Dinner is a very quiet affair. Well, for most of us.
I am sitting beside Davis Odair, while Finnick is sitting beside a seventy-year-old woman, whom I learned is called Mags. Locketta sits on his other side. She's the only one who's talking, and everyone else is doing their best to ignore her.
The food is good.
In fact, I've never tasted anything as good as Capitol food. I admit, that after eating nothing but fish-related meals for the last sixteen years, I didn't mind some new food for a change.
There's the seaweed bread from District Four. It somehow tastes better here than it does at home. Perhaps whoever's responsible for the cooking has added Capitol seasoning to the bread. Even the fish stew that's served is very tasty.
While I am eating, I think how in a few days' time, I will be in an arena. Struggling to survive.
Mags says something, but her words are hard to understand. I think she must have had a stroke before.
"What?" snaps Locketta, annoyed that someone has interrupted her chattering.
"She's reminding us that siblings are not permitted to mentor each other," Finnick translates for her.
Mags nods to show that Finnick is right.
I groan. Because if that's the case, then there's no doubt that Finnick Odair will be mentoring me. And the last thing he'll want is for me to live. "That's nice to hear," I say sarcastically. "Of course I'm looking forward to being mentored by the oh-so-famous Finnick Odair."
He shoots me an unhappy look before he pops a sugar cube into his mouth. "Just call me Finnick."
"Why? Are you afraid that after I'll die, I'll come and haunt you? That I'll follow you around and whisper Fiiinnniiick Ooodaaiiir all day?"
Davis bursts out laughing. It appears that the tension between is us broken, and I can't help but smile. Mags too gives me a smile, revealing the few teeth she still has.
Finnick rolls his eyes at me and mouthes, "Thank you."
I wonder why he's thanking me, especially if he'll be helping plot my death in a few days. But right now, I'm happy that we're actually talking to each other, so I whisper back, "You're welcome."
"Want a sugar cube, Annie?" Finnick asks in a what I take is a seductive voice.
"Ugh, no thanks," I say, cringing.
Davis leans forward. "I'll take one if she doesn't," he says, and takes the handful that Finnick is holding.
Finnick sighs. "And here I was, trying to be friendly."
"Don't bother," I retort dryly. "Especially if I'm going to die in a few days anyway. All your attempts at friendship will be wasted when my dead body is carried off by the helicopter."
"Talk about being a pessimist," Finnick grunts. "There is a chance that you can still win."
"If I do win, I'll go fangirly all over you," I promise with a smirk. Because the chance of me going all fangirly over Finnick is zero.
He shudders. I can't tell whether he's pretending or not. But I'm glad that he doesn't seem to like the thought of me going fangirly over him. "I'd rather you not go fangirly over me," he mutters, then scoops up another handful of sugar cubes and drops them onto my plate. "Here, try some. They're pretty good."
"Did I say I wanted any?" I give up, and toss one into my mouth.
He's right, actually. It is rather good.
"If I do become addicted to these, it'll be all your fault," I grumble, then proceed on to devour the remaining sugar cubes.
I try the lamb stew next. The plumbs in the stew give it extra flavor. Simply delicious. "Mmm..."
"If you do need help choosing something to eat, feel free to ask me," Finnick offers. "I've been in the Capitol way too many times."
I'm about to eat a sugary-looking cake when I think of my mother's scream again. Ellie's dead, and here I am, eating Capitol food. My appetite immediately vanishes, and I push my plate away. "I think I'm full," I say.
Locketta picks up a napkin and wipes her mouth. "I'll take you to your room, then," she says.
"Wait, Cresta." Finnick stands up just as I am about to follow Locketta out of the dining room.
"What?" I ask.
He moves, surprisingly fast, and before I knew what was happening, he reaches a hand to my cheek and brushes something off of it. "There's a few crumbs you forgot to get rid of," he says casually.
"Couldn't you have just told me?" I ask, glaring at him. My skin tingles at the spot where his hand had touched my cheek. No doubt I am blushing furiously. "Locketta, come on. I really don't want to stay in here a moment longer," I say loudly to her.
As she leads me out of the room, I swear I saw Mags giving Finnick a smile, and Davis giving him a thumbs up.
I'll be having nightmares about Finnick Odair for days, I think.
"Here we are," says Locketta as she slides one door open. "Your room! Feel free to wear anything in the wardrobe!"
She waits, as if she's expecting me to say something. "Er," I force out. "I mean, that...this is...amazing?"
She nods eagerly, pats me on my shoulder, and skips off while humming to herself.
Finally alone, I walk in and collapse onto the giant bed.
It's too soft for my liking. The bed sheets are too clean. The room walls are too white.
"I miss my room at home," I whisper to no one in particular, recalling my sea-colored walls and the bed I've slept on for so long.
"I can imagine," a voice says from the door. I sit up, and my eyes widen as I see Finnick Odair leaning against the doorway.
"Get out of my room, you pervert!" I shriek, and taking a pillow, I chuck it in his direction.
He moves his head, and the pillow soars out and hit the wall instead. "Nice aim," he comments, striding into the room as if he owns it. He sits down beside me.
What does he think he's doing?
"I don't need your consolation," I say coolly. But a small part of me wants nothing more than a companion, and without my mother or sister, then Finnick Odair will have to do.
"What's...what's it like?" I ask after a long silence.
"What's what like?"
"Being in the arena?" I elaborate.
He takes my hand in his, and absently begins drawing small circles on it. The motion soothes me, and I feel myself calming down. "You get used to it," he answers simply. "If you don't, you die."
"Talk about being a pessimist," I mock his earlier words.
He smiles sadly. "If you want to get out of the arena alive, Annie Cresta, then I suggest you start listening to me."
"What about your brother?" I ask, yawning. The day's events have exhausted me.
I don't know how, but my head end up in Finnick's lap.
The first time we spoke to each other was only this morning, and yet, now, we are acting as though we are friends. Earlier today, I still hated him. But strangely, I don't think he's so bad anymore. It's because he's been through the same as you, a small voice reminds me.
"He'll have to manage without me," Finnick says.
I yawn again.
"Go to sleep," he orders softly. "You have a long day ahead."
I do start listening to him, because if there is a chance that I can get out of the arena alive, I'll take it.
For my mother.
Disclaimer: I am not from the Capitol, so of course I don't own the Hunger Games.
(There is a new chapter 2, since I added another chapter between them. If you missed the current chapter 2, I suggest that you go back and read the it. :D I've also changed the boy tribute.. adds more drama. ;) )
Their relationship is slowly developing...What do you think of this chapter? Review?