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Annie is NOT in love with Finnick; not yet, anyway. She's only 12, so… I personally think 12 is a little too young for love. I mean, crushes are fine but "in love" seems a bit unusual for a 12 year old.
XII.
"Are you freaking kidding me?" I mutter under my breath, as my fingers fumble over the knots I'm trying tie and untie. Unfortunately, my netting skills have gone down the drain ever since the Games five months ago, and this is the first time I've even attempted tying anything up.
"You alright there, son?" Father calls out from the upper deck.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
I can feel my eyebrows furrow in concentration, creasing in the middle of my forehead. One droplet of sweat drips down from the side of my head and my hands shake. Throwing the piece of rope down in utter frustration, I let out an irritated huff. I can still master the simple knots I have known since I was six years old, but it is just this one knot that I cannot seem to complete, and it gives me the urge to rip my own hair out.
"Just keep trying," Father had said to me. "You'll only learn if you teach yourself, the second time round."
And I tried. I have tried so hard, that the tips of my fingertips are now flaming red and I can feel the blisters starting to form.
Giving up, I lay back on the deck, supporting my body's weight by leaning back on my elbows and stared out at sea. It isn't often that I come out fishing with my father and his mates anymore. I spend most of my time at home, now, with Rhea, Mags and Dean, Amphitrite Lasonga's son. In addition to my parents, they are the only ones who celebrated my fifteenth birthday, two months ago. Amphitrite is yet another person who I've grown close to over the past few months. Living only two houses away, she raises her seventeen-year old son, single-handedly, and when Mags isn't available, she's always there. She had won the 36th Hunger Games as a Career. She's quite cool for a forty-seven year old women.
The water is rough and choppy today, but I don't mind it. I cherish the time I'm at sea and I feel at home. My arms feel as if they're about to fall off, after hauling large masses of fish up onto our boat.
Before I know it, we're near the docks already and for a moment, I see Carter staring back at me, sword in hand and grinning maliciously. After blinking for a few times, he disappears and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Even after the seemingly long period of five months, my hallucinations and nightmares haven't shown the slightest trace of disappearing. It really makes me question whether this will last forever, or if it's just a short-term after effect of the Games, that every Victor goes through. Either way, I hope that they go away, or I think I really will die from the traumatic horrors, during the night.
Father and I trade the seafood we've caught, and walk home together. The silence that falls upon us in unnerving, despite the fact that most of our conversations are light and humorous. "So, your Victory Tour's next week, huh?" he says.
"Yeah," I reply, but don't continue on, in fear of instigating another argument or silence.
The moment we step into our living room, it's almost as if we've triggered a bomb. Mother and Rhea rush around, while Annie sits on the couch, watching TV with a blank expression on her face. There still hasn't been any improvement with her, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
"Finnick!" Rhea shouts. "President Snow's here."
"President Snow?" I repeat, more in the form of a question, rather than a statement.
"He said he wants to talk to you."
What would Snow want to talk to me for? The only word he has even uttered to me was, "Congratulations," and that was for my victory. I shudder at the thought of being alone in a room with him.
"He's been waiting for twenty minutes, Finn," she whispers in a hushed tone. Rhea glances around the house, nervously, as if paranoid and she turns to leave after we reach my bedroom. "I'd better go."
Wiping my palms on the hem of my shirt, I wonder if I'm dressed alright. My clothes are stained with patches of oil and sweat and I can only imagine that my hair's an unruly mess, at the moment.
I'm met with the sight of an old, evil man, stirring a cup of tea, nonchalantly. His green eyes flicker up and I'm once again, reminded of the snakes from the arena. "Well, hello, Mr. Odair," he greets, with a curt nod and smile.
"To what do I owe this greatest pleasure to?"
He waves me off. "No need to be so formal Mr. Odair. Sit." And I do sit. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
Almost gagging at the horrific stench of blood and roses he emits from his mouth, I tap my fingers on the arm rests of my chair, anxiously. "No, sir. It's fine. You can just call me Finnick," I reply, offering a weak and incredibly fake smile.
"Finnick… how have you been? How have your winnings been treating you? I assume your family has been well." President Snow seems genuinely curious, as he takes a sip of tea and leans forward, clasping his fingers together beneath his chin.
"I've been okay… We've been okay."
"Good, good. I've heard that you've become friends with Amphitrite Lasonga's son, Dean, is it?"
"Yeah, he's a cool guy."
"And the Delgado siblings?"
"Delgado siblings?" I echo, dubiously.
"Cashmere and Gloss. Don't you know?" I have the urge to suddenly slam my face against the desk. I really am stupid, aren't I?
"Oh, yes. I haven't talked to Gloss, but I have with Cashmere. How do you know?"
"I'll have you know that I am aware of everything that goes on with my Victors… And I presume that you're aware of your Victory Tour next week?"
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world," I lie smoothly, right through my teeth.
"Now… Mr. Odair, I have a… proposal for you."
I already hate this so-called proposal. Maybe it's the way he talks, or maybe it's the fact that I simply despise him without so much of a word being conversed, but I know for a fact, that I will hate what he's about to say.
"Proposal? Of what kind?"
"Ah, well, Finnick. You see," he starts off, as if he's prepared this speech for weeks prior to this current meeting. "You are extremely well liked by the women of the Capitol; even several men have been quite… affected ever since your presence in the Capitol. Do you know how much people are willing to pay for you?"
My heart beats more erratically and the sound of my heart constantly pounds in my ears. What exactly is President Snow trying to tell me? My brain fogs up and I find it hard to concentrate.
"I don't mean to sound stupid, but…" I start off, though I know exactly how stupid I am. "What do you mean by how much people are willing to pay for me?"
He chuckles - it reminds me of Satan. "Fifteen; you're so innocent. Many women have told me about their… fantasies in bed, you could say. And of course, as their President, I must fulfil and promise them what they want."
I sit there, clenching and unclenching my fists around the armrests of my chair. My teeth grit together and I feel as if I might explode from the overwhelming number of emotions rushing through my veins. After my experience in the Capitol, I have come to realise how much the Capitolians love me - though I really hate to sound so egotistical and cocky - and it's ridiculous, in my opinion.
"WHAT?!" I scream out. I stand up abruptly, out of anger, and ignore the screech caused by the chair's legs against the ground. "Are you out of your mind?! I'm a fifteen year old teenage boy, not some goddamned prostitute you decide to sell for the pleasure of your citizens!"
"Oh no, Mr. Odair. Not now. When you're sixteen, meaning next year, you'll be of age, and only then will you fulfil their fantasies - if you agree, that is. As of right now, all you need to do is impress them. In addition, you will also need to mentor your tributes every year."
"No," I state, firmly. "I'll do anything but sleep with women who purchase me. I honestly don't care if I mentor or not, as long as I don't get raped!"
"Mr. Odair, by denying such an offer, you will be paying a price. Are you aware of that?"
"No," I reply. "But I'll be willing to pay any price. I plan on maintaining what little dignity I have in District Four."
"Very well, then, Mr. Odair. You are dismissed."
A/N: Next chapter's the victory tour! :) Review if you want more of Cashmere and Gloss ;)