YOU'RE JUST SO YOU
Turns out, we obviously won the bet so Gloss has to do all the cleaning. We were expecting Gloss to be grumbling about it this morning but surprisingly he seems to be on cloud nine. According to Rory, Gloss managed to have a 'quiet' conversation with Cashmere. I really don't know what's wrong with my brother Gloss because all the girls he flirts with, loves him and he can't even talk to Cashmere. It's strange how you are around someone you like. My encounter yesterday with Mister Finnick Odair shall be left unexplained because I really have nothing to say. What do you expect to say after meeting a guy with bronze-golden hair, the most incredible sea green eyes, a Pearlie White grin, and dashing looks and with the name of Finnick Odair? Most girls would die on the spot after he just says hello but I guess I'm not that type of girl who does. Rory and I are currently sitting on the deck outside sipping ice cold lemonade under the green umbrella tree admiring the rough afternoon waves while Gloss slaves away.
"Ahh…this is the life!" Rory says as he stretches back on the beach chair.
"Mmhmm, it was stupid for Gloss to make that bet." I say.
"He had it coming. He's weird nowadays. Anywhere with the booze, Haymitch is going to be sober the next day. Anyway, how was your night hmm?"
"Um, it was bearable."
"Only? You seemed you were having a whale of a time."
"Oh, really? It's only polite to accept a dance request."
"You don't dance."
"Fine, I don't. I was just being friendly."
"Is it because you find him good-looking?"
I give Rory an annoyed look. "No."
"Well, I think he thought you were attractive." Rory looks like he's about to laugh and fall off his chair.
"Huh, really. How would you know?" I say.
"Well, everyone knows here knows everything."
"He's a stranger not anything closer than that. I doubt the town even knows him."
"Actually they do. He's been here for about a month already with his parents and grandmother."
"Have you been doing your research?"
"Actually, I haven't. I heard it from Aunt Enoboria and Brutus. Apparently the Odair's have moved next door to her."
"Not part of my division to be bothered about this information, thank you very much. I don't think I would need to know that."
"I think it will be part of your division pretty soon." Rory smiles smugly and takes a sip of his lemonade.
"And why would it be?"
"Oh, you know. I can tell if someone likes someone even if I'm not a girl."
I roll my eyes. "I don't like him. Like I said he's a stranger not anything closer than that."
"We'll see. I'll be keeping my weary eyes out."
At this moment, I'd rather be on death sentence cleaning the house. Once Rory thinks he knows, who knows what is going to happen next. I don't like Finnick Odair in any way.
Gloss has just finished cleaning the house and he's asking me to follow him into town for some particular reason.
"Does this have something to do with Cashmere?" I say.
Gloss turns pink. "Who told you that?"
"My instincts. Though, if you want me to accompany you, it's gonna cost you something."
"Okay, what?" Gloss sounds desperate.
"10 dollars."
"What? I'm broke!"
"Take it or leave it." I say. I've learnt to do this from Rory. Rory can be like the best prankster but he's also sly too.
"Fine, it's a deal. Now get it the car."
We drive by the beach which seems a little downcast. I roll down the car window and turn off the air conditioning. It's meant to be winter since its December but here, it doesn't seem to have a proper winter since Starcreek is a sea town and December just means the start of a new year. The weather is nice and cool outside otherwise it's chilly and it can be as cold as a winter's day without the snow. Gloss doesn't walk around town if he doesn't have to. He wants to get out of Starcreek and explore the world. As much as he wants to get out of here, Gloss believes that family is more important than anything else but sometimes I'm not sure. I have a mixed up family.
Gloss starts to twiddle his thumbs on the steering wheel. "Okay, so what should I say?"
"To whom?"
"To Cashmere, obviously."
"Greet her. You know, hello, hi-"
"Isn't that like a natural thing when you meet someone?"
"Well, I don't. Do you see me greet Rory in the morning?"
"That's different. Rory's as grumpy as Haymitch when he's sober. Like when you meet your close friends or something."
"You know for a fact that I don't have close friends." I say quietly.
"Right, but come on, I'm sure you know. After all, you did spend the whole time during the party with Finnick Odair."
"What does Mister Finnick Odair have anything to do with this?"
"Ooh, mister now is it? Do you like him? Apparently, you do."
My cheeks feel hot. "According to who, Rory? Wow, that's a dependable source."
"Well, you don't usually talk to well, strangers."
"Look, if you want my help, you should drop this subject."
"Okay, fine then. What do you suggest?"
"I may not be an expert on let's say…approaching people but being you is only what is important."
"You really think so?"
"Well, what's the point of being someone else around someone you like? Just be you. If whoever they are don't like who you are, then that person is not for you."
"It's…complicated, Annie. I'm a flirt and she knows it. I can get along with everyone except her. I just…"
"Just?"
"Forget it. I'll just be me."
"So where are you meeting her?"
"Uh, the bar actually."
"So you chose to meet each other or…?"
"It so happened that I overheard. Besides, everyone here knows everything."
Everyone in Starcreek is welcome to the local bar even if you're underage though Romulus won't allow you to touch the alcoholic booze. The bar is lively today and has an atmosphere I would describe as lovely. The windows are open after the long year (Romulus only opens them on New Year's which is pretty gross because the place smells like rotten cheese all year round. I spot Cashmere near the bar table through the window and quickly nudges Gloss who almost drops the car keys.
"I can't." he says.
"You can. No backing out now. You want my help? Well, here you go!" I say and push him through the door and I follow along casually. I walk myself up to the bar table and decide to order a strawberry milkshake while waiting for Gloss to make a move.
"Hello Annie. The usual, I presume?" Romulus asks.
"Yup, thank you." I say and glance at Gloss who almost knocks Chaff's drink out of his hand.
"Is Gloss alright?"
"Not exactly." I say in utter embarrassment.
"He looks like he's having a hangover."
I laugh. "No, he's lovesick."
"Ooh, now that's news I've haven't heard in a long while. So who is it? Don't you worry, I'm a huge tattletale."
"It's Cashmere." I whisper.
"Enoboria's daughter? Whoa, he shouldn't have a problem at all!"
"Shh! Now, that's the thing I don't understand."
"It's young loveee…" someone sings behind me. I turn around and realize Chaff was sitting right behind.
"I think you had quite enough, Chaff. Lay off the beer. I can't stand it when you wreck the place. No-stop! Purnia, would you help me-NO, NOT MY GLASS!"
Chaff is doing his drunken dance and collapses on chair causing the table to collapse; breaking two of Romulus's glasses. He gets up again and starts dancing to Saturday Night Fever that's on the radio. I laugh and so does everyone. Chaff trips on his own feet and has to be lifted up Romulus and Purnia. Sometimes I like to imagine what if it will be like if Haymitch ever did a drunken dance with Chaff. I smile and turn back to my milkshake. Romulus returns to his glass polishing after straightening Chaff up. Someone comes to the bar table and takes a seat next to mine.
"Greetings, Miss Cresta. Nice to see you again."
I turn to my side and am greeted by a Greek-god looking guy with his sea green eyes and his bronze hair which can easily be mistaken as Poseidon look-alike. It's Mister Finnick Odair.
"Hi."
"What brings you here today?"
"Um, well, I'm here with Gloss. He's here to meet someone." I say.
"Cashmere?"
"How- never mind."
"Well, apparently, he doesn't have problems with girls, right?"
"He's a major flirt but he's having a problem approaching Cashmere."
Finnick chuckles. "I used to be a major flirt too. To approach someone is to yourself but don't you think it's funny how you try to be someone else around someone you like?"
"I don't think it's funny though because they're just trying to impress them. I have to agree with you though. Being yourself is the most important thing."
"You have strong thoughts."
"Is that bad?"
"No, you're just…so you. It's special. Not many people aren't afraid to speak what they believe in and to be honest, I'm jealous of you just being you."
"Maybe you have it all wrong, Odair. I may not be as I seem. I'm…not very likeable."
"You don't seem unlikeable to me." He grins. "Besides, you and I are going to know each other more one way or another because I really don't care what you call yourself. You're special."
"I'm not." I say.
"Anyway, I should be going. It was a great pleasure meeting you again, Miss Cresta." Finnick gets up from his chair. "Oh and…" He leans eerily close. "No matter what you say about yourself, people see it ten times differently from your perspective." Finnick winks and kisses my hand again and at that moment, I felt like melting into nothingness.