"No I didn't. I just didn't tell you what they were in a huff about. One is a lie. One is leaving out the truth." Like not telling my parents about Finn. Just leaving out the truth. Not lying. It's not like they've asked me if I'm seeing Finn or not. I'm starting to like the way Haymitch thinks.
I run back to my parents' house for my shoes and to let Finn know the good news. Our secret is safe with Haymitch and I still have a chance to put things right.
"Isn't this easier than you telling them? You don't have to say a word; they find out, everyone's happy. Let life happen the way it's supposed to for once. We all get what we want and I can move to Twelve with you and live happily every after." Finn's enthusiasm to let our future take its current course is what I should have expected.
I begin and stop speaking multiple times before I stare at him in silence. He smiles and must be thinking I've seen the light and while I'm not happy about it I've run out of excuses.
I sulk by the doorway while he mistakenly relaxes on the couch. As appealing as he'd like to think it sounds I am not going down without fighting. Or at least what I know I can beat him at…running.
Faster than he can question what I am doing I grab my shoes and head for the train station. My shoes are on before I reach edge of the Village and find a stride I know Finn will never keep up with.
It's the weekend and a large portion of Twelve is out and about. I soon realize I have to alter my path as well as slow my pace. It takes longer but slipping behind the businesses along the way to the station still saves time. No crowds or having to participate in the customary awkward conversations with the older residents of Twelve who love to relive every memorable moment of my family's history.
Minutes away from the station I prepare myself for a few quick smiles and waves while I track down the family member who holds my future in his hands. I won't stop. I'll keep barreling through the crowds like the woman on a mission that I am. I find an alley between the hotel and another store. The train station is just a few buildings down and in just a few short moments I'll have my hands on…
Barely two steps onto the sidewalk and I'm stuck in a gridlock of people. I can see the train station from where I am but people are blocking every possible opening I see to get any closer. All of sudden the crowd screams and I am pulled in closer with the mob to the middle of the street. Like quicksand any movement I make to distance myself only sucks me further in.
More people press against me all seeming to struggle to get closer to whatever is in the street. My first feeling is that this has something to do with the news my brother unleashed this morning. Why Twelve would care so much now about trying to gather a glimpse of Rowan and Janaya is beyond me. Their affection for each other has never been hidden. They're so open with it no one even bats an eye when they walk around.
As I take in the surrounding mass around me I begin to notice this is a particular demographic. Every person in my sights is female. My brother is going to love this later. Janaya…I'm sure she'll let my brother know in no uncertain terms that even though woman are screaming his name he still belongs to her.
At least if they were screaming his name she would. Admittedly I was paying more attention in staying upright and alive than listening to the name this swarm of females was shouting. But now I can hear it loud and clear.
One tall brunette beside me nearly takes off my arm as she cries, "I could die right now." How I would love to tell her I couldn't agree more but having anyone notice me in the middle of this is more of a priority.
I push even harder to back out of this pack of frenzied females. Before I know it I'm laying flat on my back with dozens of eyes starting at me. Then the gasps come and the recognition…and the inevitable coloring of my cheeks.
Seconds later the crowd parts to let the last person I want to see through. He bites his lip in an attempt to hide his amusement as he catches his first look at the fool lying the on the ground. He ushers everyone aside and crouches down low enough so only I can hear him. "Falling over yourself trying to see the stunning Finn Odair? I guess I can't blame you. He has quite the reputation in the bedroom."
With a tight smile I overlook his jabbing and take his hand to stand up. As long as he hasn't gotten to Rowan…and Rowan hasn't gotten to my parents…I still have a chance. "Whoa, I think you've sprained your ankle." He looks down at my feet as do I.
I don't feel any pain. "No, I hav-" He lifts me up in his arms bridal style and carries me through the growing mass of his fan club to the doors of the hotel. I spot the black car he came in and curse myself for not thinking of the same mode of transportation. Cars are rare in Twelve but two of our neighbors do own them. Wouldn't take much convincing for Finn to get them to lend one to him.
After pardoning himself through the crowd we enter the lobby of the hotel where I scramble out his arms. "Don't ever do that again!" I yell at him.
"What? Save you from a crowd of blood-thirsty women? I've seen it before, once one goes down... it becomes a free-for all and it's not a pretty sight."
Women do tend to multiply at the sight of him. He's become a common sight in Four and since we never go out together it hasn't been much of a issue. But here in Twelve it's like a god from the heavens above has decided to grace his presence on earth.
"What happened? Violet, are you ok?" I turn around to see my parents, Janaya's parents, sisters, Janaya and Rowan all staring at us. The new faces staring at me create a need for me to straighten my clothes. There is no hope for my hair or the continuous burning overtaking my face.
"I was coming to see Janaya's family…Haymitch told me that's where you went…but Finn here decided to show up first." He shrugs. "I offered to let you drive with me but you wanted to run." Despite his insult at least he's still letting me know he's on my side.
"Long story short, I couldn't get through the crowd of adoring fans and tripped."
"But I saved you didn't I? I promised your parents I would take care of you and I'm still holding up my end of the deal." He smiles his famous heart-stopping smile at me when I hear more sighs of awe I thought we had escaped from.
Janaya introduces Finn to her family. Her family moved to District Two a year ago while Janaya stayed behind for Rowan. She would never ask him to move from Twelve. Guess I'm a little more selfish than her.
Of course her mother and two younger sisters blush as Finn politely shakes their hands. He doesn't have to even say a word and every woman in this room is drooling over him. Ferne, the tall one, flirts with Finn first. "You are much more handsome in person, Mr. Odair."
"You can call me Finn. Most people do." He lips twitch while he steals a quick glance at me.
Willow who looks like she travels with her own personal prep team tries her luck next. "Finn…how do you stay in such great shape? I've heard you haven't been to sea in ages." She brushes her hand over his arm but he kindly backs up.
My muscles freeze as he wraps an arm around my waist. "Taking care of Violet here keeps me active. Basically just trying to keep up with her. Taking care of her every need. Even when it's saving her from being trampled." Janaya's family giggles at this without reading anything into it. Rowan knows exactly what Finn is implying and looks like he wants to burn a hole right through him.
Finn is still smiling at me and doesn't notice that there is one person who will never join his fan club. He turns his head and whispers in my ear, "I am getting a little tired of the chase though."
He's not going to guilt me out of my plan. So far my parents seem only annoyed with the crowd outside. They fill us in on what they've been doing while Finn was filling the streets. They had planned to get Janaya's family settled in the hotel and then have a family dinner at our house but no one seems at ease with the extra attention.
Once Janaya's sisters find out about Finn staying with my parents they immediately inquire about staying in the guest house. Imagine sleeping one house away from the world's most desirable bachelor.
All of our parents discuss how this won't work. Mainly because the Mellark children have left our parents ill-prepared for such visits. While they're busy complaining about us and Finn is trying to fend off the flirtatious advances of Janaya's sisters I take the opportunity to pull Rowan aside.
He steps away quickly with me to an empty hallway. No doubt ready with an attack of his own.
Once we are out of ear shot he opens the floor to me. "What?"
"You know what!"
"Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. Tell me what you think I know and I'll calm your worries for you." He is playing very dirty. I've kept a perfect record so far and he's not going to win this game.
"Rowan…I don't know what you think is going on but…and just trust me on this…it's my business, not yours. I know what I'm doing and I'd appreciate it if you'd let me deal with it."
His grey eyes narrow onto mine. "Violet, not that I don't trust you but I don't think you have any idea what you've gotten yourself into."
I nod my head once in agreement before I can stop myself. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder how this happened to me. How I could deserve Finn? What would be like if I told my parents? If I said yes to Finn? If we had kids? I never get past the thoughts before I run to a dark place to avoid it all.
And I am going to continue avoiding it today. "I'll clean the guest house if you promise to let me deal with it. Please." I plead with him a few more times before he reluctantly gives in to me. Making Janaya's family happy will make Janaya happy. And will get Rowan on my side, even if it's just for today.
I volunteer Finn to help me not only to keep the subject of my secret occupied far far away from my family but because I will need some serious help to get that house in order in just a few hours.
Once we make it to the car the two families inside the hotel wait for the crowd to disperse. Now that Finn Odair has left the building they should be free to move about the streets. Our family wants one day to themselves to enjoy the world's most anticipated engagement. Then tomorrow Rowan will make the official announcement...and I will be long gone from Twelve.