So I know I said the next chapter would be about the 65th Hunger Games, but I ended up writing about everything that led up to that point, so the next chapter truly begins with the games. thanks to all my readers, i appreciate the support and the fact you guys have been following me with all my chapters, and i know this chapter has nothing to do with annie and finnick so i'm sorry for that. but it gives more insight to finnick =] hope you enjoy, but honestly, you can expect no finnick & annie in the next chapter either. this will be the only time that ever happens. it just doesn't fit the way i want to write it. (i also still have not had good sleep yet for like the past 5 days, so i need to go back and reread things so if its really terrible, sorry. but i don't have time to fix it now)

random psych fact: an excess of dopamine (a neurotransmitter or chemical message meant to increase pleasure in the brain) is linked to schizophrenia.

Chapter Eleven: Moments Before the 65th Hunger Games—Finnick's POV

"I volunteer." I say loudly so everyone within the town square will hear me. I say it confidently so that all of Panem will see me as the strong Career I am meant to be. "I volunteer as Four's boy tribute."

All these heads turn and thousands of eyes are upon me. Of course it doesn't come as a surprise that I would eventually volunteer. I'm Finnick Odair, known for wielding the trident with a skill which has no comparison. But no one expected me to volunteer so young. At fourteen, no tribute has ever been crowned victor in the history of the Hunger Games. None of this matters though. Living at the community homes is no longer an option for me. It's live or die now. And if it's die, so be it.

With my head held high and powerful strides, I make my way to the stage and shake hands with the girl tribute, Emilia Sergin. Our escort, Linthia, is a grotesque woman with multi-colored jewels implanted into her skin and yellow hair the color of severely dehydrated pee. I contain my grimace at her hideous smile which reveals jewel studded teeth with the jewels having been surgically inserted in the middle of each tooth. "Ladies and gentlemen of District Four, I present to you the honored tributes for the 65th Hunger Games."

As expected, clapping erupts and I see the look of relief on many faces. And within the crowd, I also see the devastated expressions of the affected friends and family. None of it's for me though. The grief is entirely for Emilia. I have no one within Four. So if I don't return, it doesn't really matter.

No one comes to see me in the Justice Building, and on the train I see Emilia standing outside the door where our mentors and escort are. Her eyes are swollen and face blotchy, but I pretend not to notice this. Quietly I ask, "What are you doing?"

"Listening." she whispers back. "They're talking about you. It seems like you're the one who has the odds in their favor."

"What are you talking about?"

Emilia motions for me to come over, so I do. Then I can hear their voices. The shrill voice belongs to Linthia. "-boy tribute will do just fine. He will have no problem getting sponsors, oh no, not with his looks." We can hear her strut around the room with each click of her heel. "The girl on the other hand, it won't be so easy. She's not ugly, but she's not a looker. No one will sponsor her based off of looks. And who's to say if she has any talent."

Sam's voice slurs, "It doesn't matter. Four usually gets in with the Careers. She may have a chance because of that."

"Perhaps." Linthia considers. "But don't count on it. It would be best to direct all your sponsors to the boy. Finnick Odair."

Mags rudely says, "We don't cast aside our own based off of superficial appearances you Capitol freak. If we did that, and you lived with us looking like that, you would be the first to be fed to the sharks."

Emilia turns to me. "Is she allowed to speak to our escort that way?"

Sam just laughs. "You're funny Mags."

"Why? What did she say?" Linthia sharply asks.

What? She didn't understand Mags? How is that possible? Sam brushes her off, "Nothing. An old Four joke." I assume he's taking a drink because there's a pause and I hear a glass being set back down on the table. "We don't play favorites Linthia. They're our tributes. All of them deserve an equal chance."

"All I'm saying," Linthia says in an authoritative voice, "is that your sponsors will go to waste if you support that girl."

"Her name is Emilia." Mags says. "Would it kill you to learn her name?"

Linthia sighs exasperatedly. "Mags, you know I can't understand you. There's no point in talking."

Sam speaks up for Mags. "The girl's name is Emilia."

"What?" Linthia sharply asks.

"The girl, her name is Emilia."

"I don't care." Linthia snaps.

"You should." Mags chuckles, and then the door to their compartment slides open revealing Emilia and I eavesdropping. Linthia turns bright red and busies herself with fluffing her pee colored hair, Sam just shakes his head and pours himself another glass, and Mags motions for us to come in. "How long were you there?"

Stiffly, Emilia replies. "Long enough."

When Mags moves out of the way, both Emilia and I freeze. There are plates of food covering the tables. Exotic foods neither of us have ever seen before. Little pastries covered in gel, pastries that have hundreds of layers of flakes, pastries with fruits and cream. Meats covered in various sauces, warmed in a metal containers raised above a small flame. I'm not sure how Emilia's family fairs, but coming from the community homes where I eat—ate, this gray slop and had that bland brown fish once a week, this is an amazing feast I couldn't have dreamt up. I didn't know such food existed.

I'm not listening to any of the adults, instead I'm standing at the tables grabbing the food and stuffing my mouth. If I'm going to die, I might as well enjoy what I can before that happens. The pastries taste so different than anything I've ever had, but I can't describe the taste. But it fills my mouth and leaves a pleasant feeling. I turn to the mentors. "What's in here?"

"Creams, fruits, other fillings."

"I know that." I eat another one. "But it tastes different. Very pleasant. It's like the opposite of salty."

Mags asks, "You mean sweet. There's sugar in it."

I've heard of sugar before and that it tasted good, but I never experienced eating something sweet. Sweet. What a pleasant word. I am going to eat as much as I can while I can. And if I somehow survive, I will consume large quantities of sweet tasting foods. Half an hour later, I've had my fill and take a seat among Emilia and the mentors. Linthia is standing to the side, creepily keeping her eyes on me.

"Glad you finally decided to join us Finnick. Had your fill of sugar?" Sam's asks.

I pat my stomach. "Yup."

"I was talking to Emilia about her strengths. What are yours?"

I shrug. "I'm good with a trident. I guess I would be alright with another weapon like a spear."

Mags shakes her head. "I doubt there will be a trident in the game. They've never put that in the Cornucopia before. But a spear will definitely be there."

"We want you to get in with the Careers. Usually they team up with Four but it's not definite. One and Two will always make an alliance and if you get excluded from that, your chances of survival will be greatly reduced." Sam tells us.

I interject. "What if I don't want to get in with the Careers?"

Sam snorts. "And why would you want to do that? Think you're better than them just because you're good with a trident?"

"No." I say slowly as if he was a toddler and I know when I speak to people that way it's extremely annoying. "But I think we would be better off without them. Like you said, One and Two always team up. When the alliance begins to fall apart, who do you think they'll turn on first?"

Angrily Sam snaps, "That's why you need to be able to decide when it's time to leave. You don't stick around until the alliance completely falls apart."

Emilia speaks up. "I want to join the Careers if I can. They'll help my chances of survival. And like Sam said, we'll just leave when it's time."

"Both of you make it sound so easy." I tell them. But then I shrug, "Alright. It doesn't really matter to me."

"That attitude is going to get you killed Finnick." Sam warns. "Arrogance has always been the reason why One and Two lose when they do."

Cockily I counter, "Ah, well it's a good thing then that I'm not from One of Two isn't it?"

This makes Mags smile, but she doesn't say anything. Sam gives up, and takes a long gulp finishing off his glass before pouring yet another one. And Linthia, she's still staring. She must be at least seven years older than me and that just makes it weird. Emilia is nervously tapping the table with her fingers, and looking around. I look out the window and see vastly different vegetation than what you would see in Four.

Linthia sees me staring out the window, and says, "We'll be in the Capitol tomorrow. You'll see what a beautiful place it is. Much better than the green of plants and trees. The white just glows in the sunlight." I'm not sure what to say so I give Linthia a forced smile and this seems to please her. "I think we'll use the angle of: The heart throb who has it all."

"You know it love." Is my immediate response and I have no idea where it came from.

Sure I flaunted around with the girls who lived at the community homes. Sure I snuck away with them in the dead of night and returned satisfied in the early morning. Sure I am rather experienced for my age. But everything I know about girls pertains to those near my age range. I haven't been in a situation where I flirt with a woman. I may look older because I'm tall and masculinely physically attractive, but I am really young. And it's so strange I just flirted with this Capitol freak.

Linthia responds by fanning herself with a sheet of paper . Annoyed, Sam growls and mutters something about finishing his drink in private and leaves the room with a bottle of light blue spirits. Mags bids us goodnight, and not wanting to be left alone with Linthia, I suggest to Emilia. "I'm tired. Are you?"

She catches my drift and helps me out. "I am. Let's go to our rooms."

"I can show you your room Finnick." Linthia chirps.

I've turned my back to her, and Emilia is looking at me while I make a terrified face. Casually, Emilia tells Linthia. "Sorry, he's supposed to spend the night with me."

And then Emilia leaves, and I'm standing here awkwardly with Linthia and her sad freakish face. Apologetically I tell her while backing away. "You were correct when you called me a heart throb love. You haven't known passion until you've been with me. See you later gorgeous."

Linthia watches as I slide the compartment door open and walk through Emilia's empty doorframe. Emilia pushes the door shut behind me, and stands with her back pressed against it. "Now what?"

"We could have fun to kill time." I suggest with a grin. Emilia crosses her arm and stays put. "Or not."

Bluntly she tells me. "I've heard about you Finnick."

"Really?" I smile and take a seat on her bed, running my hands across the sheet. She can't be more than a year older. "All good I'm assuming?"

"You think you're so great."

"In bed? Definitely."

Emilia's eyes fill with tears. "How can you act so carefree? Are you not scared?"

She's upset and not having my flirtatious attitude. I drop the act and shrug. "I volunteered. I know what I'm getting into."

"Well I didn't. I didn't want any of this." Tears drip down her face, and she doesn't bother to wipe them away. Little by little Emilia sinks to the ground, pulling her knees to her chest. "How could you volunteer?"

I get off the bed and take a seat next to her. "There's nothing for me in Four."

Emilia lifts her head from her knees and gives me a look of pity. "That's so sad Finnick."

"I suppose. But it's my life. And if I win the games, I'll be out of the community homes. And if I don't, I'll be out of the community homes." I laugh, "Either way I get what I want."

Quietly, Emilia asks. "Is your life so terrible that you're using the games as an indirect means of suicide?"

I shrug but don't indicate anything more. Instead, I change the topic. "You could win too. It's not like you have no chance."

The tears begin again and Emilia stares blankly ahead. This lasts for several minutes and it's so unusual that I wonder what she's thinking about the entire time. Doubting she could be victor. Wondering what led up to this moment. Intoxicated by my presence. Conceited, but I'm always curious about what people see in me. Or maybe she's not thinking about anything. For all I know, Emilia could be blocking out everything bad and living in a land created within the depths of her mind.

Then she speaks. "Without the Careers, I'll die. If we team up with them, I'll have a greater chance of living longer."

"So we'll team up with them." I assure her.

"What makes you think they'll want to team up with us?"

I give her smile in an attempt to lighten her mood. "Because they can't have me without you."

"You would do that for me?" Emilia's surprised.

"Of course. We're partners in this, for now."

She shakes her head and smiles. "So is this the charm Finnick Odair uses on all the girls? Saying all the right things and making them feel safe."

Honestly I tell her. "No. All the other girls are easy. You weren't interested when I suggested we kill time. I'm speaking to you as someone who my stunts won't work on."

Emilia considers this and to my surprise asks, "Can I change my mind about being interested?"

"You may." I reply with my face turned to her.

She leans forward and kisses me, and I kiss her back. We both know this means nothing. It's what tributes do. We take comfort in the closeness of another person while we still can. While we can still feel the warmth of another's flesh. And warmth we feel. Emilia had turned up the temperature in her compartment, so all night into early morning the windows stay foggy from our few hours of opportunity.

Camera flashes filter through the layer of extra moisture, and I carefully get out of Emilia's bed. I go into the other compartment and instantly see hundreds of freaks with cameras snapping pictures whenever they can. There's a moment of shock when they see me, and no one moves. No flashes from the cameras. No uttered words. Then it becomes a frenzy and pictures are being snapped so continuously that the flashes merge into a constant glowering of bright light. I strike multiple poses seeing that they're loving it and this will be a good way for me to get sponsors.

Then Sam walks in and barks. "Odair! What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting the audiences favor." I reply and strike another pose with one arm casually behind my head.

Sam is looking up at the ceiling. "By being naked?"

"Naked? I'm not—" I'm look down and see that I am very naked. "Perhaps I am naked then. But I think the trays of food blocked enough of me."

"Let us hope so." he retorts and walks away in disgust. "We get off in five."

Within an hour of my arrival, the Capitol is in an uproar over my nearly exposed nude self. The food trays did block any further sneak peaks, and I grin when I see yet another photo of me projected on a big screen in the Capitol center. I'm the topic on everyone's tongue and my fame couldn't be lit alive fast enough. Claudius Templesmith and Caesar Flickerman are ranting about the mysterious boy from Four, and speculating the excitement I've stirred up in the Capitol.

This definitely gives me an advantage with sponsors, but puts me in disfavor with the other tributes especially the Careers. I'm going to have to downplay my popularity with the Careers and pretend I don't have a good funding already, and make them believe that the Capitol people are more interested in my looks rather than sponsoring me. They think I'm only good for my body. That's what I'll tell the Careers. Hopefully they'll be stupid enough to believe me. And be impressed with my spearing abilities since there won't be a trident in the Training Center.

At the opening ceremonies, a small bottom of seaweed covers the lower part of my body and stops mid thigh. Emilia's outfit is composed of bra and underwear like garments made of seaweed as well. It drives the Capitol freaks crazy, and I see the conceited grin on my face when it's Four's turn in the spotlight. This is our first in person glimpse of the other tributes and as usual, One and Two look incredibly strong compared to the other districts. Mags immediately sends Emilia and I back to our rooms once the ceremony concludes, and before the elevator door shuts, I see her talking with Haymitch.

The next morning, Emilia and I are in the elevator going down to the training stations. We have half an hour until the session starts, but our mentors insisted we show face early. Other tributes will be there early, and it proves you're dedicated to winning. Intimidates the other tributes. Something along those lines. Next to me, Emilia is shaking and looks terrified.

"You'll be fine." I tell her.

"They'll see that I'm weak right away."

I close the space between us and press my lips to Emilia's in order to help her relax. Noticeably her body slackens in my embrace. "Leave it to me. Don't spend too much time with the weapons. Mags said the survival stations are important so spend your time there. Act like you're above the weapons. I'll deal with the Careers."

She gives me one last kiss before we separate since the elevator has stopped. "Okay."

The doors open, and we're confronted with the tributes from One and Two. They're standing in front of the elevator with cocky stances and arms crossed, blocking our way. All of their eyes are daring us to 'just go ahead, make a move, see what we'll do.' The doors begin to close and I see their smirks widen. At the last moment when the doors are only inches apart, I stick my hands out and push against the force of the doors. The elevator doors begin to strain against the opposition, and with one final surge of strength, I shove the doors back into the sides where they become stuck halfway.

The Careers are attempting to keep their faces calm, but I can see my little display has them impressed. As if nothing happened, I walk through the gap and Emilia follows. It's a risky move, but we stand off to the side ignoring the Careers. They talk to one another in a tight circle, and then a stocky guy calls out. "Odair, you going to join us?"

So, they know my name. I'm sure everyone does. But this is good. "You have me at a disadvantage. I don't know your names."

"Perry." the guy who spoke first tells me.

A blonde with big brown eyes and prominent cheekbones gives me a hungry smile. "Cristine."

The other blonde with green eyes and luscious pink lips puts her hands on her hips. "Sandra."

The last Career, a guy with brown hair and hazel eyes, says. "Garrett."

"Finnick." I reply. "But you already knew that."

"Emilia." Emilia replies in a confident voice with a hint of snobbery. Good, she's pulling off the right attitude.

I look at Emilia then back to the Careers. "And to answer your question, we'll think about it."

Cristine points out in an irritated voice. "We didn't ask her, we asked you."

Although she may feel the strongest about this, and Sandra too because she looks annoyed, the guys' expressions let me know they weren't considering Emilia either. She's done nothing to impress them so far. But instead of showing the panic she must be feeling, Emilia simply sneers, "And what makes you think I want to team up with you?"

"Um," Cristine sarcastically says, "Finnick is the one with the invite. You don't have the option of choosing to team up with us."

"She will if you want me." I interject. "My allies are her allies. Or the only allies we have are each other."

Sandra scoffs. "Why would you want her? She won't live past the Cornucopia bloodbath."

Before anyone can react, Emilia smashes her palm upwards crushing Sandra's nose. The force shoves Sandra back, and Emilia grabs a handful of blonde hair. "You won't even make it to the Cornucopia you slut!"

The guys have stepped to the side with amused smiles, and Cristine giggles as Emilia's blood splatters her uniform. Sandra landed a punch, splitting Emilia's lip apart. In disbelief, Emilia spits out a large gob of blood which stains the blue floor. She has a few long gashes which run along her face from temple to jawline, and a swollen shut purple eye. But Sandra looks worse. Blood is smeared all over her mouth and chin, and dark purple bruises have spread from Sandra's broken nose to encircling both her eyes. She looks like a daunting figure with teeth bared into a snarl.

The pain Sandra must be experiencing has to be great, but she has no tears in her dark eyes and her voice is steady. "I am going to tear your insides out!"

Emilia darts to the right as Sandra lunges forward, and kicks her in the side. A few ribs crack and Sandra lets out a scream, but it does little to slow her. She twists around and bashes her forehead into Emilia's face—who staggers back with a gasp, blood gushing from a now broken nose. The floor around them is splattered red and neither of them are backing down. The only working elevator doors open, and it's the tributes from Three.

They both have red hair and are staring in astonishment at the sight of Emilia and Sandra. Emilia punches Sandra in the ribs as Sandra lands another punch hitting Emilia in the nose. They both scream and the sound of feet running echoes throughout this room.

"Stop it!" a tall lady yells. "Tributes must not fight until the games!" Two men grab Emilia and Sandra, preventing the girls from fighting each other. The tall lady looks them over and says, "Take them to the medic room and clean them up. They can't be in this condition." When the elevator door closes, the lady asks, "What happened here?"

She's referring to the elevator doors I broke, but Cristine speaks up. "Don't know. We've all had to take the one on the left."

Clearly the lady doesn't believe Cristine, but she doesn't say anything else. Two by two, tributes from the remaining districts begin to show up, and as we wait for the training session to officially begin, I stand next to Cristine. "I'm glad you didn't get into the fight."

"Oh yeah, why?" Cristine innocently asks with big brown eyes.

I lower my head and put my mouth near her earlobe. "I wouldn't be able to kiss you if you were injured that way."

She turns her head, and looks at me through her peripherals. "Who says we'll be kissing?"

I slowly say, "I do."

Cristine smiles and purses her lips together. She feels the sexual tension and I know she's hooked. I'll be able to mislead her and use this to my advantage. And I need to do the same to Sandra. After all the tributes, except Emilia and Sandra, are here and we've gone over the rules especially the one about not fighting before the games, I show off my spearing abilities. To my satisfaction, I hit near the bullseye on various practice dummies, impressing Cristine, Perry, and Garrett. Cristine is pretty good at throwing knives, Perry's strength is with swords, and surprisingly Garrett is not bad with a bow. They're good, but not as good as me with a trident. However, I remind myself, they're just as good as me when I'm using a spear.

Whenever Cristine and I hang back while we watch Perry or Garrett do their thing, I let my hand graze hers, brush against her hip, or play with her hair. At each touch, she freezes and I know she's battling the sexual desire inside. Personally, I can have fun with her, but I don't feel the way she does about our tension. It's not an overwhelming feeling of want, it's just fun. Although, too much fun does get boring. Nevertheless, it is something to do. And considering I may be dead within the next few weeks, it wouldn't be a bad idea to indulge in what might possibly be my last few moments of pleasure.

It's my turn, and I deftly twirl the spear between my hands the way I would a trident. The weight and feel is very different than that of my choice weapon, but I need to make do with what I'll get at the Cornucopia. I spin the spear a few more times with a few flashy tricks, and hurl it at the moving dummy. The spear head buries into the dummy's first ring around the bullseye. Not quite what I wanted, but it'll have to do. Besides, if I appear too good, I'll be seen as a threat. Unfortunately, I'm not having to downplay my skill because with a spear I am simply adequate.

"Nice throw." a voice says from behind.

I turn around with a haughty smile, and tell Sandra. "It was alright."

Her nose has been fixed back into place and the dark circles around her eyes are only noticeable close up. Which is exactly where I am. I'm standing inches away and softly breathe, "They did a good job of returning your beauty to its regular state."

"They had to." Sandra whispers. "Couldn't have you seeing me look like that."

"Perfect." I respond. "I look forward to seeing you later."

"And when is this happening?"

Cristine calls out, "Finnick, let's go to the rope climbing station."

"After dinner. Your floor." I look back at Cristine and smile, then frown when I'm facing Sandra. "I would love to deny her request, but we are teaming up with her."

Annoyed with Cristine, but pleased with me, Sandra puts a hand to my chest. "Go, I'll see you later."

As I walk over to Cristine, I see that Emilia's face looks much better too. There's barely any evidence of a bruised eye or broken nose, and her busted lip has a thin white line for a scar. Our eyes meet, and she knows I'm seeing all the girls in our Career pact. However, there's no jealousy or bitterness. Emilia understands the One and Two girls are nothing more than a game within our game, and if I had to choose among them, I'd choose her without a doubt.

For three days we train. In which time, I also spend in the company of Cristine, Sandra, and Emilia. Cristine is the gullible and smitten type. Eager to hear caressing words, prefers slow rhythmic motions, and too readily believes every lie I feed her. Sandra is the type I enjoy. Aggressive, feisty, knows what to do and knows what she likes. Both agree and believe me when I tell them, we can't be openly affectionate because the other tributes will use that against us and I would hate for us to be separated.

Emilia is the one I respect and prefer. With the others, I pretend to fall asleep after holding them in my arms for a few minutes which leads them to fall asleep, and then I quietly unwrap myself and leave. When I'm with Emilia, I consider what she likes and I stay until we both wake up or have somewhere else to be. We would have never met if it weren't for the games, I wouldn't have gone for her if we'd met in Four, but we ended up together. Now I'm in her bed for the countless time.

My fingers run along Emilia's back, and I kiss her tan shoulder. In response, she turns her head and golden hair spills over my fingers. "Are you nervous?"

The gamemaker's assessment is in a few hours and the scores will be displayed tonight. It's the moment when the Capitol decides a tributes worth; usually determining their survival rate. I should be fine, but I am worried about Emilia. I push her hair to the side and kiss the curve of her shoulder again. "No. Are you?"

She puts her forehead to mine. "Yes." Her eyes close and I can feel her fear. "I have very few weapon skills. I don't know what I'll be doing."

"Don't over think it. You'll psyche yourself out and it'll affect your score." I lift a hand and stroke her cheek with my thumb. "Even if you don't get the score you need, I'll protect you in there."

"Why are you helping me Finnick?" Emilia asks with her eyes still closed.

I firmly tell her, "Because one of us has to win. If it's not going to be me, it has to be you."

A tear falls from her eye. "What if it comes down to the both of us?"

"It won't." I say. "We'll split up long before then. That way one of us is bound to be killed by another tribute. And whoever is still alive has to win."

She nods. "Okay."

I press my lips to hers, and we entwine, losing ourselves in the sheets for a second time today. Much later, there's a knock on the door and a muffled voice tells us, "You have thirty minutes. Head down in twenty five. You may not be going until an hour from now, but the gamemakers want all the tributes present at once."

"Thanks Mags." I call out, and Emilia whacks me. "What, it's not like it's a secret I'm with you."

"I know." she laughs embarrassed. "But I'm not as open with my sexuality like you."

I kiss her forehead and put my uniform on. We dress and lie back down on her bed. As if she were mine, I push the hair from her face and tuck it behind an ear. "You're beautiful, you know?"

"I'm plain Finnick. And I don't say that in an attempt to receive more compliments." Emilia says.

"I think you're beautiful." I tell her. "And I mean that."

It's true though, that she is physically plain. She has flat golden hair, brown eyes, regular facial features. Nothing outstanding or impressive. But I've gotten to know her, and it's changed how I see her. Emilia and I aren't so foolish as to think we sincerely like each other the way our actions speak. But our situation has made us become close friends with an intimate relationship. Strictly that.

Emilia puts a hand to my chest and asks, "What do you think would have happened if we met under different circumstances?"

I think about it. "We probably would have passed each other by."

"Probably." Emilia agrees. "I would have seen you, but you wouldn't have seen me."

"Probably." I agree. Despite living at the community homes, I am rather well known throughout Four. "I would like to think that if we were at Four, I would have gotten to know you eventually. It would have been great to have a friend like you there."

Emilia sadly smiles. "You would have met Todd. I think you would have really liked him."

"Your boyfriend?"

"Yes." she replies. "I didn't have the heart to tell him we were over during our goodbyes at the Justice Building. He wouldn't have given up on me, so I had to pretend that I moved on."

I laugh in amusement because it clicks. "You know, this is the first time I'm the one who's been used for sex."

Sheepishly Emilia smiles. "It worked for both of us. I figured it wouldn't bother you. I didn't expect us to become friends in the process though. A turn of events for the good."

"Definitely."

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the much talked about Finnick Odair from District Four!" Caesar Flickerman roars. Confidently I walk out on stage and wave at the thousands of people sitting before us. The lights are bright and it takes my eyes a while to adjust, but I can see the anticipation on the crowd's face. Caesar jokes, "Glad to see you finally have some clothes on you Mr. Odair."

The audience laughs and I flash a mischievous smile. "Well I was told by my stylist that wearing clothes to the interview is mandatory so I didn't exactly have a choice."

Several hoots ring through the crowd and expressively Caesar turns to the crowd. "Not shy at all is he?"

"Nothing to be shy about." I seductively say.

This drives the women crazy and I hear several 'I love yous.' We both laugh and Caesar begins with his first question for me. "So Mr. Odair, we all saw your reaping. Why would you want to volunteer at fourteen years old?"

Everyone knows my age, but no one treats me accordingly. I cross my legs and lean forward with my hands clasped. "It seemed like the right time. I'm ready now, and I didn't see the point in waiting."

"Truly a wonderful display of confidence." Caesar observes and the audience agrees. "Does it worry you that no one your age has ever been crowned victor before?"

"Nope." I reply, and look into the crowd, pretending to direct my attention to every interested individual. "There's a first for everything. And when it comes to me, I'm always a first. If you get my meaning."

Caesar gives a hearty laugh and there are multiple wails of desire. "Well I know for a fact many of us will be rooting for you." Hundreds of people scream in agreement. "With a score of nine, I think it's safe to say you have a good chance."

"With a score of nine, I surely hope so." I laugh. "I can't disappoint all my fans." Cheers of agreement respond. I won't have a trident, so the only advantage I'll have are the sponsors. And this interview is critical for me gaining even more. "I'll think of everyone one of your beautiful faces to help me get through the games as well."

A few people burst into tears. And Caesar looks grave,"We wish you the best Finnick Odair. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the heartthrob of District Four, Finnick!"

The entire place erupts in screams and I give a bow with one of my smiles. They ate it up like fools. But fools or not they're the ones who get to live without fear of reapings or extreme starvation. We can think they're fools all we want but the fact is they live here in luxury while we suffer in the districts. It's because of this fact that tomorrow I'll be facing the 65th Hunger Games. Live or die. I begin the path towards one of the two by this time tomorrow. Ladies and gentlemen, let the 65th Hunger Games begin.

i know it's not what many of you probably expected and i'm sorry for that, but i felt this was necessary to write instead of just beginning with the games. hope you enjoyed it, and stick around for the 65th hunger games. after that, i promise, i'll return to annie and finnick =]