"Nyall is all of this really necessary?" I said with a soft sigh, my eyes closed as one of his assistants worked on my makeup, which apparently took hours.
"Yes, it is. Now stop complaining and hold your breathe for a moment." Nyall said, me doing as he said, only to feel him tighten my undergarment a considerable amount. The lung full of air I had been holding came rushing out, my hands pressing to my stomach and my eyes snapping open, which made me most likely ruin my makeup. "What the hell?" I complained, hearing a soft sigh coming from Nyall, who finished tightening the stupid thing, looking at me from the full length mirror in front of me.
"What?" He asked, raising one of his slender eyebrows, clearly not seeing what could be wrong.
"Isn't that just a tad tight? I can barely breathe." I said with a raised eyebrow of my own, placing one of my hands on my hip, the nails on it just freshly painted a nice metallic shade of silver. "Thats the point, now close your eyes again, Aria." Nyall said, a reluctant huff falling from my mouth as I once again shut my eyes, letting them do what they wanted.
Tonight was the President's ball, something I wasn't looking forward to in the slightest. Not only was I going to have to parade around in a ridiculous amount of makeup and hair products, but I was going to have to act as if I was enjoying myself.
Not to mention Cato was going, with none other than his girlfriend, of course.
The girl you've heard giggling in the late hours of the night for the past month.
Lovely.
Over the course of this month living with Cato, I had done my best to avoid him completely. I had actually been doing a pretty good job with it, I went out and around the Capitol most days, and many nights the President had ' work ' for me to do with so many men. I had lost count of how many times it had been, at least well over ten, each one just as disgusting as the last.
To say it had gotten any easier would be a complete lie.
But, of course, even with my great efforts to avoid Cato, there were still nights when I was home as he was. Nights when I'd just lay in bed and try to block out the sounds of their talking, laughing, everything.
Sometimes I just wanted to jump out of the window and run away, perhaps back to District Three, where I could just live with Zander and be content for the rest of my life.
But of course, things are never that easy.
...
At least not for me anyway.
"Lift up your feet Ari." Nyall said, me doing so, one foot at a time as I stepped into the dress he had pooled by my feet. It was a little tough considering my makeup was still being done so my eyes had to remain closed.
I felt the silky fabric being raised up and zipped, it hugging my body pretty tightly, but I guessed that was the look Nyall was going for.
"Aria would you hurry the hell up?"
I rolled my eyes at the sound of Cato's voice calling up the stairs, my hands clenching slightly into fists at my sides. Before I had the time to shout back a rude response, Nyall replied for me, simply saying "She'll be down in just a moment."
A tiny sigh left my lips, before I was shut up by something being slathered onto my lips, Nyall then unclasping my hair from the clip holding it all away from my face. "Alright, you can look." He informed me.
I wasted no time to open my eyes, taking in my reflection while he helped me step into a pair of shoes with dangerously tall heels. The dress was simple; long and flowy, with a sweetheart neckline, no straps and completely black. Somehow he had managed to make it look nice and not boring, my makeup containing a few flicks of color in my eyeliner and bright red lips.
"Thank you." I said with a faint smile, turning towards Nyall, who simply nodded his head, he wasnt always the one for words.
Pretty much never was, actually.
Not that I minded.
"Aria! Will you hurry the f-"
"I'm coming!" I shouted back, effectively cutting off Cato, my voice containing an edge to it as I rolled my eyes. This earned a little smirk from Nyall, who tucked a strand of my curled locks behind my ear.
"Good luck." He said, taking my hand and helping me to walk down the carpeted stairs, which was a challenge in these heels. I finally reached the solid ground of the first floor, hearing Belladonna coo at my appearance. "You look lovely Arianna!" She said, clasping her glove covered hands together, pulling me over to her and into a tighter than necessary embrace.
"Thanks." I mumbled, glancing over her shoulder at Cato, who wasnt paying the least bit of attention to me, in a nice black suit, his tie gold and thin, his large frame just making it look even thinner. He of course matched Valencia, who stood in front of him, fixing said tie.
Her long hair was up in a difficult looking up do, in a sequined gold fading to bronze dress, which hugged her curves and in all honesty, looked amazing on her.
They looked perfect together.
Completely and utterly perfect.
"Lets go please." I said, pulling from Belladonna's grasp, this seeming to get Cato's attention as his eyes trailed over to me. His eyes held something I couldn't quite grasp, but I brushed it off, heading out the door past him and Valencia, who had that bubbly smile on her lips.
That annoying-as-all-hell smile.
Yeah.
That one.
As we all walked to the car and climbed inside, the only thing on my mind was how badly I just wanted the night to be over.
And how badly I wanted to go home.
[-]
"Thank you for the dance." I said with a completely fake smile, letting the older man with the vibrant pink hair take my hand and kiss it, before I walked off the dance floor for the umpteenth time.
Practically non-stop since we arrived,Belladonna had been shoving me off to dance with random men, and the odd few women.
Which was just as fun as you'd imagine.
...
Note the sarcasm.
"Finally." I mumbled as I slipped past Belladonna, grabbing a drink off a tray from a random waiter who passed by. The liquid was bright blue, but at the moment I didn't care, I just wanted to sit for a second and get off my feet.
I spotted an empty table as I took a gulp from the glance, wincing at the less than desirable taste, but swallowing it none the less. Finally I spotted our table off to the side of the the room, it recognizable because of the large hat Belladonna had left on it, why she wore it in the first place I'd never understand.
As I took my seat and slipped my feet out of the dreadfully painful shoes, a content sigh left my lips.
For the first time all night, I was alone, and at peace.
"Aria!"
Spoke too soon.
I lifted my head up to see the smiling Valencia coming over to the table, waving frantically as if I hadn't seen her in the first place. Cato was trailing behind her, their hands intertwined as she tugged him along, practically dragging him towards me.
I took another large gulp from my drink, downing it, before setting the empty glass on the table, forcing a tense smile on me face. "Hi Valencia." I greeted.
She really was a fairly nice girl.
Sometimes she just had the mental capacity of a puppy.
Or a rock.
"You've been dancing up a storm." She said with a giggle, sitting down in a chair, Cato taking the spot beside her. I watched as his arm looped around her tiny waist, pulling her against his side as he held his other hand up, wanting a drink.
"Yeah, I guess so." I said with a shrug, crossing one leg over the other, letting my eyes wander around the room. I felt the eyes on me, several people had been watching me all night, including some of the suitors the president had me meeting with on late nights.
I guess that comes with being a victor.
Or maybe I'm just special.
I brushed off the people starring at me, seeing a few mentors and victors from previous games, as well as game makers galore. It was practically a room full of killers, not that I was really any better.
A slight chill ran down my spine at the thought, trying to brush it off as I heard Cato say something to me.
"What?" I asked, sounding slightly annoyed with him already, though I had no clue what he even said. I dragged my eyes lazily over to look at his figure, who had that smug look as usual on his lips.
"So, why no date tonight Aria? Couldn't get anyone to say yes?" He repeated, smirking a bit more. I narrowed my eyes at him, loosely folding my arms across my chest.
"Is that supposed to mean something?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. The waiter brought over his drink, before walking off, Cato taking a sip from it before speaking again.
"I think you know what it's supposed to mean."
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head and sitting up a little straighter. "Oh Cato, I'm so heartbroken you think no one wants me. Clearly you must be right. My life is nothing without you." I said in a dramatic fashion, holding my hand over my heart, making him glare a bit.
"You're such a bitch you know that?" He bit out, shaking his head and taking a large gulp from his drink, which he then slammed down somewhat aggressively.
"Oh because you're such a ray of sunshine." I mumbled, shaking my head before glancing up as Valencia excused herself to the restroom, leaving us to bicker.
I just need an excuse to leave the table.
Or maybe I'll just punch him in the stomach.
Or groin.
...
Definitely groin.
"I don't understand what your problem is." He said, shaking his head and stretching his arms out, leaning back in his chair, appearing cocky with his demeanor.
A bitter laugh formed in my throat, me shaking my head as I let it out. "You're joking right? " I said, almost in disbelief from how stupid he was being. He looked at me, his face blank, as if he had no clue as to what I was referring.
"If you really don't know then I guess you're dumber than I thought you were." I said, him opening his mouth to say something back, when a waiter appeared, holding out a fruity looking drink to me.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't order anything." I said, holding my hands up, as if to say no. The waiter shook his head, holding the drink out. "No, it's from the gentleman over at the bar." He said, my hand slowly reaching out and taking it as both Cato and I in sync looked at the bar.
"Which one?" Cato asked, his tone edgy, which made me roll my eyes.
Nosy jerk.
"Mr. Odair." The waiter said, before walking off, my eyes scanning for who he was talking of, finally spotting the object of the Capitol's affection, none other than Finnick Odair himself.
I swear Cato's face turned the color of a tomato, his hands clenching at his sides. "Why the hell is he buying you drinks?" He asked, looking at me with that stern look of his.
"How should I know?" I said with a shrug, sending a small smile and wave over at Finnick, who had his eyes on me, a charming smile on his lips. After I waved I saw him standing up, staring to make his way over.
Great.
More Dancing.
At least he didn't have bright pink hair.
"What are you doing?" Cato huffed, seeing me move to slip my shoes back on, after taking a drink from the glass I had been given. "Putting shoes on, genius." I said with a roll of my eyes. "Why?" He snapped.
"Why do you think?!" I snapped, getting annoyed with him more and more by the minute. I shook my head, looking up as Finnick reached us, his bronze hair combed back away from his forehead, his eyes shining brightly.
I had to admit, he was pretty attractive in person. He was tall, and slim, but it was still clear he had muscle, if that wasn't already obvious from his win in the Hunger Games a few years back.
"Arianna right?" He asked me, smiling and leaning over, taking my hand and pressing a kiss to it. A faint smile spread on my lips, ignoring Cato, who had a look on his face like he wanted to kill someone.
"I actually go by Aria." I say, "It's nice to meet you, and thank you for the drink." I add, looking up at him and sitting a bit straighter. "Repay me with a dance?" He offered, a grin taking over his face.
"She ca-" Cato started to say, but I abruptly cut him off, "I'd love to." I slipped my feet back into my shoes, standing up and holding onto Finnick's hand as he led me away from the table, Cato glaring daggers into my back as we walked off.
He was so stupid.
And annoying.
And stupid.
"Sorry if I interrupted something back there, you just didnt look like you were enjoying yourself." Finnick said, spinning me around before pulling me flush against his chest, his hand landing on my waist, the other holding my hand as we began to dance.
A light laugh came from me, "No you weren't interrupting anything, and you're right. I wasnt." I say with a smile, feeling lots of people staring at us as we danced, Finnick not seeming bothered by it at all, his eyes just as bright and his smile just as wide as ever.
"I thought you two were friends?" He asked with a rose eyebrow, our bodies staying close together as we swayed around to the music. I snorted at that, rather unattractively I might add, but I found it too funny to care at the moment.
"Not so much." I say, shaking my head and smiling at the faint smile on his lips. He seemed nice enough, despite all the rumors that he slept with basically every woman in the capital. "He doesnt care about me, not anymore anyway."
Maybe that was why Cato seemed so pissed off I was dancing with him.
...
Nah.
"Well that's too bad. After all, you're sleeping with people to protect his well being." Finnick said as he spun me around. I nearly choked on my own spit as he spun me back in, my face paling slightly.
"I-I um-" I stuttered out, not sure what to say. He was right, clearly, but I wasn't quite sure how he found that out. Let alone the fact that I was doing it to protect Cato.
"Relax." He explained, pressing a kiss to my cheek and whispering, "I get paid in secrets. I know everything." He whispered, his hands sliding around to my lower back, pulling me in closer with him so people would think we were just embracing or something.
"It's just something I have to do." I said softly, nibbling on my bottom lip as I looked at him, our faces so close together I could feel his breath fanning over my face. It smelled minty.
"I understand. Trust me." He said as he looked at me, a soft smile on his lips as he rubbed his thumbs into my back a bit, which felt nice. For some reason, I knew he wasnt trying to make a move or anything. He was being comforting.
For once someone cared, it seemed.
"Thank you." I whispered, a small smile spreading on my lips as he swayed us from side to side, the song switching. "For the drink, the dance, understanding." I start to list, "Saving me from Cato." I add, laughing a bit, him chuckling as well.
"Not a problem. Although I'm not so sure he doesn't care about you, like you say." Finnick said, keeping his face pressed against the side of mine, his lips brushing against my ear as he spoke.
He smelled like salt water.
"What makes you say that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and looking over his shoulder and out the window, seeing the lights from the capital shining through, the President's house up on a hill.
"Because he's been staring at you all night."
He spun us around slightly, allowing me to see Cato, who was indeed looking at me. I adverted my eyes away, sighing softly, and trying to ignore the feeling of him looking at me now.
He's only staring at you because he's jealous you're with Finnick.
Though I don't know why he's jealous.
He doesn't care about you.
...
Right?
[-]
...Sorry for the wait dont hate me :P
I hope everyones liked the chapter, and I cant apologize enough for making you all wait so long for it! Ive climbed over my wall I hit with this story so expect more chapters soon, hopefully(:
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Thanks guys3 (: