In our training outfits, the next day we made our way down to the Training Centre after breakfast for our first day of training. They had set up all manner of stations for this one, camouflage, edible plants, archery, spear-throwing, sword-fighting, wrestling, hook-making, weaving and all other kinds of stations for us to try our hand at. When we were allowed to go, Finnick rushed straight over to wrestling, stripping down and oiling up.

Why is he going over to wrestling? Oh, who's that? Johanna freaking Mason. Getting naked and rubbing herself with GOD DAMN OIL. Oh and I'll have to pretend that she doesn't completely annoy me in the arena if this rebellion thing is ever going to work. Well, I'll just go over to… camouflage, and try not to piss off Katniss in the process.

"Hey Peeta," I said, dipping my finger in red berry dye and looking in a mirror.
"Hey, Harper," he grinned.
"Wow, you're good at this," I turned around to look at him as he painted himself in all different colours, each one more perfect than the last. His arms were painted in stripes of different landscapes. I took the opportunity to grab his bicep, where a particularly well-painted grassy patch was. "I like this one best."

"I think it was too grassy last year, for it to be grassy this year. I think this is how it'll be," he said, dipping one finger in blue. He cupped my chin and started painting delicately on my face – painting some kind of shades of purple and aqua and glints of sun across one cheek in yellow. I knew it was innocent, and I knew that he meant nothing by it, but I also knew it would drive Finnick mad so I lifted up my face to look into the blue in his eyes. Damn, Harper, why are you so evil?

"That alliance is on," I whispered. "I've got your back."
"How about Finnick?"
"I don't speak for Finnick. I speak for me. Am I not allowed in the alliance?"
"I didn't mean it like that. It's better if you are both with us because Finnick just works better when he's got something to protect."
"Like the future of Panem?"
"Like a good friend. A really… good friend."
"Well then, you should ask him. I'll see you around, Mellark," I winked, wiping the beautiful blue sea from my cheeks with a towel. Finnick was staring whilst Johanna practically wrestled with a bottle of oil. I walked over to the spear-throwing station, even though I knew I was perfectly good at throwing – I throw knives. Finnick was practicing throwing a trident – that was clearly put there for him to practice with.

I picked up a few thin knives and started throwing them at the target.

"You want to watch out," said Finnick sternly. "Katniss gets a little jealous."
"I'm sure Katniss does. Have fun wrestling with Johanna?"
"It was great. She really taught me a lot." Don't get mad. Don't get mad.

"Hm, that's interesting. Peeta was saying something…"
"Yeah, cool."
"About an alliance. I told him that I was in the alliance."

"Making our decisions for us both now, are you?"
"And I said that I wasn't speaking for you. He said that he was interested in us being in the alliance as a pair because…"
"Why?"
"JESUS, ODAIR, LET ME FREAKING FINISH! Because he said that you worked better when you were protecting something. Like a friend, a really good friend."
"Ah… interesting."
"So?"
"So what?"
"Who's the really good friend?"
"I don't know. Katniss?"
"You met Katniss yesterday."
"I honestly don't know what he's talking about."

"Are you coming with me?"
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know, edible plants? Knot tying?"
"You can tie knots perfectly well."
"Edible plants it is."

"Why do I need plants when you're good enough to eat?" he turned, winking and biting the air playfully. I laughed. He was so ridiculous it was hilarious.

We sat down at this station, looking at a board with various illustrations, and examples passed to us of different kinds of flowers, roots and seeds. I was allowed to eat most plants with green roots and most plants with yellow flowers but never the two together. Nightlock was kind of a given – bit simple, isn't it? I was kind of hoping that there was fish or something in the arena. I can fish perfectly well. I can't identify petals.

At lunch, after weaving nets and making hooks for a little while to relax, I went into the cafeteria to eat. Me, Finnick, Seeder, Chaff, Katniss, Peeta, Johanna, Beetee and Wiress all ate at one table together because everyone sort of shoved the tables into one big group. This was different. At the 67th, no-one would talk to each other – now everyone was sort of friendly. I tried not to talk and there wasn't really anything I fancied to eat.

"I miss my parents," said Peeta.
"I miss Prim," said Katniss.

"I miss my daughters," added Seeder.

"I miss my friends," said Chaff, eating a piece of beef.

"I miss my…" Wiress began.

"Family," ended Beetee.

"Who do you miss, Harper?"
"Huh?" I awoke from my daydream to see Finnick looking at me.
"Who do you miss?"
"Oh… I miss Mags."
"Me too, I miss Mags," Finnick smiled nostalgically. Seeing as Mags won ages ago, I was pretty sure most people knew who she was apart from Katniss and Peeta. They all joined in.
"Is she okay after her stroke?" Seeder asked.
"She's recovering really well actually. She can speak like she's never had one."
"What?" Katniss asked.
"Mags had a stroke a couple of years ago," Finnick replied.

"No, I mean, the recovery bit. I spoke to her just once on the Victory Tour and I couldn't understand a word that she said – was she not recovering then?"
"No, she recovered within a few months, it was amazing. Was she talking like this?" he asked, putting on the strongest District 4 accent I'd ever heard. I began to laugh then realised no-one else knew what he was talking about. I took a minute to take in all the different accents at the table.

Katniss and Peeta had a laidback drawl whereas Seeder and Chaff brought this to the point where they actually omitted some letters. I think the similar accents were because District 12 and District 11 are nearby but apart from tributes meeting each other or hearing someone talking to the camera in the Games, we heard no other accents but our own and the Capitol accent. Johanna had a young-sounding, old-fashioned accent that made everything sound like a question. Beetee and Wiress had a soft accent with every word enunciated perfectly. They were all so different and I hadn't even noticed.

I was still laughing at Finnick's accent from Four. He was prattling on about fish and boats and all kinds of other stupid stuff and what made it funnier was the fact that the other people on the table were looking at him like he had recently gone completely insane.

"You say your 'o' funny," said Johanna.
"It's just the way we are. I think we should be able to talk about our districts and what we miss from them too. Come on, you first District 12 kids," Finnick laughed, eating the stew. Katniss began.

"District 12 is home. When we're eighteen we're sent into the coal mines. Food is kind of scarce so people trade at the Hob, it's sort of a black market. It would be shut down if the Peacemakers didn't go there more than we did," she laughed. "I miss Prim and my mother and my house. Not the one in the Victor's Village, my old one with a cracking roof and a cracking fire. I miss Gale and hunting and the fence that's never electrified. That's District 12 to me."
"Twelve is burnt bread and dusty ground and unpredictable weather. It's being a laughing stock but not caring, and everyone knowing everyone and everyone's business. I live on the merchant street so I don't know it as well as Katniss and I've never been near the supposedly electrified fence… I miss my parents, and school and my friends. Next should be… Johanna," Peeta chose. I just knew Katniss was not pleased with this choice.

"District 7 is not seeing the sky for the trees and wielding an axe before you can wield a rattle," she grinned, reminiscing. "It's leaves everywhere and in your hair and in your clothes, and picnics. Idyllically but that's not really true – I think I miss District 7's work ethic because no-one ever stops working there and they're proud of what they do. Next I pick… Beetee and Wiress. Go on, Wiress."
"Wiress is really shy so I'll talk," Beetee said. "District 3 is technology and sleek, smooth lines. It's intelligent people and long black hair and being stuck between all the Career districts whilst not having anyone volunteer to go into the Games. I miss everything being computerized and being able to invent things and having freedom. I miss my family – I miss them all. Next, Seeder and Chaff," he picked the two District 11 tributes.

"District 11 is climbing trees when you start school and apples being everywhere no matter what season it is. It's clocking off and pretty songs and mockingjays and Peacemakers and guns and electrified fences that actually are electrified. It's about contrast between pretty meadow and armed watchtower. I miss my daughters, my beautiful, beautiful daughters."
"District 11 is huge trees and getting hit on the head with an apple and spending all day picking fruit. It's lakes and remembering my childhood – before the Games – and those damn Peacemakers that seem to run everything from how you work to how you think. I miss all my friends and going down to a tavern and talking until the morning. Obviously, we have to go back to you, Finnick seeing as you started it all."

"For me, District 4 is salt in the air and fish, it's being out on a boat and swimming with your parents," he winced at this part. "I like the seaweed and the nets draping everywhere and the people."
"The people?" Peeta asked. "Well, no-one in District 4 is ugly, that's a fact."
"I meant charming girls and funny guys and the sense of humour and the accent. District 4 is pretty too, nice scenery and stuff. It's quiet… I miss… well, I'm going to admit that I don't really have anyone to miss." This earned a sympathetic sigh from the table. "Harper?"

"To me, District 4 is glassy lakes, little wooden boats and home comforts. I like fresh-baked bread, seeing little girls in straw hats and the feel of smooth pebbles under my feet. I miss my dad and I miss Mags."
"No lover boy?" Chaff asked, chuckling.
"No lover boy," I replied. Seeder leant over to Chaff and whispered something in his ear.
"I see."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Katniss asked her. Seeder laughed and nodded.
"Am I missing something?" I asked.

"Not exactly."
"I'm curious."
"I'll tell you later," Seeder said. I liked Seeder, she was maternal and comforting and she reminded me of the mother I never really had.

The rest of lunch passed uneventfully and we returned into the Training Centre to do some more training in the afternoon. I spent it showing Seeder how to make hooks (I decided to let her in on this and although I was kind of against showing other people how to kill me I trusted her) and in return she taught me how to make fires from almost everything, a skill I hadn't learnt that well (the 67th was so hot I could cook things on flat rocks and I didn't need fires for anything else).

At about five-thirty, we clocked off for the day and I went to wait by the lift for Seeder. She hobbled over and her abnormal gait alerted me to the fact that I could teach her all I want and she still probably wasn't going to kill me. Standing next to me, she mumbled a greeting and didn't say anything else.

"Seeder?"
"What, dear?"
"You were going to tell me about what happened at lunch?"
"What did happen at lunch, dear?"
"When Chaff asked me if I had a 'lover boy', you leant over and said something and Katniss agreed, Peeta smiled and everyone knew but me."
"Oh, yes I remember that now."
"So?"
"So what?"
"So what was it all about?"

"Would you like me to give you a piece of advice?"
"Very much."
"In cases of romance it seems that everyone else knows apart from the people themselves. Someday they'll get the nudge it takes and finally realise."
"That's pretty cryptic," I said, confused. She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Do you mind if me and Chaff take this lift? He's a pretty big guy."
"No problem," I said and sat wondering about what she had said.

"Hello, trouble," Finnick said, sitting next to me and ruffling my hair.

"Finnick, what do you think this means?"
"What?"
"You know, that's one of your bad habits?
"What?"
"Stop doing it! Wait until someone's completely done talking before speaking, not just a sentence."
"You sound like a mother."

"Anyway, what do you think this means? In cases of romance it seems that everyone else knows apart from the people themselves. Someday they'll get the nudge it takes and finally realise," I quoted Seeder.

"Isn't it obvious?"
"I don't see it."
"It's about Katniss and Peeta."
"They're obviously in love, there's no doubt about it."
"To start with, Katniss seemed fake, it seemed put on for the cameras – you saw how surprised she was when he admitted he liked her… Now as time goes on I think it's getting real and I don't think even she notices it."

"I suppose," I nodded. They probably didn't want to provoke me into jealousy in front of those two but something still smelt fishy. Not District 4 fishy, but still fishy.

By the time I actually reached my room it was almost six o'clock and I was absolutely exhausted. All I wanted to do was shower and then go to sleep but an Avox with a menu came into the room to call me for dinner.

"I'll eat later."
I showered for what seemed like forever, remembering the button for vanilla and sandalwood, attempting to let the hot water and the steam wash away all the tiredness and confusion from that day. After I came out, I changed into my favourite nightdress, brushed through my hair and walked into the dining room. Waiting at the table was an unwashed Finnick wearing a Training Centre uniform. As I walked in his stomach rumbled with uncanny timing.

"Have you been waiting?"
"Around half an hour."
"You didn't have to."
"I haven't talked to you properly that much today, I wanted to at least talk over dinner."
"Well, aren't you adorable?"

The Avox came in with a menu.

"We'll both have lentil soup, chicken and rice and then chocolate mousse," Finnick said.
"I'm not that hungry."
"You didn't eat lunch and you're going into the arena in a couple of days. Shut up and eat or your ribs will show."
"Fine. Anyway, how was your first day of training?"

"It was good-ish. I like Johanna and Peeta. I like Katniss too. Seeder, Chaff, Beetee and Wiress are cute and the best thing is that all of them are in on the rebellion. It was kind of tiring though, I didn't learn much. I didn't feel like I could concentrate," he explained, as the Avox waitresses bought in lentil soup. I dipped my spoon in tentatively as a hungry Finnick gulped down mouthfuls.

"I'm not quite sure about Johanna. She seems dubious."
"She's in everything for the right reasons and she's nice enough."
"You mean her body is nice enough," I spat.
"Oh, shut up, you're like my old crabby wife."
"Are you saying you're my old perverted husband?"
"Who knows what the future holds?" he winked again. Even as an old, perverted husband, he still made my knees go weak.

"I've decided something," I said, swallowing a mouthful.
"And what's that?"
"I despise lentils," I said, edging the warm liquid away from me. The foul taste was still left in my mouth so I washed it with water. "They taste… awful."
"This soup is good," he grinned.

"Anyway, I like Seeder, Chaff, Beetee, Peeta and Wiress. I think the only things Katniss and I have in common are the rebellion and the fact that we're both a little suspicious of Johanna," I laughed.
"It's 'cause you both have sexy guys that like – my very old friend by the way – the sexy Johanna," he smiled in his best sexy pose, which was quite frankly awful. Finnick was most definitely hot enough and then some, but it didn't feel right when it was forced.

"Sexy Johanna, eh? Just 'cause she always gets out her breasts."
"Just 'cause she has breasts instead of a skinny little body like you. You have to ask yourself honestly which one a man would rather have," he retorted, smiling. I gasped.

"Harsh," I said. "You know what? I'm not hungry, I think I'll just go back and sleep because I'm really tired, today was kind of draining."
"Harper!"

I went into my room. I really need to work on my temper because I know that he doesn't mean half the things that he says but I'm hot-headed nonetheless. Lying on the bed, I felt my eyelids growing heavy as I thought through all of the things that I had done today. I vowed to make more of an effort training tomorrow. You can do it, Harper; this rebellion is going to work. Just work hard training and you'll be able to take care of yourself in the arena.

I turned around to look at the clock. It was about ten past seven - still too early to go to sleep but too late to do anything worthwhile. I remained curled up on my bed, waiting for the inevitable knock on the door that would follow the little spat at the dinner table. Sure enough it came, just at around eight.
"Can I come in?"

I remained in silence.

"Harper? Can I come in? Are you okay?" Finnick continued, rapping on the door continuously and then just pushing it open and coming in anyway.

"What do you want?"
"I want to apologize."
"There's nothing to apologize for."
"Of course there is. You don't need people telling you that there's something wrong with you and I can't blame you for getting annoyed at a time like this."
"I'm working on my temper."
"Well, maybe you could work on your temper and I could work on not provoking you," he chuckled, sitting next to me on the bed, where I was now propped up against the pillows.

"I'm not going to tell you not to say what you think, that's not my place, I'm not your mother."
"But I didn't mean to say it like that."
"The meaning will always be the same."
"Why are you bothered anyway?"
"What do you mean?"

"At home, there were a couple of boys who liked you so you have to know that you're not exactly ugly and when you went into the arena at the 67th and the sponsors turned their noses up, you didn't care and you won anyway. You didn't get pissed off because no-one would send you gifts, you just did what you had to do and get on with it. Now suddenly if I say something like that it's like I've come and slapped you around the face."

"I don't know."

"Well, neither do I, that's why I asked."
"When I was in the arena, it didn't matter that people looked down on me because I didn't need them – they weren't my friends, they were just random rich people with funny accents that took delight in bloodshed."
"Yeah?"
"And here, you, you guys, you feel like friends and that's something I don't have too many of. You must know a victor's life is a lonely one. When people say things like that, I feel like there's no friendship there," I concluded. Finnick spluttered.

"So you think that we're not friends because I said Johanna has a nice body?" he frowned. I glared at him. "That's rubbish. You know we're really good friends already, otherwise why would I wait for you to wash up before I ate just so I could talk to you? Why would I make sure you didn't throw up on the chariots and try to make you feel better even though it's always me that puts you in the bad mood?"
"I d-don't know."

"Plus I'm pretty sure you know that I think you're better than Johanna, so you don't need to worry about that. Can we make a pact?"
"A pact?"
"A pact."
"A pact?"
"Yes, a pact."
"I know, I mean, what kind of pact?"
"Yesterday and on the train, we were perfect. We got along well and we said we'd protect each other and we drove the Capitol crazy with our chariot comedy. I'll try and stop annoying you and you'll try and stop kicking off and we will work together and we'll make allies and we'll forget everything that happened today. Promise?"
"Hmph. Promise."
"Are you too tired to argue?"
"What's the time?"
"Seriously, stop with the time thing. It's only about quarter to nine, are you that tired? Do you want to go to sleep?"
"Mm," I nodded.

"Well if you really want to," he said, getting underneath the covers next to me.

"Finnick?"
"Mm?"
"What are you doing?"
"Going to sleep, what does it look like?"
"This is my bed."
"Are you cold?"
"Yes."

He pulled me closer until my head was on his chest like it was on the train. I felt the heavy eyelids from before return as I felt his arms close tightly around me.

"You don't mind, do you?" I asked him.
"I thought you were the one who minded. At the moment, I don't think I'd rather be anywhere than here."