Really want to quickly say a thanks to Cindella204 for influencing this chapter. She's got quite a since of humor and I really enjoy the way she makes crazy things happen. Even though I was planning to it to happen, she made it even better than I can imagine. :D

I was shaking as I ran. If Gale was following me, he would be sorry. Because this time, there would be no speaking. I would tear him down in a second, I knew I would. I wasn't beside breaking a limb, either. You don't go around kissing girls on a whim! It's just wrong!

I found myself in the Dining Hall, panting and slouching over a table. No, I had to get to my room. It was safer there. I could be in solitude without anyone bothering me.

"Paisley."

I whirled around at my name to see Finnick there, a very confused expression on his face.

"Why... Why are you here?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No one noticed me leave, not even Annie. And she won't for a few moments." He did look weird without Annie by his side.

"You shouldn't have left her. It's your wedding day."

"Why did you run out?" was all he said.

I shook my head, trying to calm my shaking nerves. He repeated himself, his voice even more firm.

"I... Gale tried to kiss me, alright?" Finnick looked bewildered.

"I thought you hated him..."

"I do. I mean, I did... I don't know!" The shaking was now becoming uncontrollable. Finnick walked up to me and hugged me. I shivered in his arms. "I'm sorry, Finnick, I really am."

He sighed and tangled his fingers in my hair as I was pressed against his chest. "I am, too, Paisley. Look, you need sleep. Your test is tomorrow. Forget the wedding tonight, alright? It's all good between you and me."

I shook my head. "I shouldn't have been mean to you last night, it wasn't nice..."

All I could see was his smile. "We always do brash things. I knew you didn't mean it. And I do somewhat feel sorry about Gale jumping you. He seriously does have issues."

I snickered. "Get out there. You're missing your wedding."

His eyes sparkled a bit and he leaned down, kissing my forehead. "Sleep well tonight, Lee."

"You too... Fin."

He snickered at my attempt of a nickname. "Keep trying." He waved and ran out of the Dining Hall.

I sighed and looked up. Finnick just ran out of his own wedding to talk to me. I'm incredibly glad he did, but also a bit mad. It was his wedding. What if Annie figured out he was gone? Would she cry? Scream? I sincerely hoped not.

I wobbled my way back into my room.

As as Finnick instructed, I slept well that night.

I clawed my way out of my bed. Events of the day before were far in the back of my head. Today, all I could think of was the test. The test. To get on the team. To go to the Capitol. I clenched my fists and walked to breakfast. I quickly scarfed it down before anyone else got there and left. Last thing I needed was for Gale to jump me again.

I made my way to the station. There are four parts of the exam. Three of which, I felt perfectly fine with. An obstacle course to see what your physical condition is, an written exam for tactics, a weapons proficiency test, and a simulated combat situation in the Block. I had been to the Block a few times, but not enough to feel entirely comfortable. I had passed the first three, but the weapons proficiency was pretty slim. I had to crack down on that gun to pass it.

But at the Block, I waited impatiently. What was it going to be? An ambush, unexpected pods, or worse? Before I could think any longer, I was called in.

I took a deep breath and entered the Block to see a large street. Most likely, it was pods. My team came up to me and I was geared with a gun and some grenades. Right off the bat, I threw a grenade into a corner.

Sure enough, there was a pod there waiting for me. It released a net to capture the target, but it only came empty handed. I stepped lightly across the street. This was an easy test. I was always good with pods.

But then my foot staggered and I hit another pod. I waited for something to happen, but nothing did. I looked all around before I saw a mist arise in the sky. I watched it for a moment before the stench of it hit me. My skin started to itch and I realized what it was. The very same mist that Katniss, Finnick, Peeta and Mags had to run away from in the second Games. I dashed out of the mist, which kept its steady pace towards me. I sprayed the ground in front of me with bullets, and pods started bursting everywhere. I quickly put on my gas mask, just in case before I saw the exit. The only exit, a house that looked heavily barricaded—my destination. I tried to jump for it, but a flicker in the corner of my eye caught me. I turned to see a girl, with odd, green hair and brown eyes stare at me. She looked quite like my mother...

My sister. I let out a choked sound and took a step towards her. She was in the mist, but somehow her limbs weren't going nuts like mine were. My legs gave out under me and I stared at her. She was gorgeous, even with the ghastly green hair. She gave me a smile and beckoned me to her. Suddenly, I was standing.

I must get to my sister. I started to walk towards her, but stopped.

This was my mission. I had to finish this test. I gave her one last fleeting glance before I tore away from her and jumped for the door again. This time, my hand hit the knob and I opened it. Quickly, I slammed the door shut, sealing the mist into the Block and I turned around to see doctors hurriedly coming towards me.

They treated the blisters on my arm and gave me some real oxygen, which I breathed deeply. Then my hand was stamped with a three-digit number. I let out a sigh of relief. I passed. I was shaky again as I made my way out of the area before I saw Finnick.

Who was that in front of him? Gale. I froze. Gale?

Finnick was surely yelling at him and I looked around. No one was there but me. I quickly ran to a wall and watched them.

"Why the hell would you do that?" Finnick demanded.

Gale looked confused. "What?"

"You tried to kiss her."

I stared at Finnick incredulously. He was yelling at Gale because Gale tried to kiss me. Isn't that what Finnick wanted all along?

Gale frowned at him. "Yes." He was being vague, so typically Gale.

Finnick let out a growl and pushed him into the wall. "So what if I tried to kiss you, Hawthorne?"

I tried my best to suppress the giggle that came up.

"I tried to kiss you. What would you do?"

"Punch you," Gale said simply. "Then run. You would try to kiss me at your own wedding?"

Finnick was getting pretty fed up with this. "That's what she did, isn't it? You don't hurt a girl and then kiss her. That's most likely why Katniss wants Peeta."

Gale's eyes smoldered again. "Last time I checked, Katniss picked me."

"Last time I checked, brainless, was you picked Paisley. Am I wrong?"

Gale frowned deeply and smacked Finnick's hand away as he got out of his grasp. "Yes, you are wrong. I want nothing to do with that redheaded harpy."

I sucked in a breath. If it wasn't for the fear of Finnick yelling at me for listening in, I would have jumped Gale and tore his hair out of his head. I gritted my teeth, biting my shirt to keep from yelling profanities at him. Gale walked away and Finnick slammed a fist on the wall. I looked around for a moment before I regained myself and ran towards him, all happy and giddy.

"I made it!" I said.

He glanced at me and quickly gained his composure. He looked a bit worried, but it's an emotion that flitted away in an instant. "Congrats!" He smiled at me and hugged me. "Do you want to go get some lunch?"

"Sure." I grinned at him as he walked me to the Dining Hall. I couldn't help but see him glance at me worriedly. I'm sure he was worried I overheard their conversation. As he should be, because I did. And when I saw Gale in the lunchroom, it took every cell in my body not to lunge at him and slam his head on the table. I just clenched my fists.

"I'll see you, alright?"

I nodded and watched Finnick go to the table, sitting at his regular seat between Annie and Gale. They showed no recognition of what happened before except for the angry glances here and there.

I looked at the food and my mouth instantly watered. It was a stew with potatoes, turnips, real beef, and onions immersed in a gravy. Today, I was pretty happy I was sitting alone. I had to absorb what just happened to me in the last few hours.

I saw my sister in the Block with the test. I got into the Team to help against the raid with the Capitol. On my way to lunch, I saw Finnick terrorize (or try to) Gale. Gale called me a redheaded harpy. I couldn't blame him. I'm quite harpyish. But I'm not the one who tried to kiss a harpy, was I?

I snorted and ate my food, shivering at how the warm gravy ran down my throat. It was absolutely delicious. Many of the people in the room were already rejuvenated by this good meal. That's when a fork clattered and I looked up to see Katniss choking.

Why was she choking? Well, the answer was right in front of her.

There was Peeta.