Caesar takes my hand and we stand up, "Ladies and gentlemen, Annie Cresta!" The crowd roars.
I'm taken off stage and Phineas passes me to go on. I hear the crowd clap as he comes on. What did Caesar mean, do we do anything not involving the games? And then he laughs at me like I'm a daft bimbo! I have to ask Finnick what he meant. The only thing I understood was succumbing to Finnick's charms. He is very charming.
I am taken back to the dressing hall and it is completely empty.
"Wait here for your mentor." The worker tells me. I stand-alone in the cold room, all the lights are off and the doors closed.
I hear footsteps and turn around to see its Finnick. He looks upset and he has taken his coat off and loosened his tie.
"We need to talk."
A/N: Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews! Please R&R! Next chapter will be up this coming weekend. So in about three days! :)