I'm glued to the television like the rest of Panem as the tiny girl from 11 and Everdeen team up to take down the Career Pack. Not physically but mentally, which can make all the difference in the Games. They know all the supplies are gathered up by the Cornucopia and that the Careers won't stand much of a chance fending for themselves without food and water. While all of Panem now knows their plan the camera is upon the Careers who have no idea their privileged wealth will soon be coming to an end.
A boom from the cannon goes off and Everdeen is shown being jolted awake. The two girls discuss who's left, the boy from One and Thresh, being their biggest concerns. I can't help but wonder how long this alliance will last or if Everdeen will actually have it in her to kill the girl when the time comes, and I know from experience the time will come. Rue and Everdeen embrace, agreeing that they will see each other for dinner after they successfully destroy the Careers stockpile.
My attention is now on the noise coming from my doorway however I never allow my eyes to move from the screen. I haven't seen much of Blight since we lost our tributes and Haymitch actually has to pay attention and make appearances in the Capitol having both still alive this far in. 'That only leaves...'
"Hello gorgeous," Finnick's voice booms over the announcers of the Games.
"Why can't you just say hi like a normal person?" I try to question seriously but can't help but smile. He reminds me so much of Rolan sometimes it kills me and makes me feel alive all at once. I pat the spot next to me on the overly fluffy teal sofa. Finnick sits down and I allow my body to be held by his strong, protective arms.
"What's going on kid?" He loves reminding me that I'm younger than him and I pretend to hate the term of endearment but deep down its so comforting. Finnick is my brother, the brother that Snow hasn't taken away from me. I grab on just a bit tighter to him knowing this.
"Death, loss, sex...you know, the usual."
He just shakes his head and brings his attention to the television. "What's she trying to decide?" He knows any mention of Everdeen will gain my undivided intentness.
She looks like she can't decide what to do with the pile of supplies when all of a sudden it seems to hit her like a bolt of lightning.
"This outta be good! I've been dying to see if she's actually as good with that bow as Haymitch tells us."
Everdeen places her feet carefully and seems to block out the entire world as she takes meticulous aim. The first arrow tears through the side of the bag of apples near the top, leaving a split in the burlap. The second widens it to a gaping hole. The first apple starts to teeter when she lets a third arrow go, catching the torn flap of burlap and ripping it from the bag. For a moment, everything seems frozen in time. Then the apples spill to the ground and she's flying through the air landing motionless a few yards backwards from where she once stood.
"Hey, what do you know, I was right. But honestly, when am I not?"
I just shake my head at him. "Seriously, why are you such a prick sometimes?"
I catch us both off guard, Finnick not understanding where my cynical side has disappeared to, and myself who cannot fathom why this girl is getting under every last inch of skin.
"I don't know what your deal is lately Jo, but you don't-didn't even know her, OK?! And if you did what then? You would have just got her in bed and left in the middle of the night with no intention to see her again," Finnick honestly breaks the silence.
I can't answer him because again, he's right. I didn't know her, I don't do relationships, and she's probably not into, wasn't into, women. Plus she's fucking dead now so there's that. I'm about to tell Finnick a few of his favorite words when a loud explosion goes off outside my front door of my current Capitol living quarters.
"What the hell?" He questions while looking at me.
We both immediately jump up off the couch and are out the door before either one of us can see that girl on fire is alive.