"Can nobody hear me? I've got a lot that's on my mind," — Imagine Dragons, Hear Me.

'What are you doing, Dee?' Finnick says angrily, but an expression of concern on his face.

I narrow my eyes. 'What do you mean?'

Finnick's pulled me into one of the spare rooms to discuss what I've been 'doing' lately with me. He doesn't look very happy, but can I blame him? Today's the day I enter the arena.

'You know what I mean. Falling asleep in one of your opponent's arms? What in the name of Panem were you thinking!'

'It's not a big deal, Finn–'

'It is. I can't have you two being like this, when he dies you'll be horrified,' Finnick shakes his head.

'What makes you think he's going to die, Finnick?' I say sturdily.

'You must win these Games,' Finnick tells me, tears springing up in his eyes. I've only ever seen him cry two times before. One of them being the time when he came home after his Games and ran to hug me. 'You must.'

'Finnick,' I plead with him. 'I've made up my mind, you know that. Finnegan is getting out of this hellhole alive. Broken, maybe, but still alive. That's good enough for me.'

'Please, Absidee.'

'No,' I say. 'Finnegan deserves to live. I don't.'

It's my excuse. Of course there are more reasons than just that.

I'll never tell Finnick, though.

I wouldn't want to die leaving him to believe me to be a coward.

Although, that is the truth.

Finnick breathes deep breaths and looks as though he could be mentally counting to ten. It's a good technique. Perhaps I could try it in the arena as I die a slow and painful death.

'If you're going to be like that,' he says slowly, and projects an image of calm. Although he's probably feeling the opposite. I'm intent on dying, how weird for a tribute, and one from a Career district nonetheless. 'Here's your token.'

He hands me a bracelet.

A small, hand woven bracelet which symbolises my district, my home.

And how does it do so?

With the small image of a dolphin

I sigh and feel extremely happy for a moment, my mood lightened by this little bracelet.

It's nice to be able to keep a bit of home with me as I head to the place which has the power to dehumanise people.

Maybe this bracelet could be the one thing that'll keep me sane? Who knows.

'Thank you so much,' I breathe.

'It's fine,' Finnick says, and I can tell his voice is cracking. 'Absolutely fine, no trouble at all.'

He pulls me into a hug. 'I made it myself.'

He parts from me and looks into my eyes. I can tell he's gone into mentor mode again, by the look in his eyes, but I don't care this time.

'Stick with the rest of your Career group for as long as possible. Part ways as soon as you reach the bottom 8. And if you're so stubborn, stick with your friend too. Don't get too attached though,' he warns me. 'Something could happen to him.'

We begin to walk up to the roof where I'll be collected from and taken to the Launch room underneath the arena, where my stylist will be.

I'm already dressed in a simple outfit, not much work will be done by my stylist today.

My hair is wrapped around my head in an intricate braid, and I like it. It actually looks nice for once, I think.

We reach the roof but Finnick grabs my arm as I begin to walk away.

'What?' I ask.

'You have to promise me,' he begins. 'You have to swear, that if Finnegan dies, you will try to win. OK?'

'I promise,' I say slowly. 'I swear.'

And I mean it.