Character Introductions:
Name: Merliah Jordan
Nickname(s): Lia
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Blue
Kinship(s):
Caspian Jordan - Father
Cordelia Jordan - Mother
Kairi Jordan – Younger Sister
Friendship(s):
Nori Summers – Best Girl-Friend
Finnick Odair – Best Guy-Friend
Name: Kairi Jordan
Nickname(s): N/A
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Brown
Kinship(s):
Caspian Jordan - Father
Cordelia Jordan - Mother
Merliah Jordan – Older Sister
Name: Nori Summers
Nickname(s): N/A
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Green
Kinship(s):
Trent Summers - Older Brother
Friendship(s):
Merliah Jordan – Best Girl-Friend
Name: Trent Summers
Nickname(s): N/A
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Kinship(s):
Nori Summers – Younger Sister
Chapter 1 - The 65th Annual Hunger Games
Merliah's POV
I let out a deep sigh as I woke up with the familiar feeling of dread as I laid still listening to the sea birds calling out from the beach and the pier's undoubtedly begging for the scraps of fish from the fisherman but there was no boats going out today, today was the one day a year the people of district 4 didn't have to wake up before dawn to head out on their boats and fish the waters to fill their daily quota since today was the day one unlucky boy and girl was reaped to fight to the death in what the Capitol liked to call the Hunger Games and every year each district from the 12 districts had no choice but to send a boy and girl off to either their deaths or one of them to their victory and despite district 4 being a Career district we didn't have that many victors as say district 1 or 2 who liked to volunteer...no one in 4 ever volunteers for the games despite training like the careers do.
"Merliah, it's time to get up sweetheart" I heard my mother say so I let out another sigh as I finally pulled myself out of my bed throwing the thin sheets off me since it was never cold here in 4 which I loved especially when you had to pull yourself together of an early morning to fish or find oysters and seashells and quickly got dressed in a simple pair of shorts and a singlet before I left my room walking out into the kitchen.
"Lia!" I smiled at my 10 year old sister instantly pulling me into a hug she knew I needed on a day like this, we might not look like sisters as I had blonde hair and blue eyes which I inherited from our father while my sister inherited all my mother's features with dark hair and brown eyes.
"Morning Kairi" I hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. "I'm gonna go meet Finn"
"Alright just be back in time to get ready" Dad warned me.
"I know Dad" I grabbed my fishing net bag off the hook by the door which I used to collect seashells and sea-glass to sell in the markets before I headed down towards the beach greeting friendly faces as I went before I finally made it to the beach and towards a secluded section that was off the beaten path that you'd almost call a secret beach which only three people really knew of it's existence and I immediately spotted one of them already knee deep in the water with his trident in his hand spearing at fish that swam by him. "Finnick!" I called out to him making him turn around with his usual boyish-charmed smile.
"You're late"
"Not that late fish-boy" I smirked as I kicked off my shoes and waded into the water.
"Of course not" he smirked back swinging his trident over his shoulder as I made it towards him.
"Any fish?"
"Not really, it's been quiet" I nodded my head looking into the water. "You nervous?" he asked and I frowned looking back up at him.
"Finn, I don't want to talk about that"
"I think it'd be good to talk, how many times your name in there?" he asked making my frown deepen as I thought about the few tesserae's I'd had to take this year to help support my Mom and Dad, we weren't poor like some families but it had still been a hard year.
"Six, twice as many as there should be" I admitted and his face fell a little. "Mom and Dad begged me not to but we needed the tesserae"
"You'll be fine Lia, you won't get picked" he reassured me but it didn't work very well since there was no way of knowing whose name was going to come out of the bowl today, it could very well be mine.
"Easy for you to say fish-boy, your only in there 3 times and so is Nori" Nori was my other best friend and she was the mayor's daughter meaning she never needed tesserae but she still wasn't safe from the reaping.
"There are so many other names in there, neither of us will be picked I'm sure of it" he insisted and I let out a sigh. "Hey remember how we met?" he suddenly brought up.
"Of course, I was so mad at you...still am" I laughed thinking about him 'accidently' knocking me off one of the piers when we were 6 but he did jump into save me even though by that age I was already a really strong swimmer and that's when I saw the evil glint in his eyes. "No, no Finnick!" I turned to run out of the water but he'd already seized my waist and I felt us go flying back into the water dunking us below the waves before letting go allowing me to kick myself to the surface. "You jerk!" I splashed water directly at his face.
"Well now you're in trouble!" he said as he went to splash me back but I quickly dived back below the water and started swimming away before popping back up a couple meters away. "Okay, okay truce?"
"Fine" I laughed as I swam back towards him then floated up on my back and just enjoyed the water but I could tell that something was suddenly bothering him. "You okay?" I asked him.
"Real talk?" he asked and I frowned sitting back up nodding my head in seriousness. "Say I do get reaped-"
"Finnick"
"Let me finish, say I do get reaped or even if you do or Nori, what would we do I mean when we have classes at the academy all we do is play around, we don't concentrate like the others, doesn't that put us at a disadvantage?"
"Maybe" I nodded since there was no point lying, neither of us really put in the effort at the academy, which was there to help us just like it did in districts 1 and 2 but unlike them 4 didn't revel in the idea of the games. "But the reaping's are going to happen every year until we're eighteen, I know we should probably focus more on training but you're always top of the class anyway without putting all the unnecessary effort in, time is precious Finn we need to enjoy life while we have it" he smiled as he nodded before his demeanor changed to joking.
"Well if I do get reaped I'll have no problem getting sponsors, I'm overloaded with charm" he said with a wink and I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah right Odair" I laughed before looking up at the sun to judge the time. "We should probably head home to get ready, race you to the beach!" I shoved his head underwater before I took off at a fast swim with a head start.
"You cheater!" I heard him yell out as he gave chase but I'd already gained enough distance to come out victorious.
"See you later Finnick, we have to celebrate your birthday after all" I winked at him then ran all the way home.
"Merliah Jordon, where have you been?!" my mother yelled the moment I walked in the door. "And your wet, do you have no respect for today"
"Easy darling, I'm sure she was just helping Finnick collect fish" Dad interrupted making me smile since he was always on my side.
"I was Mom" I nodded.
"Go wash" I nodded and ran towards the bathroom finding a bath already prepared for me and immediately got in scrubbing myself raw to rid my skin of the saltwater as much as I could before I hopped out going to my room seeing my reaping dress already laid out on my bed and glared at it as I dropped my towel and got dressed then turned to the mirror and brushed my hair before I began to braid it into a fish-tail braid securing it with a small length of rope before letting it fall down my back before walking downstairs to join my family as we left our house and headed towards the square.
"We love you, you're gonna be fine" Dad said as he hugged me before I had to sign in and I quickly nodded my head letting his words calm me. "We'll see you after"
"Okay" I smiled at Kairi as Mom and Dad led her away and I was so glad that she didn't have to go through this just yet.
The square in district 4 was large but with everyone crammed in on reaping day it gets a bit tight, I made my way over to the 14 year old girls line looking out for Nori and spotted her a few girls in front of me so I pushed my way in front of them and gave her a quick hug.
"Lia!"
"Hey Nori" I smiled before we set our eyes forward as peacekeepers roamed around to keep everything moving as it should but I found my eyes moving over towards the boys 14 line and spotted Finnick who smiled and winked over me making me smile for a second.
"Finger" I held out my finger and it was pricked before pressed into the paper effectively signing me in before I was forced to walk over and stand in line with the other 14-year-old girls as I eyed the stage which sat two bowls and in one of them there was six slips of paper that held the name Merliah Jordan and I was extremely nervous as there would be no one to take my place if I was to be called, it was an unspoken rule in 4 that no one volunteers even though district 4 trained their children and was a career district.
The clock struck one and the mayor, Nori's father walked up to the podium and began to read the same story he read every year, he told the story of the history of Panem, the beginning, the uprising and the Treaty of Treason that marked the beginning of the Hunger Games before he then introduced district 4's past victors and for 4 there was only one still alive even though she was in her early 60's, Mags Flanagan then greeted district 4's escort Ruby Everhart to the stage.
She was a middle aged woman that wore eccentric clothes typical of someone from the Capitol as she bounded up to mic calling for silence even though you could already hear a pin drop before she was approaching the bowl of female names and I felt the air leave my lungs as she plunged a hand in and pulled out a single piece of paper.
My eyes turned looking over at the boys line hoping to catch sight of Finnick but I couldn't see him from where I was standing and it wasn't until I felt a hand grab mine did I turn and realize that Nori was next to me and squeezed her hand back in appreciation as we waited anxiously for Ruby to read the name.
"Teena Colbert" she read out and just like that I let the air back into my lungs with a sigh of relief but still saddened with the thought as the girl left the line of 16-year-old girls and approached the stage led by the peacekeepers. "And now for the boys" Ruby smiled as if this thrilled her and just like that I was holding my breath again still squeezing Nori's hand knowing it was for her comfort as much as mine as she had a 16-year-old brother, Trent so our breaths we matched as Ruby Everhart dipped her hand into the bowl and pulled out a single slip of paper before returning to the mic. "And our male tribute this year is...Finnick Odair"
"No!" I yelled out without a thought and tried to step out of line but Nori kept her hold of my hand, I turned my eyes back to the stage as Finnick looked directly at me, our eyes meeting and he shook his head as subtly as he could warning me to stay quiet.
"Lia, you can't do anything" she argued right as Pika Delmer, Finnick's ex-girlfriend began to whistle 'happy birthday' mocking him and if it wasn't for Nori's hold I would have tackled her to the ground and laid into her but a peacekeeper seemed to actually do the right thing and slapped her across the face while I could see Finnick walking towards the stage before he was shaking hands with Teena already setting on the charm as he smiled and waved to the crowd.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I give you your district 4 tributes for the 65th annal Hunger Games, may the odds be ever in your favor" Ruby said before Finnick and Teena were lead inside for the goodbyes and I immediately rushed forward but was stopped by the Peacekeepers.
"Who are you?" they demanded.
"Please, he's my best friend...I have to say goodbye"
"Family first" I sighed knowing I had to let his parents go first and as soon as they came out, his mother in tears I was allowed in and the moment I walked through the door and ran towards him wrapping my arms around his neck.
"This can't be happening, Finn" I cried not bothering to be strong for him, I couldn't be.
"It's okay Lia"
"It's not okay Finnick!" I exclaimed.
"Shh" he warned me of the peacekeepers which were undoubtedly waiting outside the door. "Listen to me okay, no more tesserae, you know how to fish...you can search for oysters, you have to promise me-
"Finn stop please, don't talk like you're not gonna come back...you have to come back, you can win I know you can"
"Merliah, we don't know that"
"Yes we do, I've seen you with a trident, use one"
"They may not have one"
"Just show them how good you are with one, they want a good show and you can give them that Finnick, it's just like you said you can win them with your charm...get sponsors...just please...win this, I can't lose you"
"I'll try Lia, I promise" I nodded and let out another sob as I hugged him again before the door opened.
"Times up" the peacekeeper said walking over to force me to leave so I quickly reached up and ripped the rope keeping my hair up.
"Take this" I pushed it into Finnick's hand. "So you remember home"
"So I remember you" he vowed with a small smirk and a wink as he nodded his head almost bringing me to tears once again as the peacekeeper grabbed my hand and started pulling me out of the room.
"Win Odair, I mean it!" I yelled right before the door was shut and I was forced to leave the Justice Building.
I found myself heading down to the beach in an almost trance, but didn't miss the many people all giving me sympathy looks since it wasn't unknown that Finnick and I were close, the entire district pretty much knew since we were nearly never seen without the other so I found my way to our private beach falling to the sand almost immediately pulling my knees to my chest before I let out a few sobs knowing that he'd be on the train by now and on his way to the Capitol where I very well could never see him again and that's what broke my heart.
It was a little while later when I felt someone sit down beside me and I turned my head seeing Nori sitting beside me and she was giving me the same sympathetic look that everyone else had on my way here so I turned away.
"He'll be okay Lia, he'll try his best to come back, if he can convince the gamemakers to put a trident in the arena then the other tributes don't stand a chance" I nodded my head before leaning it on her shoulder as we watched the sky turn pink and orange as the sun set on the horizon of the water.
The next night I sat in front of the TV on the floor with my sister gripping my hand knowing I needed the support while our parents sat on the couch waiting for the Tribute Parade to start and I was in a mix of emotions but worry was the main one since I didn't know how I was gonna watch this but laughter erupted out of my sister the moment the chariots started and we saw the god awful get up they had Finnick and Teena wearing, it was practically fishnets and bare chests all round to symbolize our district which was fishing.
"What are they wearing!" I frowned but couldn't tear my eyes off the screen as I watched the chariots being pulled by the beautiful black horses before the camera's focused on District 4 again and I smiled seeing Finnick waving and winking at people the crowds of capitol people in the stands. "Look at Lia blushing"
"Shut up Kairi" I shoved her.
"It's smart, the crowds will love it" my Dad said and I let out a sigh as I looked back at the screen seeing Finnick still smiling, winking and waving which the crowd was lapping it up and cheering out his name loudly. "He has to get sponsors"
"Of course he'll get sponsors, he has to" I argued nodding my head as I began to chew on my nails.
"District 4! Here we have our youngest tribute this year, Finnick Odair at only 14" I frowned at Caesar Flickerman's words since just because Finn was young didn't mean he didn't stand a chance but it did put him at a disadvantage as I'm sure the other tributes saw him as a weak link and that scared me.
"He certainly seems popular with the crowds" Claudius laughs with Caesar before the chariots stop in front of the Presidential balcony and President Snow stands to give his yearly speech thanking the tributes for their 'sacrifice' like it was their choice to be there then wished them a 'Happy Hunger Games.
"...'And may the odds be ever in your favor'..." Kairi mocked the saying like we all did since very rarely if ever were the odds in our favor.
"Kairi" Mom scolded her while my main focus remained on the screen as the chariots were being lead back down the alley and disappearing from view.
"He did well kiddo" Dad said placing his hand on my shoulder and I nodded letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding the whole time.
"I'm gonna go for a walk" I stood up and ignored their protests as I walked out since sitting still was just too hard for me.
It had been a few days since the tribute parade and I had done everything I could to keep my mind distracted from it all by swimming down near the docks to collect oysters that I could sell at the markets or to a sight few of peacekeepers or helped my Dad down our families wharf fishing since I just didn't want to think about Finnick or what he might be doing right now because it would just bring on tears which I'm pretty sure I had run out of by this point.
I of course couldn't avoid the TV when it was time for the tributes scores to be posted and I was anxiously sitting on Nori's couch watching it at her place anxiously biting my nails and bouncing my knee non stop with Nori beside me knowing I needed support.
"Will you stop Lia" she said placing her hand on my knee to stop its incessant bouncing. "You're making me nervous"
"Sorry, he just has to get above a 7...he has to otherwise the other tributes will go straight after him thinking he's weak"
"Finnick couldn't ever be seen as weak, I've battled with him at the academy and he's strong for a 14-year-old" Nori's brother Trent argued and I nodded my head even though my brain just wouldn't let me accept it.
"He'll get a good score, you've seen him train and trained with him, he'll have impressed the game makers don't worry" Nori added right as it started with Caesar showing up on the screen and my eyes immediately locked with the screen as I pulled my knees to my chest feeling the need to hold myself together .
"District 1, Anvil with a score of 9" I sucked in a breath since as usual 1 and 2 got good scores.
"There so high"
"Finnick's will be to" Nori assured me again and I nodded my head as they told us District 3's scores, a 4 and 6 before finally they called Finnick's.
"Finnick Odair with a score of 8" Nori let out a small cheer while I let out the breath I was holding and dropped my head onto my knees as a smile broke out on my face since that would help him with sponsors, they always gave gifts to the higher ranking tributes. "Teena Colbert with a score of 6"
"He can do this, he can do this" I breathed out nodding my head before I was pulled into a hug by Nori.
"He'll fight Lia, he'll win over everyone even more so when he speaks in the interviews"
"Yeah" I breathed out with a heavy sigh.
By interview night I was no less worried or racked with nerves as we watched them go through Districts 1, 2 and 3's tributes all who got great reactions from the crowds as once again I found myself sitting on the floor with my knees to my chest with Nori rubbing my shoulders in support.
"He's up next, get ready to watch Finnick use his charm" she said and I couldn't help the small smile knowing she was right, he'd said it himself that his charm is the tactic that he'll use and this was the perfect opportunity to win over the capitol people.
"Now ladies and gentleman, I now have the absolute pleasure of announcing our next guest, from District 4 our youngest tribute this year please welcome FINNICK ODAIR!" Caesar yelled to the crowd and they all erupted in shouts and calling out as Finnick came on screen smiling and waving to the Capitol crowd and I couldn't hold in the gasp at seeing him for the first time in over a week, I'd barely gone a day without seeing him since we'd met and seeing him like this just felt different, he seemed different.
"Good evening Caesar" Finnick smiled as he walked forward and shook Caesar's hand and as soon as I heard his voice I reached up and grabbed Nori's hand, I hadn't heard his voice in that time either and it was like a breath of fresh air after a cyclone.
"Tell me Finnick, how are you finding the Capitol?" Caesar asked as they sat down.
"If I'm being honest" Finnick smirked as he turned to the crowd. "Remarkable, at home we've just got beaches, beach shacks and smells like fish no matter where you are" I frowned since Finnick loved going fishing and never complained about the smell before. "Here it's architecture and it's all a marvelous sight" Caesar laughed throwing his head back.
"So kind, so Finnick tell me about your family back home?"
"Well I'm an only child, so its just my parents and me" Finnick replied smiling into the camera.
"How about friends, I bet you've got plenty?"
"Yeah I get on well with basically everyone but I have a best friend and she's practically family" Finnick smiled and I found myself blushing a little especially when Nori nudged me.
"What about a girlfriend back home in District 4?" Caesar wiggled his eyes suggestively.
"I'll have to deny that unfortunately Caesar since I'm just so taken with the lovely people of the capitol I don't think there's room for anyone else in my heart right now" Finnick replied and I found myself frowning.
"Well there's plenty of time for that anyway, you are only 14 after all and with a handsome face like that I'm sure all the ladies will be all over you in the years to come" Caesar laughed.
"You're absolutely right Caesar there will be plenty of time for that because I'll let you in a little secret" Finnick replied leaning forward drawing the crowd in. "I'm going to make it out of that arena" he said and I crisscrossed my fingers praying for just that.
"I love it!" Caesar cheered firing up the crowd as they all yelled out. "Ladies and Gentleman" he stood up and grabbed Finnick's hand raising it into the air with the crowd cheering. "The charming Finnick Odair!"
"He did well, right?" I asked turning to look at my father.
"Yeah kiddo, he couldn't have done any better the crowd they love him" I nodded turning to the TV listening to the crowd still cheering and calling out Finnick's name even as he'd left the stage. "He'll get plenty of sponsors, you don't need to worry Merliah, now eat your dinner" I sighed and pulled my abandoned plate of fish towards me.
"Your father's right Lia, what would Finnick say if he comes home and sees you malnourished" I froze at Nori's words and looked up at her. "What?"
"You said 'if?'" I said and everyone's faces dropped as my eyes filled with tears that threatened to spill over.
"Lia I didn't mean it like that"
"Then how'd you mean it, you told me he could win and now your saying 'if' he makes it home"
"Lia-"
"I have to go" I said quickly and stood pushing myself away from the table as I walked out.
"Lia!" Nori yelled and chased after me. "I'm sorry"
"I know" I replied knowing I was the verge of a breakdown and took off in a sprint towards 'our' beach falling down into the sand as I let out the sobs feeling the tears falling from my eyes. "Please Finnick, I need you" I begged just praying that he came home, I needed him to come home I didn't know who I was without Finnick in my life.
I entered school the next day trying desperately to ignore everyone else especially since they wouldn't stop talking about the Hunger Games which was due to start any minute and the whole class was supposed to watch the opening but I didn't want to and was probably going to be covering my eyes and ears the entire time seeing as it was mandatory watching for all of Panem and peacekeepers would no sooner beat you and force you to watch if you didn't.
"Lia!" I heard my name get called and turned seeing Nori trying to weave her way through our classmates and I let out a sigh when she finally reached me. "I want to-"
"I know" I interrupted already tasting the apology in the air. "I'm sorry too, I just...its so hard to think about him not coming back"
"Hey it's okay, I get it and I shouldn't have said that" I nodded my head at her as we walked into the classroom and I saw the holo-screen ready to show up the opening of the games and sucked in a heavy breath.
"I don't want to watch Nori" I whispered eyes filling with tears again as we took our seats.
"Me neither" she replied and I saw her looking at me. "He'll make it" she offered me a smile and I smiled back appreciative at what she was trying to do.
"Sorry about your boyfriend Merliah" Pika laughed as she passed by our table with her friends and I glared up at her, ever since she broke up with Finnick a couple months ago she's been a real bitch especially to me.
"Just shut up Delmar" Nori spat at her as she laughed and took her seat right as screen turned on and as soon as it did I began to shake especially my hands which were resting on top of the table. "Here take my hand" Nori offered and I immediately grabbed her hand for the support I knew I was going to need. "Just imagine your somewhere else, at the docks or swimming in the cove...just try and breathe"
"They're coming up!" everyone in the room began whispering to each other as the tributes arose on their pedestals.
"Is he there?" I asked refraining from looking up.
"Yeah" Nori replied and I sucked in a breath feeling like I was gonna be sick especially as the countdown from 50 began which seemed to take forever and I continued to shake the entire time that when the gong went off I jumped hiding my face in Nori's shoulder as I only listened to everyone's reaction to the bloodbath that was happening on screen silently praying that Finnick would be okay, that he'd be smart enough to just run.
After it seemed like I'd been sitting shaking and hyperventilation for an hour I felt a hand squeeze mine and lifted my eyes to meet Nori's who smiled at me and I hoped that meant good news.
"Look" she told me so I finally turned towards the screen and saw that the bloodbath was over and Finnick was on screen running through dense foliage of a forest, a knife clutched in his hand. "He's okay" I nodded as I smiled a little but didn't dare let go of the breath I'd been holding knowing I would probably need it in the days to come.
"Teena?" I asked and she frowned shaking her head.
"Killed by 2" I frowned feeling the remorse for my District and her family.
"Were there any tridents?" I asked but again she shook her head and I frowned since Finnick needed one, he had to have a trident.
The next day I actually watched as Finnick was making his way through the arena, wolves snuck around making me gasp every time one was shown near Finnick expecting them to attack but they never did but never did I gasp when we were watching the girl from 6 was running from the boy from 10 right towards where Finnick had ducked down upon hearing the scream but when the boy finally caught up with the girl and tackled her to the ground raising his machete Finnick tackled him to the ground stopping him from killing the girl was 6 and I raised an eye wondering why he was saving her.
The boy then quickly turned on Finnick and the pair engaged in a practically volient fight that had me biting at the tips of my nails as I watched in fear especially when Finnick was stabbed in the arm but he eventually got the upper hand and managed to stab the 10 boy right through the head with a man-made spear he'd made and gasped in shock and terror at watching my best friend kill another human being but this act gained him an ally in the girl from 6, Adella was her name and the two went back to his camp before the camera's ventured off to another tribute and any kills that were happening.
As the days went by I found it hard to watch but sometimes late at night I'd find myself just watching even though night was practically the boring time for everyone else it was the only time I really got to see Finnick as so far he and Adella had only being eating and hanging out around their make shift camp eating fish he caught and berries she picked but at night she always slept I Finnick stayed up watching oblivious to the career pack hunting down the other tributes.
"You'll make it Finn" I breathed out running my hand through the holo screen before I went to bed.
When I woke up I found out that the career pack had killed 3 people which brought it down to the final 8 tributes and while I was relieved to hear this I was also scared as the more tributes that died brought the career pack closer to Finnick and his friend and closer to the inevitable stab in the back from the girl from 6.
I frowned at the prepping I was receiving as I was supposed to do some interview in front of all of Panem since it had gotten out that I was Finnick's best friend and to say I was nervous was an understatement.
"Alright sweetie, just answer Caesar and make conversation, tell us how you met Finnick...you get the gist, bright smiles, you're on camera in 3...2..." they pointed at me and the camera in front of me came to live with no one behind it.
"Hello citizens of Panem, we are now visiting District 4 home of the wonderful Finnick Odair, first we'll talk with his best friend who he mentioned so fondly in his interview Merliah Jordan, hello my dear" I heard Caesar's voice and looked around nervously since that was so weird. "Merliah?"
"Sorry what?" I asked turning back to the camera and heard Caesar laugh.
"Seems like someone's a little nervous, I said you must be very glad that Finnick has made it to the top 8"
"Oh yes" I nodded almost nervously.
"I tell you folks there is something in the water in District 4, you are gorgeous, isn't she folks!" I refrained from frowning as I heard the screams.
"Thank you Caesar, it's probably the saltwater" I replied trying to keep talking and he laughed.
"Well I think what we'd all like to know is the story of how you met Finnick Odair?" he asked and I couldn't help the smile. "By that face there's definitely a story"
"Yes well its an unusual one" I laughed as I recalled the day I met Finnick with fond memories. "I was walking to meet my Dad who'd just returned from a boat fishing trip when someone ran into me and knocked me off the pier into water"
"Ahh and Finnick was the one to rescue you" Caesar guessed and I smiled.
"Yeah he was but he was also the one that had knocked me into the water even though I didn't really need saving since I'd learnt to swim before I could even walk"
"He didn't!" Caesar exclaimed and I laughed.
"He had jumped straight in after me and helped me up, I was so mad but as I'm sure you've noticed Finnick has a way with words, I can hold a grudge but it's very hard to win against the Odair charm, that's not to say I don't bring it up to this day but from that day on he became my best friend, we do everything together" I smiled.
"Excellent, now tell me how have you been enjoying the games so far?" Caesar suddenly asked and I froze since I didn't know how to answer that.
"They are certainly some interesting games" I agreed and whether he heard the uneasiness in my voice he didn't let on. "But you know what would make these games more interesting Caesar?" I quickly said.
"What would that be?" he asked sounding intrigued which made me smile knowing this was my chance to get Finnick more sponsors and what he really needed.
"If one of Finnick's amazing and generous sponsors in the Capitol gifted him a trident, if you want entertainment that's the best way to go about it since while a spear is a good substitute you get Finnick a trident and I promise you'll be blown away" I winked at the camera for good measure throwing out some charm of my own, pulling off my best Finnick impression.
"Did you hear that ladies and gentleman, get the boy a trident" he called out to the viewers. "Well it's been an absolute pleasure talking with you my dear but now we best be moving on to District 6"
"Thank you so much Caesar" I said before the camera panned down going out.
"Were out!" the camera crew yelled out and I let out a breath that I felt I had been holding that entire interview before I was taken to change out of the clothes they had put me in before I was let go and I walked to the beach taking a seat in the soft sand with my shoes off moving in the sand.
"You did amazing Lia!" Nori exclaimed as she dropped down next to me. "The trident bit was absolute genius!"
"I had to try" I nodded looking out into the calm blue waves.
"He's gonna make it, I just know it" she wrapped her arm around my shoulders and we just sat in silence as that's all I needed right now.
I sat in my room that night watching Finnick keeping watch in the arena as usual just seeing his face and letting it wash a wave of comfort over me knowing that he was alive and still with me even though he couldn't see me I couldn't help smile as I saw his hands moving in various ways tying knots in the rope that I had given him when we said goodbye, he'd then undo it and tie a different knot, he did the same thing every night he'd been in the games while he'd sit and keep watch but watched as he was just about to start tying a new knot when I familiar chime rang out which woke up the girl from 6, the two of them watching a two parachutes dropping to the ground each tied around the end of a package and when it hit the ground the girl from 6 moved towards it and opened it.
"It's a trident" the girl said and my eyes widened in shock since they'd actually given him a trident.
"What?" I heard Finnick's voice and closed my eyes for a second savoring that sound.
"There's a note" the girl said and handed it to Finnick who had picked up the trident and was weighing it in his hands twirling it around before he took the note from her and read it before he smiled and looked up towards the skies unknowingly right into a camera. "...;Thank you Lia'..." he mouthed and I found myself blushing knowing this was broadcasting to every district right now, the note attached must've told him how he got it.
"You're welcome Finn" I said back not caring that he couldn't hear me. "Now kick their butts"
Since Finnick got the trident he and the girl from 6 devised a plan to set up traps and start hunting down the rest of the tributes and career pack and although I didn't really want to see him killing people I knew it was them or him and I needed him to come home.
Finnick showed her how to make nets which they set up in wait for other tribute to walk by and get trapped for them to kill and one by one the remaining tribute began to drop off as their strategy worked with the boy from 9 falling into the trap and either Finnick delivered the final blow killing them, the trident acting as a deadly extension to his arm.
As the days flew...the two were resting in the forest near the cornucopia a cannon went off and I jumped at the sound having been eating a quick bite to eat and not really watching the screen that I had turned my neck around so fast that I'd given myself whiplash I'm sure in fear but was relieved to see Finnick okay but the girl was one was holding a knife to the boy from 2's neck while her district partner was trying to convince her not to kill him, the career pack was turning on themselves and while the two from 1 argued Finnick snuck up behind them and rammed his trident through her head making me flinch especially as blood splattered his face as the cannon went off before her body even hit the ground.
The two boys instead of being grateful grabbed for their weapons and I sucked in a breath watching in angst as they faced off against Finnick but Adella got in the middle and talked the two sides down stating that they were more likely to survive against the remaining tributes if they worked together and I didn't like it since it meant more people that could turn on Finnick at a moment's notice.
"It'll be fine Merliah, Finnick's smart and knows what he's doing"
"I know" I sighed resuming my seat seeing as Finnick was safe for now and resumed eating.
Now that it was the final 6 the feast happened and Finnick had stayed in the cornucopia with the other three and grabbed their respected bags as they came down then were weapons ready for the remaining tributes which was the boy from 5 and the boy from 3 and as soon as they entered the cornucopia the boy from 2 shot at him from his bow and the boy from 1 threw his spear killing the boy from 3, the two dropping dead as the cannon goes off.
During all this the girl from 8 ran through the clearing and had carefully avoided the careers' spears and arrows even managing to grab her feast bag running away from the clearing without being hit but that didn't stop the careers, Adella and Finnick giving chase until she tripped and I turned away as the boy from 2 stabbed her and the cannon went off signalling her death.
They continued through the forest until early afternoon but then rain started falling and my eyes widened when it began to burn through their clothes and their skin, it was acid rain and they all took off in separate directions making me frown.
"I know it hurts Finn but keep your head, find shelter" I prayed as if he heard my advice but I continued to watch him run trying to cover his face running with Adella by his side whereas the boy from 1 fell over with his skin badly burned and corroded from the acid while the boy from 2 was still alive but separated from Finnick and Adella who took shelter in the forest.
The rest of the day was uneventful thank god as Finnick and Adella tried to take care of their wounds as they travelled up the rocky beach until the early afternoon the next day which is where they ran back into the boy from 1 who spun a story about being chased by wolves that had been attracted by the smell of blood but he suddenly threw a knife which narrowly missed Finnick's head and Finn reacted quickly stabbing him through the head with his trident and his cannon sounded, it was down to the final three...Finnick, Adella and the boy from 2.
Just as Finnick and Adella got to take a breath the wolves turned up howling and began chasing them and I sucked a breath holding it as I watched them run, my father and mother both coming into the lounge room as it was announced all over that this was it and they each took one of my hands, my sister close by in support as well as it showed all three of them running towards the cornucopia before the wolves were just gone.
Finnick and Adella looked around in confusion but the boy from 2 quickly appeared from the grass and sprinted straight towards Finnick before they engaged in combat and I could barely watch but wasn't able to tear my eyes off the screen either.
Adella tried to attack the 2 boy but just as he was about to slap her Finnick tackled him and they engaged in empty handed fist fight until Finnick managed to get his hands back on his trident and stabbed the boy through the stomach which killed him very quickly after and I jumped at the sound of the cannon.
I watched with reservation as Finnick turned to face Adella and you could see the realization to their dismay that they were the final two and knew what had to happen now, I heard Adella apologize to Finnick before she sprinted at him engaging in a brief fight which resulted in Finnick impaling her with his trident before apologizing to her as well as he lowered her to the ground as her breathing slowed then the cannon went off signalling her death.
"Ladies and Gentleman, the winner of the 65th annual Hunger Games!" Claudius' voice rang out and my knees all but fell out from beneath me as I sobbed out in a mixture of shock and relief because he had done it, Finnick had won the Hunger Games.
I nervously tied my hair up into my usual ponytail using a new rope to secure it into place as I got ready since today was the day, it had been days since the end of the hunger games and Finnick was finally due home.
"You ready kiddo" I heard my Dad call out. "The train will be in any minute now"
"Coming!" I called back before I rushed out of my room after smiling one last time in the mirror as I'd been anxiously waiting his return, in his victory interview with Caesar he had said how excited he was to come home so I was determined to welcome him back as best I could.
I spotted Lori outside and the two of us plus my parents headed towards the train station where Finnick would be arriving and I held Lori's hands in anticipation and longing as I watched and waited for the train to arrive.
"What do I say when we see him?" I whispered since I don't know how I'm supposed to act with him now, I couldn't imagine the things that he's seen, the horrors that will now live in his head since it's a known fact that very few victors return the way they left.
"Whatever comes to mind, he's still Finnick Odair so he'll probably open his mouth before you get the chance" she replied and I chuckled a little since while she was also friends with Finnick the two loved to bicker quite a bit.
"I hope so" I said right as the train rolled into the station and I saw the cameras switch on as he finally was in view disembarking from the train waving, smiling and winking at the cameras as the whole District erupted into cheers and I couldn't help join them elated that not only was Finnick alive but our district had won the Hunger Games bring pride to the district.
I watched as Finnick hug his Mom and accept congratulations from his father before he pulled away and his eyes seemed to search the crowd before they found mine and as we locked eyes he smiled making me smile even wider before he jerked his head in the direction of the beach and mouthed '20' at me, I nodded at him with one last smile before I turned and left the crowded train station walking down to the beach moving the heavy shrubs aside revealing the bath to our secret cove and walked over taking a seat on an old overturned boat that was on the sand and looked out at the ocean letting out the longest breath I ever had feeling like it had been long overdue but he was finally home and he was safe.
Twenty minutes later I heard footsteps behind me and quickly stood up turning to see Finnick standing a few feet away from me, we stared at each other seemingly both unsure how to react but he seemed to snap out of it before me and held his arms out on either side of him and I smiled sprinting into them immediately pressing my head against his chest as his arms wrapped around me holding me close.
"Finn" I breathed out practically nuzzling against his chest.
"Lia" he whispered in the same tone as his head rested atop of mine as I wrapped my arms tighter around his waist especially when I felt his stature begin to shake as he began to sob and it broke my heart, my bright, charming best friend was crying. "Don't ever leave me" he begged and I felt it tug at my heartstrings.
"Never Finnick, I swear" I promised as we sank down onto the sand, our hold not breaking but I did turn to sit between his legs looking out at the ocean as I let him enjoy and savor the quiet where he didn't have to be on the lookout for people that wanted him dead, he needed to just listen to the seabirds, the ocean...smell the salt in the air but I couldn't help be curious and let out a small sigh. "How are you holding up?" I asked.
"I can barely look at my mother, I can't look her in the eyes knowing what I did" I frowned as I turned to face him.
"What you had to do Finnick, no one would blame you because you did what you had to do in order to survive, trust me she's just glad you got to come home...just as I am" I whispered the last bit but he clearly heard me.
"I wish I didn't" he argued and I frowned.
"Don't say that please, your my best friend Finnick and I was so lost without you"
"It's true, I killed all those kids Lia"
"Finn" I breathed out taking his face in my hands. " They would have killed you, it's not your fault okay, you promised me you'd come home and you did"
"Did you watch it all?" he asked quietly staring out at the waves as I dropped my hands and looked down.
"Most of it" I admitted shamefully like maybe I shouldn't have. "I had to make sure you stayed alive, I had to see you...I'm not scared of you"
"I'm scared of me" he admitted and I frowned shaking my head.
"Your not a bad person Finn" he finally nodded but I knew it would take more than that to convince him since it was all fresh so I decided to distract him. "So what was the Capitol like, was it every bit like we used to imagine?" I asked since I remembered his first interview with Caesar and how he said he liked it better over District 4.
"Worse" he smiled seemingly taking my distraction. "Everyone there is completely insane, it's a concrete jungle and there's no fresh air or water to swim in"
"Those savages" I laughed which made him laugh as he nodded his head.
"It's a nightmare, they do eat like royalty though" he shrugged and I smiled since sounded like despite the food he hated the Capitol.
"And President Snow, did you meet him?" I asked him.
"Yeah he was...cryptic"
"Cryptic?" I questioned confused. "How so?"
"Well when he crowned me as victor, he said something strange" Finnick replied sounding unsure of himself like he shouldn't even be telling me.
"What'd he say?" I pressed him.
"He congratulated me and said he had a job for me when I was 16, he didn't say anything else but I didn't think victors had to work after they won so I'm confused"
"Well I'm sure its nothing too hard and I'm glad that you didn't get snobbish and that your still the same charming, obnoxious best friend you've always been"
"Best friend" he smiled as if that amused him. "I love you Lia"
"I love you too Finn" I smiled before pushing him back into the sand laughing as I shot up and ran down towards the water.
"Oh it's on Lia!" he got to his feet, a smile on his face just like I wanted and ran after me...for now everything was okay but I knew there were things that would never be the same, we just had to learn to enjoy the calm before the storm like any good sailor.
An hour later we were both drenched from head to toe still laughing from trying to dunk each other under the waves finding the towels that we hid under the old boat and used them to dry off a little sitting on the boat watching the sun set on the horizon over the water.
"Come to dinner at my new place" Finnick suggested as we stood and began leaving the beach, I turned to him since I'd almost forgotten that he now lived in the victors village which was a bunch of beach houses all lined up on a private beach which was victors only with their own piers and everything, they were amazing to look at and I never thought I'd ever be able to set foot in one or that Finnick would own one.
"Don't you want to spend your first night back with your parents?" I asked.
"If you leave my sight I just might lose my mind Lia" Finnick muttered but loud enough that I'd heard him and I stared at him before finally nodding my head.
"Okay I just gotta stop by my place and tell my parents" he nodded his head as we started to walk to my small quaint little beach shack, for our entire family is was enough but Kairi and I shared a room as it only had the two. "How's your new house look?" I asked him.
"I haven't been in yet"
"Why not?" I asked him.
"I wanted to see you, I said hello to my parents and did the camera bits then came straight down to see you"
"Finn I can't believe you left your parents" I gasped since I knew if I ever had kids and one was shipped off to the Hunger Games I'd be a wreak and I knew his mother had been.
"I wanted to see you more" he admitted and I fought to keep the blush off my cheeks.
"That's terrible"
"Well no one understands me like you do" he argues and I smile shaking my head at him.
"I bet you'll love your new place, did you know all the victors have access to the private victors beach-"
"I like our beach cove" he protests and I smile rolling my eyes.
"So do I and we can still go swimming there so long as your adoring fans don't follow you then it won't be our private spot anymore"
"I guess not" he shrugged smiling.
"And besides the victors houses all have their own pier, we can fish off the end of your pier Finnick it'll be so much fun" he nodded right as we made it to my parents and I told them I was eating at Finnick's to which they congratulated him again and my sister even hugged him which surprised Finnick but he didn't seem to care as he hugged her back then we left heading for the victors village.
"So I saw your interview, smart idea with the trident it really came in handy" I blushed and hid my face again.
"Thanks, I knew I had to get you one when I found out there wasn't one in the cornucopia" he nodded his head putting his arm around my shoulder as we walked. "What did the note say, you thanked me" he laughed immediately.
"It was from Mags, my mentor, she said I had you to thanks"
"Really?" I asked and he nodded still with laughter in his eyes.
"Well actually it read and I'll quote 'Thank your girlfriend'" he chuckled.
"Oh" I replied again trying to hide a blush since while Finnick and I were many things to each other, boyfriend and girlfriend we were not and probably never would be since he didn't see me that way and I wasn't sure if I even saw him that way, we were 14 years old and he was my best friend.