Chapter 7
The Art of Being Attractive

I woke up and I completely forgot where I was. This wasn't my bed I was sleeping in. So whose was it? The only identification I had that someone was here was the running shower, but that wasn't much of a clue.

I sat up and leaned against the headboard.

"Morning." Finnick said, coming out of the bathroom. He was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.

"Hi." I said with a small smile.

I couldn't help but check out Finnick's abs. They were quite sculpted and toned, for lack of better words. I don't really know how to describe a six-pack. I guess it comes from winning the Games and physically exerting yourself. But it was like he was trying to capture my attention. I've never been so distracted before.

"Like what you see?" Finnick asked with a smirk.

He winked and my face got really warm.

Finnick grabbed his training clothes and went into the bathroom. I sat in his bed until he came out.

"Finnick? What were you going to tell me yesterday?" I asked quietly.

"I forgot. In the heat of the moment, I guess I forgot it." Finnick said. I nodded my head slowly.

"Do you want something to eat?" Finnick asked.

"Sounds good." I said with a smile. We walked down to breakfast and I ate with Mags and Finnick. We made surprisingly light conversation.

After breakfast, I went to go change for training. It started out the same, but today we were having hand-to-hand partnered duels. I chose Finnick for my partner for obvious reasons.

We started out against Beetee and Wiress. Finnick and I won easily. We slowly worked our way up the difficulty ladder. When we got to Cashmere and Gloss, we were tired and sweating. I was going after Cashmere when she got me on my back.

Normally, if it wasn't partnered, it would've been the end. But Finnick shoved her off me and pulled me off the ground.

"Thanks. Switch?" I asked as he nodded. If Finnick could eliminate Cashmere, then the two of us could handle Gloss separately.

I started by judo-flipping Gloss. He landed on his butt with a thud. He seemed a little dazed. Cashmere got Finnick in a headlock and was whispering something to him. It seemed fairly flirtatious and I got a little jealous.

And then the cat claws came out. I threw myself at Cashmere and she was forced to let Finnick go. And then, enraged by her attitude, I judo-flipped her off the mat and she was taken out.

"Why didn't I just do that to begin with?" I asked.

"Watch out." Finnick said flipping me- literally flipping me- over his shoulder and putting me behind him. Gloss was waiting for the right moment to attack. My back was turned, Finnick was distracted. It was perfect timing- almost.

Finnick was almost mechanical. But he wasn't slipping up. I could only stand there and watch, thoroughly impressed. Gloss was clearly the bigger competitor, but he wasn't fast enough.

After twenty minutes and a water break, Finnick got Gloss off the mat.

"Good work, partner." I said, handing Finnick a cup of water. He grinned and chugged.

"Aria, why didn't you partner with one of us?" Gloss demanded.

"Did you really expect me to partner against my fiancée?" I asked raising an eyebrow. Finnick grinned and grabbed my hand.

"I'd better get going on the weapons. The only reason they keep me around is because they see how much they'd lack without me." I said.

"Good luck." Finnick said as I grinned and went off to knives and agility. Those were my best stations. I went to axes, but they were way heavier than knives were. I went to swords and crushed the trainer.

And then I went to snares. It was an excuse to talk to someone outside of the Careers.

"How's it going?" I asked joining Finnick.

"It's going. What about you? Did they come crawling back to you yet?" Finnick asked.

"No. I think I need to challenge one of them individually." I said.

"Go for Cashmere. She's the strongest at hand-to-hand, its girl on girl, and it'll get you the most credit." Finnick said.

"True, but Brutus is heavier." I said.

"I'm telling you. Go for Cashmere." Finnick said as I nodded. I stepped up on the hand-to-hand combat block.

"Cashmere, I'm challenging you to a practice duel. Woman-to-woman." I said smirking.

Of course she had to accept, or else she'd look weak. She started out really strong and got me in a headlock. But I elbowed her in the gut and she let me go. I started going at her. I was too fast. She didn't even see me coming. And then she landed on her back and was down for ten seconds.

Brutus grinned and shot me a thumbs up. Gloss nodded his head approvingly.

Training ended on that happy note. The Careers seemed more composed. We definitely knew what we were going to do in the arena.

I showered off before the meeting and was actually pretty excited for the meeting. We would be discussing what we were doing for the Gamemakers tomorrow in the private sessions.

And two days from now, I would be married. The thought of marriage brought tears to my eyes. I wasn't that sad.I was just shocked. I didn't think I would ever get married! And I mean ever. I don't know if people realize this, but I'm not exactly appealing to most people and I tend to scare them off with my crude sense of humor and sarcasm.

After I freshened up and hung out with Cashmere, Gloss, and Brutus, I went out to the meeting.I was kind of excited for the meeting. Here, a group of people related to me and I could tell them almost anything. We already pretty much have to trust each other with our lives.

"Aria, I don't really think it matters what you do for us tomorrow. You could basically do whatever you wanted." Plutarch said as I nodded and sat down. I guess for some people it mattered.

"Hey Aria? I just want to ask. But if it comes down to me and the Careers, will you kill me?" Cecelia asked suddenly. She was already planning her death?! How was I supposed to say yes to killing someone.

The room grew quiet and waited for my answer. I guess it would be insulting to anyone's memory if I left them to the Careers. I was technically signed up to kill everyone in this room if it came down to it.

"Why, Cecelia? Don't you think you can live?" I asked gently.

"I just want to be ready. And if the Careers get me, they'll make it long and painful. I just want it to be over quickly. Can you do that?" Cecelia asked.

"Yes, I will do it. If it is needed." I said.

"Would you do it for me? I don't want Brutus coming anywhere near me with a spear." Chaff asked.

"Sure. Anyone else?" I asked. Blight raised his hand and Johanna instantly smacked it down. Everyone glanced at each other and a few more hands went up.

"Fine." I said numbly. If I really was supposed to kill my friends, it would be with no emotions. At least until the deed is done.

After that, we were eating dinner.

"Aria, tomorrow at the meeting, wear comfortable shoes." Plutarch said.

"Why?" I asked.

"We've got to get you ready for the big dance." Plutarch said.

"With Finnick? It's only Finnick; we can sway around all we want for the first dance." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"No, they do different things in the Capitol. When people get married here, the first dance is with the President." Plutarch said.

"I have to dance with Snow? Isn't that a threat to a tribute?" I demanded, getting keyed up.

"He isn't seen as a threat to people here. You don't have to dance with him for very long." Plutarch said, as if that made this suddenly better. I still had to dance with a disgusting excuse for a man who smelled like blood.

"I have a question. How much alcohol can I consume?" I asked as people laughed. They thought I was kidding. There was no way I was staying sober just to dance with Snow!

"As soon as you finish dancing, you can drink to your heart's content." Haymitch said grinning. I sighed.

"Aria, it'll only be one song." Finnick said.

"So you knew about this? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I demanded.

"I thought it wouldn't be that big of a deal." Finnick said.

"Sure, I'm only dancing with someone who poisons people for a living!" I said shrilly.

"Don't freak out, Aria. It'll be fine. It's not like he'll pull you somewhere and question you." Haymitch said.

"He will! I did something bad, years ago. And now, it's biting me in the butt." I said.

"What did you do?" Plutarch asked.

"Nothing, she's just kidding." Finnick said quickly. I glared at him and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Aria, this is absolutely unavoidable. I am sorry, but you have to dance with President Snow. No exceptions!" Plutarch said.

Needless to say, I glared at Plutarch and Haymitch for the rest of the meeting.

I walked with Finnick and Mags out of the meeting.

"Perk up, sunshine." Finnick said.

"Don't call me sunshine. And why should I?" I demanded.

"As soon as your song with Snow ends, I'll save you." Finnick said as I let out a sigh and nodded.

Something about Finnick saving me from Snow made my cheeks get red. I mean, I'm an independent woman and don't need anyone to save me. But something about not having to save myself was seriously attractive. And the fact that Finnick, my attractive husband, had to save me was nice, too.

Wait, did I just call Finnick attractive?

YAY! Another chapter a day. Sadly, I don't think I'll have one out until Friday. What can I say? It's a late Tuesday night update! What more could you want?

Slowly- very slowly- I think we'll begin to see Aria's caring side and her passionate/angry side in longer strides. So that's something to look forward to. And she's just starting to warm up on the idea of Finnick ;) where will I take it next?

Thanks to: Poisonpen19, zamzym, and Millenia-the-wings-of-valmar for adding this story to their favorites! You're all rock stars!

spiffiness114:I'm glad someone could appreciate the very witty humor I put in! :) Thank you for the kind review! Have a good week!

Green-NaNa-Neko89:Was this chapter a little better as far as Finnick/Aria? I promise they'll have some special 'moments' very, very soon. I feel a little better about this chapter than I did about the last one. And thanks for answering the question! To be completely honest, I miss updating daily :) it was like a major stress relief! Thank you again for reviewing. Your endless support is greatly appreciate and I don't know if I can say thank you enough. Have a good week!

Anyone have any suggestions on the plot? Anything they want to see? Another kiss or something like that? Let me know!

I hope everyone has a fantastic rest of the week!

-GirlonFire