The 67th Annual Hunger Games Pt.2
Merliah's POV
The next morning I woke up decided to use the shower which took me a little while to figure out how to use then changed into some of the supplied clothing before I headed into the dining car to see I was the last to arrive and sat down in the chair beside Finnick grabbing some food and began buttering jam on one of the pastries, I think it was a bagel but I'd never actually seen one.
I felt tired since I had barely slept last night since after my talk with Finnick I was left with even more questions and felt like I'd spent half the night trying to figure out what Finnick could have refused to do for the president for him to rig the reaping to ensure my name was drawn and why but I couldn't think of anything.
"We're here!" Ruby exclaimed excitedly and my head turned seeing the train slowing down as it entered the Capitol and Trevor immediately got up from his seat and went over to the windows while I followed a bit slower to get our first look at the Capitol and my eyes widened at the sheer size of the crowds that were all standing along the tracks and station to get their first glimpse of us.
"Make them remember you" I heard Finnick whisper in my ear making the hair at the back of my neck stick up a little before his words sunk in and I forced a smile on my face as I waved to the Capitol people who were cheering and calling out especially as we disembarked from the train and was escorted into a car with Ruby, Finnick and Mags were taken to a different one and I caught Finnick's eyes briefly before he was gone and we were driving off towards the Tribute Center.
When we arrived in the Tribute Center Trevor and I were separated into two rooms where a team of people were waiting, I was told to strip down to nothing and handed a paper gown to put on which I did without words then it felt like I was scrubbed, washed and polished ten times over with a range of different soaps and conditioners before my hair was cut and styled, my eyebrows plucked, my nails tidied up ignoring their disgusted looks when they saw them half chewed, my legs waxed...it was gruesome and invading but I didn't say a word then I was taken to a completely white room and told to wait for my stylist.
"Hello" I jumped startled by the voice and turned to the door seeing a woman had walked in, she was dressed in typical Capitol fashion with all blues, greens and whites. "I'm Phoenix, I'll be your stylist this year"
"Hello" I greeted as she smiled at me.
"Your absolutely beautiful my dear, the perfect canvas for my masterpiece" she tipped my chin up and I refrained from frowning with the way she spoke like I wasn't a human being but remained silent figuring speaking up wouldn't help. "Let's get started, District 4 fishing" she gestured to the door and a team of people came in carrying clothes bags and got started fitting me into my parade outfit with layers of make-up applied to my face, my hair pulled at into a more delicate and intricate fishtail braid then my usual sloppy one before I was stepping into my outfit.
My outfit was sea-green and red with each piece sewn on to look like scales of a mermaid and the dress sat high on my thighs that it barely covered my butt and the top was strapless and dipped low between my breasts with an almost backless design with matching gloves and boots to look like some mermaid warrior with a headpiece to match which kind of looked like bubbles on my head, it was different from previous years since usually the girls were dressed in nets and bikini's.
"Perfection" Phoenix smiled at her creation and I looked at myself in the mirror taking in the whole picture as my eyes were painted with the same color scheme and my lips a dark red, I hated to admit that I didn't hate it.
After I was claimed even further perfection with a few finishing touches of spray on glitter to the skin of my revealed chest, arms and legs I was escorted out of the Remake Center to where the Chariots were waiting and the moment my eyes caught Finnick's I could feel the embarrassment set in as I faltered just a little as I slowly approached the District 4 Chariot which were strapped to two black horses.
"Wow" he said as soon as I stopped in front of him and I looked down at myself.
"Wow as in I look absolutely ridiculous?" I questioned ignoring Phoenix's gasp behind me as I must have clearly insulted her.
"Wow as in you look amazing" he smirked at me almost making me blush as I turned my face away seeing Trevor walking up with his stylist, our outfits matching perfectly.
"Tributes mount up, tributes mount up" I heard and finally felt the realty of it all come crashing down on me and Finnick clearly saw this as he grabbed my arm and pulled me aside.
"Not here" he warned me and I nodded my head. "You'll be fine, just smile and wave to the crowd and I'll be right here waiting when you get back"
"Promise?" he nodded his head turning to the chariots as he took my hand and lead me over helping me mount up to stand next to Trevor and I grabbed for the rail as the horses started moving the moment I was on.
"It'll be fine Merliah" Trevor said as we went through the tunnel and I let out a sigh shielding my eyes a little from the sudden bright lights but quickly lowered my hand to see stands of people on either side of us screaming out names and cheering so I pushed down all my feelings as I raised my hand in the air and plastered a smile on my face as I waved to nobody in particular but could hear my name being called out over the sheer noise of all these people screaming and even managed to smile into the many cameras knowing this was being broadcasted to all of Panem and knew Kairi and my Mom would be watching right now so I didn't everything I could to make sure they saw me strong and I didn't even stumble as the horses came to a stop below where President Snow was standing.
"Welcome" his voice boomed over the screams of the crowd bringing them to a quiet and I couldn't help stare at this man trying so hard to keep the distain and anger off my face at what I knew that he had killed my father and was responsible for me being here right now. "Welcome, tributes we welcome you, we salute your courage and your sacrifice" I felt my eyes narrow since these games weren't a sacrifice, they were manslaughter under disguise but the crowds cheered at his words further making me distain the clouded cover put on the Hunger Games. "And we wish you, Happy Hunger Games and my the odds be ever in your favor"
"The odds are never in our favor" I whispered to myself feeling Trevor look down at me and he slightly nudged my side as if warning me but I didn't care, what could they do to me when I was already going to die by the end of this week.
The horses then began trotting back down the path we had come back into the Training Center before stopping and we were allowed to get off and just like he promised Finnick was there waiting with Mags by his side both smiling so I hoped that meant we did okay.
"Perfect you two" Finnick smiled holding up his hand with an ok gesture and I let out a breath. "Let's head upstairs, shall we?" he gently placed his hand on the back of my waist and started leading us towards the elevator and we rode it up to the fourth level and the elevator opened right up into an extremely lavish and expensive looking apartment that had my eyes bulging out of my head.
"Welcome, welcome my tributes" Ruby greeted with a smile. "This is the living room" she pointed to the area with a huge U-shaped couch in front of the biggest screen I had ever seen above a fireplace with not a speck of sand, dust or dirt anywhere which was a shock coming from my place in 4 which was constantly sandy as we didn't really bother to keep the sand out. "The dining" she pointed to a raised platform that sat a long glass table with nearly 10 blue seats all neatly tucked in. "Bedrooms are down that hall, Trevor yours is on the left and Merliah yours in on the right, feel free to freshen up before we have some dinner" I turned looking back at Finnick for a second seeing him nod that I go ahead before I followed her directions down the hall into the bedroom on the right and even in here everything looked so crisp, clean and expensive that I almost didn't want to touch anything afraid I'd ruin it.
Pushing the sheer amazement down I peeled myself out of the costume leaving it hanging over a chair as I went into the bathroom and struggled with the shower again since this was a different design to the one on the train but managed to get a single stream of water and figured out how to turn up the temp to a comfortable warm before I washed all the make-up and glitter off before getting out and slipping into some clothes that were laid out waiting for me then walked over to the bed and gently sat down running my hands over the comforter as I looked out the window at the city below letting a few tears slip out comfortable in my solitude to cry the tears I had wanted to before the parade.
I didn't realize how long I had been until there was a knock at my door and Ruby was reminding me about dinner so I wiped my tears with the long sleeves I was wearing before I headed out and walked towards the dinning table taking a seat between Trevor and Mags across from Finnick knowing that this dinner was all about fine-tuning strategies.
An avox walked over to the table and began filling everyone's glasses with water and wine depending on choice and I threw caution not caring by getting the wine raising it to my lips seeing Finnick raise an eyebrow towards me as I drank it and immediately began coughing from the taste since it wasn't very good and certainly seemed to be an acquired taste and the rest of dinner passed by without much talk other than Ruby, Finnick and Mags.
That night I couldn't help lying awake since I was too anxious and scared to sleep knowing that it was training tomorrow and that I was likely going to be put on the careers kill list when they saw how weak I was and I didn't have the calming sound of the waves crashing against the beach that usually lulled me to sleep on troublesome nights like this so I finally gave up and threw the covers off me walking out into the main living area sitting down next to a window and looked out with mixed feelings, while the Capitol was certainly amazing it wasn't home and the thought brought a tear to my eye that I would never get to see it again, never feel the sea breeze on my face, the sand beneath my feet or the cool tepid water that crashed over my ankles when I stood on the shoreline.
I jumped when I heard the elevator signal someone's arrival and turned my head seeing Finnick walk in and immediately frowned at the look on his face, the haunted look in his eyes especially when he looked up and saw me sitting on the window sill.
"What are you doing up?" he all but demanded and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"I'm sorry" I said and he frowned looking down at the ground.
"Sorry that was...are you okay?" he asked and I frowned looking back out the window. "It'll take a lot to break that window just so you know and the tribute center is surrounded by a forcefield to prevent tributes from jumping"
"I wasn't going to jump" I scoffed rolling my eyes hearing him walk over and sit next to me but I didn't turn to him keeping my forehead pressed against the glass.
"Are you okay?" he asked again and I shook my head.
"How can anyone be okay here, it's a concrete jungle" I argued hearing him sigh. "I miss home, I miss the ocean, the sand...even those god damn sea birds" he chuckled which actually made me smile since it felt like forever since I'd heard him laugh.
"Wow you really miss home if you miss those pests" I turned towards him but frowned when I noticed a mark on his neck.
"Are you okay, what happened to your neck?" I asked and he instantly stood startling me as he covered it with the collar of his shirt.
"It's nothing, you should try and sleep you have a big day tomorrow"
"I can't sleep, it's too quiet here" I argued but he suddenly grabbed my hand and started pulling me back to my room. "I'm serious Finn" I protested seeing him smile a little as he ignored me and pulled me into my room then walked over to the bedside table and picked up a silver remote that I had looked at earlier but hadn't figured out what it was for but he immediately began sliding his fingers on it then pressed something and I watched in amazement as the window next to my bed changed from the Capitol skyline to a quiet beach at night with a full moon casting a glow on the water.
"I stumbled on this when I was a tribute, it helped me sleep seeing home" Finnick said as I approached it and placed my hand on the glass almost smelling the salt water and hearing the waves crashing against the beach.
"I'll never see the ocean again, never smell the salt air or feel a real sun on my face"
"Yes you will" he argued still trying to be optimistic but I couldn't share his attitude.
"Thank you Finn" I smiled softly as I turned to face him.
"You're welcome Lia" he smiled back nodding his head. "I should go, its not appropriate for me to really be in here this late"
"Why we've been in each other's rooms much later than this" hell we even used to sleep in the same bed when I stayed at his place some nights when it got too late to go home back in District 4.
"This is different" he argued making me frown failing to see why. "I'll see you in the morning" I sighed nodding my head and watched him leave before I turned back to the calming beach scene and climbed back into bed staring at it until I felt myself drifting off.
The next morning I pulled myself out of bed when I heard Ruby's voice down the halls urging me to get up and I quickly changed into the supplied training clothes after a quick shower then walked out seeing everyone already at the dining table eating breakfast.
"You alright sweetie, you look a little pale?" Mags asked as I sat next to her and she touched her hand to my face.
"Just tired" I shrugged when really I was freaking out on the inside and grabbed my glass which was already filled with some kind of juice and it wasn't as awful as the wine last night then started eating a light meal of fruit and what I'd came to recognize were called pancakes.
By 10 o'clock Mags was riding down in the elevator with us to the training floor since Finnick was apparently in charge of talking with sponsors and so Mags agreed to take us down but she had to leave us by the doors since mentors weren't allowed in and I let out a sigh putting up a mask so that the other tributes didn't see how unbelievably nervous I was.
"In two weeks, 23 of you will dead, one of you will be alive" I frowned as the instructor immediately began once all tributes were in and the doors locked until we were allowed to go for lunch and I wasn't really loving her words right now as they did nothing to ease my fears and nerves. "Who that is depends on how well you pay attention over the next four days practically to what I'm about to say" my eyes scanned over the other tributes trying to gather who was the biggest threat and surprise, surprise I felt it was District 1 since the male tribute was Augustus an 18 year old that volunteered and compared to me he was huge...he caught my eyes and I immediately turned back to the instructor. "First, no fighting with the other tributes you'll have plenty of time for that in the Arena, there are four compulsory exorcises, the rest will be individual training, my advice is don't ignore the survival skills everybody wasn't to grab a sword but most of you will die from natural causes, 10% from infection, 20% from dehydration, exposure can kill as easily as I knife"
For the next few hours I went through the training exorcises feeling I did alright considering I didn't get much correction but that might be because they didn't really care, so long as they showed us that was good enough for them and when we were allowed to do our own things after lunch which I had barely touched I focused my attention in on the survival skills hoping that by some miracle it would let me know what kind of Arena we'd be rising up into but they were catering for all weather, all situations which didn't clue onto much so I focused on the main ones, how to find food by knowing which plants are poisonous, how to find water in even the driest of climates and how to build a basic structure to protect myself from weather events such as snow fall or rain and even sand storms.
"You've been over here for hours" I looked up seeing Trevor standing beside me. "They're looking at you like a target" he nodded his head to the side and I turned seeing the career pack all watching us. "Go to the weapons, throw something" I frowned but nodded my head finishing the station I was on identifying all the plants that I knew were edible and smiled when I scored a 78% since that hopefully was enough and I had the next few days to improve on that.
I walked over to where the spears were held in a metal rack and trained by eyes over each one as they were all different sizes and the tips were slightly different I could hear people laughing behind me but I paid them no mind as I picked up one of the spears and weighed it in my hands.
"What she going to do with that, plant girl?" I heard the girl from 2 snigger as I approached the targets then waved the instructor off as I moved into a stance that Finnick had shown me raising the spear back before I ran forward a little and threw it watching it sail through the air with a whistle before going straight through the target over the heart and imbedding in the wall behind it turning to see mixed reactions from the career pack, shock, wary and impressed.
"If you like that she's even better with a trident" Trevor smirked standing next to them with his arms crossed.
"Like you mentor, Finnick Odair right?" the girl from 1 asked and I frowned a little. "Hey weren't you the one from the interview, his friend right?"
"Yeah that was me" I nodded trying to be confidant. "I'm Merliah"
"I'm Elixia, this is Augustus"
"Urban and Ambrosia" the boy from 2 introduced themselves.
"I'm Trevor" Trevor smiled being the one left out of the introductions before it was decided that we all head over to the knife throwing station and when I got my belt of throwing knifes where we all took a target and started throwing and while I wasn't bad I missed a couple and that made me nervous.
By that night we returned to the fourth floor and was immediately greeted by Mags who asked us about our day but I frowned when I noticed that Finnick wasn't here but didn't say anything as we filled in Mags on everything we did, the people we'd talked to and she told us where we could improve and what we could do to further the alliance with the careers if we so wished over dinner and just as I was about to call it a night the elevator opened and Finnick stepped out looking practically sulkily but be quickly covered it when he noticed us and came up sitting down grabbing food.
"So how did it go, did you two make any friends?" he smirked making me frown at his odd behavior but no one else seemed to notice as Trevor began to recount our day again while I just sat and played with the remaining food on my plate.
"She threw the spear and it went right through the target, got some reactions from 1 and 2" I heard Trevor say which made me look up to see Finnick's eyes on me.
"Well sounds like you certainly impressed"
"I had a good teacher" I shrugged which made his smile widen.
"You two seem to be on the right track, just make sure to leave some of your skills a surprise since you don't want them to know everything you can do, Merliah your fast save that and Trevor your good with hand to hand combat, they need to remain your assets for your individual assessments" I frowned since I wasn't just fast, he was making me sound like I was just good at running away.
"I'm gonna go to bed" I stood up abruptly from the table and walked away before anyone could protest heading to my room shutting the door before I went into the bathroom and just stared into the mirror as I willed myself not to cry, I couldn't keep crying.
"Merliah?" I heard his voice from the bedroom as he knocked on the door, I frowned letting out a sigh as I walked in and opened the door. "Are you okay?"
"I wish you'd stop asking me that, of course I'm not okay Finnick!" I exclaimed but he quickly covered my mouth with his hand so I wasted no time in licking his hand and he let go with a disgusted face.
"First of gross" I rolled my eyes.
"What do you want Finnick, I'm tired and frankly I don't want to see you given it's clear you don't care about me"
"What the hell does that mean, of course I care about you we've had this argument before" he replied then looked down the hall before pushing me inside my room shutting the door then pulled on my arm until we were in the bathroom and he switched on the shower.
"What are you doing?!" I exclaimed.
"Just hear me out okay, I don't know if there's cameras in the bedrooms"
"So?"
"So I'm tired of keeping this secret from you, you want to know?" he asked and I nodded my head. "You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes Finnick, your scaring me" I replied and he let out a sigh.
"I'll understand if you hate me after this, no one knows but the other victors that have gone through this..."
"Finn"
"Do you remember how I told you Snow offered me a job when I turned 16"
"Yeah" I nodded eyes widening that he was finally going to tell me.
"I don't want the job, I still don't" he went on his voice shaking making my eyes soften as I moved towards him and grabbed his hand. "He told me that influential people in the Capitol often find certain victors...desirable" he went on looking anywhere but at me as he squeezed my hand.
"What does that mean, desirable?"
"It means he wanted to sell me" he finally replied looking down at the floor and I frowned still confused by what he meant. "Sell my body, Lia" he clarified and my eyes widened. "I said no immediately and then he told me there would be repercussions if I said no but I still refused then when he was walking out and he saw you I panicked, he was taunting me I just didn't realize until...my parents, your dad"
"That's what you meant by you killed them, why you kept apologizing?" I asked and he nodded his head as my grip on his hand loosened as my eyes widened.
"He came back a few days after their death and asked me again, I still refused and then...you were reaped...its my punishment you being here" I gasped as a tear fell down my face. "It's all been my fault, I killed my parents, I killed your dad and I'm the reason your going into the Hunger Games" I shook my head through the tears stepping back towards him grabbing both his hands holding them between us.
"It's not your fault, you can't blame yourself when I don't blame you, I didn't when it happened and I don't know because your just a kid and Snow is trying to force you to do this" I replied resting my forehead against his.
"I've done things Lia" he whispered and my heart broke for him. "Last night when I-" I shook my head.
"I don't want to hear this Finn, you need to stop"
"I can't, me doing this could be saving you, I'm getting you sponsors"
"Finnick I don't need you to do this for me, you can't it'll destroy you"
"Losing you would destroy me more, I love you Lia" he argued and I frowned looking up at him pulling my head back as there was something different about the way he said that, we had said we loved each other before but that was different.
"Finn-"
"I don't mean it as friends" he quickly said shaking his head as if he knew what I was about to ask him and my eyes widened. "I've been in love with you since we were 12, you're everything to me Merliah, all I have left and I can't lose you"
"I love you too Finnick" I smiled since I had loved him since I was just a kid and ever since he went into the games and I feared for his life I knew I loved him more than a friend and he wasted no time in pulling me forward and the instant my lips fell onto his I felt my heart threatening to beat out of my chest as I wrapped my arms around his neck and me pulled me right up against him before we had to pull apart for air.
"I'm sorry you felt like you couldn't talk to me, I'm sorry to keep this inside you" he nodded before pulling me to him again and we just held each other for what seemed like hours but really could only have been a few minutes as I pulled myself away with a sigh. "Why didn't we do this years ago"
"Lia, I promise that I'm going to do everything that I can so you come out, I'll do whatever Snow wants me to do" I shook my head until he cupped my cheeks forcing me to look at him in the eyes. "I'm sorry it has to be this way but I need you in my life Merliah"
"I just don't want you to lose yourself in the process Finnick, the games already changed you and now this...what if it's too much"
"It won't be because I'll have you, we can make this work" he wrapped his arms around me again and I laid my head against his chest never wanting him to let me go. "I'm going to help you win this, I have to do this I have to comply because he can do anything to you in there so I can't make him mad, the woman I had to visit last night promised to sponsor you it's my payment" I flinched at those words but remained quiet just enjoying the feeling of his arms wrapped around me and luckily for me he didn't tell me anymore about it as we just curled up into each other, holding the other as we both let out tears crying through the pain of this world that even when we finally admit to ourselves how we felt we were still forced to love and live in denial that everything was going to be okay.
I woke up the next morning to a persistent knocking on my door so I pried myself out of Finnick's arms which immediately made his eyes widen before his eyes fell on me and he let out a smile until the knocking got a little louder and his eyes widened when he looked outside and realized it day time so I went over to the door looking back at Finn who was out of sight before I opened it seeing Mags.
"Finnick you can't be in here" she said immediately and he stepped out with a smile when he knew it was just her. "You both need to get cleaned up, if Ruby sees any of this it will be spread all over the Capitol and she doesn't need that right now" Finnick let out a sigh before nodding looking down to smile at me before he quickly left my room to go back to his before I turned to Mags seeing her smiling at me. "I'm happy for you sweet girl and I'm glad that he told you, he wanted to tell you when it happened but he was scared you wouldn't understand and hate him" I nodded my head.
"I know, my heart breaks for him though" I replied as I walked back into my room gathering a fresh pair of training clothes from the dresser.
"Are you okay with this?" she asks sitting down on my unslept bed.
"I'm trying to be but I just...I don't understand how Snow could do this, how many others are being forced into this?" I asked her and she frowned looking down.
"The Capitol works different than the Districts, they see victors as nothing more than celebrities they can use and control"
"Like toys" I scoffed rolling my eyes as I sat next to her. "Did you ever have to do it?" I asked her since I wanted to know if I came out a Victor, what my chances were that I might be considered...desirable.
"I'm an orphan so I never really had any family" she replied making my heart break for her as I touched her hand. "That's what Finnick's trying to protect you from, he couldn't save your father or his parents but he can save everyone else" I let out a sigh nodding my head since I had to think about my sister and mother, Snow could go after them too knowing it would break me and in turn break Finnick.
"If I win..."
"Yes" she answered not needing me to finish my question and I looked down. "You're a beautiful young girl Merliah, you'll attract plenty of sponsors but then you'll have to face the hardest of challenges, surviving what comes after the games and that's what they don't prepare you for"
By the third day of training I had spent further time mastering the survival stations that I could now identify 86% of poisonous and edible plants, what snakes, birds and wildlife could kill me and my shelter making improved but that didn't mean I ignored the battle skills either as I furthered my knife throwing that I was at least able to hit the target 9 times out of 10 and felt confident enough that I could survive this on my own but the careers continued to hover and assess me from a distance which was dauting and confusing but I didn't let them intimidate me and now all that was left was for the private sessions which we were all waiting for being called in one by one by District.
"District 4, Trevor Summers" they announcer called and Trevor let out a sigh before he stood and headed in and I watched him go with a reserved look knowing that meant I was next, I wasn't completely sure what I was going to do yet but I knew I had to impress them, I had to get a decent score if I wanted to survive and get sponsors since I can't let Finnick be the only one to pull in sponsors for me especially with how he was doing it.
While I waited I looked around the room at the remaining tributes trying to get a read on everyone taking note of the girl from 12 who looked no older than Kairi and frowned since her odds weren't exactly stacked high and her district partner didn't look all that strong either so I could probably count the two out.
District 11 was made up of two 16-year-olds this year, the boy was tall and broad shouldered and he might be a threat whereas his partner was lean and looked agile so I made a mental note to watch out for them.
District 8, 7, 6, 5 and 3 weren't much as it seemed the poorer the district the more straggly and starved looking they were that I concluded they probably weren't that much of threats and frowned at my minds work as these were still people but by tomorrow we were all most likely dead.
"District 4, Merliah Jordan" I heard and looked up with a frown before I stood up and walked towards the doors passing Trevor who smiled at me with nod for luck as I went in and walked to the balcony in which the game makers were all staring down at me.
I didn't know what we were supposed to do or how to start so I just nodded at them then walked over to the spears rack picking up one weighing it in my hand as I turned to the targets then ran forward using my fast speed and threw it as hard as I could listening to the whistle before it hit the target going straight through the head hearing the chatter immediately while I quickly moved on picking up a knife belt and started lining up my targets throwing them in a quick precision that 9 out of 10 hit their mark either the head or the torso then turned back to the game makers seeing them not really paying attention but they all looked down when I finished.
"Thank you" I said bowing before I walked out with a frown and headed up to the 4th floor walking out to see everyone waiting but my eyes met Finnick's as he smiled at me holding up a thumbs up so I let out a breath as I sat down needing to just relax for a minute.
After dinner we all sat in front of the holoscreen waiting for our scores I couldn't stop my knee from bouncing anxiously as I bit at my nails but my hand was suddenly smacked away and I turned to glare at Finnick.
"Your upsetting Phoenix who has to work with you tomorrow night" he reminded me and I turned seeing Ruby with Phoenix and Trevor's stylist all waiting with us for the program to start and when the Capitol Anthem began I frowned looking up watching as Caesar smiled and welcomed the viewers.
"As you know the tributes are rated on a score of 1 to 12 after three days of careful evaluation, the scores are as follow, from District 1 Augustus with a score of 10"
"That's high" I gulped nervously as my knee started bouncing again before Mags reached out and stopped it making me look at her nodding my thanks.
"From District 1, Elixia with a score of 9" I let out a sigh crossing both fingers on my hands in pray that I did just as well. "From District 2, Urban with a score of 9, also from District 2, Ambrosia with a score of 9"
"They're all high" I breathed out earning a look from Finnick.
"It's okay just breathe" he placed his hand around behind me rubbing my back which was hidden by Mags leaning back so Ruby and the others didn't see.
"From District 4, Trevor" Caesar said which gained all our attention and I let out a nervous breath. "with a score of 8"
"8!" Ruby exclaimed thrilled by this number it would seem which just made me more nervous for my own since if they marked him lower than the careers than what was mine going to be.
"From District 4, Merliah" I inched forward a little, the anticipation killing me. "...with a score of 8 as well"
"Two 8's!" I let out a relieved breath sinking back into the couch feeling like my heart was ready to beat out of my chest. "Oh and after their interviews they're going to just adore you here in the Capitol, my tributes Capitol favorites again!" I saw Finnick stiffen at her words and I couldn't even reach over and comfort him but he turned to me and smiled.
"That's amazing Merliah" Finnick said smiling at me and I nodded smiling back while we continued to watch the scoring with everyone else getting 7 or below with the boy from District 10 and the girl from District 12 getting the lowest at 3, Trevor and I were the third highest ranking tributes this year.
"We got the same score, seems I really did learn something from you" I smiled at Finnick a little while later, the two of us just sitting in the lounge room.
"I think you surpassed me"
"I wouldn't go that far" I smirked before we looked up and caught Mags eyes as she was working with Trevor preparing him for the interviews tomorrow night and seeing her look I knew we had to get started. "So tell me how to charm Caesar, Mr Prince Charming"
"Charming Caesar is easy, it's the Capitol that you have to charm"
"Okay well how do I do that?" I asked and he frowned slightly. "Finnick I can do this"
"I know you can, it's what comes after that scares me" he whispered under his breath but I heard him.
"Finn" I warned him and he let out a sigh.
"Talk about the Capitol, how beautiful it is-"
"But it's-" I cut myself off as I remembered his interview then nodded. "Okay"
"Alright I'm gonna throw questions at you and answer them as if all of the Capitol is watching, got it?" I nodded my head frowning. "Act the part, smile" he told me so I smiled broadly at him and he laughed. "Better but I can still feel the sarcasm through the smile" he said and I sighed putting on my best compliance smile and he nodded before we got started and for the next two hours with Finnick pretending to fall into Caesar Flickerman's role and threw question after question at me and I answered them all with smiles and giggles. "Okay you need to take this a little more seriously" he smirked shaking his head at me.
"I am" I smirked biting my lower lip to refrain from laughing. "Can we do this without you pretending to be Caesar though, that's what's making me want to laugh as it's so awful"
"First off, bite me" he remarked and I sniggered. "Second, you need to do this Lia, your life depends on it"
"Okay, okay" I sighed then nodded.
"So Merliah, rumor has it that you have a boyfriend back home, any truth to this?" he asked and I turned towards him raising my eyes. "Well?" he asked quirking an eyebrow at me.
"No, unfortunately not Caesar" I smiled then turned to the fake audience. "I don't have room in my life for anyone but my mother and my sister"
"Okay good, that'll get people to empathize but remember every tribute has a family, a parent, a sibling so don't rely on that as a perfect answer" I nodded my head. "And just between us?" he smirked making me almost blush.
"Yes I have a boyfriend, he's charming...handsome, good with his hands and can hold his breath a lot" I whispered winking at him.
"Definitely don't answer it that way" he nodded before squeezing my hand. "Okay I think that's enough for tonight, we'll go over it all in the morning before I hand you over to Phoenix"
"Do you think I can do this, unbiased?" I asked him sincerely and he frowned.
"Yes I think you can do this Lia, you worked hard at the academy in the last couple of years, you've put the effort in the last 3 days at training and I just know that I'll be seeing you after all this" I nodded my head then stood up and headed into my room where I showered and changed into some basic shorts and top before turning on the familiar beach scene and let myself drift off.
By the next night I find myself in a back room being prepped and preened by Phoenix and her team of stylists and I was startled by the finished product as it was a floor length gown with a slit up one side showing a bit of my leg with gold accents, it was blue and white sparkly with an ombre kind of look with shell shells around the bodice and my hair was pulled into a wavy braid hanging loose down the back with shells, starfish all pinned in at the crown of my head to look like a crown with gold heels and to be honest it was the first Capitol look that I didn't even slightly hate as it's something I probably would have chosen for myself.
"Gorgeous, marvelous, a masterpiece!" these were all words that come from Phoenix's mouth as she evaluates her work. "She's perfect" she swipes away one of the other stylists that was messing with my hair.
"Phoenix, thank you this looks amazing" I thanked her since I didn't look completely hideous and she looked startled by the compliment.
"Thank you" she smiles back before its announced time to go and I'm lead to the area backstage where I find all the tributes dressed up in gorgeous formal wear and I even smile at Trevor who is in a pleasing sea blue suit.
"Wow Merliah, you look amazing" he complimented me making me smile.
"You look amazing too" I said fixing up his tie a little seeing him smile at the action before I was lead to stand in front of him and behind the boy from 3 as in the interviews the ladies of each district went first while we all stood in a line going all the way to District 12 watching the interviews on a screen above.
As usual 1 and 2 were pretty fierce and full of themselves but the audience was loving it, District 3's tributes were bright and happy pretending to enjoy being there and the next thing I knew it was my turn and I was lead to stand where I would enter the stage.
"From District 4, the beautiful sun-kissed Merliah Jordan!" I heard Caesar announce me and I walked forward immediately turning and waving at the Capitol with a smile on my face as I made my way towards Caesar where two chair were waiting and he grabbed my hand helped me take my seat before sitting down himself. "Welcome, welcome, my this is a beautiful dress, don't you think so folks!" he yells and the audience goes wild with screams and I looked out scanning their faces before my eyes found Finnick's sitting in the front row.
"Thank you so much Caesar, it is quite beautiful" I smiled turning back to him watching him smile and his teeth were stark white.
"Now correct me if I'm wrong but this isn't the first time we've seen you is it, I remember interviewing you as the best friend of a certain District 4 Victor" he smiles and I nodded my head in fake eager.
"You certainly did Caesar"
"Well you've certainly grown even more beautiful"
"I'll tell you a secret Caesar" I smiled then leaned forward. "It's the salt water, does wonders for the skin" I said not really whispering so that it could still be picked up by the mics.
"Yes I'll have to agree, your positively glowing, isn't she?!" the crowd roared again with agreeance and I smiled at them. "Now Merliah now are you ready"
"I fell very prepared and I'm confident in my skills so I'm hoping I'll win as I have a lot to come home to" I replied smiling out into the crowd even though I only wanted to look at one person.
"And what might that be?" he asked.
"Well I have a younger sister that I absolutely adore and my mother who is the biggest support system in my life and they both really need me as we just recently lost my father so winning this could really help us back home" I replied hoping to pray on the Capitol's hearts and heard the many 'aws' call out.
"That's sweet I do hope they'll be watching you try your best" I smiled and looked into the camera's straight at my sister and mother wishing I could see their faces right now. "Now Merliah one final question, me met by your interview for Finnick, are the two of you still close?" he asked and I heard the alarm bells going off in my head since I hadn't been prepared for such a forward question about Finnick.
"He's been a huge help these past few days, my best friend since we were 8-years-old and these past couple of years since his games has been different" I replied trying to throw Snow off my tail since if he thought that Finnick and I weren't as close than maybe he'd stop and Finnick could be free. "Now I have more time for other people in my life" I winked over at the Capitol people and they all went wild.
"Sorry to hear that but that's our time done, best of luck Merliah Jordan, tribute from District 4!" he shouted and the audience erupted into cheers and whistles as I stood up smiling and waved at them as I walked off the stage to where the tributes that had already been interviewed waited for the rest then we were allowed to leave.
The elevator took Trevor and I back up to our designated floor and we sat on the couch waiting for everyone else to arrive back and I couldn't help feeling like I wanted to be sick from having to play up the Capitol people like that and what I'd said about Finnick...I only hoped that he understood what I'd been trying to do but when the elevator finally came up and stopped on our floor I looked up and watched as Ruby and Mags were the only ones to get out and frowned.
"Finally" Trevor breathed out.
"Sponsors were swarming poor Finnick and I" Mags said looking at me making my frown deepen. "You two did excellent"
"Your all anybody's talking about" Ruby smiled before dinner was being served but I still felt a bit sick.
"I'm gonna go wash up, get this make-up off my face" I excused myself and saw Mags nod sympathetically as I went to my room heading into the bathroom where I peeled myself out of the dress and stood underneath the shower letting it wash away the glitter and eyeshadow from my face as I undid my hair letting it fall, all while I cried letting the water wash my tears away as well.
After my shower I went out and attempted to eat something but I could barely stomach much knowing that I needed to be up at dawn and that by noon tomorrow I was going to be in the Arena on my own since while Trevor and I had the start of an alliance with the careers I didn't trust them and would rather go at it on my own.
After managing about half my meal I excused myself again to go to bed where I curled up with my face turned towards the window which was still set on the beach scene and tried to get some sleep and just as it seemed like I was ready to drift off I heard the creak of my door making me sit up to see Finnick creeping in with his hair appearing still wet from showering and in bed clothes.
"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you" he apologized as he saw me sitting up and I shook my head.
"Don't apologize" I argued as he walked over to the bed and laid down on top of the covers on the other side of my bed. "What are you doing in here, you heard Mags if they catch you-" he put his finger over my lips.
"I was careful, the apartments all asleep" he replied and I let out a sigh before I turned to lay against his side with my head in the crook of his neck and wrapped my arm around his waist.
"I'm scared Finn" I admitted and his arms wrapped tighter around me.
"I'd be worried if you weren't scared, I'm scared for you" he admitted back and I looked up in the dark catching him looking down at me.
"Are you upset with me, about what I said in my interview?" I asked him and he smiled shaking his head.
"I knew you were only saying what you had to and it was perfect, they loved it" he replied and I let out a sigh as I laid back into his shoulder. "I got you more sponsors" he stated and I refrained from recoiling since I didn't want to think about that and we both laid in silence and I was almost asleep again when he spoke up. "I never thought it'd go like this"
"Like what?" I asked him softly, eyes still closed.
"I've thought about the day when I would tell you how I felt for so long, you ending up here in the Hunger Games and it finally forcing us to expose our true feelings is not how I thought it'd go" he admitted making me open my eyes to look up at him.
"And what did you think was going to happen?" I asked him with a smile to distract him and myself from the tragedy that was tomorrow.
"You really want to know?" he asked and I nodded my head watching as he seemed to think about it a moment before shaking his head. "Actually never mind, that's too embarrassing" he laughed nervously before he looked down at me. "Promise me something?" he suddenly asked and I raised an eye at him.
"Anything" I nodded at him.
"Win" he stated and my face dropped.
"You know I can't promise that Finn" I replied quietly.
"Promise me you'll try to win, don't get all angelic okay, if you have to you kill them I don't care who, I just need you to win because I can't go on without you, I can't lose you and I need you to come back okay, you made me promise when I went in so now I need you to promise me" I looked up and saw the glisten of tears in his eyes before I raised up and pressed my lips to his.
"I promise" I whispered against them as I pulled away to see a faint smile on his lips as he nodded at me grabbing my cheek to bring my lips back to his kissing me one last time before I settled back down for the night.
I felt Finnick leave my room in the early morning hours before anyone else could wake up and see him and he left pressing a kiss to my forehead and a whispered 'l love you' which at the time I'd been too sleepy to return which I regretted as I was now standing on the roof as the hovercraft buzzed and turned towards Phoenix who nodded at me before I was walking towards it and boarded it seeing the other seats filled by tributes as a woman in a white lab coat walked between us all injecting something into their arms and the next thing I knew she was standing in front of me.
"Your arm" she demanded and I gave her my arm which she turned to see the underside than injected whatever it was into my arm and I saw the faint glow for a second before it stopped.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"Your tracker" she replied before moving on and I touched the injection point with a frown while I felt the hovercraft take off and take us to the Arena and when we arrived in an underground bunker we were all separated guided by our stylists to a room which had a table of food.
"Eat now, you don't know when your next meal will be" she told me and I nodded moving towards it digging into the food but being mindful not to fill up completely as the last thing I needed was to overeat and make myself sick so I ate enough that I was satisfied to survive off the next day or two.
After that Phoenix and I were guided by peacekeepers to the launch room and when I caught sight of the tube I felt the panic settling back in as I tried to hold in my rapid breaths but failed as it wasn't until I felt someone touch me that I flinched and turned seeing Phoenix give me a sympathizing look before guiding me to the showers where I possibly took the last shower of my life then quickly changed into the clothes supplied for me.
"Thin but thermal, expect hot weather but cold nights" she warns me and I nod my head since that likely means a desert of some kind, I can work with that. "Here" she says and places something around my wrist and my eyes widen when I see it's Finnick's rope, the one that I gave him for his games and when I looked up at her she held a finger to her lips signalling she wouldn't tell and if Finnick gave her this than he trusted her.
"Thank you" I said and she nodded.
"30 seconds" an electronic voice stated signalling my time to go into the tube and I turned towards it in fear.
"I try not to care about my tributes but I like you Merliah, you can do this" she told me and I nodded slowly walking towards the tube practically shaking in fear.
"20 seconds" it said as I slowly muttered all the names of the people that I had to come back for.
"Mom, Kairi, Nori, Finnick...Mom. Kairi, Nori, Finnick" I stepped up into the tube turning to face Phoenix as my breaths came out a little short.
"10 seconds" it closed locking me in and I started to feel the panic again as she nodded at me that I calmed but how could I and when it started to rise beneath my feet is when the feel panic set in as I grabbed at the glass but it didn't stop, didn't slow down and raised me into the Arena where I was met with a bright light blinding me instantly.