A/N- Yay, so I've been recieving lots of happy comments and emails and stuff about this story, so another huge thank you to everyone who's reading this!

Chapter 7 is going to be interesting... so enjoy x

Unfortunately, I still do not own The Hunger Games

Peeta isn't dead. He survived the bloodbath. He's alive!

I had sat, unmoving from the sofa pretty much all yesterday afternoon. From the countdown until the day's highlights. I had sat, mind frozen on one hope; the hope that Peeta was still alive. When I hadn't seen him all through the bloodbath, I was almost convinced that he was dead. With all the commotion and large number of deaths, I couldn't keep up with Peeta's whereabouts. They had showed some of the other tributes that had survived the first battle, but none of them were Peeta.

But, when his face didn't appear with the other dead tributes' at the end of the show, I can say I was pretty ecstatic. But above all, relieved. Relieved that he could live at least another day longer. Relieved that he still had a small chance of maybe even winning. That I could still see him again, but safe this time. I shouldn't get my hopes up too high however, there's still about five Careers left. And they'll probably team up to hunt down Peeta and the others. But, for now, I'll keep myself calm, knowing that Peeta is still alive, still breathing, still thinking. And maybe, just maybe, he's thinking about me.

Right now, it's the next morning and the second day of the Games. Peeta has survived the first day, so I'm ok. Well, as ok as I can be, seeing the situation, the chances of being happy are pretty slim. I don't think anything could make me smile right now, unless I saw Peeta again.

I would be sitting in front of the screen all day, watching the Games and hoping to see Peeta safe.. ish. However, I am not. Snow has put a lock on my TV, which only allows me to watch the highlights of the Games each night. So I can't see any live footage, not even of Peeta. Because this is the cruel, twisted person the president is. He just wants me to suffer through each day, oblivious to whether Peeta is alive or not. After all, he could have easily died through the night, or early this morning and I wouldn't know. And I've got to say, it's killing me. But that's exactly what Snow wants. But I don't see why.

How is my suffering benefiting him? I don't see why I'm still here. There must be a reason for it though, otherwise Snow would have made me an Avox ages ago. Am I considered valuable because of Peeta? And if so, why?

So, to avoid moping around in a deep state of despair while I wait impatiently for evening to come, I've decided to do something productive. I've decided to get hold of a map of the mansion and work out an escape route. This way, if Peeta is still alive in a few days, I can be back in 12 wishing for his safety, along with my family.

I guess it must be pretty empty at home, what with both me and Peeta not there. I can't imagine what my parents must be going through. Not only is their youngest son a tribute in the Hunger Games, but their only daughter is hundreds of miles away and being held against her will in the hands of the Capitol. It must be horrible for them and even though they might not show it, I know that they do love us both with all their hearts. As do I and I would do anything to let them know that I'm ok and unharmed. Hopefully, if I can escape, then I will be able to show them that.

Oh, my, God. Who draws these maps? They're that confusing, I can't even tell the difference when holding it upside down! It looks like a toddler has gotten hold of a pen and scribbled over the whole map. There's lines and symbols everywhere, but no key! I can't tell one symbol from another, not to mention the amount of hidden corridors and rooms with no names. The whole mansion is a maze itself, with one entrance and no exit. At least, no exit for the likes of myself. Whoever designed this place must have been planning to hold lots of people here, most probably servants. Now, I'm really starting to doubt my escape plans...

I can't see how even a really intelligent person could make sense of these. They're ridiculously confusing! I eventually lose my control and scream, throwing the maps to the floor. They land with a soft crumple and spread out across the floor, tripping me up as I walk over them. This only causes me to scream once more and stomp my feet hard, down on the plush carpet. Small darts of pain shoot up my foot to my lower leg. I'm too hot inside that it doesn't really hurt much at all.

But my anger doesn't last long though, as my rage turns to tears.

They stream down my face, completely drenching it. I squeeze my eyelids tightly together, trying to block out the pounding in my temple, but my head continues to palpitate and the tears continue to sprout out uncontrollably. I slam the back of my skull against the wall, to try to get a grip on myself, but it only releases physical pain. As my anger has subsided, I can really feel the pain this time.

The throbbing in my head is multiplied and I'm starting to feel faint. My throat feels as if it's slowly closing up, making me gasp out for more air. I don't feel enough oxygen going to my lungs as everything gets dizzy. I'm struggling to breathe now and the walls seem like they're closing in on me. I need to get out. I need air. I need to breathe.

The cool air cascades over me, lowering my body temperature a little. I take in the fresh air, gulping it down like there's no tomorrow. Only there is a tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that. I find it hard to get through one day, so can I manage the many others that follow? I probably could, if Peeta won the Games. But if he doesn't, then what will I do with the rest of my life? I can't cry over Peeta all my life; I'll end up hanging myself or something from depression. Besides, Peeta wouldn't want that for me, just as I wouldn't want it for him if things were the other way round. If only things were the other way round. Alas, they're not, so I need to stop wishing and get on with life.

There's a cool breeze up on the roof, that waves through my loose hair, creating a rippling effect. I don't know why I didn't come up here before when things got tough; it's so peaceful and carefree. I feel as if the world is far below my feet and up here, I'm free to think alone and be myself without any judgement. Up here, where no one can hurt me.

I perch myself near the edge of the roof, not too close, but far enough to feel away from the rest of the mansion. I have a few minutes of silence to myself, before someone comes up to join me.

Finnick sits on the floor next to me, his bronze hair ruffled by the wind. He must have seen me running up here and has come to make sure I don't do anything reckless. Not that I would... maybe.

"Hey, you ok?" He asks me.

I take in another breath and turn to face him, "Not really..."

"Nothing new there, then" He sighs.

I murmur in agreement and look back to face the Capitol off the edge of the roof.

"I used to come up here a lot, you know" Finnick says, breaking the silence.

"Really, why?" I ask, wondering what sorts of problems he could have had in the past.

I think of none.

"To escape life in the Capitol, I guess..." He sighs.

I look at him uncertainly.

"I liked being on my own too and up here, you get all the privacy in the world" He continues, staring out into the distance.

"What about all your other girlfriends here? Didn't they want your undivided attention?" I ask.

Finnick shakes his head slightly, still looking out.

"They weren't girlfriends. None of them were. The only real girlfriend I've had was when I was thirteen, and that wasn't even anything serious"

I'm really confused now, doesn't Finnick hold the record for the most girlfriends in Panem?

"What do you mean? I thought you've had loads of girlfriends...?" I question.

"Nope. That was just a cover up for the truth" He replies simply and bluntly.

"The truth?" I ask.

"Doesn't matter now, it's a long story" He says, shrugging his shoulders.

"I have time" I smile at him, remembering how he did this once for me.

Finnick takes a deep breath and begins.

"Well, after I won my Games, I became very popular with the girls... They used to go wild and try to kiss me when I was on the Victory Tour. So, anyways, Snow saw this as an advantage to his power, so as soon as I turned sixteen, he, umm... came up with an arrangement..." He trails off, and I can see that he's never told anyone this before.

"Arrangement?" I ask, allowing him time to think things through.

"Um, Snow had this friend, Monroe, and well... he kind of... sold my body..." He continues, but this time he stammers in his speech.

"Sold it? Like, to women?" I say, shocked.

"Yeah..." He answers, with a little shake to his voice.

"How dare he! That must have been awful for you. Are you ok?" I try to comfort him, but somehow, I wasn't prepared for anything like this.

"I'm fine now. It's stopped while the Games are on. But, I'm used to it now, I suppose" He says.

"But, Finnick, it's not fine!" I tell him.

"Well there's nothing I can do about it, I was forced" He protests back, trying to convince me that everything was fine. Only it wasn't and I can see it in his eyes that it wasn't fine.

"I am so sorry Finnick..." I say to him, trying to reach out and give him the sympathy he needs.

"It's not your fault, Zinny. You didn't know" He assures me.

"But when we first met, I judged you instantly as an arrogant guy who just uses girls whenever it suits him" I say back.

"But that's what you were told by the Capitol. You weren't to know then" He says.

"I know, but I still feel bad about it" I say.

"You shouldn't though" He looks at me, "You're not like any of the other girls I've known. You're not interested in fame or fortune. You just saw the real in me and that's... that's a first. Every girl I've met have only been interested in my body and image, whereas you don't even seem to notice"

"Well, I'm not most girls, am I?" I smile, "And, by the way, I never said you weren't attractive"

"Ha ha, you sure about that?" He grins at me, his white teeth glimmering in the remaining bits of sunlight.

"Maybe" I grin back, teasing him. But, honestly, I don't know whether I have feelings for him or not. Sure, he's stunningly gorgeous, but does that mean I feel something for him? Before I thought we were just friends, but now...I'm not sure.

"Really, Zinny... Do you not remember the sugarcube incident?" He laughs to me.

"Oh come on! That wasn't sexy, it was hilarious!" I point out.

"Oh thanks... So now I'm an unattractive comedian, am I?" He jokes.

"Oh stop it, Finnick. You're such a drama queen!" I say.

"I am not!" He protests.

"You so are!" I retort back.

There's a small silence between us, Finnick doesn't speak back for a moment. Instead, he just sighs and gazes out again. I look at him, then he turns back round to me.

"Ah, I haven't had a laugh like this with anyone, except you, in a while" He says, chewing his top lip lightly.

"Well, I'm not planning on going anywhere soon" I reply in a slight hushed manner.

Finnick leans in closer to me and whispers in my ear, "Good"

My heart skips a beat when he says that word. It's not the word that surprises me, but it's the way he said it. Said with a hint of his seductive tone. Is he making a move on me?

When he pulls back from my ear, he pauses in front of me, his lips only a few inches from mine. His sea green eyes catch mine and we're suddenly locked in a gaze. His eyes are just so beautiful and different, that it's so hard to look away. Because of this, I find myself unable to move as he moves closer.

Now I can feel his breath on my cheek, slow but deep. As his eyelids close, I find mine doing the same. I can't hold back the desire that's bubbling inside my veins. Our lips touch and sparks are sent down my body.

For a minute, the whole world has disappeared and it's just us, alone on the roof. Nothing seems real anymore, except for Finnick and I. Every other thought has left my mind, and the rest of reality is far behind. It's as if I'm dreaming, where I can't think or touch anything. And I've only ever felt like this once before.

I'm completely lost in the moment, when I suddenly realise what I'm doing. What am I doing? I can't even remember how we got in this situation...One minute we're laughing like friends and the next, we're kissing! This is so wrong right now. The timing is so wrong. This is probably only happening because our emotions are all messed up with the Games and what not. We don't want this. This is only for comfort, and I can't let it go on much longer when I know it's not real.

"Finnick, no" I mutter, pulling apart. "I can't do this, I just can't"

"I'm so sorry, Zinny. I don't know what happened" Finnick apologises, his eyebrows knotted in a frown.

"Neither do I, but I do know that it shouldn't have happened" I utter, standing up.

He goes to say something else, but I don't stay to hear it. I've taken off towards the stairs back into the mansion, my eyes filling up with tears. I stumble a few times down the stairs, but as soon as I reach the bottom, I sprint back to my room, not daring to look back incase Finnick's behind me.

I fumble for the key and burst in the room. Slamming the door with a satisfying shove, I crumble to the floor, my back against the solid wood. My fingers tremble as they run through my wind-swept hair. The tears have broken and begin to slide down my face. I blink some of them away, like I only wish I could do with my problems.

I tilt my head back against the door and look up to the ceiling above me. Breathing slowly, I assess my situation. Peeta might not even have days left to live and I've just ruined my only friendship.

How did I end up like this?

A/N- Okay, so ooohh what's gonna happen next I wonder? Well... keep reading and reviewing to find out! Going to start chapter 8 later today, so will be up in the next day or so

Please review, it will make me smile even more!

Thanks, FireflyLlama x