Chapter Four
"So, all we want you to do is take a look at our most promising students." A woman from the training center says to Finnick as they walk around town.
Finnick gets calls from the school or training center whenever it gets close to the reaping. However, Finnick tries his best to make up an excuse to get out of it. He can usually do it too, but since the majority of victors have agreed to speak there isn't a plausible way out of it. The only way would be if Snow summoned him to the Capitol which Finnick doubts will happen. It's too close to the reaping for Finnick to trot back and forth to the Capitol and District Four.
"I didn't really-" Finnick starts
"We'll expect you around two." The woman says.
"The thing is-"
"The kids look up to you." She says.
"Well… that's nice I guess, but I'm not good with public speaking."
The woman lets out a laugh.
"I remember your Victory Tour you were great in front of the camera." She smiles.
"There's going to be a camera?" Finnick asks.
"Well the newspaper said it would make a good human interest piece."
"So I'll to talk with the press as well." Finnick says annoyed.
"A few questions is all, Zayden did a fabulous job." The woman gushes
"I'm sure he did." Finnick says sarcastically.
Just thinking of Zayden doing an interview for the press makes Finnick want to gag. Zayden tries to make himself the center attention at an opportunity so Finnick can only imagine how that interview went.
"But-" Finnick starts but the woman has already walked away.
"It must be terrible to be famous." Finnick hears a deep voice say behind him.
"Terribly so." Finnick says with a smirk and turns around to see his friend Christian. Christian has a thick head of blonde hair that is fashioned in a low ponytail.
"My sister says you're supposed to speak with the senior class tomorrow." Christian says.
"People make plans without telling me." Finnick says annoyed.
"Well it's not like you can blow them off. People expect things from you." Christian mocks as they walk towards the dock.
"I told the school I wouldn't speak to the students anymore." Finnick says.
They had him speak to many of the classes, but he hates when he had to talk to the middle schoolers. Finnick did win at fourteen so they want him to discuss with the younger crowd the most. However, he hates seeing their young faces especially when they talk about volunteering.
"Poor Finn, but what can you expect?" Christian says as they walk through the rows of boats.
"Are you teaching a lesson?" Finnick asks trying to change the subject. Christian teaches a sailing and fishing class.
"Actually no, but I am going sailing." Christian says with a smile.
"You're going on a date." Finnick states. He didn't notice Christian is wearing is slightly nicer clothes. He isn't wearing swim trunks and a tank top he's got on nice shorts and a light blue t-shirt.
"Hell yes man and I can't use the' I'm famous' excuse to get a girl. I earned this date."
Finnick rolls his eyes. He knows Christian is just messing with him.
"I'm sure Chrissy Larson will be happy." Finnick says.
"Why do you think it's her?" Christian asks defensively
"Because you've had a thing for her for as long as I can remember, but were too chicken to ever ask her out."
"I wasn't chicken man."
"Sure you weren't."
"I think Chrissy has a friend, so if this date goes well I could set you up." Christian says.
"I don't need-"
"I know you don't need help getting girls, but the girls who are into you don't really want the real thing. They just want a night with the victor Finnick, but if I set you up with a real girl-"
"I'm not interested Christian."
"I can tell you're lying Odair. I remember when we were in fourth grade and they asked for dream jobs and you said husband while every other little boy said fishermen or victor."
"I was a kid." Finnick says slightly annoyed.
"Well, you're not exactly an old man yet. Seriously though, you were too much of a romantic for that to go away now. You're the kind of guy who would spoil a lady and give her whatever she wanted and since you can buy up the whole town-"
"Just drop it Christian." Finnick says.
"Okay fine get all the girls out of your system now, but by the time you're twenty-five I'm sure you'll be wanting someone with more substantial."
"We'll see." Finnick says.
The die hard romantic Finnick was when he was a kid hasn't gone away, but he doesn't really have that luxury of being in a romantic situation anymore. Finnick would rather keep anyone he cares for away to keep them safe. Lena would be the safest person to date if he was looking that is only because she's a victor and has that title for protection. However, Lena is too shallow for Finnick's taste and because of his unique situation he doesn't really have a desire for any type of relationship.
"I don't remember the last time I've been in school." Finnick says to the principal as they walk down the halls.
"Ah yes you never did finish." She says in a judgmental tone.
"Becoming a victor is time consuming." Finnick says with a smirk on his face.
"No sarcasm when talking with the students." She says annoyed. They stand outside a classroom. "This is a history class everyone takes and this week they have been learning all about our victors." She says with a smile.
"I see." Finnick says amused.
"The students didn't pay much attention when Zayden gave his speech so make them listen."
"Well they probably want to be somewhere else rather than school." Finnick says with a smile.
"Another victor would make us look good." The principal says.
Finnick wonders if she is part of some political agenda, but doesn't think too hard about it. He doesn't want to be anyone else's pawn.
"Lena won a few years ago." Finnick says.
"Yes but she's stupid." The principal says angrily but puts on a fake smile. "Don't mess this up." She says and they walk into the room.
District Four is a big district but the senior classes only has 24 students per class.
"Here is our guest speaker Victor Finnick Odair." The teacher says and the students clap.
Finnick walks to the front of the class.
"Yeah uh hi I'm Finnick the victor of the 65th Hunger Games and I guess I'm here to discuss them with you." Finnick says in a nervous tone. He didn't get a very clear explanation on what he is supposed to be talking about.
"Yes that's correct Finnick." The teacher says. She has a worried look on her face.
Great I need to find a way to turn this around. Well you've, been in worse situations than this Finnick and giving a lecture to a few teenagers shouldn't be that terrible. Even if it is about an event that turned your life upside down.
"Okay so the 65th Hunger Games was a great year for our tributes. I mean obviously because I won." Finnick clears his throat. "So I'm sure most of you can remember that the theme of this arena was the four seasons. Now, here in District Four it doesn't snow, but in that arena it did. Every two days the arena would change its season. There would be different types of food supplies and dangers lurking about. This did cause tributes to die of natural death or poison easily. I think six of the fallen tributes died of natural causes or by poison. The girl from six was good at posioning people so she may be the reason for the high number."
Finnick takes a brief pause to see how many students are still listening. He is surprised that most of the students are in fact still listening.
"Anyway, that was the setting of the arena." Finnick says.
"Yes, we all knew this Mr. Odair. We pre-wrote questions for you to answer for us and then at the end, if there's time we will have an open forum."
"Sounds great." Finnick says.
Why the hell didn't you tell me this before?!
"So question one?" Finnick asks.
"What is the value of working with an alliance?" A girl in the front row asks.
"Many mentors try to have their own district team up with one another. It is assumed that having a teammate will be more beneficial in the arena rather than having nothing at all. However, that may not be the case for everyone which is why this is an interesting question. It is an important factor to think about when you are in the arena. The norm is for our tributes to team up with the tributes from One and Two. However, the mentors like to provide all angles for the tributes. Depending on the tribute they may do better in the games if they work alone."
"You ran away." A student says.
"Yes, I left the group in the middle of the night. I had a feeling the group was going to betray me soon so I left to go on my own path and it clearly worked in my advantage. There is no shame in how you win the Hunger Games as long as you come out as the victor. If you can face an arena then you can face many other obstacles in life." Finnick says.
"Well said. Question two What are the important skills to learn before going into the arena?"
"I'm sure you're all aware there are training stations that are offered before the Hunger Games, but that lasts only a few days. The training club that is offered at our school teaches you important ways to train your body. However, it is also important to train your mind. Knowing certain things about nature or how to start a fire is important. You could freeze to death because you don't know how to start a fire and I'm talking about how to make one without the use of matches."
"Alright and last question before the open forum: what have you gained from the Hunger Games?" The teacher says.
Finnick has already figured out that the teacher clearly came up with all these questions, but is confused on how to answer.
"Well a title, money, house, Capitol visits." Finnick says.
"You should add a bit more." The teacher says a little annoyed.
"Right, well the Capitol has granted me a new and exciting life for me to live. I'm honored as well to be able to live." Finnick says awkwardly.
"Okay… class now is the time for you to ask Victor Finnick anything in regards to the Hunger Games." The teacher asks and a few hands shoot up.
"Yes in the back." Finnick says.
"What's it like to kill someone?" The person asks.
"Next question." Finnick says uncomfortable.
"But-" The student starts
"It's not relevant." The teacher says so the class will move on.
"What's it like having all the girls chase after you?" A boy calls out.
"Next question." The principal says this time.
"What's the President like?" A girl calls out.
"Class these questions are only related to the Hunger Games." The teacher says annoyed.
"It's alright." Finnick is okay with answering this one even though his answer will be fake. "The President is a very fair man. He honors us victors and treats us like one of his own. He's a very kind and tactful man. He rules our country with great knowledge and respect for the citizens." Finnick says.
"I wish he would visit our district." The girl says.
"He's a very busy man." Finnick says. Snow used to visit the District but doesn't anymore. Finnick remembers when Snow came into his home at Victors' Village. The house felt smaller with Snow in it. Even though the house was given to him it will never really be his house. There are strings attached with everything a victor has won.
"What's it like in the arena?" Someone shouts out.
"As you've seen each year the arena changes from time to time so I can't give you a straight answer." Finnick says.
"But what do you feel?" The student says.
"It was very hot during the summer season if I recall correctly." Finnick says. It's not outright spoken, but it is obvious that you shouldn't cast a dark light on the Hunger Games.
"Would you recommend people to volunteer?" A girl asks.
He recognizes the voice it's the girl from the ice cream shop, it's Annie.
"It depends on the person." Finnick says looking only at her.
"Care to elaborate?" Annie asks.
"If you feel well versed then it may be for you. However, you shouldn't just volunteer on a whim or for fun. There is a reason why District Four offers a training club." Finnick says.
"What's it like mentoring the younger children?" Annie asks.
"It's one question per person Miss. Cresta." The teacher scolds, but Finnick answers the question anyway.
"It's like training anyone else, we don't give anyone special treatment."
"How do you feel when someone dies? Do you feel responsible?" A guy from the front asks.
"Death is a natural part of any life and we can only do so much to help people." Finnick says trying not to look at the student. He remembers him. The student was at a funeral for one of the tributes a few years back. He doesn't like the look in the kid's eyes. "The people who volunteered knew the risk and the people who didn't were just unlucky."
The bells rings and the students shuffle out of the classroom.
"How many more classes do we have?" Finnick asks
"Four." The teacher says. "But it's lunch break right now." She says with a smile.
"Great." Finnick says.
Finnick remembers that lunch was always thirty five minutes. If you were buying lunch and the line was long then you barely had enough time to eat.
He heads out of the room
"Finn-" The teacher tries to stops him, but it is no use.
"Don't worry I'll be back for the next class." Finnick says not turning around.
When Finnick exits the classroom he is slammed against the locker by the student who asked the last question, the question that if Finnick felt guilty when a tribute died.
"You killed my sister."
Finnick pushes the guy away without hesitation.
"Best not to make a scene in public because you'll probably get suspended." Finnick says and smoothes his shirt.
"I bet you don't even remember any of the tributes how die. You just go to the Capitol and-"
"Your name is Luka and your sister's name was Lexi. She had brown hair and blue eyes. She was very fair skinned so the designer put her in a dark blue dress to make her stand out. She was seventeen at the time she died. Her death was talked about frequently because tributes from Four don't usually drown, but she only did because the poison from the fish she ate caused paralyzation. She was a nice girl and smart if she would've stayed away from the water she would've made it further, possibly won. However keeping a swimmer like her out of the water would've been hard." Finnick says.
"You only remember her because it was a few years ago."
"No, I remember her because she was a District Four tribute, my responsibility, and since she didn't volunteer she didn't deserve death." Finnick says. "Now, if you put your hands on me again I will hurt you. After all I have actually killed people." Finnick says and regrets it instantly. Finnick doesn't like making death threats.
He walks towards a back exit and is hit by the bright sun on the way out. Finnick leans against the brick wall and sighs.
Four more classes Finnick thinks to himself.
He'll know he will see more friends or family members of dead tributes. This is another reason why he hates going to the school. The same questions will get asked as well and the same incident will happen.
Finnick could bail right now, he's at the back entrance and if he leaves and makes a left he'll be on the beach where there will be a sea of people to hide in.
"You're really going to leave then?" Finnick hears someone say as he is about to make up his mind.
"I don't like it here." Finnick says not bothering to look up.
"Is that because you never bothered to finish… Mr. Odair."
Finnick rolls his eyes. He knows from the tone of the teacher's voice who it is.
"No Mr. Prady that's not why." Finnick says. It's the sailing teacher who always hated Finnick.
"You were one of my most promising students until you left." Mr. Prady says and looks him up and down
"I didn't leave Mr. Prady. I won the Hunger Games." Finnick says matter of factly.
"Yes and became better than the rest of us." The teacher says annoyed.
"The students heard Zayden talk the other day so they don't need my help." Finnick says.
"Yes because you're so much better than this place." Mr. Prady says.
Finnick sighs and heads back inside and the next class soon starts.
"What's it like being a victor?" A girl asks with a flirty smile. He can tell by what she is wearing that she is from the upscale part of the District.
"It's like a dream. You have plenty of money so stuff like school or a job are no longer needed. Everyone knows who you are and give you anything you want. They throw themselves at you because of a title. The President appreciates you and throws parties in your honor. A whole new world is yours." Finnick says slightly annoyed, but the girl doesn't notice.
"Wow." The girl says.
"Yes, but remember if you volunteer there is a one in twenty three chance you might die in many different ways. Stabbed, dehydration, poisoned, decapitated, attacked by gamemaker creations, drowned, mauled-"
"Okay next question-" the teacher says.
"Think about it before you volunteer because a death in the Hunger Games will always be violent and tragic. If you volunteer and die in the Hunger Games then you do. It won't get my sympathies because you know the chances and they are very slim." Finnick says and the room goes quiet.
"Everyone study Mr. Odair let's talk in the hall." The teacher states angry.
"What?" Finnick asks annoyed.
"We are trying to get people to volunteer not scare them away from it." She says.
"I didn't want to be here today, I didn't want to answer questions from shallow kids who can't see the big picture." Finnick says.
"You didn't need to accept the invitation."
"I wasn't invited! You told me what time to come to the school and I came."
"You didn't need to Mr. Odair."
"Yes I did because I'm sure you've been advertising it for a while. Besides, it's what expected of me." Finnick says.
"We need more volunteers." She says.
"Schools goating people into volunteering." Finnick smirks. "I should be more surprised than I am, but I've seen much worse." Finnick says and walks down the hall.
Finnick headed to the beach after leaving the school frustrated. He finds it annoying that the school got angry at him when he stated he didn't want to be there. They didn't like that he didn't act like the perfect role or advertise the Hunger Games in a nice light.
"Hey there."
Finnick hears a girls voice and jumps
"Hello Mona." Finnick says and turns to her briefly before looking back out at the water.
Mona looks exactly the same as when they were kids. She still has her black hair tied in a braid and her eyes are as bright as emeralds.
"I was looking forward to seeing you in class today, but you ran off. The rumor is you punched someone, gave death threats, and then ran off." Mona says and sits next to him.
"I didn't hit anyone Mona." Finnick says
"I know you're too gentle for that." She says and places her hand on his shoulder.
Finnick smiles.
"I've always wondered why you never saw me again after… Kora died."
"My sister's death wasn't an accident Mona."
"Still blaming yourself. She got caught up in a fishing net when it was storming. She drowned and it wasn't your fault Finn." Mona says.
"It is my fault which is why I never saw you again. Besides, you were friends with my sister not-"
"I was your friend too." Mona says. They both stare at the sea for awhile.
"I still am your friend you know." Mona says.
Finnick sighs.
"You're the only one I know who feels the same way about Kora. You're the only one who knows how much it hurts." Mona whispers. "When we were little Kora wanted me to marry you so her and I could be sisters. I told her I would never marry you though because you're too dramatic."
"Too dramatic." Finnick says with a chuckle.
"Yup, but now you're just too full of yourself." Mona says.
"Yeah that sounds like me."
"No, it doesn't. I wanted to ask you after class if you were just acting like a jerk, but now I know."
"How is that?" Finnick asks amused.
"Because your eyes." Mona says and runs her finger along his cheek. "They only hold sadness and I think they haven't let it go since Kora died." Mona says and kisses his cheek before standing up. "I hope to see you again, but you don't like to keep in touch with people Finnick."
Mona brushes the sand off her before walking off.
"Wait." Finnick says.
"Yes." Mona says and turns towards him.
"It's not that I don't like keeping in touch with people."
"You've outgrown me then?" Mona says with a smile. She knows this isn't the answer.
"No, it's because I need to protect people." Finnick says.
"There we go again being all dramatic. You can't save everyone Finnick, and whatever your trying clearly isn't working. If it were, your eyes wouldn't look so sad." Mona says and starts to walk off.
"Just because I'm not happy doesn't mean it's not working." Finnick says.
"Then it's a sad life you must be living Finnick Odair. It wouldn't hurt to share the burden with someone else." Mona says and walks off.
Finnick stays on the beach all night. He doesn't want to go home, but he doesn't want to go anywhere else either. He stays to see the sunrise and just as the sun starts to peak out of the water a single tear rolls down Finnick's face.