Author's Note:
Wow guys! Thank you so much for all the support in regards to this story. I'm sorry this chapter is so late, but last month was extremely busy with school and the holidays and all the stuff associated with that. But I will post regularly from now on!
So I hope you enjoy this chapter! :)
I spent the rest of the day thinking about what Finnick had said to me. Did he really see through the act that Peeta and I were giving to the world? How was that possible? He said it himself; everybody in Panem was buying our romance… so why didn't he? Maybe he was just saying that to throw me off. But he seemed so sure when he told me, it just didn't seem fake.
As a result of the constant thinking it was extremely hard for me to focus on training. I ended up giving up when the thoughts were too consuming for me to concentrate on anything else and ended up going back to my room.
The rooms that they offered to the tributes were extraordinary. The living space that was given for yourself and your fellow district tribute was bigger than a house. Plus the building that all these resting units resided in seemed to be a gazillion stories tall. It was as if it never ended.
When I got off the bizarrely fast and smooth elevator to my 'condo', I was greeted by Haymitch's dishevelled and obviously drunken face.
"What do you think you're doing here? You should be training!" He barked, slightly slurring his words at me.
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "Couldn't concentrate. Besides, you know how good I am with a bow. Do you really think I need to train?" It sounded cocky but it was true. I knew what the hell I was doing so there was really no point in rehearsing.
Haymitch groaned at me and shook his head. "Katniss, you need to train. You're going against some amazing competitors in these games, not just some amateurs or some squirrels like you normally do."
Taken aback by his blatant response, I walked passed him and went straight to my room. Of course he was right about the fellow tributes, but I didn't want to admit that to him. We all knew that I was the underdog. The only thing I was really skilled in was archery, and let's just say I couldn't get my hand on a bow in the games I'd be fucked.
I sighed heavily and plunked down onto my overly fluffy, temporary bed. If you think about it, it's pretty stupid how they give you such lavish and luxury treatment right before you get thrown into the wilderness where you have to fight for your life to obtain basic needs. It seems like a set up; get used to the rich lifestyle and then be put into a hostile, life threatening environment. Yet another reason to hate these stupid games.
I didn't really feel physically tired but my mental exhaustion was quite high. The stress of the games piled on top of the stress of my conversation with Finnick was just a lot to handle. I closed my eyes and tried my best to clear the thoughts from my head, but that proved to be a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I suppose when you're alone and have nothing to distract yourself with it's harder to clear your mind.
In the midst of my thought processing, I heard a slight knock on my door. My eyes opened and I sat up as I watched Haymitch walk into the room.
I scoffed, "What, came to nag me more about training?" I snapped at him and he sighed.
"Calm down, fireball. You have a visitor."
This sparked my interest. "A visitor? Who?" I don't know who could be visiting me right now, perhaps President Snow? God I hoped it wasn't.
Haymitch gave me a slight smirk before exiting the room, allowing my visitor to come into my vision. I almost choked on my own breath when I saw who it was.
It was Finnick.
He stepped into my room and closed the door behind him, not once breaking my eye contact. What the hell was he visiting me for? It was very unusual for a tribute to visit another fellow competitor unless it was something important. Maybe he has something crucial to tell me, although I found myself doubting that.
"Hello there, Katniss." He spoke as he gave me that award-winning grin. I tried my best to hide my blush.
"Hello Finnick." I managed to choke out. I'm not going to lie, it was pretty nerve-wracking to have Finnick alone in my room. I felt completely vulnerable and I wasn't sure whether I liked that or not.
"So what are you doing here?" Were the only words I could manage to say nonchalantly; anything else would've made me stutter.
He grinned at me once more and slowly made his way towards the bed. "Just wanted to talk." His shoulders shrugged as the words softly glided off his plump lips. God he made me nervous, and I really hated it.
"Talk about what?" I tried my best to stay as stern as possible. I couldn't let my guard down, especially not around him.
He finally got over to the bed and sat down. Not quite beside me, but fairly close. "Y'know… stuff." He murmured confidently.
A sigh of frustration escaped me. "What stuff?" I asked, my tone filled with annoyance.
"Someone's grouchy today," Finnick replied as he chuckled, "I don't know. Stuff about you mostly."
I rolled my eyes, "I thought you could see right through me? What's there to know?"
He shrugged again, "It's not that I want to know new things about you. I just want to get a little more information. Like why are you and Peeta lying to everyone in Panem?"
My jaw dropped; I was speechless at that question. I knew how to answer it, but I didn't expect that I would ever have to.
I cleared my throat, "Well… to protect us. The whole nation believes that we defied the games last year out of true love. When really to us, it was out of rebellion. We don't believe in the games. But of course if we said it was rebelling, Snow would have us both killed. As well as our families." The realization that I never actually talked about this with someone other than Snow dawned on me and it felt really weird.
Finnick nodded along as I spoke, seeming to take in everything I was saying. "Makes sense." He agreed, "So do you like anyone else, then? I mean, it must be hard considering you'd have to keep it under wraps."
"Well there's this guy back home that likes me. And I don't know… I guess I like him too. But it's weird. We've been friends for a long time and it's weird to think about him in any other way." I told him honestly.
"I know that feeling." Finnick muttered under his breath.
"How about you?" I asked him, "What about that Annie girl?"
He laughed softly. "Annie's great and all, but I don't see her in that way anymore. We were together for a long time but it just seemed to fizzle out." I was quite surprised to hear this; I thought Annie and Finnick were definitely a couple due to the way he talked about her in public.
"But we're kind of doing the same thing you and Peeta are. We're acting for the cameras. Not because Snow will kill everyone we love, but because the audience just loves us together." He smiled cockily and I tried my hardest not to scoff.
"Makes sense." I mimicked him and he smirked.
He turned away from me and seemed to stare at the wall. "I do like this other girl though. It's unfortunate though due to the games that it probably won't work out."
This perked my interest, "Who?"
He turned his head to me once again, a slight smile on his face and a gentle twinkle in his eye. A laugh flowed out of his lips as he looked at me.
Before I could tell what was happening, those lips were pressed against mine.