CHAPTER EIGHT

LIVES CHANGE

"Miss Cresta... Miss Cresta..."

It's obviously a Capitol accent.

I slowly open my eyes to see Finnick's new handler.

She offers a smile and touches my face gently.

"Hello, Sleeping Beauty. I'm Malticia. You had quite a spell," she says with an awkward smile.

I survey my surroundings and find myself on a couch in what appears to be a dining cart on the train. I slowly begin to prop myself up on my elbows and wince in pain. My head aches.

"Ah-ah-ah! Rest. You fell and hit your head on the wall..." Malticia frowns.

"Where is my dad," I grumble, lying down again the arm of the sofa.

"Safe and sound. Back at home! That's actually why I'm waking you. We have him on the telephone for you."

She reaches to a glossy wood table beside me and picks up a two piece black telephone. Delicately she hands it to me and eyes me as if I might break it.

I hold one piece to my ear and the other to my lips.

"Dad?"

"Annie, are you okay?" he asks hoarsely.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. I'm just a little woozy."

"Where are you?"

"I'm on a train. I'm okay though. Really," I reply glancing around the room.

There are pastries and foods on a long dining table along with colorful drinks. Flowers adorn the entire carriage and outside the window all of Panem flickers by in a flash.

"I'm coming to get you," he says.

"Dad, no. Honestly, I'm fine. If they were going to hurt me, it would have already happened. I'm okay. Plus, how would you get to me?"

There's a long pause and a sigh.

"Dad?"

"I'm here. You call me every two hours, Annie, understand?" Dad demands.

"Absolutely."

"I love you, Ann."

"I love you too, Dad," I say, softly.

Malticia gestures for me to hand her the phone.

Cautiously I pass it to her.

"Mr. Cresta! I just wanted to assure you that your daughter is in good hands and we will be taking excellent care of her," says Malticia.

I prop myself up, ignoring the pain in my forehead and slowly sit upright.

"Yes, well, President Snow would like to speak with Annie and all of Capitol wants to meet her. She's all anyone is talking about," she explains excitedly. "I'll see to it personally."

Malticia wears a confused expression, and slowly nods.

"If that is what you wish. Absolutely. She'll call you soon. Good day, Mr. Cresta."

Malticia hangs up the phone with a sigh, and stands quickly to her feet.

"Why does President Snow want to talk to me?" I ask.

She turns her heavily lashed eyes to me and forces a smile.

"Well, the second Finnick confessed to having feelings for you, I received a call from him. President Snow said Finnick is one of his favorite victors. He thinks any girl that Finnick is interested in must be worth meeting."

I nod. Something about that doesn't sound right.

"Your father has requested that you remain with Finnick as much as possible."

"Really?" I ask.

"Yes. He says that Finnick is the only one he truly trusts."

I nod again.

"Are you alright, my dear," asks Malticia softly.

I realize that I'm crying. Not much, but still crying. I sniff away the tears and look at her.

"Fine. Just fine," I say.

Malticia studies me, I can see concern in her eyes. She offers me a lace gloved hand.

I take it and stand with wobbly legs.

"Let me take you to Finnick, my dear," she smiles linking our arms.

We walk down a long hall. Despite the rapid movement of the train, I feel as though the floor beneath me is very stable. It's as though we're completely stationary.

We reach a door at the end of the hallway.

"They had to tranquilize him twice so he's probably still sleeping. Try not to wake him, yes?"

I nod. Malticia nods back and trots back down the hall in her extremely elevated high heels.

My hand touches the platinum doorknob and I twist it, slowly entering.

On the bed lies an unconscious Finnick. One arm on his stomach, the other by his side.

Quietly, I near his rounded, mahogany bed and look at him.

His chest moves up and down slowly.

I sit on the navy blue bedspread at the foot of his bed and continue to stare at him. My hand touches his leg but he does not stir.

"It's okay, Fin. I forgive you," I say, fighting back tears.

I care for him. I really do. And he cares for me. Despite the heart ache he put me through, I am not mad. He was trying to protect me.

And even if he can't now, I'm glad he told me. I'm glad he confessed it all. Even if it was in front of everyone in Panem. Even if now... I have to face the President of Panem.

FINNICK'S POC

My eyes flutter open to see the familiar pale blue ceiling of my room on the Capitol train. Dim sunlight filters in through the windows on either side of the carriage. I struggle to remember what happened as I adjust to my surroundings.

I made my Spur Speech.

Confessed I had feelings for Annie.

I was dragged off stage because...

Because Annie and her father were being dragged away by Peacekeepers and I was fighting to save them.

I sit straight up and gasp. I have to find out what happened to Annie. I go to leap off the bed and stop.

A silhouette stares out the window.

Annie.

She's in the same clothes as earlier. Hair still draped over her shoulder. It's the same day.

Her head turns so she stares at me out of the corner of her eye.

"You can sleep..." she says softly.

I relax and find the rapid beating of my heart slowing.

"I'll stay with you," Annie finishes as she faces me full on.

She leans on the window sill with her palms and turns a thoughtful gaze to me.

"Where's your dad," I say, massaging the bridge of my nose.

"They tranquilized him... He's fine though. Back at home. He called a little over an hour ago. He said he was fine, but wants to hear from me every two hours," she chuckles.

She tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear and sighs.

"Did they tranquilize you?" I ask.

She shrugs.

"Not like you. I got knocked out. Pushed against a wall," she laughs bitterly.

I'll find out who pushed her later. Right now I need to apologize. I open my mouth to say I'm sorry but she interrupts me.

"You must have put up quite a fight, Fin. They had to tranquilize you twice," she smiles.

Slowly, Annie approaches my bed.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean for all this to happen. I just wanted you to know-"

She sits swiftly and covers my mouth with her hand. Annie shakes her head.

I wait for her to tell me it's alright, but instead, her hand glides from my mouth to my cheek and she pulls me into a kiss.

It's quick. Very brief. But it's still a kiss from Annie Cresta.

"It's fine..." she whispers.

I slowly look at her whole face. Lips. Nose. Eyes. Chin. All perfect.

"We're fine," assures Annie.

With any other girl, I would begin to make out with her...but with Annie... I pull her into a warm embrace.

"I'll protect you. I won't let anything happen to you," I say, stroking her hair.

She tenderly squeezes my back.

"I know. I know you won't. I know you'll protect me."

This promise. This promise is the most sacred I've made to date. The strongest and one I will hold myself to until I die.

"Knock! Knock!"

I recognize the perky voice to be Malticia.

I stroke Annie's arm until she wakes. She slowly sits up and rubs her eyes.

"May I come in?" Malticia sings.

"Be my guest!" I call.

Malticia opens the door. I sit up and ruffle my hair. Annie sits on the edge of the bed and yawns softly.

"Did I wake you?" frowns Malticia.

"Yeah, but it's time we woke up anyway," I say.

Malticia nods and turns ushering someone in.

All the stylists enter. I stifle a groan.

"We're almost to Capitol and once we are there, you will be immediately taken to the Spur Speech Ball," announces Malticia.

I massage the bridge of my nose.

"Which means we have to get you two ready," she adds.

One of my stylists opens a box of various styling utensils. The others set up large stage lights so to illuminate every imperfection on my face which will soon be flawless.

"Did you say 'you two?' As in... the both of us?" Annie asks, confused.

"But of course! Everyone wants to meet you, Annie! So Darius, Mish, you two have Finnick."

Darius smiles and flashes his big white teeth, Mish waves her blue fingers at me delicately.

"Landis, Crelia, you have Annie," orders Malticia.

Annie stands and approaches Landis and Crelia. Her eyes wide with bewilderment.

"Don't worry, my dear. We'll have you ready in no time!"

Crelia presses her metallic lips to Annie's cheek as does Landis. Annie gasps.

Crelia and Landis begin to escort Annie out. She looks over her shoulder at me. Her jaw hanging and her eyes wide.

"I'll see you soon," I call.

In no time at all, Annie and I will be at the ball. The ball where Annie will undoubtedly meet President Snow.

ANNIE'S POV

I've been sitting silently on this stool for twenty minutes, trying not to look at the colors of the makeup being put on my face. Last time I did I saw blue and silver and purple and just every color in the spectrum.

"You look exceptionally concerned," chuckles Crelia.

My eyes flicker up to hers. She wears a small smile on her shimmering lips. Even with a face and speech as memorable as hers, I know I'll forget her name soon. Too much is going on for me to store more things in my brain and I've never been good with names.

"Believe it or not, no one has ever done my makeup before... Not like this..." I reply with a half smile.

Landis and Crelia exchange looks of sympathy and excitement.

"Well, we're more than excited to do your hair and makeup."

"Landis, don't forget the dress! I can't wait to see what Brorie has designed," sighs Crelia dreamily.

He slaps her shoulder with good nature and smiles.

"A-a dress?" I stammer.

"What else do you wear to a Capitol ball?" laughs Landis.

I lower my head and laugh softly.

"Ah! Don't look down. We're almost done!" scolds Crelia.

My hair is curled and tied so many times I have no idea what has happened to it.

Fifteen minutes later they conclude my hair is perfect and begin to add some final touches.

They speak with one another for a few more minutes before helping me up and guiding me down the hall again. I avoid my reflection at all costs.

A long blue coat is slipped on me. It hugs my curves gently. I look at Crelia and Landis with raised brows.

"Is this my dress?" I ask.

They both laugh and shake their heads.

"No! No, darling! We had to call Brorie as soon as we found out you were coming. He's been breaking his back getting your dress ready so you, Finnick and Gem match," explains Landis.

"What about Gem?"

I turn around to see Gem Nye approaching me. She wears a long navy blue gown, strapless with sequins covering every inch. Her hair falls straight over her shoulder in a silky, straight line.

She offers me a shiny smile. Her shimmery blue eye shadow sparkles above her penetrating gaze.

"Hello, Annie. I'm Gem," she says pulling me into a gentle embrace.

Two stylists I hadn't seen grab another long, blue coat and slip it on her.

"How are you?" she asks.

"I'm fine. Definitely thinking you're dressed better than me," I scoff, smiling.

She smiles warmly and places a hand on my shoulder.

"It's nice to meet you. Finnick and I are glad you're here. It's nice to have another girl from District Four."

"We're here!" sings Malticia walking down the hall quickly.

She looks like a cupcake in her neon purple dress covered in light purple beads.

Behind her is Finnick wearing a dark blue suit with very light grey, shimmering pinstripes. A light grey button up is beneath his blazer and is undone to his sternum.

As he nears me he smiles and laughs softly.

"You look incredible," he breathes.

"You too," I reply.

We stare at each and I can tell we are both nervous. We're both realizing that the second we reach that ball...both our lives are gonna change.