Hello there. First, I must beg for forgiveness for not writing for such a long time. Holiday break. But there's good news. To compensate for my long, irrational absence, I have actually written chapters 8, 9 and 10 in the plane, as my mom accidentally packed my book. So I'm going to immediately post them after this.
Anyways, enjoy this chapter!
The rest of the day passes quickly with Finnick training for the interview. I ask him about it when he comes to my room.
"What are you going to do for your interview?"
A playful, mischievous look takes over his face. I love this look. His eyes glint with excitement and there's a little something more, something completely different yet completely him. His smile seems to hide something, but in a good, cheerful way.
"It's gonna be special. It'll be for you, but of course, I'll have to throw in a bit of acting in there." His eyes soften into something sadder, and I know that he wishes it didn't have to be that way. Despite his regret, I still look away because I know exactly what he means by "acting". He has to act as if whatever it is he says or does is for his lovers in the Capitol. I know he's forced to do all those things, but I still can't bear the thought of him with someone else. And I'd make that plural. With some other people.
I sigh and he catches my hand. He gently turns my face so I'm looking at him. I still look down, but he lifts my chin up so we're eye to eye.
His eyes are shiny with tears and they're filled with so much sadness I feel like crying myself.
"Annie, it's hard for me too, you know."
And this hits me hard. I'm ashamed for being so selfish. It must be harder for him than it is for me. He's the one doing all those terrible things, while all I do is sit at home, gazing at the sea. I feel useless and powerless and just-
Tears well up in my eyes and I put my head on his chest.
"I'm sorry, Finnick. I didn't- I'm being selfish. Of course it's harder for you," I say as I look up, "but thank you."
He smiles and hugs me back, hugs me tight, and I don't ever want to let go.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen -but mostly ladies- the man you've been waiting for, from District 4, FINNICK ODAAAAAAAIRRR!"
I hear Caesar roar his name out and snap my head up at the screen backstage. Finnick comes out with his perfect smile, perfect hair, perfect face. But I see more than what they see, which is his perfection. I see a boy trying to save me from drowning. I see a boy chasing me on the beach. I see a man trying to wake me up from my flashbacks. I see a man trying to do all in his power to protect the people he loves.
Even with his confident walk across the stage, his eyes show that he's nervous. I smirk a little. Who knew? Finnick Odair, the man every girl wants, has stage fright.
Finnick and Caesar start off joking around and I love seeing him laugh. I can tell he's really laughing, by the crinkling of his eyes and the way he seems so relaxed. He's on good terms with Caesar, so I'm happy about that.
Then he does something unexpected. He stands up. "I'd like to give a few words to my one true love," he says with a smile, the smile of the Finnick that I know and love. I smile and all the girls in the crowd start screaming and sighing and I even see a few fainting.
Finnick then takes on his alter ego, the obnoxious one who loves himself more than anything. I hate it so I just close my eyes and listen.
"A flower amidst a thorny bush,
Unexpected and wild and free.
A perfect seashell thrown in by a wave,
Fragile, yet beautiful to me.
Though not always with you,
You'll always be in my heart,
And I deeply hope,
That I am in yours too.
For you are my one and only,
My flawless and perfect,
One true love."
The crowd gives him a standing ovation and more girls faint while some are hysterically screaming and trying to reach for him. He gives a bow and Caesar says, "Now wasn't that just beautiful? It really brought tears to my eyes. Now I'd love to ask you who it is, but I'm afraid that we are out of time." The crowd sighs.
"Ladies and gentlemen, FINNICK ODAIR!"
I want to go to him and tell him how much I love the poem and how much I love him, but I can't go onstage. Without realizing it, I have streaks of tears on my face. I wipe them off hastily with my palm. The rest of the interview's a blur, until it comes to Katniss.
She's wearing a beautiful white dress with pearls everywhere. It's one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen. But there's just something wrong with it. The crowd gasps and I stand up as it hits me.
It's her wedding dress.
I put my hand to my mouth to hold in my scream and close my eyes. Tears threaten to spill. I open them to see a grim-faced Katniss. How can Cinna do this to her? I can't believe it. I walk towards the screen.
I don't know her that well, but this is not okay at all. I'm so sorry for her even thought I barely know her. She must be miserable.
Especially with their fake relationship and everything, this is too much for everyone. I mean, at least everyone that thinks they're faking. I think they're faking. So does Finnick.
As I think about all this, I see Katniss stand up and start spinning. She did this last year, I think.
Fire.
I cry out in surprise, and I see the shock on her face. This is outrageous. Cinna didn't even tell her this was going to happen. He's crossed so many lines. Too many lines. Then I see that the white dress falls off in small burning pieces.
Black feathers.
She looks down at herself and lifts her arms up.
A bird.
She faces the audience and her face lights up in recognition. I don't understand what Cinna's trying to do.
A mockingjay.
