Trigger Warning: This chapter features an abusive relationship.
Finnick Odair, District 4
"Waltzing with the open sea -
Clam, crab, cockle, cowrie:
Will you just look at me?"
Joanna Newsom, Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie
A month ago, Daddy had asked me which victor I'd wanted at my birthday party and I'd only had one answer.
"Finnick Odair!"
"Are you sure, Annie?" Daddy had asked me. "I've heard that Manel Lobos is twice as handsome and twice as cheap."
"You said I could have Finnick when I was sixteen," I'd pointed out. "So I want Finnick. Nobody else."
He'd sighed. "Okay. I'll get you Finnick."
I'd jumped up and down with excitement. I'd had a crush on Finnick for the last five years. He may have been reaped like an outlier but he'd fought like one of the finest Elites, whether his opponent was another tribute or one of the fire-breathing dragon mutts the gamemakers had released.
And his looks... Finnick Odair had charmed all of Panem with those otherworldly sea-green eyes. But I'd always felt like we were destined to be together, like every time he looked out of the screen with those eyes, he was looking for me.
Now I finally have a chance to meet him, I'm a little less certain.
I've never been good with boys. I know that I'll make a fool of myself. I already have butterflies in my stomach.
My palms are slick with sweat as my friends pour into the ballroom. I give them all my brightest smiles, even Pluto.
I only invited Pluto because he's cool and popular. He's also dating my best friend, Proserpine. But I've seen the bruises on her arms and face that she tries to cover up with makeup. I've overheard Pluto boasting to his friends about what he does to Proserpine. I wish I could tell her to leave him but every time I bring him up, she changes the subject.
I know what you're doing to her, I think, as Pluto hands me a meticulously wrapped present. One day, I will make you suffer for it.
I hear Finnick's arrival before I see it, as a wave of delighted squeals washes over the room. I glance over at the door. He's standing right there in an ink-blue suit.
I've been to the beach before. My family holiday in District 4 every year. Finnick Odair looks like all the beautiful things about the beach rolled into one person. All the suntans and soft, golden sand and the light sparkling on crystalline waves.
I walk towards him, feeling dizzy and light-headed. He doesn't notice me at first, since all the other girls are swarming towards him. Then I accidentally trip over.
For a moment, I'm pitching forwards, towards the floor.
Then someone catches me.
"Careful," Finnick Odair says. "You almost fell for me."
"I..." I'm blushing. This is so embarrassing. "I shouldn't have worn heels."
"I feel your pain," Finnick says. "I lost a bet against Tempest three years ago and he made me wear heels for an entire day. Don't let his smile fool you. That man is a sadist."
I laugh, slightly hysterical with nerves.
"Are you Andromeda?" Finnick asks.
"Yes!" I cry. "Please, call me Annie."
Something dark flashes in Finnick's eyes but it's gone in an instant. "That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. May I have this dance?"
Finnick offers me his hand. I take it as he leads me onto the dance floor.
It occurs to me that everyone is staring at me. And that I don't know how to dance.
The song is slow and sad. Finnick seems to know what he's doing, guiding me around the ballroom. I watch the others begin to pair up and join us on the dance floor. Proserpine and Pluto are dancing together. I fight the urge to shudder.
I turn back to Finnick, trying to shake off my unease. He sees right through me.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
"It's nothing," I say. "It's just a secret I have. It's... not very nice."
"I like secrets," Finnick's eyes light up. "You can tell me. It can't be that bad."
I lean in closer and rest my head on Finnick's shoulder, so I can whisper in his ear.
"I think my best friend's boyfriend is abusing her."
"That's terrible!" Finnick says, sounding genuinely shocked. "She needs to dump him. Just... make sure she's safe when she does it. I recognise some of the guests here. I think I know who you're talking about and he's done... some pretty nasty things."
"What kind of things?" I ask.
"I think telling you will ruin your birthday," Finnick says, sadly. "All you need to know is to stay away from him. Keep all your friends away from him if you can. One day, the things that Pluto Brush has done will come back to haunt him. I'll make sure of it."
I smile, feeling reassured.
"Does it make you feel better, now that you've told someone?" Finnick asks.
"Yeah," I whisper.
He's about to say something else when a buzzing noise comes from the pocket of his suit. He tenses.
"What is it?" I ask, pulling away.
"Saorise," Finnick says. "I told her not to call me unless it was an emergency..."
I remember that, this year, Finnick had agreed to mentor the female tribute from his district, Annalisa Cresta. She'd been my favourite from the start, especially since her interview, when she'd insisted on being called Annie. It was so cool having the prettiest and deadliest tribute in the arena share my nickname.
"Then it must be an emergency," I say. "You can go take that call. Your tribute's my favourite this year. I hope she's okay."
"Thanks," Finnick's eyes light up. We walk to the edge of the room, where he kisses my hand like a knight from a storybook. "I'll be right back."
I wait, patiently, for Finnick to return. When he does, my heart sinks. He looks upset.
"Is everything okay?" I ask.
"No," Finnick says, looking like he's desperately trying to stay calm. "Loam's dead. Annie isn't hurt but she's in shock."
There's something strange in his eyes. It dawns on me that it's the look that I've been searching for for the last five years. Finnick Odair is in love.
But it's not with me.
"You have to go help her!" I cry, shocking myself. "I'd feel awful if she died because you were at my party."
"You'd really let me go?" Finnick asks. "Wow, I must be having an off-day."
"You can stay here if you want," I say. "But I think you want to be somewhere else."
Finnick looks conflicted.
"I guess I have to leave," he says, uncertainly. "But, if anyone asks, I didn't want to go. You sent me away because you found out my tribute was in trouble and you wanted me to get back to the Control Centre. It'll be our little secret, Annie."
"Deal," I say.
"Oh, and I almost forgot," Finnick leans forward and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday!"
Then he slips away and I'm left feeling foolish. I'd had Finnick Odair, the most beautiful man in Panem, within my reach, and I'd let him go.
I bet Manel Lobos wouldn't have ditched me like that. His tribute had died in the bloodbath.
But I also know that I shouldn't be angry. I'd made my choice and I know that it's the right one. I have to let Finnick Odair go, to protect the girl that he loves.
I also have to convince my best friend to dump her boyfriend.
I remember, when I first read the Hunger Games, I had such a crush on Finnick Odair. It wasn't for one of the obvious reasons. He's very attractive, he has an odd resemblance to Percy Jackson and he can weave baskets. But what really got me was his relationship with Annie. I thought it was cute that a basket-weaving heartthrob like Finnick could fall for a girl that everyone had just written off as mad.
Because I love Finnick so much, I decided not to put him in any extremely uncomfortable situations and instead set him up with Andromeda's birthday party. Andromeda is probably far from Finnick's typical client but she still has plenty of secrets. Pluto is a really nasty piece of work. The sad thing is that, since this chapter is set during Annie's games, he'll still go five more years before facing the consequences of his actions. In that time, he'll probably be able to really hurt Proserpine, unless Andromeda can convince her friend to leave him. Hopefully she can.
