Hey readers! I'm sorry for being such a terrible person and ont updating last week! I've just been really busy with finals and such for school that it totally sliped my mind! I'll set an alarm every friday to upddate to double make sure I do it!
Love you guys and all you readers who have kept up with this story!
-Miche
(and incase you forgot: I do not own the Hunger Games! only my own created characters.)
Chapter 11: Let The Games Begin…
The lights hit my eyes and I smiled the best I could and remembered Abby and Finnick telling me that I had to be sexy. I walked with my hips a bit more, keeping and gladly took my seat next to Trey. The crowd drowned out his first words and he had to repeat them once everyone quieted down.
"Well then! It seems like you're a popular girl!"
"I guess so." I smiled lowering my chin slightly and crossed my legs, showing off my shoes.
"So… here in the capitol, a little birdy leaked a secret out about you. You and that Mr. Finnick Odair." The audience reacted perfectly: shocked and anxious.
"I don't normally have secrets, Trey, so what could it possibly be?" this time I spoke a little lower as well, making me sound more alluring.
"It's been a rumor that you and him are in a relationship of sorts. Can you confirm or deny it?" I waited about three seconds before answering, giving time for the audience and viewers to worry.
"I can tell you that we have been... Really good friends for a few years." The place calmed a bit, some people awed but others still clapped for our friendship. I laughed and smiled at their reaction, but then thought of how fake this was and calmed myself down.
"Wow! How long have you two known each other?"
"We met a couple years back when my sister accidentally ran into the Victor's village, chasing a bird she claimed to be her friend. It was a simple robin, but it captivated her so much. Well, anyways she ran right into Finnick's yard and I stumbled upon him talking to her about the birds. He said they had secrets they kept, and they always wanted to share them with special listeners like her." this part of my story was true, however, I did not react how I claimed. "He noticed me and we talked a bit with April, my sister, about the birds and different kinds, and I guess we've just been friends since."
"Did your communication continue past that day?"
"Yes, he actually would sometimes babysit her for us when I had school, or no one was able to stay home with her. He was great with her."
"It's very unfortunate that you were chosen for the games, seeing your sister is waiting back home for you.."
"Yep, but I promised I would win the games for her." the audience reacted similarly to before with the awws, but no applause.
"Now, many people speculate you and Odair have been spending a little too much time together. Can we roll the footage from that fateful day?" the room suddenly got dark and the screen behind me where my face was gleaming with a smile faded to black. Dark and emotional/orchestral music began, being the only sound on the footage.
The scene played when I was called up. They showed me Looking at Finnick, the camera angles getting our faces in. The only sound made was when Deary had called my name. The view switched to Finnick's face. He went blank, and stared at me as I did him when they walked me up. They changed to when he glanced at me the second time as Deary said "And may the odds be ever in your favor!" It was slowed down to show the shared look we had before fading back.
After the video I found tears on my face and eyes. All that time spent on my makeup was useless now. I tried touching it up before the lights on the stage came back up but was caught dabbing my eyes lightly.
"So, the way he looked at you, can you explain what his intentions were?"
"I saw him afterwards, on the train, and he just told me he'd promise to watch over April for me... I-if I didn't make it back.." I faked that I almost cried, it wasn't that difficult.
"That is an amazing promise he is willing to make my dear, Rainbow…" That was my old nickname my mother use to call me. My mother…
"Okay, now this is a very popular people's wish. Before you go, would you leave us by singing a song? We know of your beautiful voice and that you and your District partner, Grey, met through music, so would you do us the honour?"
"Only if Grey will accompany me." I smiled looking at them. They cheered for Grey as he met me on the side stage that had been set up. His tie matched my dress and contrasted to the long sleeve black shirt and pants he wore. He kissed me on the cheek before heading to a piano they had brought over to the side. The originally player, stepped off while Grey prepared himself, warming up with a short only the first ten measures of David's lamentation (the show off), before I cued him to start. He knew what song I wanted to sing, as it was my favorite to sing.
I cleared my throat and went to the microphone, recognizing the cords. Grey gave me a look that told me and I nodded. The audience probably loved the non-verbal communication we'd established.
As the notes he played echoed beautifully, I just imagined it like it always was: just him and I singing for fun.
I thought this would be a solo, but to my surprise Grey began, like we had originally practiced, and sang as he played.
"Say something I'm giving up on you." he had the lower register, but I came in with the harmony, solo.
"I'll be the one if you want me to."
"Anywhere I would've followed you" he smiled at me and together we sang the last line of the chorus.
"Say something I'm giving up on you." in unison. he paused for the echo of the chord to resonate before my short solo.
"And I am feeling so small.
It was over my head,
I knew nothing at all" He took the second half of it.
"And I, will stumble and fall.
I'm still learning to love
just starting to crawl."
The music filled the giant hall and echoed tremendously off the walls. It was beautiful and I don't think we could've performed it any better.
"Say something I'm giving up on you." together.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you." me
"Anywhere I would have followed you." Him, and again together.
"Say something I'm giving up on you." Nearing the end, I looked at him knowing I'd join him in harmony next.
"And I, Will swallow my pride.
You're the one that I love.
And I'm saying Goodbye." The piano crescendoed into the last version of the chorus, singing almost forte.
"Say something I'm giving up on you,
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you.
And Anywhere I would have followed you, whoa...
Say something I'm giving up on you!" Grey quieted down for the ending.
"Say something I'm giving up on you..." we almost whispered in octaves last.
"Say something..." and we both acted as though we'd say the one thing needed, but shied away like the ending spoke of.
At the end of the song, I realized that this would be the last time I ever sang with him. This was our finale together. Never again would I be able to feed off of his tempo or dynamics, nor him to me. I looked at him and knew it pleased the audience. That song held their emotions as it did mine because all they did was clap, not scream or cheer our names, but just clapped.
"Rain Troute and Grey Twilight, Ladies and Gents." Grey hugged me for a brief moment as the audience continued to clap, now cheering. He whispered to me that I did a great job.
"Thank you for singing with me." By that I knew he meant past and present performances and practices. In that two or three seconds after I didn't want to let him go. We had one day left. One day to see the light and laugh and sing and cry and smile. So many memories between us, and they would be taken away in a day. When I left the stage I walked right past Trey, not wanting to look at him and him to see my face. I didn't want him to see me crying. I didn't want anyone to see me crying.
Soon after I left, Trey called Grey to the stage and announced that their names rhymed, which brought a comic relief after my emotional song.
"Grey, do you think that song was a good choice?"
"Well, Trey, I know that song is Rain's favorite one to sing, she'd always hum it when we went fishing together, and it's our favorite to sing!" The crowd laughed along with Trey. Grey's interview seemed shorter than mine, but that was probably from me being so nervous up there.
"Well we will surely be looking forward to you releasing that album should you win. Haha! GREY TWILIGHT!" Grey smiled and lifted his other arm up once Trey lifted his first. He laughed and said farewell to Trey before joining me backstage.
Everything seemed like it was part of a perfect world and that it would last forever. I watched as Grey made his way over to me like in slow motion. He smiled and thought of how it might be if this were our lives and not some entertainment for the people in the capitol to bet on and fight for to win. Him and I might truly be together in that world, happy and unafraid of what the next day will bring. What might happen to the other and which one will be the first to die of old age.
He smiled and greeted me with a kiss to the forehead, the other tributes were still lined up and going on for their interviews. Rose, Coal, Pann, and Titan watched us. All looking extremely uncomfortable being called up.
After us, Starle had gone then Solar. Starle had on a beautiful, floor-length, orange dress with a layered, tulle skirt that pointed at the ends. Solar matched with his tie, but wore a stark white suit, his golden skin contrasting perfectly with it.
District Six had Victoria and Titan. Victoria seemed like one of those girls that yes I'm sure they were nice at first but once you crossed them, they would try to cut you down mentally. She wore a long magenta red dress with a gold and crystal embroidered bust. Titan wore a vest and tie to match her color. Most of the men wore similar things but differentiated themselves in the color of their female tribute.
Maple and Timber from seven had a beautiful shades of emerald on, Maple's dress stopped mid-thigh and was covered in little sequen. Timber had a green coat and pants which made his dark skin look darker.
Of course coming from the textile district, Paisley and Sheah looked fabulous in rainbow. Paisley wore a dress with a colour palette pattern, lightly covered in an opaque white lace, while Sheah just had a silk suit on. His white shirt displaced the rainbow tie on top of it.
District Nine brought the field crops as well as Willow and Barley. Willow was the smallest of everyone here height wise; However, her dress looked to have little golden pieced of grain on her bust which quickly cascaded down her white colored skirt which cascaded in length as a high-low. She looked very beautiful for someone of her district. Barley followed wearing a wheat-beige suit and bowtie. Even though he looked like an average nerdy boy, he pulled off the look.
I couldn't help but see the slight roundness of his face, showing he was truly only thirteen. Yes he was about 5'9, but he was still very young. I felt bad and knew he would surely die in these games.
Terri and Lyant were two tributes who changed the pace slightly. They both sported the colors red and black and were intimidating through the entire interviews.
Rose barely spoke in her beautiful black gown. It looked like a silver firework exploded across her chest and fell down her skirt with elegance. Palmer seemed a bit awkward to be there. He tried to crack a few jokes but they weren't too funny and he mumbled so much you barely heard what he said. He walked off shining in his silver sequin suit but not out of the tributes here.
Last but not least, it was Coal and Pann. They matched with a firefly theme that still represented their district.
All the tributes were confident. But like everyone, only one would live.
This night it wasn't me being woken up from a dream.
I was getting ready like I had the last few days, putting up the scenery of the ocean up and watching it before I fell asleep, and as I was right about to go to sleep, I heard a noise from the room next to mine. It was a groan. Then another, louder. Soon it was a yell for help and what sounded like crying too.
Grey.
I ran from my warm bed into the freezing air as fast as I could in order to get to him.
"Grey? Grey are you okay?" the door was locked and he was crying now. "Grey!"
"Stand back." Finnick said to my side. He had heard Grey's cries as well. Soon he kicked the door in, and I ran to Grey as he trembled under his sheets.
"Grey, wake up. It's a dream. Wake up!" I shook him until he jumped waking from the nightmare. He heard me and looked at me before touching my arms and face to make sure it was me.
"You're alive…" was what he whispered before wrapping his arms around my waist. "You were gone… you just-were gone…" his cries were hard to hear as I held him.
"Shhh… I'm here, I'm here… it's all okay." I glanced at Finnick who turned and left, giving me a look that nothing was going to be okay tomorrow. Grey just pulled me tighter and buried his face in my neck. "You're safe."
I woke again, before the sun.
It was morning.
Maybe my last.
This afternoon we would be sent off to the arena where the games will begin. This afternoon, children would die. This next month children will die. I will die.
I should have the confidence of a career tribute from district four but I just didn't after Ariel. I use to be that way, but now I'm different. Just sadder and more knowledgeable of what really goes on in the games. Grey had never liked them. He always said they were barbaric.
Now, Grey was lying next to me fast asleep from the night before. I wonder what his dream was about. Probably me, since he was surprised I was alive after.
If the games weren't a problem to either of us, we would probably be realistically dating by now. I was sure of it because of our closeness. The first time I thought I liked him was when he said he's never kissed anyone, just like me at the time. We kissed each other must to have the experience but never spoke of it again, in fear of ruining our friendship.
I knew even now, that nothing was romantic between us. It might be two or three years from now, if we both had the chance to live, but it would never happen now.
2 more hours passed after I had gotten up then. I heard Finnick stir from his room only 30 minutes after I had, but he only went back in his room, never making it to where I was.
Things with him were complicating. I use to hate him, but now found him to be quite a close friend. I knew if Grey were to die and I to win, he'd be there for me. He would help me heal since he's had to the past seven years.
"Rain?" I heard my name whispered. Turning, I heard footsteps heading toward me on the couch, and saw Finnick stepping quietly. I was sitting on one side of the couch where I was able to see the light from the not yet rising sun, peak through the city. The sky was a pinkish blue, the few clouds there were a darker gray. "May I sit here?" I nodded, my knees to my chest. He sat, and relaxed more, not completely, but I knew why.
"Were you scared at all?" He looked at me, still waking up.
"When I was a tribute?" he gathered his thoughts, scruffing his unshaven face. "Yeah. My parents were ashamed I had volunteered, but I hadn't know any better then. I regretted volunteering, but still acted as if I had a plan. I was terrified, I'll admit it, and almost didn't make it. Then I thought of my family, and realized they wouldn't truly get over knowing I went in for nothing.
"Most of the tributes had been gone by then, and I gathered rope, and stole a trident before snaring tributes and killing them. I remember every face, but the days it took to heal, I found them blurred together. I lost track of how many I had killed after five, but heard the gamemakers voice and went home. My parents left the house, moving everything but my things and memories, and never contacted me since." I hadn't known that much of his story before. "Even when you win the games, you still lose."
I found myself leaning against him, just as a hug. He was surprised, but I shushed him from speaking, afraid it would only ruin the moment and comfort I needed. He was one of the only things that was stable around me. Everything was hectic and crazy like a wind storm, but he wasn't. He always knew what buttons to push with me and how to talk to me to make me listen. I guessed it was because he had good people skills from his job, but I understood just as much of him in return. I knew he could only take so much before breaking, and he already has had a burden thrust upon him.
Ten minutes had gone by since then. I heard nothing from the apartment floor, besides Grey leaving with Abby. I had opened eyes from where I sat to her holding a hand up. She gave me a look that I knew not to come any further. This was it.
It was Abby who came and notified Finnick and I we had to leave. The second I could hear her from the tiles floor in the hall, I knew what it meant. I was leaving next. She already had left with Grey for the first shuttle, but Finnick would bring me next.
"It's time." She spoke to the two of us.
I walked with Finn, wearing the clothes the avox set up for me, and went up the elevator with both Rose and Zyre. Zyre smirked when I walked in. He was an inch shorter than me but gave me a look as though he could take me. Finnick held back a laugh at the sight of him, earning a quick glare.
"Are you ready, Rain?" Zyre asked.
"Yeah. Ready as I'll ever be." I said without looking at him. I felt a hand interlace itself with mine and glanced lightly to see it belonging to my mentor. It hadn't come to my attention that it was shaking until his calmed it. His thumb padded over my knuckles, and helped release a sigh of relieve from me.
Soon we got to the roof. Finnick told me to make him proud and win the games by being smart and on time with things. He looked at me with hope in his eyes, but also with a sadness. I only smiled, finding I couldn't produce a tear.
"I know you'll win these things."
"Thank you for training me, it's been an honour, and If-"
"I promise to actually look over April. I'll help your family and make sure you aren't forgotten. But, so you know, I will do everything in my power to make sure you make it out of this thing. People as rare as you shouldn't die so easily."
"Thank you." As I almost left into the craft, I asked him one last thing. If I was to die, I'd want to know this one thing. "What do they use against you now to make you do what you do?" He replied without missing a beat, knowing he might never get the chance again.
"You." He winced a smile before hugging me one last time. I slowly made my way to the shuttlecraft, not wanting to let go.
Why me? what about me made him weak? How could I ever be someone's weakness? I'd only met him when I was young, and since then, never really spoke to him. The story of him and April was true, but I remembered telling him to never speak to her again. Re-analyzing that situations now, I realized how he had reacted. Firstly I had thought he was being arrogant and only pretended to be hurt by my response. Now I saw that he was truly shocked I could be so rude. Was that it, that I could be defiant and unseducable even by a man such as him? How dare he tell me this before my death...
"Rain?" Finnick said my name closer this time. "I'm sorry for this-"When I turned, I felt his hands meet my face and his lips finally embrace mine in a way I'd never been kissed.
It was, what I could comprehend, the definition of love: passion, force, lust, kindness, the want to just hold the other person and never let them go. He kissed me one last time secretly telling me something. "Snow had you reaped because I said no."
"Why did you do this to me." my lip trembled thinking I may never see him again. "How could you just kiss me now?" he blurred in my eyes as they sang with the salt water my body created. I was only just now crying. My mind was still going a hundred miles and hour trying to realize what was happening at this moment.
"Because no matter how much I denied myself, you made me fall for you. I never thought I would heal from Annie, and tried to, but you opened the wound and made me feel cared for again. Feel raw emotion. You made me love again." I memorized everything he was saying. It would be my motivation. However poetic and beautiful his confession was to me, his smile grew dim and dull. "When you go in, do not do it for me. Don't think about me. Don't care about me." This man had made me weak as I supposedly made him.
"I'll try-"
"You won't." it was a command. For what may be the final time, My eyes met his oceanic stormy ones as our foreheads met. "You're my favorite."
"You're mine." I held his neck in my hand and cause another kiss to be shared. I still wondered what they held when they looked at me. It was different than when he had spoken of Annie so I knew it wasn't love, but it wasn't how he saw Mags, as a close family member or friend. I had to win. I had to know what they held. But I needed Grey to also live. Maybe there was a way to cheat out of losing both of us?
I looked back to see Finnick. He was walking back into the elevator, never looking back at me.
I sat next to Barley and smiled kindly. He looked afraid to be here, and jumped when the shuttle started flying. I hoped my smile helped him calm down. He was so young. Rose sat in the corner by Starle coal and Titan. Next to Zyre, who was opposite of me was Lockwood and Orion. Paisley, Timber, and Terri were scattered amongst them.
The woman who planted our trackers in our arms made her round. It was painful but not for long.
I felt the craft hit ground and soon we were ushered into a building and eventually different hallways. I knew the cameras were on all of us the moment we stepped out of our rooms. I was lead into my own room, Tears in my eyes thinking of what was coming. LEO was there and he stood with the outfit I'd be wearing.
"Honey, crying will make your eyes red and puffy and not too attractive either." He joked. I only hated this place even more because I may never see him again.
He eventually helped me with my hair, a wide mermaid braid that went to my over my right shoulder, and into my clothing, being careful to put on my brothers necklace, my token from home, underneath. It was a black swimmers suit with gray and white overlapping lines. There would be water, I was practically born with fins. I could swim, there was water.
Maybe I had a chance.
"Please step onto the platform in 30 seconds." I started breathing heavier than normal. My heart was racing and I was panicking.
"Breathe honey. Breathe… just do what your mentors have been telling you to do and you will make it outta here in one piece, okay?" I nodded as he hugged me awkwardly. The glass tube awaited me, the door sliding open at fifteen seconds.
"If I die, tell Finnick-"
"Honey, I know. I know."
"No, you don't. Tell him that nothing should keep him from his freedom." I stepped in and it closed directly behind me. I didn't dare look back at LEO. My face would be remembered with pride and courage not, fear and panic.
Finnick would know what I meant by that. I don't know how long it will take him to get over my death, considering he found me after Annie. He might bounce back sooner than later. Or he may break completely, he was just one of those people.
I put on a brave face as the platform raised.
'Let the games begin.' I thought to myself.