"What are you wearing?" I ask, gaping at Davis.
It is probably rude to stare at Davis like that, but, I can't help it. Because he's wearing nothing but a fishing net. Davis shifts uncomfortably, and glances helplessly at his stylist, a man named Akil. "Well, it is his idea," Davis tells me finally.
I roll my eyes. "But how old are you? Sixteen?"
He shakes his head. "Fourteen," he corrects me, and I blink in surprise. Fourteen is the age when Finnick Odair himself had been thrown into the arena five years ago. "Yeah, this is pretty, er, embarrassing. But I'm doing it so I can get sponsors, you know? I bet it's the same for you with that mermaid costume."
"Yeah..." I trail off. He effortlessly jumps into the District Four carriage, and holds out a hand for me.
Huh. I may be innocent-looking, but I'm not helpless! I ignore his hand. I can hear Davis sigh, as if thinking, "Suit yourself."
I glance back to see Finnick, Mags and the stylists waving encouragingly at us. Finnick wildly gestures at us just as the carriage begins to move. "What does Finnick want?" I ask Davis. After all, Davis is Finnick's brother. If anyone can understand Finnick, it's Davis.
Davis takes my hand. "This," he says, and looks back at Finnick for confirmation. Finnick gives Davis a thumbs-up, and I scowl back at him. "Aw, are you mad, Annie? The audience won't like a girl with a personality like yours," he whispers.
"What are you implying?" I growl, though deep down, I know that he's right. If anyone wants to sponsor a tribute, they'll pick one with the best smile and the one who's most beautiful and all that. I force myself to smile and wave at the cheering crowds. My mother will most likely be watching back in District Four. I wonder what she'll think of my mermaid dress? Or is she still grieving?
Oh Ellie...how I wish you were still alive! A single tear escapes from my eyes.
"Annie? You alright?" Davis asks, noticing my stupid tear. He's no longer paying attention to the audience.
I quickly rub it away with my free hand. "I...I'm fine," I lie. "The eyeliner got into my eyes, that's all."
"Oh, Annie, has anyone told you how awful you are at lying?" Davis says.
Liliana says that all the time.
I keep my mouth shut, not wanting to discuss my family while we're being televised to the whole of Panem. Davis eventually drops the subject.
The crowd goes wild as our carriage is pulled forward. They're screaming things like, "Davis Odair! Isn't he Finnick Odair's brother? And that girl! Her name's Annie Cresta! She's so cute!", and all I want to do is hide someplace where the cameras won't find me. This attention is making me uneasy.
Someone throws a rose in our direction, and I lean over and manage to catch it. I blow a kiss in the direction of the thrower, and more wild screaming ensues. The Capitol is too easy to please, and its citizens are so...ugh, crazy. I can't stand it. How can Finnick deal with this madness?
Because I certainly can't.
By the time the carriages has made its way around the track, I am more than willing to get off it. My legs are stiff from the standing, and as I attempt to get off, I trip and almost fall.
But I don't.
Finnick reaches an arm out and balances me. "Woah, careful there, little mermaid," he says. "Are you tired? I can carry you if you'd like."
"No thanks," I answer, blushing furiously. The last thing I want is to look like an idiot in front of the Capitol. I rip off my fish-tail shoes, and immediately I feel better.
"I'm sure they'll love it," Finnick says, nodding in the general direction of the audience.
I fold my arms across my chest. "Fine," I huff, and I can't help but let out a startled shriek as he scoops me off the ground and carries me toward the elevator, bridal style.
This is for the Capitol, I remind myself, but deep down, a small part of me tells me that it's not just for the Capitol.
Finnick is doing this to help me win. He can't be all that bad, can he? He's forced to choose between his own brother and some girl he met the morning of the Reaping. There's nothing special about me, really, and yet, he's doing his best to help me. It's better if he just helps Mags mentor Davis. It's not like I'll win this thing, I think sadly.
Sure enough, the citizens who were still there let out "Ooohhhs!" and "Ahhhs!" and complimented Finnick for being so generous. Mostly remarking how manly Finnick is by helping a girl in need.
Typical Capitol behavior.
As we enter the elevator, the young girl from District Six timidly asks Davis if she could touch his net. He hesitantly agrees, and she says, awed, "So it is real!"
An awkward silence follows her comment.
"Um, sorry," she apologizes at once, her cheeks flaming red. "I just couldn't believe that someone would dress you in a net is all...Well, my name is Monika."
"Oh," Davis says. "I'm Davis. But you probably know that already, right?"
She nods. "Oh, of course. You two are famous. You're so lucky, Annie!" she stands on tiptoes so she can see me (I'm still being carried by Finnick, hence the height difference). At first, I think that she means I'm lucky because Finnick is carrying me, but she continues, "Having Finnick Odair as a mentor! He's really strong, and I'm sure you'll be able to win the Games!"
Her words move me, and I smile at her. I decide then that if I want anyone for an ally, I want her. "Your mentor must be great, too," I say.
"Not at all," she says sadly. "I know he's rooting for Don."
I assume that Don must be the boy tribute from her district.
Luckily, we've just arrived on the fourth floor, so I'm saved from having to answer her. "I'll see you during training?" I ask her, and she smiles back shyly.
Finnick swiftly carries me out, and Davis and Mags follows us.
"That was brilliant!" Finnick declares, setting me carefully down onto the couch. I let out the breath that I haven't realized I've been holding.
"Don't you mean that Davis wearing a fishing net was brilliant?" I ask dryly. I still can't believe what his stylist had put him through. Compared to him, I have to consider myself lucky.
Davis blushes.
"Sandra considered dressing you in a similar fashion. I had to talk her out of it," Finnick tells me, winking at Sandra.
"Well, thank you," I mutter, because there's no way I would've worn something so revealing.
"Anyway, the Capitol loved you two! And that's definitely a good thing," says Finnick.
Sandra and Akil are discussing something to each other. Probably about what we should wear for the interview. I cringe in anticipation.
Mags nods and says something like, "A very good thing."
So I have a slightly better chance of winning now, depending on the number of Sponsors I can get. The same goes for Davis.
And we both know that the Hunger Games has only one victor.
Disclaimer: I am not from the Capitol, so of course I don't own the Hunger Games.
The opening ceremony! Hope you liked the chapter? :) Press that lovely button below? Thank you all for the reviews so far!
The next chapter involves training and some of the other tributes!