Sebastian "Seb" Jamieson, aged 12

At first, Seb assumes it's someone else. It could be anybody who just got their name called by the escort! He's only got one slip! What are the odds?
The odds, it turns out, are not in his favour.

Seb is unable to keep his emotions contained as he breaks out crying on the stage. The escort says something about volunteering, but nobody steps forward. Nobody offers to take the place of the tiny, pitiful 12 year-old boy. Nobody is going to be the hero he needs and will save him.

The goodbyes are bleak. Seb's mother just holds him close to her chest, promising she'll try everything she can to scrounge up enough sponsor money for her baby. His older sister, Tina, pats back the curly nest of hair on Seb's forehead and waste no time telling her baby brother how much she loves him. Seb knows they're trying to lift his spirits, but all three are aware of the truth. Never has somebody as young as Seb ever won the Games.

He hasn't even left the district yet, and he's already as good as dead.

Once he's boarded the train, Seb immediately runs off the go find an isolated car. He chooses one at the back, where a giant window is displaying the home he's left behind. Underneath is a couch covered with throw pillows, the colour of waves that splashed in the sea. Perfect.

Seb closes the door and throws himself onto the couch. He clutches a pillow tightly to his chest and just lies there. Thoughts begin swirling in his head in he attempts to drive them away. Don't think about the Games, don't think about the Games, don't think about the Games...

Why is Seb so afraid of competing? Why is he so certain he'll die? Why doesn't he believe he has a chance?
Seb is scared of the Hunger Games. And he has a reason too.

He was only seven at the time, a time that seemed so long ago. Yet, he knew that face. He knew the name of the 15 year-old boy who was Reaped that day. Who trembled slightly, but took a deep breath and stood his ground. His shaking district partner, ready to break. The roars of the crowd, who saw a strong, sturdy pair, a pair that could possibly bring home another win. Bets were made, over which tribute would outlive the other.

Personally, Seb was rooting for Collin Jamieson.

He rooted for Collin when he scored a 7 in training. He rooted for Collin when he was booted from the Career pack, viewed as way too weak. He rooted for Collin when he bravely ran into the Bloodbath. He rooted for Collin as he watched tributes drop like flies. And he rooted for Collin when a weapon was swung and the boy's head was cleanly chopped off, for all of Panem to see.

Seb still rooted for Collin, even after the cannon sounded. Even after his mother burst into tears and grabbed her children, pulling them into a giant hug. Even after after he asked Tina where Collin was and she choked on her words, unable to answer. Even after strangers began to crowd his home, attempting to reassure the young boy.

Even now, Seb could still picture Collin's death. Every single detail, from which hand the killed swung with, to the way his body slumped over. This was his reason for being so nervous. This was his reason for being terrified. Seb didn't want to suffer the same fate as Collin. He didn't want to plague his family with the loss of another loved one. He didn't want to go up against the Careers.

Somebody knocks at the door. Seb says nothing. When he doesn't reply, the somebody knocks on the door again. "Hey...can we come in?"
"Go a-away." Seb knows his mentors are just coming to him out of sympathy. They're probably more focused on his district partner, given that she has a way better shot.
Finnick sighs. "We just want to talk with you."

"Finnick?" a small voice says quietly; Seb can barely hear it.

It's soft and meek, almost too afraid to speak 's Annie Cresta. And Seb wants absolutely nothing to do with her.

She never did anything to harm Collin, only allied with him. But she was there when he died. She won instead of him. Seb just finds her the one to blame, because she's the easiest to hate? Why didn't Annie warn Collin? Why didn't she make any attempt to save him? Why didn't she properly mourn her district partner, instead of running and hiding? Why did she deserve to win?

Truthfully, Seb doesn't hate Annie that much. he thinks she's actually a nice person. But...he...he just..he just NEEDS that someone to blame. He just HAS to blame the Victor of his Collin's Games, especially someone from the same district as him. But as much as Seb tells himself that it's all Annie's fault, that she's guilty, he doesn't hate her.

That's when the door opens.

Finnick Odair, aged 24

Finnick slowly opens the door, not wanting to spook the little boy on the other side. Seb ignores him, burying his head into the pillow.

"He hates me..." Annie mutters softly. "He hates me."
"Nobody hates you, Annie."
"Yes...he does. Look."

Finnick puts a hand on Annie's shoulder. He steps from the door and guides her into the hall. "How about I handle this, okay? You go check on Marina and see if she needs anything."
Annie relaxes, looking extremely relieved. Finnick turns back to Seb, who has finally lifted his face from the pillow. The Victor gently approaches him, until the two are sitting across from each other.

"You feeling okay, kid?"
"I'm fine."
"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Seb glances out the window. He hasn't loosened his grip on the pillow at all, still hugging it tightly.
Finnick sighs. "Well, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."
Seb makes some sort of noise. He opens his mouth to say something, then shuts it. Finnick just watches, letting the younger boy take his time.
"It's...she...her..."
"You're mad at Annie, aren't you?"

"No..." Seb mutters, trailing off. He just sits in silence, as a single tear trickles down his cheek. "Maybe..."
"Do you have a reason?"

Finnick doesn't mean to pry, but he knows what's up. He was there when Annie won...and Collin died. He knows why Annie is so nervous around Seb.
"It's just that...how come she g-got to win, but he didn't? It's n-not fair! And, sh-she just let him die l-like that!" Seb's voice wobbles and he appears top be on the verge of crying. "He could've been...b-been saved...and he wasn't...I WANT MY BIG B-BROTHER BACK!"

Seb throws the pillow, to the side, dropping his head into his hands. He's sobbing, wailing, hiccuping. The tears are falling fast now, abruptly splattering onto the couch.

Finnick's stomach is in knots. In a way, he can't help but feel guilty himself. He chose to mentor Annie. He chose to bring her to victory. He could've chosen to help Collin instead...but he didn't. In a way, he's also to blame.

Unsure of what to do, Finnick reaches his strong, toned arms out. They surround Seb, pulling him closer. The boy doesn't stop crying, but he does lift his head up, just in time to feel the embrace. Finnick gives him a small smile, hoping he won't start crying as well.

"Sebastian, I'm...I'm so sorry."

All that can be heard is sniffling. Finnick finally has to let go, and Seb pulls back from them. The two just stare at each other.
"I'm so sorry that this had to happen to you. Annie feels the same way. And...she understands that you're mad at her. But...she's been through her own hell too. It's called survivor's guilt. And I'll have you know that not a single day goes by where she doesn't feel sorry for what happened to your brother."

Seb mutters something, but Finnick can't hear him. He's stopped crying, but the look on his face...it pains Finnick to see.
"Why don't you go talk to Annie about it? I'm sure she'll want to help you."
"No she won't."

"Oh, don't say that." Finnick gives Seb a pat on the back. "We all want to see you survive, okay? You're not gonna be forgotten, just because you're smaller or younger. Sometimes, it's the little ones that end up pulling through. I mean, look how young I was when I won."

Finnick stands up, leading Seb into the living room car. There sits Annie, watching the Reaping recaps with Marina and Mags. Upon seeing Seb staring at her, she immediately tenses up. "Are...are you mad at me?"

Seb shakes his head. He's gone red and clutching Finnick's hand, almost trying to hide behind him.
"I..." Seb stops, glancing at Finnick for a hint on what to say.

"What Sebastian is trying to say, Annie, is that he wants to know you better. I know there's a rift between you two, but he wants to make the effort to patch it up. You can help by mentoring him and giving him advice. I think you could do a better job than me."

Annie seems skeptical, but reluctantly agrees. Later that night, when Finnick catches the two of them watching the tape of Annie's Games and pointing out their favourite memories of Collin, he knows that they're helping each other heal.

Sorry this seems a bit longer than the others. But I really like this pair and I hope you do too.