This has been my favorite chapter to write so far! I hope my non existent readers like it to!

Enjoy


Wandering out of the bathroom, my body freshly clean of all the make up they caked on me earlier I am now met with the place I will be staying in. The room is huge, bigger than my house back home. It's the first real look I had gotten at the room without being tired, rushed to dress and eat or blinded with water.
On one wall is a large beach wardrobe, only centimeters from grazing the ceiling, what kind of strange clothes could capitol people possibly own to make them need a wardrobe that tall? Next to it stands a chests of drawers. A large mirror is placed on it along with a remote (which I had no intention of going near after my shower incident) and a sliver set brush which gleamed in the moon light and the lights coming through the window that overlooked the capitol. In the center of the room against the wall is a large king sized bed covered in deep crimson, velvet covers. Deep crimson. How I watched many sunsets back in 4 before, but only one with that colour streaks streaming through the sky as the sun escaped the bounds of my home and into a new world. That was the sweetest, yet foggiest memory I can recall.
It was when I was 14, I was dreading the reaping so badly. Every year standing up and waiting to hear your name being called and you being lead to your death which those capitol people smoother in make up, odd facial changes and bizarre clothing to hide the blood shed and the fact that 23 young people have been murdered. Even when your name isn't called you feel remorse for those who have been, some only their first year, others their last. What's worse I remember wondering, beginners misfortune or the knowledge that perhaps in less than a month you would never have to fear being reaped again, but here you are, on stage so close to freedom but still a stones throw away?

The sun was slowly sinking in the sky and as it did rain drops began to patter against the water and my skin. I would normally be here with my friend, Mary, but she was reaped last year. Only a year older than me, killed with a single arrow right between her unusually dark eyes, (chocolate brown, they were darker than anyone else's eyes I had ever seen, well anyone from district 4 at least), died before she knew what hit her. I missed her a lot then. I still do now sometimes.

I had picked a bunch of clear blue forget-me-nots, they were growing on the line where grass meets sand. They were small and delicate, sweet smelling and seemed to have relevance to how I felt. So picked all but one. On my way home in the now darkening sky I caught a figure out the corner of my eye. He was tall, but that's all I knew, for he was a silhouette. Tall and that he had been standing watching me from a near by section of beach. As I stared back at him, soaked to the bone through my cotton white shirt and shorts, a strand of wet hair across my face and a handful of forget-me- nots that's when I saw them. The streaks of crimson red lines across the sky emanating from the far off sun setting behind the tall mountings which signified an end to our district.

It was mesmerizing, my eyes only left him for a second, but when I looked back he had gone. I was left to walk home wet and thinking of who this boy was, was it my imagination? A dream? But it felt so real.
To this day I still think of this boy, more than the painful memories of Mary, or the beach which I love so much, white sand and sea, often the consuming thought of my name being called. All blown away by the mysterious boy.
Silly to fall for a person who may not even be real, but I swear I did not dream a quick reflection of red light off of his magnificent sea green eyes, or the odd feeling of knowing them. Funny how I only realized this after I was reaped. But I guess that's my life already flashing before my eyes.

I pull off my clothes and find a silk nightgown in the drawer in a soft olive green. Slowly I brush out my hair and let the curls fall on my shoulders.
As I yawn a knock drums on the door, slowly I rise and step on the balls of my feet across the room, (something I often do when I'm tired), and open the door. I'm blown a back for a second at who had been knocking, then I remember my predicament with being a tribute and that Finnick Odair is standing my my door way starring at me in my bed clothes because he is my mentor in these games, not because he wants to be here.
"Good evening." I say in the strangest voice I can force from myself without screaming at him because of his amazing looks and well known charm.
"Hey Annie,' his speech seems almost to laid back. This also shocks me but I carry on listening to his sweet voice. 'Me and Mags were just talking about you and Phinley. We decided that tomorrow morning Mags will coach him and I will coach you. So get some rest, we're up early."
Wow... Finnick Odair has come to tell me to go to sleep because I have a big day ahead of me with him. What could he possibly do with me to make me to make me in need of a good nights sleep? At realizing what I had just asked myself I let out a giggle and blushed. His face turns slightly quizzical as to what I am giggling at but he just smiles back and pats my nose with a single finger.
"Night cheeky." he says before leaving the doorway of my room behind.

Cheeky? Did he know what I thought? Worlds best looking man who has the body of a God, sweet, seductive (so I have heard), can be deadly enough wield his weapons and cut everything out of his path yet be loved and trusted by all... and can now read minds? Just my luck his telepathy kicked in now. But oh well, if I'm going to die, may as well go laughing I say to myself as I shut my door, walk to my bed on the balls of my feet and slip into between the crimson bed sheets. Makes my bed at home feel like a rock, and my district is one of the better off. I wonder how all the people in the outer districts live their lives, far away from the Capitol, worse off and starving. I wonder what my mother and father are thinking right now, my house usually filled with shouts right now, but their only child now miles away. Is there only silence? I let tears run down my face leaving a cold trail from my eyes to my ears I fall into sleep.

When I awake I am on my side, the sunlight has leaked in through the window and is dancing across the floor. The air is warm, much like the days are this time of year in 4. I lay still for several minutes in the silence then realize something is wrong. I'm not at home. So where am I?

That's when it all starts coming back to me. My white dress. The reaping. The train, Mags, Finnick and falling asleep in this bed so far from home.

My face drops and I push myself up to stare at the strange room I am in. It looks exactly how it did in the dark; strange high cupboard an all, I did wonder if it was just shadows that made it appear so tall, however it appears to actually be that height.

I slid my feet out of the side of my bed and stretched my arms into the air. Every bone in my back clicks sending a satisfying, awakening feeling through me. The clock which I didn't notice on the other side of the wall from me tells me it's 6.20. Still very early.

My feet touch the floor and I pad over to the bathroom, where I take off my clothes and step into the shower. This control pad looks a lot simpler than the one on the train, and in a matter of minutes the water is on, coating me in warmth and soaps and perfumes fill my nose with sweet scents. For a split second I feel as if I'm home on a warm autumn day, when the rain falls from the sky, the patter of it against the sea and the ships boobing on the waves. I lean my forehead against the cold metallic walls of the shower and close my eyes, trying to replicate the smell of the sea and fish I have come to love so much. I wonder if I will ever smell those things again. See my home.

Then I shake the thoughts from my mind, and straighten my back so my face is pointing forward.

I stand there for what feels like a further 10 minutes before I press a button which makes the water stop suddenly. In the Capitol Mags told me they have mats you can step onto which dry you in a matter of seconds, along with a variety of other contraptions and devices to make your life easier. However I decide to step out of the shower and avoid the mat, instead I reach for a towel the same green as my nightdress was, which hangs limply over a heated towel rack. What don't they have in the Capitol?

I dry my face of all the water droplets before I wrap it around me and secure it over my left breast. I walk over to a miraculously un-fogged mirror on the far wall. It should be dripping and making me look distorted through the condensed water, but it's as clear as crystal.

Evidently mirrors which don't fog when you shower are more important to Capitol people than every district having food and water...

"Vein bastards." I say to myself out loud as I stare at my reflection in the mirror.

I'm only 17, yet I have been brought to a strange place and will be made to die. Treated, fed and clothed better than I ever would have been back home in the space of a week compared to a life time, then slaughtered by another child as people watch for their entertainment. A lamb for slaughter. What sick people have we become?

I turn away from the mirror not wanting to think about my death any further and walk towards the door. All I really want to do now if sit and watch the Capitol wake up till I am called for training. Regardless of the savages these people are, the Capitol looks amazing; the architecture, the

waterfalls which line the far edges, the size and freedom.

Walking past the towel rack I grab a smaller, hand towel which is still warm from the rack and begin to rub my hair with it one handed, the other opening the door into my slightly chilly room compared to the steaming bathroom. I roughly dry my hair with the small towel before I drop it on the floor and whip my hair back. That's when I notice him.

Finnick is looking out across the Capitol on the opposite side of my bed, when I see him it takes a moment to register. He is standing in my room looking out a window and I am standing behind him dressed in nothing but a towel.

Realizing this is no school girl day dream I let out a small cry and step backwards, tripping over the towel I dropped, falling onto my back and letting out a yelp of pain. The towel, although still covering me, is barely clinging to my wet skin. My eyes are closed and head throbbing in pain. Well, I say to myself in my head, my situation can't possibly get any worse.

But of course I was getting myself into trouble believing that, because when I open my eyes Finnick Odair is standing over me. I'm half wet, half naked, and half dead. I must look so stupid, my ears begin to burn up and as quickly as I fell I try to sit up. Of course the pain in my head stops me before I can which leaves my head throbbing harder. I let out an agitated moan,

"What the hell are you doing in my room?!"

"I did knock,' his voice sounds calm, smooth which cools me slightly. "But when there was no reply I wondered if you were okay. I got worried, if you had hurt yourself or something had happened so came in."

Is he showing actual concern for me?

"Didn't you hear the shower running?" That's when I see something I have never seen Finnick Odair do, do. For a split second there is a crack in his cool and he blushes slightly before regaining himself.

"Well, I thought I would wait for you, to instruct you with your training. I assumed you would use the dryer instead of a towel, I heard Mags telling you about it."

"I didn't want to, it's to... Capitol." For a moment I just stare into Finnick's eyes which loom above me. They're so amazing, it'd be hard to miss their beauty on the television screen but in real life they are so much more. So calming. So entrancing. So familiar...

That's when I realize I am still laying virtually naked on my floor and that Finnick is leaning over me, staring into my eyes.

"Urm... Finnick?" I can feel my cheeks reddening, but my ears are no longer burning.

"Yeah?" his tone is slightly confused, which makes me giggle slightly.

"I need to get dressed." Like a light bulb has gone off in his head making him realize the position I am in, Finnick leans away to allow me to clasp the towel so it's now covering more of me and raise. However, as I do a streak of pain runs down my back and suddenly I feel extremely dizzy and as if I could vomit any minute. I think Finnick notices this because all of a sudden he has picked me up bridal style and has lifted me over and onto my bed. It's softness cushions my head and back.

I let out a sigh of relief and close my eyes.

"I'm going to go get you something for the pain. I'll be back in a second, okay?" His voice sounds worried and his steps slightly quicker than usual as he leaves the room.

It's nice just laying on this strange bed and letting it support my aching back. Maybe I'll just lay here forever. Eye's closed, soft fabric, no arena.

A few minutes later I hear Finnick return and I open my eyes. He has a thin glass filled with water in one hand and two tubs, (on small and thin, one bigger and deeper) in the other. He places the larger tub on the dresser and walks over, opening the longer tub, which appears to contain candy coloured pink tablets. He lifts one out and as he dose I stick out my tongue.

"You make a great patient." he says smiling and places it on my tongue and handing me the water, helping my up slightly I drink and swallow the tablet, which tastes of raspberries slightly.

"You'll begin to feel better in a few minutes."

"You promise?" I sound like I am six again, asking my father if he promises to be home from fishing on time for my birthday.

"I promise." Finnick coo's and smiles at me. He then takes the glass from me, helps me back down and walks back to the dresser. Replacing the larger tub with the smaller one and making his way back over. I sit up as he comes over, and am dumbstruck that I do without a throbbing pain or sudden pain. Only a small lulling ache.

"Told you."

"Yes you did. What's in the other tub?"

"It's for the ache and to stop bruising." Finnick is back by my side and has unscrewed the lid revealing a translucent, pea green cream. Perching himself on the edge of my bed he breaks the surface of the cream with his index and middle fingers, lifting some off. I stare at him intrigued and only realize that he is staring as intrigued back at me after a few moments.

"Turn around then." He smiles at me.

"What?"

"Well I need to rub it into your back. So... yeah." he scratches the back of his head with his non creamed hand and stares at me through a layer of bronze coloured hair.

"Oh.. okay." I giggle and blush slightly, although I have no idea why. I mean yes, he is amazingly sexy to say the least but he is only doing this because he is my mentor... or does he generally care? I slid around in the bed till I am facing the wall with the clock, it reads 7.40. still early. Then I once again realize how exposed I am and turn to him again.

"Finnick?"

"Yeah?"

"Close your eyes?"

"Why?"

"Please" I stare back at him, my hand still grasping the top of the towel and he just smiles after a second and closes his eyes. I wave my hand in front of his eyes of a few seconds just to make sure he isn't peeking, when I am totally satisfied he isn't I slip of the bed and run to the dresser. I slide open the first draw I come to containing underwear and pick out the first pair I come across and slip them on. I also take out a bra and sock. With my hand still holding the towel I shut the drawer and skip back to the bed. I slip back on and once again face the wall.

"Okay, you can look now." I let go of my towel as I say this and let it drop around me. Now I am only sitting in a white pair of boxer knickers, back aching and one Finnick Odair behind me.

My imagination or did he just catch his breath?

Suddenly a warm pair of hands make their way up my spine to my shoulders and back down again. Finnick is rubbing in the pea green cream and as he does the dull ache is subsided by a warm tingle. "Better?" Finnick asks as his hands trace my spine again.

"Yeah." I smile stupidly knowing he can't see me, my hair still damp and clinging to the front of my shoulders.

"Annie?"

"Yeah?"

"You need to be careful in training today. It's first impressions. So they count, life and death count. Avoid things you are good at, like the knives, avoid them. Learn new things. Do you understand me?"

His words are decisive and all I do is nod and say,

"I understand."

I sit for a further 10 minutes letting Finnick traces my spine before the pain is completely gone. With every stroke of his hand a funny feeling stirs inside of me. Finally his hands stop and rest on my hips. It's 8 o'clock.

"Breakfast?" Finnick asks. His hands and fingers on my bare skin is very distracting but I find my words.

"Yeah okay." I reach to my side and pick up the bra, I slip it on and do the clasp up, Finnick's hands still on my waist as I then put on my socks. Finally he releases me when I stand up and turn around to look at him. His eyes are fixated on my now dry body, his head slightly turned at an angle. I feel warm inside suddenly, wonder if Finnick realizes he is staring at me. Unsure how to point it out to him without embarrassing him, would it embarrass him?, I walk over to my wardrobe and open it. That's why it's so big!

Half is filled with shoes alone, the other with clothes. I dig through my wardrobe till I find an outfit with a large '4' printed across the back in a sea blue on it's black fabric. That's when I turn to Finnick again. He has gotten up and I staring at me.

"See you at breakfast in a minute?" he has seemed to regain himself now.

"Yep."

He turns and starts to head for the door, suddenly he stops and looks back at me.

"Hey Annie, wanna know a secret?' he laughs, his voice suddenly drops into a jokily seductive tone and his eyes penetrate mine with their green glow 'I don't use the dryer either, I stay dripping wet and in a towel to, it's more... well, I'll let you put a word there." With that he winks at me. Before he leaves the room I coo to him, in the best imitation seductive tone I can muster and at the same time striking the stupidest seductive pose,

"Cheeky." When he stops and looks back at me from across the room I wink at him and giggle. His smile is huge, that's the last thing I see of him before he slips out of my room.