Phoenix Rise

Chapter 18: I wish…..

Gale's POV

Siobhan laid asleep in my arms as the sun began to rise. She looked peaceful in her sleep. No dread or wary while pain vanished on her fair skin. As she lost in the world that runs through her head that I wish to know? My hands slipped over her stomach and traced the elastic of her panties. Last night was amazing. Okay, so we didn't have sex but doesn't mean we had a little fun, to touch her and feel her reaction under me. My lips on her skin, lips, and more that words couldn't be described.

"You're such a tease," Siobhan breathed befor rolling that her head was on my chest.

I smiled and looked at her, "You love it."

Siobhan scoffed, sitting up and straddled my lap. "Yeah, I do."

I smirked leaning up to kiss her on the lips. Before it got serious she pulled back and chuckled. "Ready for Effie Boot camp?"

I groaned in frustration and rejection. Like somebody dunk cold water on me in mentioning Effie boot camp. Today was rehearsal leaving us to practice on our interviews for tomorrow. How Haymitch and Effie would be coaching us to get sponsors and all that crap. Truly I wanted to lie down and be lazy with my girl. But Siobhan wasn't the lazy type. She was proactive, the need to do something. If Siobhan finished one thing you'll find her doing another. Mark said she might have ADHD, a disability that makes her hyper. Whatever that is?

But I have other plans instead of training. We're good enough from the tour and have the skills. "Let's ditch."

"Hooky?" Siobhan asked with a sinister smiled. "I like the sound of that. Oh, that reminds me. Effie left a message this morning, coaching sessions are canceled."

Immediately she hopped out of bed jumping towards the bathroom on one leg. Grabbing the clock, I saw it was ten o'clock in the morning. Past the time Effie would want to train with a note on the side. I laughed; Siobhan was always one step ahead of me. I walked into the bathroom to find her in the shower. So I started my morning routine, brushing my teeth.

"Too bad we can't go sightseeing." I said.

"Yeah, but there's one place we could go." Siobhan said over the shower. "Where we can see everything."

The roof.

.o0o.

My head rested on Siobhan lap as we lay under the sun on the roof. You can say it's sort of a picnic with all the food, blanket, and stuff we used in the small garden. Siobhan had her medallion playing the song she always hummed when making tea or things. Taking a good look at it, it was a mockingjay just like my pin however it didn't hold an arrow. No, it looks like it was in taking flight, rising from the confines of a cage. I sighed, closing my eyes savoring the warmth.

No one bothered us. Around late in the afternoon we were laying on the ground, her head on my chest. Siobhan sighed and suddenly gave a sneeze that surprised me. I looked at her while chuckling. It's sort of funny in how Siobhan sneezes, a high pitch noise or a loud burst causing her to bang her head. She lifted her head and pouted in protest. Another chuckled rumble in my chest as I kissed her on the forehead.

"I wish this moment doesn't end," I whispered against her lips and kissed her.

Siobhan breathed into the kiss and responded back. I lean up wrapping my arms around her, resting my head on her shoulder kissing her collarbone, up her neck, chin, cheek and stop bellow the ear, kissing that patch of skin. She moaned to my touch and traced her fingers on my back gingerly. I shudder from her touches, though frown pulling back. Remembering how I got those scars all because I stupidly walked on Threads front door stepped. I don't remember much after the tenth lashing or the next few days, but I remember hearing voices. Katniss, Mom, Haymitch, and Mark, but the most common voice I heard the most was Siobhan. She never left my side except once.

"Is something wrong?" Siobhan asked.

"No," I breathed tucking a loose strand of hair offer her face, thumb stroking her cheek.

Siobhan sadly smiled and hugged me. "I wish we could go home together."

"I know," I whispered in her ear. "I know."

We held on to each other until the sun began to set. If there wasn't any Capitol, I would have thought the view was beautiful, except it seemed nice. Siobhan seemed to be in a daze as she watched the sunsets while fiddling her medallion. Seeing her green eyes gazed out while her mind was somewhere else. I wonder where she goes. Does she go through memory lane or does she think of something? It doesn't matter right now she was here next to me.

.o0o.

Siobhan POV

The next day I woken to feel the sun on my face. Stirring, I rolled over and snuggle closely into Gale's warmth. It was impossible to separate Gale and I since we want to spend as much time together as possible before the Arena. The thought of the arena scared me. Only one can come out, not two or a team. It hurt that a few tears fell in thinking of death and who was going to die. It's completely noticeable that Gale would want me to win so he can be a martyr. But he forgets that I can't survive without him, he's my rock. Before Gale woke up, I wipe the tears away and smiled when his sharp eyes woken.

"Hey," I breathed kissing him on the lip.

Gale kissed back securing his arm around me, bringing me closer, "Morning."

Like the teenagers we are, we started making out. His fingers find skin under my tank top. As he wrapped it around my side, up the ribcage and brush against my breast. I moaned into his lips then slide my attention to his ear and nibble on the earlobe. He was about the push the fabric off when the door burst open in comes the prep team. They looked at us as we looked at them in horror. Really, is privacy and knocking doesn't exist in their vocabulary?

I got off of Gale, accidently kneeing his groin causing him to groan in protest. I blushed, apologizing quickly before grabbing my prosthetic leg and attached in on. The whole moment ruin as Octavia burst into tears.

"You remember what Cinna told us," Venia said fiercely that Octavia nods but sobs instead as she excused herself.

My prep team escorted me out of the room for prep, as I gave a quick look to Gale. He was rubbing his neck and watched in a daze. Yeah, so much for a good morning? Back in my room Venia and Flavius worked on me. They held their usual conversation, although it was very limited, that they weren't actually talking, than the music that played on the radio. By lunch hour, Flavius had to excuse himself after trimming my hair.

So it was just Venia and me. Venia was probably the strongest out the bunch as she kept a determine face as she does my hair, makeup, and nails. Keeping focus at the tasked at hand, avoiding eye contact. It felt somewhat tranquil and yet sad that we keep it like that until Cinna arrives. When he did, he approves of Venia work and dismissed her to regain her barring. Before she left, she grasped my hand and looked straight into my eye and say, "We would all like you to know what a ….privilege it has been to make you look your best." Then she hastened the room.

I sighed looking down at my hand still feeling the warmth Venia imprinted on my skin. My prep team, the silly, aloof, of fun prep team. I may not understand the world of fashion they lived in, but I love the commitment and energy they possessed. A tissue was handed from Cinna as I wipe the tears away and smiled sadly. Cinna was probably the strongest person I met in the Capitol.

"What's tonight's outfit?" I asked as he held up the garment bag.

"President Snow put in the dress order himself," Cinna answered. He unzipped the bag revealing one of the wedding dresses I wore at the photo shoot. I gasped, feeling my eyes water as I look a seat. A white and silver satin strapless, scooped neckline, and fitted, dropped waist. The bodice features embroidery and Swarovski crystals while the satin ball gown skirt is accented with crystal buttons and crystals along the hemline. It was fairytale dress that princess would wear on the special accession, not this. "Even though they announced the Quarter Quells the night of the photo shoot, people still voted for their favorite dress, and this was the winner. The president says you're to wear it tonight. Our objections were ignored."

It took me a moment to regain my bearing before Cinna help me into the garment. I stand in front of the tall mirror looking at myself. Tawny hair curled into a thick mane with small braids entwine with beads. A glamor amount of makeup that of bronze and gold while Cinna added some cream on my arm saying it was to help keep the sliver lace gloves on. Cinna added the final touches of adding the mockingjay medallion and crowning of the veil. This was utter humiliation that I feel my pride and honor was gone. President Snow was playing his sick game again on me like the night I had to sleep on the eleventh floor in Rue's room. This was a slap in the face for marrying Gale was my plan and it would never happen.

I wipe the tears off my eyes and shook my head, "Can't waste a pretty dress."

Cinna adjusted the ball gown skirt and helped me into silver crystal choose. Though it felt off, it felt heavy than before. I noted this to Cinna and he looked at me with a small smile.

"I had to make some slight alteration because of the lighting," Cinna said.

I nodded but felt doubt in his words and doubt was a rare emotion that should prosecute Cinna. Then again, I don't know much about fashion only herbs and tea. Cinna touched up the makeup to cover the evident of crying while adding some detail on exposed skin. I asked what it was and he said it was lotion to soften the glow of the contrast of white and my skin tone. If I didn't know any better, I feel like I was losing Cinna too. My best friend Cinna.

"You're ravishing," he said. "Now, Siobhan, because the bodice is so fitted, I don't want you raising your arms above your head. Well, not until you twirl anyway."

"Twirling?" I asked raising a brow.

"I'm sure Caesar will ask you. And if he doesn't, you suggest it yourself. Only not right away. Save it for your big finale," Cinna instructed.

"Mind giving the signal?"

"All right," He said and smiled sadly. "Any plans for your interview? I know Haymitch left you two to your own devices."

"If this was different I would probably say how happy I am with what I have and the dream I wanted." I said touching my medallion. "I always dreamt of getting married as a little girl. To have kids, maybe a dog, and work at a teashop while my husband who goes to the minds. And when he returns he would come home and kiss me. That what I wanted with Gale…but never more. They're just silly dreams."

Though I was a target for President Snow to torture Gale, the Capitol audiences was mine. I was not going to back down without a fight.

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And the victor of the dress competition is…Dress number 4. Thanks to all who voted and may the odds be ever in your favor.