A/n. Hi. Thanks for the follows! I got no reviews, but I decided to update anyway because I was bored. So anyway, here's chapter 7!

Chapter 7

The roar of thousands of screaming voices nearly deafens me as we role out onto the streets of the Capital. At first, I'm frozen, staring transfixed at the flashing of cameras and the oddly-dressed people. Then, I remember what I need to do. I have to win over the crowd, or I will most likely die. The crowd's screams rise in volume as I start waving, smiling, winking, and blowing kisses. People throw roses, and Hanna catches them. People blow me kisses, and I act like they are tangible things, catching them and blowing some back. This lasts for about twenty minutes, and then we are all lined up in a circle at the City's center.

I see the dreaded President Snow emerge from his mansion onto a balcony directly overhead. He addresses the cameras.

"Welcome Tributes to the sixty-fifth annual Hunger Games! We appreciate your courage and your sacrifice Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor." Snow finishes his speech and watches our chariots proceed into the training center with a slight sneer contorting his facial features. I look away from the evil man, and stare in awe at the training center. It is very large, and I can't imagine myself living there for the next week. The chariots pull in, and we all get off.

We all end up standing there awkwardly, analyzing the people around us. Soon, though, peacekeepers are pushing us toward the elevators. I catch many of the tributes giving me glares as the elevator doors close. Of course they hate me now. I took away all their sponsors. I allow myself a little smile, and hope for the best.

When the elevator stops on the fourth floor, I step out to encounter the most luxurious room I've ever seen. It is even nicer than the train, with a screen or electronic pad to control everything from food delivery to what is seen out the window. Shine is waiting for me, and she gives me a beaming smile.

"Oh Finnick! You're all people are talking about, you know that? You were absolutely perfect!" Shine goes on and on about how good-looking and perfect I was in the parade. I would like what she was telling me if it was coming from anyone but her. Well, maybe not anyone. All the Capital freaks are out of the question. I sigh and try to forget my stupid thoughts as I smile at Shine.

"I'm going to go put some clothes on," I say in a voice that I hope is calm and steady. I've forgotten how little I'm actually wearing, and now it's starting to embarrass me more than ever. Shine nods, and leads me down many decorated hallways to my room.

"I'll leave you to it, then. Shower, change, and be ready for dinner in an hour," Shine tells me briskly and walks away. I open my room door, and am astonished by the sight of it. Everything is so fancy! Every part of the room must be programmed and personalized with one setting or another, and the shower is even more complicated than it was on the train. I take off the fishing net, and take a little longer than I did on the train to study the buttons on the shower wall.

After a much nicer shower than I had on the train, I get changed into some comfortable clothes and make my way to the dining room. Everyone has already sat down and is eating ravenously. Mags smiles when I walk in.

"Hello, Finnick," She says, gesturing for me to sit down next to her. "Very nice job in the parade tonight." Mags tells me. Then, lowering her voice, she continues, "Many sponsors are considering you right now." Well, that's good to know. I nod at her, hoping that the simple gesture will express my thanks without me having to speak. I really don't want Hanna to feel like there's any favoritism going on.

Dinner takes at least an hour, and after it's over, we watch the recaps of the Opening Ceremonies. Everyone did well, and I can see that I'm getting more than my share of attention from the cameras. Though I'm glad I'll have the sponsors, seeing myself practically naked in front of all the Capital people puts me in a sour mood. I excuse myself and hurry to my room. I don't want to think about the way the other tributes were glaring at me. As a matter of fact, I don't want to think about anything at all. To fix my problem, I turn on the TV, and immediately wish I hadn't

A reporter is onscreen, talking about the possible victors of this year's games. "I wouldn't rule out Finnick Odair, either She says in a confident voice. "He's only fourteen, but he has looks and he comes from a district that trains their tributes for the games."

"Yes, most children from districts one, two, and four do very well in The Hunger Games. Let's take a look at some past successes, shall we," After the other commentator finishes giving an opinion, I turn off the TV. I know that they are going to show gory images from past hunger games. That's not exactly what I want to see right now. I sigh and role over.

To my surprise, I see Hanna standing in the doorway. I look at her, confused. "Finnick?" she asks tentatively, looking hesitant to come any further into my room.

"Yeah?" I ask her. I feel bad for her, mostly because a career could have volunteered to save a twelve-year-old, but didn't. All of them probably just want to watch her die. I feel sick, and suddenly want to help this little girl as much as I can. I don't know her, but she's in the same situation as me. "What's the matter?" I ask when it's clear she won't come any further into my room.

"I just, well," She looks scared, and I have a feeling I know why.

"Hanna, I'm not going to hurt you. Not here, not in the games. I know you've heard bad things about me, but I would never kill a twelve-year-old." I tell her, trying to get her to calm down. She gives me a weak, scared smile.

"I'm just so scared, Finnick." I can tell she's stalling, not really wanting to tell me what's really on her mind. Instead of waiting there all night, I just ask her.

"What's on your mind?" She looks relieved.

"I was wondering if you wanted to be allies?" I look at her for a second, then nod.

"After the careers turn on each other, I'll come and find you." I tell her and give her a little smile. "Friends?" I ask, but theirs a hanging afterthought that we can both feel. This won't last forever.

"Yeah, for now." She's not hostile as she speaks the words, she's just saying what we're both thinking. We shake hands, and that's that. We'll help each other as much as we can.

After she leaves, I'm not sure what to do. I can't sleep, that's for sure. The only thing I can really think to do is to go up to the roof. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to, but I don't really care. What can they do to me for relaxing on a roof?

I press the button for the roof, and wait for the elevator to ascend Once there, I exit the elevator and walk out onto the roof until I can see the lights of the Capital far below me. Tiny figures move in the streets. They look like they're dancing and laughing, and I suddenly know what the celebration is. It's the after party for the Opening Ceremonies. For awhile, I'm transfixed by the oddly bright and artificial colors. I just stand there for what seems like hours, watching and thinking. I don't want to kill people, and I never have. I have to win, though. Winning is the only thing I should be thinking about right now. The idea seems easy in theory, but in practice, it's harder than ever.

I remind myself that I have training in the morning, and head down to my floor, finally feeling drowsy. Once in my room, I climb in bed without even changing into pajamas. I'm asleep before my head hits the pillow.

A/n. I hope you liked this chapter. Please let me know what you think and what I need to fix. Thanks, as usual, for reading! Laters.

HouseOfNightMockingjay14