The 67th Annual Hunger Games
Merliah's POV
Almost two years later I found myself on Finnick's private pier in the victors village blocking and defending the shots he was firing at me with the trident he was wielding with precision and a cutthroat attitude since after his games and knowing that any time I could be reaped I started to take my training at the academy more serious and these extra lessons with Finnick to get my butt into shape in the likely time my name was read at reaping even though Finnick frequently reminded me that it was impossible even that was very far from the truth given we hadn't ever believed that his name would be called either but it had which is why I put so much effort and persuading him into position to train me.
"Left" Finnick yelled out warning me of his next strike and I countered accordingly blocking his attack. "Right" I spun and blocked that attack as well with a grunt, my spear meeting his trident. "Duck!"
"Duck?" I questioned before I felt pain in the side of my head sending me nearly toppling over and I glared back at him. "Ow, what the hell Finn!" I exclaimed rubbing my ear. "I wasn't expecting that"
"If your in the Hunger Games, nobody's going to be calling out their attacks Lia, you have to be prepared from anything" I frowned shaking my head.
"You didn't actually have to hit me though, am I bleeding?" I asked feeling the side of my face for any blood but my fingers were clean.
"I didn't hit you that hard princess" he scoffed laughing.
"I'm not a princess you jerk" I pushed him and he stumbled back falling off the end of his pier and I burst out laughing since I hadn't intended on that. "Sorry I didn't mean to do that"
"Uh-huh sure you didn't" he replied swimming back towards the pier and held his hand out towards me, I reached down grabbing it to help him back up but instead of me pulling him up I felt his hand tug his way and I was pulled into the water with a scream before I was submerged underwater. "Just like I didn't mean that" he smirked when I surfaced.
"You really are a jerk!" I exclaimed splashing him in the face.
"Don't start something you don't want me to finish" he smirked splashing me back before we just swam around a little bit enjoying the cool water before we finally pulled ourselves onto the pier and laid back to dry off by the sun and get a tan while were at it, not that we ever really needed to tan since our complexions were naturally tanned having lived in the summer tropics of District 4 all our lives. "You're staying for dinner right?" he suddenly asked me.
"Of course, your Mom wanted me to help with dinner since its not everyday you turn 16" I smirked shoving his shoulder seeing him smile as he laid further back with his arms crossed behind his head and I couldn't help stare for just a few seconds longer than normal since in the past two years he had matured even more and had lost all his baby features.
"Your staring" he suddenly said snapping me out of my stupor and I turned looking out across the waves pulling my knees to my chest as there was a slight wind now causing a small chill.
"Do you think President Snow will contact you?" I asked stupidly but ever since he'd told me that the president had a job for him when he turned 16 it was constantly in the back of my mind as we counted down to this day, both confused and worried about what that was since some of the victors moved to the Capitol after they won their games and I didn't want Finnick to move away.
"He hasn't in the past 2 years"
"You weren't 16 though, he said he had a job for you when you turned 16"
"I only turned 16 today Lia, don't worry about it" he argued and I let out a sigh nodding my head before I stood up grabbing my t-shirt and pulled it over the top of my swimmers since I was pretty much dry now.
"I should probably go home and change, I'll see you in a little bit"
"Okay" he stood up and walked me around the side of his house before I walked off heading home walking in to see my sister and mother preparing dinner for the night scaling a fish that dad most likely caught.
"Hey sweetie" Mom greeted while I nodded. "Everything okay?" she asked noticing my mood but I couldn't tell her, Finnick and I swore to keep it to ourselves.
"Yeah I'm fine" I agreed before I headed upstairs and had a quick bath just to freshen up and wash majority of the salt water from myself even though that smell clung to my skin and was a pretty permeant smell on anyone that lived here then went to my room and slipped into a simple white sundress before heading back down stairs to go back over to Finnick's.
"You look beautiful kiddo, Finnick is going to adore you" Dad smirked making me almost blush as I rolled my eyes.
"Doesn't he already" Kairi added making me glare at her, she was almost 13 now and had gone through the reaping once last year, it had been very nerve racking on my parents having both of us in the draw but we skated through again without being reaped.
"Shut up, Finnick and I are just friends" I protested rolling my eyes again when they all smiled knowing that they didn't believe me no matter how much I denied it.
"Sure you are" Kairi said.
"Alright I'm leaving now" I replied before they could continue and walked to the door picking up Finnick's gift on the way out before I began walking towards the victors village seeing Mags immediately and she smiled at me.
"Hello sweetie" she greeted and I smiled back since she was such a kind woman and never not made you smile or take care of you.
"Hey Mags, are you coming to Finnick's for dinner?" I asked and she nodded her head. "I'll walk with you" I grabbed her hand and we walked towards Finnick's place but just as I raised my hand to knock the door opened and my eyes widened when two peacekeepers walked out with President Snow behind them since I never knew he visited the districts before.
"Hello" he said and I was too stunned to speak until I felt Mags tap my hand which was nestled in her arm. "You must be Merliah Jordan, am I correct?" he asked excusing my rudeness and I nodded my head.
"Yes sir...I mean President Snow" I stuttered out before I turned to the doorway and saw Finnick standing there, a distant and panicked look in his eyes which confused me.
"Well I do hope you enjoy your evening Ms Jordan and perhaps we'll see each other again" President Snow said before he left and I turned to Finnick seeing him watching the man go with furrowed eyes and his lips pressed tight together.
"Finn?" I spoke up and he turned towards me finally looking away from the President's disappearing figure.
"Sorry what?" he asked and I frowned before he turned to look down the victors village walkway. "Come inside" he told us and stepped aside to let us in then closed the door and I shared a worried look with Mags who was staring at Finnick with almost fear in her eyes before she turned and smiled at me patting the side of my face then turned and headed into the kitchen where I could hear movement, obviously being Finnick's parents.
"Finn what's wrong?" I asked him but he refused to look up from the ground. "Finn?" I reached over and grabbed his hand which finally made him look up and I saw the look in his eyes, he was terrified. "What did Snow want?"
"It doesn't matter" he replied coyly making me frown.
"Is it about what he said, what job does he have for you?"
"I don't want to talk about it" my frown only grew by his replies since he's never kept something from me.
"Are you okay?" I asked since he was acting strange.
"Yeah, you should go and help my Mom, I'll be there soon" he said then turned and walked up the stairs disappearing which made me even more worried as I let out a breath and walked towards the kitchen catching Mags eyes as she looked as upset as I felt right now from Finnick dismissing me like that.
"Hello Merliah, can you believe it President Snow was here in 4 and in our house" Finnick's mother gushed so I tried my best to smile.
"Yeah I saw him on the way in, it was daunting" I admitted as I walked over and began to help her prepare the fish for dinner.
"Oh he gets a bad rep but he really cares about all of us, coming here personally to wish Finnick a happy birthday and he's been so generous these last 2 years" I could only nod since I didn't believe that President Snow has ever been generous a day in his life, he inflicted fear and didn't care.
Right as the dinner was done Finnick returned and I could definitely tell something was on his mind as he was quieter than normal but I was the only person to really notice as his parents went on like nothing was wrong and still joyous over the fact that Snow had visited, the only one that seemed to share my concern for Finnick was Mags as we continued to share looks after noticing how off Finnick was and when dinner was over I followed him outside onto the pier.
"Finnick please talk to me, I know somethings bothering you?" I begged him as I watched him stare out at the ocean from the end of the pier and I was scared that he was suicidal. "Your scaring me"
"Sorry" he apologized sighing and I frowned but ignored any further questions since perhaps pressing him wasn't going to get him to open up so I walked forward pulling his gift out of my pocket.
"I got you something" he turned finally smiling for the first time all night as he looked down at the poorly wrapped gift.
"Well I definitely know it's from you by the poor wrapping" he joked and I rolled my eyes.
"Do you want it or not?" I asked smiling a little seeing his smile widen a little as he took it from me and ripped open the newspaper wrapping before holding up the necklace, it was a brown polished shell hanging from a thin blue cord. {A/N: Picture Finnick's Necklace from Catching Fire from Interview with Caesar}
"This is awesome" he stated making my smile widen glad that he liked it since I wasn't sure what to get him but had seen it in the markets and hoped that he'd like it. "Your amazing" he added slipping it over his head and it hung perfectly aligned to sit over his heart.
"I saw it in the markets and hoped you'd like it"
"I love it Lia" he replied then pulled me into a hug making me smile as I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my head into his chest enjoying the hug for while it lasted. "Thank you"
"You're welcome fish-boy" I replied and he chuckled quietly as well keeping his arm wrapped around my shoulder as we turned to look out at the sunset and I couldn't ignore the way my heart beat a tiny bit faster, I don't know why but lately whenever I was with Finnick I felt like I was gonna be sick but in a good way if that made sense and I don't know why but I didn't want it to stop.
A couple days later I was walking towards the markets to sell and buy a couple things to help my parents since money was a little tight as my Dad's traps and fishing trips weren't bringing in much these past few months when I heard a commotion on the docks and heard a couple of people mention a boat going down on the water and my mind instantly began panicking since my Dad was out in his boat today and rushed towards the docks seeing a cloud of smoke in the horizon.
"Lia!" I heard my name get called and turned to see Finnick. "Oh thank god you're okay" I frowned confused since why wouldn't I be okay but before I could ask him that there was the sound of an explosion as the boat blew up making the onlookers scream and cover their ears.
"Oh my god" I exclaimed and moved forward. "Dad...Dad...has anyone seen my Dad?!" I called out to everyone while Finnick followed me through the crowd. "Dad"
"Lia" I heard Finnick say making me turn seeing him looking out at the water and my face froze when I saw the boat that had exploded...the Cordelia.
"No!" I screamed and lunged into a run towards the end of the pier ready to jump into the water but arms wrapped around my waist and held me back. "Let me go, Dad!" I screamed but they didn't let go even as I kicked and thrashed my hands.
"Merliah" I stopped turning to see my Mom with tears running down her face as she looked at us.
"No...no tell me Dad's okay, that he wasn't on there?" I begged but the look in her eyes told me everything.
"He was out with Finnick's parents, they were trying a new fishing spot hoping to get more fish, Finnick's Dad thought it was a better spot"
"What?" Finnick suddenly asked making me frown as I pulled myself away from him and ran heading away from the pier since I couldn't be there anymore, I couldn't smell the smoke or hear the words that my father was dead and when I finally made it to the cove I collapsed on my knees and screamed out punching hard into the sand.
"WHY!?" I screamed before falling into the sand sobbing until I had no tears left to cry but I didn't move for what felt like hours.
"Lia, I'm sorry" I suddenly heard and finally pulled myself to sit up. "I'm so sorry" I turned furrowing my eyes seeing Finnick standing behind me.
"For what, you didn't do this?"
"But I think I did" he admitted.
"What are you talking about Finnick?" I asked noticing he refused to come closer.
"I think Snow was behind this" I frowned as I stood up.
"What?"
"He warned me what would happen if I refused" he replied but he wasn't making any sense.
"Refused what?"
"I...I can't tell you, if I tell you then he'll hurt you too" he argued shaking his head. "I don't think we should be friends anymore"
"What are you talking about?"
"We can't see each other"
"Finnick" I stepped forward but he stepped back and my eyes widened. "Don't do this please, whatever you think this wasn't your fault Finn"
"It was and I can't let him hurt you too" he turned and started walking away.
"Finnick please, don't leave me...we promised not to leave each other" I begged but he ignored me and I fell down again feeling the tears returning to my eyes. "Finnick I can't lose you too" I said too quiet for him to hear but the sobs that followed were anything but quiet.
My father's and the Odair's funeral was agony as everyone stopped by to offer their condolences with food as if we needed the hand outs now that my Dad was gone and I kept finding myself looking for Finnick but he never showed up and whenever I tried to go to his house in the following days he refused to open the door and Mags had even had to pull me away from screaming at the house until my voice was almost gone since he couldn't just cut himself from my life like this but no matter how hard I tried to talk to him all I was met with was a wooden door.
"Finnick please, I know you're in there" I begged standing outside his house, my hand and forehead pressed against the front door, this was a daily routine for me now but it's been two weeks and nothing, not even a sound from him but Mags assured me that he was okay since she took him food and made sure he was alive each day. "I need my best friend" I heard footsteps and frowned as I turned seeing Mags. "Please tell him I miss him" I told her.
"Of course sweetie and I'll continue trying to get him to come see you" I let out a sigh as I nodded then walked away from the house towards the pier since I needed to pick up food for my Mom but money was running out and without my Dad we didn't know how we were going to continue on like this but my mother was adamant that I didn't except any tesserae since she didn't want to lose me too but I didn't see any other choice, the reaping was only days away and I didn't see the harm since one tesserae wouldn't make a huge difference.
I returned home with a loaf of bread and some grain seeing my Mom in the kitchen where she had barely left as she would just stare at my Dad's fishing supplies and it threatened to tear me apart to see her like this but I couldn't allow myself to fall into the same pit of despair since it was my job to take care of her and Kairi who barely left our room.
"I'm home" I called out and put the bags on the bench which alerted my mothers attention right away.
"What's that?" she asked making me frown as I pulled out the loaf of bread and bag of grains and flour. "Merliah!"
"We need it Mom, I can only fish so much" I argued back.
"I told you we didn't need it, I'm fine taking care of you two"
"But your not Mom!" I yelled before we heard a door slam and I let out a sigh knowing it was Kairi. "Mom its not going to matter how many times my name is in that bowl, we need to take care of Kairi so that she never has to accept the tesserae"
"I won't lose you too" she replied and I frowned choosing not to say anything as I put the items away in the pantry before I left the kitchen walking into the bedroom seeing Kairi sitting on her bed sketching away on a piece of paper so I moved over and sat down on the edge of her bed seeing her drawing the beach.
"That's pretty"
"Don't do that" she said making me frown.
"Do what?"
"Talk to me like I'm a little kid"
"I wasn't-"
"I couldve taken the tesserae" she cut me off.
"That's not an option Kairi" I argued moving over to my own bed.
"Why not, my name is only in there twice"
"Exactly and we're gonna keep it that way" I spat at her with a glare.
"But your in there eight times!" she exclaimed.
"It'll be okay" I tried to reassure her.
"That's not okay, what if your reaped, I can't take care of Mom like you can and if I'm reaped it doesn't matter"
"Don't say that, your never going into the Games Kairi, I won't let you" I protested and she huffed turning back to her drawing and I let out a heavy sigh since I was upsetting everyone today.
I stood up walking out since it was clear I wasn't wanted here either and left the house walking down the beach carrying my shoes letting my feet be washed over by the small waves when I felt a presence step up beside me and my heart took a single leap at the thought it might be Finnick but when I turned it fell into a frown when I saw Nori.
"Hey" she smiled softly, completely fake in an attempt to be soothing.
"Don't look at me like that Nori please, I get it from everyone else" I sighed walking back up onto the beach a little bit before sitting down in the sand placing my arms on my knees.
"I'm sorry I just don't know what to say" she replied sitting next to me. "Have you seen Finnick lately?" she asked making me frown and shake my head. "He's still ignoring you?" I nodded.
"I've tried every day but he won't open the door, I only know he's alive because he lets Mags in" I sighed leaning my head on my arms. "I don't know what to do Nori, I'm barely holding my head above water in trying to help my Mom, take care of Kairi and Finnick won't talk to me"
"I swear I'll kick his ass if you tell me to" she said and I smiled a little but it didn't last long.
"I don't know how much longer I can take, Finnick and I have never gone this long without seeing each other since the day we met and it's killing me"
"I know, you two have been inseparable"
"I need him and I want to be there for him since he lost his parents too but I don't know why he's cutting me off"
"I don't know Lia but you know you have me" I nodded my head as we lapped into silence just staring out at the water before it got dark and I returned home.
Two days later I was once again woken by the seabirds and this is where I would usually try and talk to Finnick I knew that wasn't possible today since it was reaping day and I was terrified but I couldn't show it as I got up and helped Mom prepare some breakfast before I bathed and got dressed into my new reaping dress seeing as I filled out a little more and had more curves, I missed the days like in previous years where I distracted myself by fishing with Finnick in the morning before reaping day but of course that didn't happen which left me an almost nervous wreck underneath the strong bravado I put on for my mother and sisters sake.
When it was time to head to the square Kairi and I walked side by side with Mom holding her hand until we had to part in order to sign in and I did all this is a sort of trance like state as I couldn't help myself looking over at the boys knowing I would not find who my mind was trying to find but didn't stop until I heard feedback from the mic on stage and looked up seeing Trent and Nori's father who as usual gave is normal speech and played the video of the war reminding us why the Hunger Games existed like we actually needed the reminder then welcomed the past victors on stage and finally I spotted him standing stoically next to Mags, his eyes lowered to the stage but this was the first time I've seen him in over a weak and he looked tired.
"Merliah Jordan" I heard Ruby Everhart call out but it didn't completely sink in since at that moment Finnick's head had shot up and looked at her with shock and fear before they drifted out into the rows of girls finally settling on me as the girls around me seemed to part to help him find me. "Merliah Jordan" Ruby said it again and finally it sank in the name she was saying and why Finnick had seeked me out...it was my name.
"No!" I heard Kairi yelling out as the peacekeepers came over and began shoving me towards the stage where I nearly tripped up the steps.
"And now for the boys" Ruby said walking to the boys bowl and reached in grabbing a single paper out, all while she did this did my eyes seek out Finnick's again but he was back staring at the floor of the stage, his lips pressed tight together. "Trevor Summers" my head turned to Ruby with wide eyes since this had to be a joke right but no there I watched as Trevor walked onto the stage followed by peacekeepers and Nori was sobbing in the line of 16-year-old girls while their Dad looked shocked and absolutely devastated. "Shake hands" she told us and I walked forward stretching out my hand which Trevor shook looking at me with pity and remorse making me frown hating that look before we were led into the Justice Building into separate rooms to wait for our family and friends to say goodbye.
"Lia!" I turned just in time to be nearly tackled by Kairi as she wrapped her arms around my waist like an octopus. "I told you...I told you!" she sobbed soaking my dress and I frowned pulling her away from me to look at her.
"It'll be okay Kairi, just promise me that you won't take any tesserae" I told her then turned to Mom. "You have to take care of her and yourself, not for me but for Dad, promise me" she nodded before pulling me into a hug. "I love you" I said pulling Kairi into the hug as well.
"You can win, promise you'll try to win" Kairi begged and I frowned but nodded not actually saying the words because it would be a lie and lucky for me a peacekeeper returned to lead them out of the room much to Kairi's dismay as she hugged me one last time and was actually pulled off before the door shut and I felt a tear slip out knowing that would be the last time I would see them.
I waited expecting Nori to come but when the peacekeeper returned to take me to the train I was in shock since she hadn't come but I honestly didn't blame her either since I was going into the arena with her brother and only one of us was coming out and she would obviously want it to be him so I understood and didn't put up any kind of fuss as I followed them to the train station and boarded the train pausing for the cameras to get good shots before the doors closed and I had to grab onto the wall to stop myself from falling over when the train took off from the station.
"Hello my tributes!" Ruby cheered walking in and shook both our hands. "I'm Ruby, let me show you around" she added leading us into the carriage to our right. "This is where your chambers are located, this is the girls" she said pointing to the one of the end. "And this is the boys, the mentors each have their own rooms in the next carriage down" she tells us before leading us into the main carriage which has couches and a dining table and instructs us to take a seat. "Your mentors will be in shortly" she says then disappears plunging the carriage into silence.
"Nori told me to tell you goodbye and that she's sorry" Trevor spoke up suddenly making me turn towards him where I just simply nodded before a door slid open and I saw Mags walk in.
"Merliah" she smiled sadly at me as I stood and she wrapped her arms around me. "I'm so sorry dear"
"Is he-?" I cut myself off when the door slid open and I saw him walk in and immediately move towards me.
"I'm sorry-" he cut off when a loud smack echoed throughout the train and I stared at him through narrowed eyes holding my hand in pain as he turned back towards me. "Happy?" he asked but I shook my head sitting back down avoiding everyone's shocked faces.
"So where do we start?" Trevor asked to cut the tension and I looked up seeing Finnick turn to him and stare like he was a bug that needed to be squashed even though Trevor was 18 and Finnick was just 16.
"Finnick" I called making him turn away from Trevor. "What's our best plan?"
"We'll get to that but for now I suggest you two eat as much now as you want, you will be starving by day one in the arena" Finnick told us and I frowned at his choice of words but we all moved to the dining table where Avox's had placed a range of foods and while Trevor dug in I found myself unsure where to start since while there was fish there was a bunch of other foods that I had never seen so I looked up and took note of what Finnick was eating.
"Why don't we start with your strengths?" Mags suggested and I frowned since I didn't really want to do this right now...if ever.
"I can use knives, sword and spears" Trevor replied immediately while my frown grew since how was a supposed to compete with him, sure he might be an ally in the beginning but I've watched the games...when it came down to it your ally is ready to stab you in the back for the crown.
"Merliah?" Mags pressed making me look up seeing all their eyes on me.
"I...I don't know" I stuttered out and saw Finnick frown looking over at Trevor.
"Well isn't this marvelous" Ruby suddenly said sitting down at the head of the table. "Such promise with you two, these games will probably be the best yet!" she exclaimed making me frown as I looked at her.
"A promise of innocent kids being murdered" I snapped glaring at her.
"Lia" I heard Finnick say making me turn to see the warning look on his face.
"Excuse me, I'm not that hungry" I stood up and walked out before I said anything else and went into my room.
I had sat on the bed and stared out the window at the passing fields and forests around just watching the sun go down while trying not to burst out in tears since I didn't want to be here, what did I ever do to deserve this but before I could sink further I heard the door slide open and heard the set of footsteps approaching where I was.
"This is all my fault, I'm the reason you're here Lia and I'm so sorry"
"Will you stop that, stop saying things are your fault because its not your fault my Dad is dead and it's not your fault that I was reaped so stop apologizing, please" I begged hiding my face in my arms since I couldn't bare to look at him.
"Ok I'll stop" he replied as he sat down next to me and he moved his hand to rub my back but I shook off.
"Don't do that, don't act like you care about me" I scolded him moving further up the bed away from him.
"What the hell does that mean, of course I care about you Lia"
"Then where have you been?" I spat finally looking up at him. "I stood outside you place begging you to just talk with me but you never opened the door, I waited for you to explain why you suddenly decided to rip yourself out of my life knowing how much I needed you, I needed you Finnick and you weren't there"
"Lia-"
"The time for explanations has expired Finnick, just please leave...please go" I begged and he let out a sigh as he stood and walked out of the room leaving me to break down into more sobs crying myself to sleep even though sleep was the last thing my body wanted I was exhausted.
The next morning I walked out of the room and headed to the main carriage seeing everyone already sitting at the table and eating breakfast as I walked over and took my seat grabbing for a flat bread looking thing and placed a few on my plate along with some fruit figuring what Finnick said last night was true and I needed to eat as much as I could now.
"So your freezing cold, no hope of finding shelter...what do you do?" Finnick quizzed looking at Trevor which told me it's what they'd been doing to prepare.
"I'd build a fire" he shrugged like it was the most logical thing to do and I rolled my eyes, any idiot knew that was a sure way to get yourself killed.
"Fires make smoke, that gets you noticed and hunted down" Finnick warned him and Trevor frowned.
"But I'd be apart of the career pack, that's the smartest option right...team up with 1 and 2, were from 4 so were automatically a career" Trevor argued making me frown since I didn't want any ally's in the arena as it just meant I'd have to kill them...I didn't want to kill anyone.
"Not necessarily, 1 and 2 can't ever be trusted" Mags added before turning to me seemingly noticing I was here. "Good morning Merliah"
"Morning Mags" I smiled at her before I turned towards Finnick but he was seemingly avoiding my eyes.
"You rise up the tube, the cornucopia is right in front of you there's weapons, food and water...which is more important?" he continues to quiz.
"Weapons" Trevor replies and I roll my eyes again.
"Water" I spoke up and Finnick finally turned to nod at me.
"Correct, the average person will die of dehydration within 3 days without water" Finnick told us and I nodded my head. "When you two get to the training center your instincts are going to tell you to focus on weapons but do not ignore the survival skills" he added talking to the both of us but his eyes never left mine and I watched Trevor frown at this.
"So what happens over the next few days?" he asked to gain Finnick's attention again but he looked towards Mags.
"We arrive in the Capitol early in the morning that's when the Capitol people get their first look at you and trust me they'll already be judging whether your worth sponsoring you so make them remember you, then they'll take you to the remake center where you'll be waxed, and scrubbed clean until your shiny and new" I frowned at all this as Finnick explained it. "After that you'll meet your stylists who will dress you up like a monkey and you'll be paraded in front of the whole Panem then the next two days is group training and skill building before your individual sessions and if you want a half decent score again make them remember you"
"How do we do that?" I asked him speaking up again.
"Anyway you can" he replied but I could hear a slight disdain in his voice. "After all that, you'll have a free day but use it wisely to practice for your interview with Caesar Flickerman where you'll again get a chance to impress sponsors because that's your last chance before..." he trailed off and looked at me.
"The arena" I finished for him with a slight waver to my voice and I felt his hand reach for mine beneath the table and I didn't pull away since despite hating him right now I needed it, I needed to ground myself.
A couple hours later we were sat in front of a holoscreen looking at the other district reaping to learn about our competitors and to say it was daunting was the understatement of a millennium since how on earth were you supposed to go in there and kill who knows how may of innocent kids that were forced into this just much as I was.
"You guys are from 4 so that's considered a career district so that is an option for you but alternatively you could ally with tributes from outer districts as well" Finnick instructed us and I recalled him allying with that girl from 6 but in the end he'd still had to kill her to go home and I wasn't sure I could do that. "Or you could go it alone together, keep in mind the tributes from 1 and 2 have a nasty habit of turning against each other especially 4 when it gets near the end but it's your call how you play these games" he was looking at Trevor but I felt like he was talking to me directly.
"How does their training compare to ours?" Trevor asked them.
"A lot more vigorous, the top of the class volunteer every year since it's about pride to them since this is what they train for whereas in 4 we train to protect ourselves" Finnick explained and I looked down since I knew...I knew I should have put more effort into training but I never thought this would happen...first Finnick and then me...the world was out to ruin us.
I was in my room later that night trying to sleep knowing by morning I'd be in the Capitol and everything I did would be watched before I would be sent to my death and right now all I could think about was Kairi and my Mom wondering how they'd be once I'm gone, I let out a sigh as I stood up and walked out of my room since I needed a glass of water in hopes it would help me fall asleep but as I walked into the dining car I was surprised by the light still on and Finnick sitting in one of the chairs.
"Finnick?" he jumped startled by my voice. "What are you doing up?"
"I can't sleep on these trains" he admitted and I nodded since I understood where he was coming from. "What are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep either, I can't stop thinking about Kairi and my Mom" I said as I sat down in the chair across from him and saw his frown although he didn't say anything but then he let out a sigh and shook his head.
"This is all my fault" I rolled my eyes at him.
"Finn-"
"No it is, you were reaped because of me and you never even stood a chance"
"What are you talking about?" I asked pressing him for an answer.
"Merliah...every piece of paper in the bowl had your name in it" he told me and my eyes widened in shock.
"W...what?"
"Snow he...I can't tell you what but he wanted me to do something and I refused, it got my parents killed, it got your father killed and when he asked me again I refused again and this is his punishment...he put you here"
"Why?" I asked and he frowned.
"Because he knows I care about you, because your my best friend" he replied and my face dropped as I looked down. "Please say something"
"Just promise me something" I said looking up and saw him furrow his brows. "Take care of my sister and mother, whatever you have to do just make sure their safe"
"Lia your gonna come out" I shook my head.
"I won't kill anyone Finnick, I can't and I already know I won't make it long so please just promise me that you'll be there for them" he moved closer and took my hands.
"I promise Lia but your gonna make it, I'm going to help you I promise okay" I could only nod my head before I stood up letting go of his hands to get a cup of water before I returned to my room and tried to get some sleep knowing the games really started tomorrow morning the moment I stepped off this train.