Hey guys!
All I really have to say is I am
REEEAAAAALLLLY sorry I haven't updated in a long time.
I have been traveling all over the place, and this is a very busy month for my family and I so I probably wont be updating as regularly :(
Never fear, I will try to update as much as I can, and please just bare with me.
Anyway, as always reviews would be much appreciated, and thanks to all you guys!
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Learning to be a mentor.
I don't look back once, and I don't slow down. It's all I can do to stop the tears that threaten to leak out of my eyes. That would just cause lots of unwanted questions.
I can see the train station up ahead, and I increase my speed. I run onto the boarding platform, and skid into a stop next to Ariel.
"You weren't going to wait for me huh?"
I say with a grin. She scowls at me, and shoves me in the back toward the train door.
"Shut up and get on the train."
I slow my panting into deep breaths, as I walk into the train. I hear Ariel walk in behind me, and the train doors close, in a minute I catch the very slight movement as the train starts to speed away.
I don't see anyone. The tributes must be in their rooms, and who knows where Poseidon is.
I walk over to a large couch facing a huge flat screen on the wall. I jump over the arm of the couch, and land on my back with my feet stretched out, I cross my arms behind my head and sigh. Ariel walks over, and pushes my feet off the couch, forcing me to sit up. Then she sits on the end of the couch with her back to the arm, and puts her feet up on the couch.
"Thanks a lot."
I mutter as I put my feet on the coffee table, and settle into a more relaxed position. She pulls her dark red hair over one shoulder, and starts running her fingers through it slowly.
"So." She says. "What was it that you had to do that was so urgent you couldn't wait until we got back?"
I shrug, and close my eyes as I lean my head back to rest on the couch.
"None of your business."
She laughs, and starts weaving her hair.
"Maybe it's not, but you almost made us late, and so that makes it my business."
I sigh, and shake my head.
"I'm not going to tell you."
There's silence for a moment, and I open my eyes. She's still slowly twisting her hair, but she is looking at me with a curious grin on her face.
"So it's a secret then. I know all about secrets. Tell you what, I'll tell you one if you tell me yours."
I laugh, and shake my head.
"It's not a secret...just a personal matter that you have no business knowing."
She flips her twisted hair over her shoulder, and hugs her knees. Then she rests her chin on her knees, and smiles at me.
"Oh come on. I'll trade secret for secret."
I stand up, and shake my head with another smile. I turn around and start walking toward my room.
"For the last time; I'm not going to tell you."
"The president makes me sell my body to the people in the capitol."
It's a simple sentence, and she says it with an off-hand tone to her voice.
I stop, every muscle in my body rigid. I hear her get up, and walk up behind me.
"I know he makes you do it too, I've heard the rumors."
She brushes a hand down my arm, and my skin involuntarily shivers.
"See? There's proof right there. Now, what could be so important that you couldn't trade information like that?"
I turn around slowly, and stare coldly into her bright eyes.
"I had to go tell my girlfriend that I couldn't be with her because I know what being with her means. I know that it would put her in danger. So, in answer to your question, I just broke the heart of the girl I love and I would rather not discuss it with anyone because they could still threaten her."
The tease in her eyes fades, and for a moment I see something in her eyes. Compassion? Understanding? Pity? But it's gone quickly, and she shrugs.
"Sorry, that can be rough."
I scoff.
"You think? If you'll pardon me, I would like to go to my room now."
She nods.
"Just make sure you arrive at the dinner car early, Poseidon and I need to go over some things with you before our tributes show up."
I nod, and walk down the hallway to my room. Once inside, I strip down and jump in the shower.
I program the water to a harsh pressure, and set the temperature to an almost unbearable cold. The frigid water tightens my skin, and alerts every nerve in my body. I stay in there for a while, letting the ice water tighten and lock in all my feelings for Cleo.
She's gone. It's for her protection. You did it to keep her safe. You still love her, and that's why this has to be.
All of these thoughts and more I lock into my mind, and keep them at the back of my memory.
I finally get out of the shower, and search my room for clothes. I dress in a pair of jeans, and a mint green button down shirt. I leave the shirt completely unbuttoned, letting the cool air breath against my chest and stomach.
It reminds me of being at the beach, it reminds me of home.
I drop to the floor, and start doing push ups. I don't count, and I just keep doing them, struggling to keep my mind off of home.
I succeed, when my brain can think of nothing but my screaming muscles, begging them to stop moving. I keep pushing though, and soon my left arm freezes, and I roll to the floor. I lat there for a minute or two, letting my muscles relax. Then I jump up and walk to the dining car.
Poseidon and Ariel are already there, and Ariel's eyes flicker to my bare chest before they lock into mine and she smiles.
"Right on time Finnick. Poseidon and I wanted to tell you a little bit about being a mentor since this is your first time."
I decide to turn on capitol Finnick, toning him down a little, but not much.
I plop down in the chair next to Ariel, and put my arm on the back of her chair.
"Well, that's what you're here for I suppose. What did you want to tell me?"
Poseidon is the one to speak up first.
"Yes, that is what we're here for. First off, get to know the tributes strength and weakness', then we'll watch the recap of the reapings, and ask them what they think of their opponents. After that we can give them some advice and point out some things they might have missed about the other tributes. After they go to bed, we three will discuss our tributes, and decide what we should do with them."
I run my fingers through my damp hair, and drop my hands to the table.
"Sounds good. When do we start?"
Ariel glances over her shoulder.
"Whenever the tributes show up. Which shouldn't be to much longer."
I sigh as if bored, leaning my chair back and putting my feet up on the table. Poseidon casts a spiteful look in my direction.
"Do you mind? We are going to eat off of that you know."
I give him a cheeky grin.
"Lot's of people would kill to be able to eat off of something I touched."
He returns my grin with a smirk.
"A little cocky are we?"
I flick my hair off my forehead, and continue to grin.
"Look who's talking."
Poseidon's face starts to flush with anger, and Ariel leans forward.
"Oh my gosh." She says rolling her eyes.
"Why don't you two just cool it? This isn't a competition of who can be the bigger jerk. You two are equally full of; cheesy line, sweet talking, handsome grin and sparkle in your eye charm. So stop trying to prove yourself, and just relax."
I give Poseidon a smirk, and cross my arms.
"I will if you will."
He glares at me for a minute.
"Fine."
I smile.
"Good."
"Good."
He replies quickly.
"Great." Adds Ariel. "Now can we try to act civil to each other? Our tributes are going to show up any moment, and I'd rather not have to explain to them why you two are trying to strangle each other."
Poseidon instantly smiles broadly, and relaxes.
"Oh I can be civil. How about you Finnick?"
I cross my arms behind my head, and lean back, smiling back at him.
"I'll be the most civil person you've ever seen."
Ariel looks from me to Poseidon and back to me.
"Good. Where's the escort anyway?"
I turn around, looking in the direction Tiffy's room is.
"Tiffy? She will probably be around sometime a little later. When it comes to a schedule, she's always right on top of it, but if she doesn't have anywhere to go and no one to see, well she likes to relax."
Poseidon laughs, and Ariel grins.
"Yes I think we all remember that."
Authors note: Hey guys! Sorry it's a short chapter, but it's really late here and my laptop is about to die. I will be writing another chapter soon hopefully, and you will probably be seeing more of me than usual :)
