Happy Holidays everyone! Here is the latest chapter of the story. I hope that you enjoy it! : )
Celebrity Daughter
Chapter 8
Finn stayed for three days after he arrived. He was booked in a room at the local hotel, but only really was there to sleep. We mostly spent all of our time together. I took him to some of my favorite restaurants, we watched movies, walked in the woods, and talked. It was lots of talking, because there was still so much that we needed to discuss.
"Do you think you'll come back to the Capitol soon?" he asks during one of our walks.
"Not right now. I want to finish school and I want to go to college eventually. I haven't given up my dream of doing social work with children. Once the holidays are over I was planning to begin again on my applications."
"That's great," Finn says. "So no more photo shoots or modeling?"
"I'm not saying I won't ever do it again," I answer, "but I am just going to be selective about what I choose. I like modeling, but it all just became so overwhelming. I need to just say no to most of it and yes to the jobs I really want to do. If they don't like it, then they don't have to ask me. And I am fine with that!"
Finn laughs. "Sounds like you really know what you want. It's fantastic. Somehow, I have a feeling that the press will still have an interest in you. No matter what, you are still Peeta Mellark's daughter."
"And proud of it," I say, "but I am going to dictate my own life from here on out."
"As long as that life has me in it," he says looking deep in my eyes.
"You're the most important part." I reply. He kisses me then deeply and the warmth of the kiss mixed with the chill of the air leaves me with a feeling of giddiness. We begin to walk back towards my house, and as we pass through the streets of the town, I eventually see Mason on the other side. I tense up immediately at how he will react to seeing Finn and I together. Mason eyes do lock on us, and he stops. I can feel the tension of the moment, and so does Finn as I can feel his hand squeeze mine tighter. I am thinking so fast as to what to do. There is nothing to make this any less awkward.
I finally decide to just smile and raise my hand in greeting from across the street. Mason notices and after a moment I can see his face soften. He eventually raises his own hand, gives a small smile, and nods at us. He then continues to walk on.
Finn's hand relaxes and I turn to look at him. "I guess he's okay with us?" he questions.
I think about Mason's reaction. "I'm not sure. From that, he may not be totally over everything, but I think he will get there. He'll tell me when he is."
"For your sake, I hope so," he replies. As we continue towards home, I have to admit I am glad that the interaction happened. Mason was going to have to see us together at some point, so it might as well be sooner rather than later. I kept wishing I could talk to him, but knew that he had to be the one to initiate that contact.
Finn and I have an amazing time together, and when he leaves we come up with a plan to be able to sustain a relationship long distance. We talk about how often to call, text, talk over Skype, and even visit each other if possible. I tell him that I would try to get my family to come to District 4 for Spring Break. He smiles at me from the airport before boarding his plane, although it is tinged with sadness because he doesn't want to leave, nor do I want him to go.
"I love you so much. It's going to be hard not to see you." I say.
He rubs his thumb over my cheek. "I love you too. No matter what, we can make this work."
I nod my head and we embrace and kiss in front of the entire crowd. People must recognize us, because out of the corner of my eye I can see some getting their phones out and taking pictures with them. In the back of my mind I know these pictures will be in next week's celebrity rags. Oh well, let them.
In the next weeks, I put my focus on my classes. Everyone is glad that I have returned, and a basic routine for my life begins to form. I go to school, hang out with my small group of friends, and in the evening study and talk with Finn. It was amazingly dull compared to the fast paced life I was living in the Capitol. I complete my admissions essays for a handful of universities and with fingers crossed send them in. I talk about my fears in my next conversation with Finn.
"I missed so much in the fall. I don't know if any of them will accept me now." I share with him.
"Of course they will," he insists. "Your transcripts look great overall. One bad semester isn't going to change that. I'm sure at least one, if not all, will let you in."
"I hope so." I say with maybe a little more confidence.
"Come on, Emma." Finn encourages. "You're going to be fine. Capitol University was one of the ones you applied for, right?"
"Yes. It's my top choice next to District 8 College. They both have great degree plans for social work."
"Well, I hope you get in, because it so happens that it's where I will be going," he states enthusiastically.
I make a sound of delight. "Congratulations! You got in?"
"Yeah. I just got the letter yesterday. I'm going to major in film studies and learn to direct movies."
"As much as you've been on sets, I know you will be amazing at it," I tell him. This news makes it even harder to wait for my own letters to come. I try to distract myself by studying harder and keeping busy, but each day I run to the mailbox as soon as I can. I have been waiting about three weeks, when something new is brought to my attention.
Haymitch is calling, and Mother yells to tell me he wants to speak with me. I pick up the phone to be greeted by the all too familiar gruff voice.
"Hey there little sweetheart," he begins. "How do you feel about a little work?"
"Depends on what you mean by a little work." I respond.
"CInna's new line is coming out for the spring, and he is having a catalog of the collection. He would like you to come for the photo shoot." Fears start raging through my heard and my immediately reaction is to say no. Haymitch must know this because he continues, "I know you want to say no, but listen to me. This would be only one day, and one outfit that Cinna says he designed especially for you. You would only have to do the one shot and then go home. No other commitments are needed. I won't even tell anyone else that you are coming. Think about it."
I go over the pros and cons of what he has said. I would only be gone for at most a weekend. I could go in and come back home. As he said, no one would even know I was there for the most part. Cinna really wanted me, and as always, it was hard to deny him, and Haymitch would not steer me wrong again. I finally give up.
"OK. I'll do it." I sigh. "Only one day, and this is the only commitment. Nothing else."
"You got it sweetheart. The shoot is two weeks from now." The phone clicks off. I talk it over with my parents and with Finn. They all think that I will be able to handle this, and it would still give me a chance to do a little modeling, but not take over my life.
When I go to the Capitol, I ended up shaking some as I am driven to the photo shoot. The last time I was in this situation I had a complete meltdown, and I haven't forgotten it. When I see Cinna, he gives me a hug and rubs my back.
"Welcome back, Emma Grace," he says with that calming voice. "It's going to be okay. You can do this."
I go into prep, and am made up and my hair is done. I am then placed into a sweet sundress with strappy sandals. I look every bit of my seventeen years, and it makes me feel fabulous. I remember the very first photo shoot and my excitement that day. I feel once again the rush I felt that day. I take the photos with no problem, finish the shoot, and the following morning return to District 12. I call up Haymitch after this, and tell him of my experience, and that I can do similar projects, as long as I have all the details and only with my approval. He agrees, and once more I go back to normal life.
As promised, my family heads to District 4 for Spring Break. I run into Finn's arms the moment I see him, and he takes me around his home. We walk along the beach at sunset, and he takes me out on his boat that he got for his birthday that had just happened.
We are riding it out away from shore and I am relaxed enjoying the feel of the waves. "Do you think you will miss it here while you're in the Capitol?" I ask Finn.
"I'll miss this, the water, and my family, but I know that making movies is what I want to do. If that means leaving home, then I have to do it. I guess that's part of becoming an adult." He sounds so grown up talking this way. I guess we are really about to leave home and go off into the world.
I stretch my legs out. "Well, then I guess if you are excited about it, then I should share my news with you."
Finn is immediately interested and sits up to look at me. "And what news could you possibly have, Miss Mellark?"
"Well…" I say slowly to keep the suspense, "it looks like I will be joining you in the Capitol." I take out a piece of paper out of the bag I brought. "I got my letter just before I left home."
Finn whoops and gives me a kiss. "This is fantastic. I was so hoping we would be together. Now we just got to make it to August." I smile and we talk about what we would do together when we get there. Its months away, but it was fun in the anticipation.
We have a great visit the rest of the week, with Mother and Father getting to catch up with Finnick and Annie, and we are all sad to go at the end of it.
Finn whispers to me as I'm about to get in the car. "Only a few months, right?" I nod as the door closes and I wave as we drive off.
I get involved in all the events leading up to graduation from there, so I am so busy that I don't get too lost in my thoughts being away from Finn. I know that he is busy with his own school events, and we share all that we can when we talk. Knowing that it would be hard for him to get away, I don't really mention my school prom. When the night arrives, I sit in my room lounging in my pajamas. My parents had suggested that I try to go to the dance by myself or with some friends, but it just wasn't worth it without Finn.
I'm reading my last novel for English class when the doorbell rings. I go down to answer it and there is a young man there.
"Delivery for Emma Mellark?" he asks uncertainly.
"That's me." I say. He has me sign a piece of paper, and hands me a square package wrapped in brown paper. I say thank you and take the mysterious delivery upstairs. I sit at my desk, and open it. I take in a breath as I see what is inside. It's a plastic box, and inside is the most beautiful corsage made of white and red roses. I take it out and place it around my wrist. It looks funny against my night clothes, but I don't care. At that moment, something buzzes on my computer. I smile as I see that it's someone trying to call me on Skype. I go over and click on the Connect button.
Finn's smiling face comes up. "Hey beautiful. Did you get my gift?"
"I did. Just now. I can't believe you did that." I say to him.
"A little bird told me your prom was tonight, so I thought since I couldn't be there that I could at least send the corsage. I hope you like it."
"I love it," I gush. "I just wish it would have come with you."
"Me too. But trust me, Emma; once summer gets here, we are going to have lots of time together."
"I know," I sigh, "It just feels so long until then."
Finn thinks for a minute. "Well, in the meantime, how about a dance?"
"A dance?" I say. "How in the world are we going to do that?"
"Get up," Finn instructs. "Put your arms up like they would be on me. I'll do the same." He turns on some music, and a soft ballad plays. I place my arms in the arm and pretend that they are around Finn. I can tell he's doing the same, and he says. "Now, move around like we are dancing together." I sway side to side around the room to the music. I can see Finn is doing the same, and it all seems so silly. After about a minute, I can do nothing but begin to laugh at the two of us. He laughs too, and we do so for about five minutes before I collapse on my bed.
"I have to admit, if nothing else, I definitely feel better." I say.
"Good! I just wanted to do at least something for your prom night. I'm so sorry I can't take you." I can hear the regret in his voice.
"I know. But you've done great, and I'd rather have this than be there without you." It's then that I make the gesture to him that I learned from my parents. I put two fingers to my lips then place them to the computer screen. Finn does the same.
"Love you," I whisper.
"Love you too."
In the next days, knowing that I would be leaving District 12 for quite some time soon, I decide to go to the Meadow to take a last walk in the woods. I arrive and sit on the usual rock and breathe in the fresh air. It's a definitely late spring smell and I love it. Suddenly, I hear footsteps. I turn and am surprised to see that it's Mason.
As I look at his face, I can see that he wanted to be here, but seems like he is trying to decide how to begin the conversation. I'm not sure myself what to think of his being in the Meadow.
"Hey Emma," he finally says not quite looking at me.
I get off the rock and walk towards him. "Hi Mason. It's good to see you."
"I…I..," he is continuing to struggle for words. "I heard you were going to be leaving for Capitol University soon. I just wanted to come say goodbye."
"I'm glad you did," I say. Then I take a chance. "So, how are you?" He must know that I am asking more than just about his health.
"I'm okay," he replies and we both go to sit down in our old spot. I look at him for more detail, and he continues. "Really, I am. It was hard at first to get through the hurt, but it gave me time to think, and after a few weeks, I realized you were right. I've known for a while, and I wanted to tell you. But, you know me; it takes me time to put my thoughts into actual words."
I make a little laugh. "That is an understatement."
"What really cemented it was when I saw you with Odair on the street. I was still hurt, but I saw how happy you were with him. I kept that in mind, and once I stopped being hurt, I remembered and found that was the most important thing. No matter what, I want you to be happy, Emma, and if he does that, then that's all I need to know." I can see the sincerity in Mason's eyes, and I feel all of the friendship we have built over time.
"Friends?" I say.
"The best," he replies as he pulls me in for a hug. It's nice to feel his warmth again. When we part, he asks, "How about a walk?" I nod and we walk through our old path. We talk about all the things that had been going on in the past months that we had missed. I tell him about Finn and my plan to go to the University and get my degree in social work. He tells me that his is interning with a local architectural firm and is about to get the chance to design his first building. Even more interesting is that Mason tells me he is dating someone. For two months he has been seeing a girl named Suzanne that he had graduated with. I can see his demeanor change as he talks about her, and have a feeling that this might be something special for him. I can only hope so.
As the walk ends, we part with another hug. "Don't be a stranger," I tell him. "Maybe I can meet your girl sometime. Give her my approval."
He just smiles and shakes his head. "We'll see about that." He raises his hand in a gesture of goodbye and walks away. I leave feeling satisfied that we had been able to work things out. It was nice to have my friend back.
After that, graduation comes quickly, and the June day dawns early. I put on my new dress along with my cap and gown. After taking pictures with the entire family, we headed to the ceremony which seemed to go on forever, except for the thirty seconds that my name was called and I walked across the stage. I notice a few cameras around the crowd that were distinctly reporters, but not as many as I would have thought. I guess this wasn't the biggest news of the moment. I try to enjoy what I can and join my classmates in throwing our hats up in the air and went to the celebration.
"Congratulations, Emma," my mother gushes. "We are so proud of you."
"You've done so well." Father said. "It seems like we were just holding you as an infant the other day. Now you're heading off into the world." I could see the wistful look in his eyes. I hold them both tightly.
"You have been the best parents. I couldn't ask for more."
Over the next days I pack up pretty much everything I own. It's kind of sad looking at my room, knowing that I am truly leaving my childhood behind. School won't start until August, but I am leaving early to do a few modeling jobs that I have agreed to do during the break. I try not to cry as I'm leaving, but I can't help it when I see Mother bawling. It's silly since I am planning to come home for Christmas, but the emotion of the moment pulls at me.
I board the plane and find my seat. As it lifts off, I have a sense of déjà vu. Was it only less than a year ago that I was in this very same place heading to the Capitol for what seemed to be the start of my life? Boy, was that a disaster. I remember how nervous I was on that trip. Now, I feel a sense of determination. Last time I was going, I had no idea what I was getting into. This time, I know exactly what I am heading for…my future. Not only my education and career, but also…the start of my future with Finn.
I hope that you liked the chapter. I know that there wasn't necessarily alot that happened, but I needed to set things up for the next chapter. There will be a couple of big things for Emma that happen then. So, I hope that you will hang on for the ride! Thank you all again for reading. Fanfiction readers are the best! Please please please REVIEW! They would make my Christmas even better.
