Hello all!

what do you guys think of Cleo and Flynn?

I know I already asked that, but I really want to know :D

I'm sure some of you were worried that Finn was falling for Cleo...

well he is, but! Never fear, they don't stay together very long at all.

Okay, so I'm thinking I will fast forward a little bit to the day before the reaping.

as you know, this is the first year Finnick will be mentoring, so I am excited to write his perspective on mentoring. I'm going to kind of 'borrow' an idea from another story I read.

It's nothing big, never fear. It's just how the mentors view the games and that kind of thing.

So! We're going to get some more action here real soon.

Please R&R it's always very much appreciated.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Mentor.

It's been about a month since I got back from the capitol, and so far they haven't "asked" me back. I guess they're just waiting until I go to the capitol on my own. There will be plenty of times for "dates" While I'm mentoring.

Cleo and I are still dating, although I don't know how I'm going to explain my frequent visits to the capitol. I'll think of something.

She is amazing, as I've gotten to know her better, I realise how special a person she is. She's kind, funny, a little shy, pretty, and sweet. She can always make me laugh, and I always want to be around her.

Annie and Irvin are still dating as well, and although we see each other frequently, it's not quite the same as it was before. We are still best friends, but half of our attention is now dedicated on Irvin, and Cleo.

Reaping day is tomorrow, and I am nervous as always for Annie, but now I'm nervous for Cleo as well. I'm also nervous because this is the first year that I will be mentoring.

I was disappointed to find out that neither Bruce or Mags is going to be mentoring with me. I will be mentoring with two of district fours other victors.

I knew the district had other mentors, being a career district we have more than most, but I have never met any of them.

Great, another thing to be nervous about.

I've been on the beach with Cleo for the past hour, we've been swimming around in the ocean, but now we're taking a break.

I'm laying on the sand with my head in Cleo's lap, she has her legs stretched out in front of her, and is playing with my hair.

"You could use a haircut."

She states, running her fingers through my hair.

"I thought you liked my hair a little longer. Besides, I'm going to be mentoring this year. I'll be re-made once I get to the capitol."

She runs her hand down the side of my face to my jaw.

"You forgot to shave again."

I scratch my prickly jaw.

"I always forget. Maybe I can get the capitol to give me that hair removal treatment like they did before the games."

I sit up, and turn to her.

"Unless you want me to grow a beard."

She laughs, and shakes her head.

"No. Definitely not a beard fan."

I laugh, and flop back in the sand, putting my hands behind my head. She rolls onto her stomach next to me, and rests her chin in her hands.

"How long do you think you'll be gone?"

I shrug.

"I don't know, there's on the way to the capitol and training, then there's the interviews. All that takes about a week, then there's the actual games which could last for several weeks. After that someone is crowned victor, has their victory interview with Caesar, and then back home."

She sighs.

"So you'll be gone for a while."

I turn my head towards her and grin.

"Will you miss me?"

She smiles.

"Of course I will."

Then she leans down and gives me a kiss.

"You'll think of me while you're gone?"

She asks.

"Most definitely."

I say, giving her another kiss.

She smiles, and sits up.

"We should get back, it's getting late."

I sigh, and sit up as well.

"I'm meeting the other mentors tonight."

She looks over at me.

"Well don't you sound thrilled."

She says with a sarcastic smile. I shrug.

"I don't know, I was hoping I would have Bruce or Mags with me."

She stands up, and offers her hands to help me up.

"I know you were. Come on, I have to help dad close up the shop."

I grab her hands, and she pulls me to my feet.

We link hands, and start walking back along the beach.

"Have you seen Annie today?"

Cleo asks. I shake my head.

"No, she was out with Irvin today."

I'm surprised that Cleo is never jealous of how much time I spend with Annie. I guess it's just another one of her amazing qualities.

"We should do something tomorrow."

Cleo says.

"We can't, tomorrow's reaping day silly."

I say with a chuckle. She swings our linked hands as we walk.

"I know, maybe we could get up real early and do something."

I shake my head.

"I don't know..."

She stops, and stands in front of me.
"Come on please! I'm not going to see you for who knows how long."

I'm still uncertain, and she leans forward and kisses me.

"Please."

She whispers. I grin.

"Well, when you put it like that I guess we could do something."

She jumps up and down, and gives me another kiss.

"Yes! Thank you!"

I laugh, and give her a pull up the beach.

"Come on, reality calls remember?"

She matches my pace, and we walk for a little while in silence.

"Are you scared about tomorrow?"

I ask her. She nods.

"Of course, it's reaping day. Lucky you don't have to worry about getting reaped."

I put my arm around her,

"Yeah, but I have you and Annie to be worried about."

She nods.

"That's true. I'm glad Flynn won't be able to be reaped for another five years."

"How's he doing by the way? I haven't seen him in a while."

She smiles.

"Oh you know Flynn, he's doing fine."

We reach part of the beach that leads into town, and the sandy ground slowly gives way to the street.

We stop at the trinket shop.

"How about we go night swimming?"

I ask Cleo, she smiles.

"What time?"

I think for a minute.

"How about I pick you up at ten?"

She nods,

"Sounds good. You should invite Irvin and Annie to go."

I give her a hug.

"You're always full of good ideas."

She gives me a smile.

"I'll see you tonight."

Then she gives me a kiss, and walks into the trinket shop.

I head over to the Cresta's house, to see if Annie is home.

Mrs. Cresta opens the door.

"Finnick, what a pleasant surprise. Come in."

She lets me in the house, and we stand in the living room.

"Thank you Mrs. Cresta."

She smiles, and shakes her head.

"Finnick, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Rachel?"

I grin.

"Sorry, you've been Mrs. Cresta for to long to switch now. Is Annie at home?"

She nods,

"I think she's up in her room."

I start walking towards the stairs.

"Is it alright if I go up and check?"

She nods.

"Go right ahead, I'll go get some snacks."

I walk up the steps two at a time, and in a moment I'm knocking on Annie's door.

"Is that you mom?"

I hear Annie call from the bedroom.

"No it's Finnick."

There's a moment's pause, then the door opens.

"Finn, I didn't know you were coming."

I look confused at her red eyes.

"Yeah, it was kind of spur of the moment...are you alright?"

She nods quickly, but her eyes say otherwise.

"Come in."

She says opening the door, she turns and walks over to her window seat. She sits down on it, and in a moment I join her.

"So what are you here for?"

I shrug, glancing out the window.

"I wanted to see you. Oh, Cleo and I are going swimming tonight, and where wondering if you and Irvin wanted to come."

She doesn't say anything. I reach forward slowly and brush some hair out of her face.

"Annie, what's wrong?"

She turns to look at me, and doesn't try to hide her tears.

"I broke up with Irvin."

I stare at her in disbelief.

"What? Why?"

She shakes her head, tears running down her cheeks.

"I was afraid, so afraid that he would get reaped, and I thought if I broke up with him it wouldn't be as hard."

She takes a deep breath, and wipes her eyes.

"I was wrong, and now I blew it."

I hold her hands in mine.

"You don't know that, maybe if you talk to him he'll understand."

She shakes her head, fresh tears running down her cheeks.

"You didn't see his face Finn, the look in his eyes, he was really hurt, and I don't think I can ever go back."

I pull her into a hug, and let her cry.

"Maybe it's for the best, not to have anyone special. I have you, and you can't get reaped again. Maybe I just need that assurance."

I shake my head.

"You should always have someone special, and there are always going to be risks."

She sits up, and gets her tears under control.

"Thanks Finn, could you maybe let him know why? Just so he doesn't hate me completely."

I nod.

"Come on, why don't you get cleaned up, and we'll go downstairs, your mom is making us some snacks."

She nods, and goes into the bathroom to get cleaned up.

I head downstairs, and soon Annie joins me, all signs of crying washed from her face. We spend the rest of the afternoon together, and she agrees to go swimming with Cleo and I.

It's getting rather late, and I need to go get presentable to meet the other mentors.

"I'll pick you up around ten, okay?"

She nods, and I practically run to my house. I get changed and comb my hair in record time, then I walk to Mags house.

She answers the door, and relief floods her face.

"Thank goodness you're not late."

I shake my head with a chuckle.

"Thanks for the confidence."

She smacks my shoulder playfully, and leads me to the living room. Bruce is there, and he stands up when he sees me.

"Finnick, glad to see you're not late."

I raise my arms in protest.

"What is it with people assuming I'll show up late?"

Bruce grins, and claps me on the back.

"Because you don't have Tiffy pushing you to be everywhere on time."

We all sit down, and I turn to Bruce.

"Alright, who am I mentoring with?"

He leans back and crosses his arms.

"Well, since this is your first year mentoring, you're not going to be doing much. There are going to be two other mentors, and this time you mainly watch, and they'll show you what to do."

I nod.

"Alright, you didn't say who they were though."

He looks over to Mags, then back to me.

"You'll be mentoring with Ariel and Poseidon, they were most definitely careers, and both were of course volunteers."

I nod slowly.

"So a couple of snobs right?"

Bruce grins, and nods.

"Exactly. Not the greatest pair to start out with, but it's best to get the worst over with first I guess."

Mags smiles.

"They're not that bad, I must warn you though. Poseidon will take charge, he likes to be the patriarch, Ariel will stand up for herself, but you should probably just do as they say."

I think for a minute.

"How old are they?"

Bruce rubs his scruffy chin thoughtfully as he answers.

"Poseidon won his games about ten years ago, so he's almost twenty-nine, and Ariel was the newest victor until you, she won four years before you did, so that's seven years ago, that would make her about twenty-three."

I nod.

"So I got some of the younger victors."

Bruce nods.

"That you did. There will probably be some competition, Poseidon is a peacock, and with you around he'll feel threatened. You might want to turn down the arrogance a little."

He raises his hands quickly when he sees I'm about to object.

"I'm not saying you are arrogant, but the capitol you is, so just watch it okay? Be more Finnick, and less capitol Finnick okay?"

I nod, I know exactly what he means.

Mags adds.

"They'll probably have some...jobs for you to do while your there, just remember to focus on good memories."

I nod again, and there's a knock on the door. Mags gets up and answers the door, and in a minute she comes back with the mentors.

Poseidon has a very cocky air about him, and you can tell he thinks he's all that. His dark brown hair is perfectly styled, and his outfit doesn't have one wrinkle. His skin is deeply tanned, and his brown eyes have a mischievous spark to them.

Ariel looks younger than she is. She is petite, and her dark red hair is smooth and almost reaches her waist, she has sparkling blue eyes, and her skin has the natural golden tone of someone from district four. There's something about her that suggests she can take care of herself.

"Poseidon, Ariel, this is Finnick."

Poseidon steps forward, and shakes my hand. He's tall, and we're about the same height.

"It's nice to finally meet you Finnick, we've heard a lot about you."

I know that tone of voice anywhere, looks like he doesn't turn the capitol off even when he's at home.

Ariel shakes my hand next, and her small hands are rough, suggesting she does some hard work.

"I do believe your pictures don't do you justice, you are one hot young man."

I hear things like this all the time, but Ariel says it with a twinkle in her eye. Is she messing with me?

"It's good to meet both of you, I can't believe we haven't met before."

Poseidon glances down at Bruce as he replies.

"Well, some victors aren't the most sociable."

Ariel smiles, and I notice she has little blue gems implanted in her canines.

"Well, we'll have plenty of time to get to know one another after tomorrow."

She says it cheerfully, like she's looking forward to the games. How can she be like that after she had to live through them?

We talk for a while about each others games, and then I tell everyone I have to go.

"I'd like to get an early start tomorrow."

Is the only explanation I give, then I wave goodbye, and hurry home.

I get changed into my bathing suit quickly, and pick up Annie from her house, then we go get Cleo.

She sneaks out of the house quietly, closing the door behind her. She runs down to Annie and I, greeting me with a kiss.

"Glad you could come."

She tells Annie, she smiles, but doesn't say anything.

I hold Cleo's hand and twirl her, she's wearing a blue and green bikini with a wave pattern on it, and she has a little skirt that goes with it.

"New bathing suit?"

She nods.

"Do you like it?"

I nod.

"We should get going, I don't want to be out too late, or we might get in trouble."

Once we get on the beach, we run up the sand to a place where there's a sandbar and a bunch of tide pools.

There's all kinds of little creatures in the pools, and tiny glowing crabs swimming around.

We spend several hours playing in the pools, and swimming around in the waves.

Then we decide to head back.

Annie is on my left, and Cleo is on my right, and I have one of their hands in each of mine.

"You guys shouldn't be worried about tomorrow."

I tell them. I know Annie is especially anxious, memories of Robberts death, and my games linger close on reaping day. Coming back to haunt her.

"Why shouldn't we be worried?"

Cleo asks.

"Because if you did get reaped, I would do everything possible to save you."

Annie shrugs.

"You can't save everyone Finn."

We grow silent as we near the first houses, not wanting to wake anyone up, or arouse suspicion.

I drop Cleo and Annie off at their houses, and take a shower before going to bed, although I know I probably wont sleep tonight.