Energy Corridor

Her hair was still damp from the shower when she walked to the gold trimmed mirror and clenched her jaw. Lavender fatigue lingered under her brown eyes, but it was nothing compared the exhaustion she felt inside.

Tonight would be the first time Finnick and Pandora would make their appearance under the guise of being a couple. She grimaced at the thought of more lies filling her insides with deceit.

Her brain felt shredded. Nervous turmoil was harshly churning in her stomach and throat. All day Pandora felt like she was on the brink of an illness that never fully surfaced. She had to continuously remind herself that this fabrication was something she had to do, not only for her own security but her friend's. Secretly though…and shamefully…she wished she had never agreed to the deal.

Everything had changed that day in President Snow's office. After Pandora had found out about what Finnick had been doing during his "appointments" he didn't bother stopping by, or even calling.

It had been nearly two weeks since that meeting, weeks of not seeing Finnick.

Her eyes narrowed at her reflection. That was why she felt exhaustion, more than physical it was mental. Without seeing Finnick she felt detached and cold. Her body felt foreign, her actions someone else's.

When she finally moved from her bathroom to the hall she dropped her eyes to the floor.

It wouldn't be the same, she told herself, don't expect it to ever be the same.

Fabric moved along the tips of her fingers as she surveyed her closet.

"The outfit is crucial, Pandora," Caradoc had told her, "I don't want you making a public appearance wearing a sack. Just dress for the setting…"

She nibbled on her lip.

Energy Corridor.

Her mind went back to her first night in the Capitol. She recalled the way the neon buzzed and glowed, the way the music blared, the chorus of young crowds swarming. That was the location. It felt cruel in a way, to make them do their first appearance together in such a crowded place, but of course that was the idea. More people meant more chances that Finnick and Pandora would be noticed together.

After moment of hesitation she reached for a dress and pair of boots.

Her hands struggled to reach the zipper in the back as she wiggled the thick fabric down her body.

It was a tight black mini dress with neon green trimming on the neckline, cap sleeves, and bottom hem. The end fell just to her mid thigh.

The boots Pandora chose were also black. The shaft of the boots ended just below her knees. From the faded leather and details the pair of boots had a grunge edge to them.

Just before leaving she did her makeup, coating the similar neon green of her dress trimming to her eyelids. She left her hair down, haphazardly letting it fall to it natural placement around her face—a deep side part.

Suddenly a loud beeping echoed throughout the loft, grabbing her attention.

She peered to the windows as she made her way to the entrance. It was well into night.

With a straight face she pressed the panel and watched as Yuri, the concierge, appeared on the screen.

"Yes?"

"Miss Sullivan! Good evening. The car is here for you."

Panic stung her throat.

"I'll be down, " she dryly rasped, immediately shutting the screen off and turning around.

Pandora's chest was pounding so hard she thought she might be having a heart attack. A few more paces and she would be in the lobby.

The glass doors were automatically and efficiently rotating. Yuri gave her an aggravating grin as she allowed herself to be swept up in the churning doors that quickly spewed her out onto the sidewalk.

Her eyes lifted swiftly and searchingly.

Near the walkway's edge she could see the car. Steam puffed from the exhaust pipe into the dwindling spring air. Although she couldn't see past the tinted windows, she knew exactly who was waiting inside.

Finnick.

She was trying her best to keep calm but the closer she moved towards the car the more her muscles tightened in dread. The photographers, the press—she knew they would all be there, waiting to get pictures of them together.

Only a few more steps were left when the car door abruptly opened.

She stopped, parting her lips as Finnick leaned out. He was wearing a simply styled white shirt and black trousers.

"Hello," she whispered, slowly slipping into the car and shutting the door.

Finnick didn't smile. Pandora figured he was saving that for their larger than life theater performance that was about to take place.

"Hi," he responded distantly.

They sat in silence for several minutes. It was obvious Finnick was ashamed of the information Pandora had been given by President Snow. He was afraid she would think of him differently now, afraid that she would like him less. His gaze awkwardly stayed on the windows. She didn't know how they were going to get through the night like this. There was so much unsaid between them. The air felt heavy, stifling and heavy.

"So—what's the plan?" she finally managed.

A weighted pause filled the car.

"What do you mean?"

"How are we going to—"

"Don't worry about that, let's just play this by ear."

She dropped her eyes. He couldn't even look at her.

"I haven't heard from you since—"

He turned his face to the front and cleared his throat, "I've been busy."

"Oh…right…I see."

More silence. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Beyond the windows the first glimpses of Energy Corridor were emerging. The bass of music was starting to hum throughout the car. Neon flashed across the glass onto their faces. It was obvious which club they were heading towards. Her eyes quickly focused in on the bright cobalt neon.

A long line was waiting outside, people in various outfits and decorations. Some already had glasses in their hands, other were smoking cigarettes that glimmered with strange colors.

As she continued to stare she could feel a familiar ball form in her throat.

Her fingers clawed at the seat when the car came to a full stop.

"Alright," Finnick leaned into her. He touched her hand, instantly she felt a warm chill travel to her neck, "You stay here. I'll come around and get you."

"Okay…"

She clenched her jaw one final time, preparing herself for the night. Statically her lips stretched into the most charming grin she could fake.

The door opened. When she looked up, Finnick was also smiling, his hand was extended to her.

She quickly took it, stepping out. Her body curled instinctively into him.

"Ready?" he whispered.

Her eyes glanced over the people, her ears listened to the music. Quietly she slipped her hand into his and nodded.

The line of people saw them coming before they had gotten out of the car. They had just stepped onto the curb when the shouting began.

"Hey! That's Pandora Sullivan!"

"That's Finnick Odair!"

Some grabbed for anything they had on them to get pictures, others simply gawked.

Though Pandora kept a sarcastic smile on her lips, her eyebrow arched with an intimidating edge. It was a look Pandora Sullivan had become famous for in the Capitol.

Finnick nodded to the bouncer as they approached, he looked just as shocked as the crowd waiting outside.

The bouncer stared at them for a few seconds. He was star struck, but then his eyes frantically blinked. Suddenly he remembered himself. His hands clumsily grabbed for the rope as he pushed the other people back.

"Thanks," Finnick charmingly crooned, patting the man on his shoulder.

Pandora kept her hand in Finnick's as they descended a set of small black stairs. They were sinking into a strange darkness of dancing lights and music. Fast rhythmic songs were shrieking. The acrid smell of smoke, sweat and alcohol swam in the air.

Pandora wondered if they looked like a couple, something told her holding hands wouldn't be enough to verify the false rumors. President Snow had made it clear that he wanted immediate result, if they failed who knew what would happen. She corner-eyed Finnick as they made their way into the main dance area. It had to be believable, if anything ever happened to Finnick because she wasn't strong enough to help him she would never forgive herself.

The main area was packed. It was hard to see where one body started and another ended. The people seemed to all be moving as one conglomerate mass, swaying and jumping to the music.

"Let's get drinks."

Her eyes widened as she felt Finnick pull her through the crowd.

Her feet stumbled through the raving darkness until the bar came into view. Luckily there was a big enough space for both of them to wiggle into. They didn't have to wait long for assistance, especially when the bartender noticed who they were.

Finnick made the orders. Pandora could barely hear what he said but her eyes hesitantly dropped when the drinks were poured in front of them. It was a clear liquid in a tiny glass.

"What is this?!" She yelled through the music.

Finnick shrugged and shook his head, "Don't think about it."

The alcohol had just touched her lips when she saw Finnick chug the entire drink. He exhaled deeply and furrowed her brow when he finished.

Her eyes widened in shock, "You must be thirsty…"

He glanced at her and smirked. Slowly his hand rose to her face and brushed against her cheek. He was pretending but it didn't stop the blushing.

"Don't be so good, live a little," he quipped with a wink as he motioned to her glass.

Her eyebrow rose. She hesitated for a minute before tipping the glassing and chugging. Her eyes began to water. It wasn't the vilest thing she had ever tasted but it was close. It burnt her throat and bitterly singed her mouth.

By the time she had finished her head felt light and her stomach hot.

"Pandora," he leaned close to her, his hand traveled to her side, "I didn't know you had that in you!"

Finnick was better at this. He was flirting with her and all she could do was stiffly react. She had to keep up. It had to be believable.

"Well—" her hand moved to his chest, flirtatiously she peered into his eyes and smiled, "You're hard to keep up with."

There was no way they could know that people were noticing all this, Finnick and Pandora could only hope that they were. When she finally looked away and dropped her hand she coyly glanced to the various bottles behind the counter.

"Another?"

Finnick laughed, his hand raised to the bartender, "Why not…"

They guzzled down another two glasses each before moving away from the bar. Her cheeks were flushed from the drinks, her heart was racing. Suddenly the music sounded louder than before.

They were heading towards the dance floor. Her dewy lips mashed together as they wove their way through people. It was surprising to her that no one approached them or tried to get their autographs. The only way she could make sense of it was that in the half-darkness no one cared…or noticed.

Finnick spun her around and pulled her into an embrace once they found a clearing. She was pressed against him as they began to dance.

The lights were shining, the room was spinning.

Slowly her prior fears of awkwardness and pressure dissolved. Somehow the unsaid worries and problems faded into the backdrop of their minds. They playfully danced, catching a few looks when people realized who they were.

"You're a good dancer," Finnick whispered to her, "I had no idea."

She pressed her face into his neck, "Well, you are a terrible one."

Instantly he laughed, it was loud but the music seemed to drown it out.

"You look happy…" the alcohol was slowing her words, "Must be all the drinks."

His smile was brief before it dropped. She could feel him pull away for a minute.

"I'm sorry for bringing you into this, Pandora."

Suddenly she remembered why they were there. Her eyes glanced around, "No. It's fine. Don't feel that way."

"I know what you must think…"

Finally he had said it. He was voicing his fears. After weeks of not speaking to him she felt overwhelmed. His shame was so understandable, so close to how Pandora felt, that there was no way she could let him go on thinking that she was judging him. She forgot about the crowds, the music…she forgot about everything but Finnick.

Her eyes softened, "I don't think less of you. You had no choice."

Finnick looked away for a beat.

"Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I was never reaped for the arena. Sometimes I daydream about it," he whispered in her ear.

To everyone around them it looked like they were flirtatiously dancing, but the seriousness in Finnick's words was far from playful.

"I wonder if life would be better."

Her hand moved to the back of his neck, her eyes rose to him, "I would have never known you."

He half smiled. Light danced across his face.

"Maybe it would have been better that way."

She parted her lips with sad eyes, "I would be lost right now if it wasn't for you. I don't care about this silly charade. I don't care about what you've done in the past, Finnick. I'm your friend. All I care about is you."

Something heavy filled her chest. Something she had never felt before.

At first he seemed shocked. He wasn't used to Pandora being sentimental, it wasn't in her nature to be overtly verbal with affection.

"Yea…" he whispered under the music, "I think I know what you mean."

She was starting to blush. Her eyes lowered, she was dizzy from the alcohol, "I—I think all these drinks are getting to me."

"You want fresh air?"

Her hand moved to her stomach, "Yea. Let's get out of here."

She knew something was going on before they reached the exit. She glanced to Finnick as they took the last step. Beyond the swinging door to the outside, a small group had gathered, along with photographers. Apparently the news of them being out had traveled fast.

Pandora felt lucky that the alcohol had dulled her shock and fear, otherwise she would have cowered away. But as the cameras started flashing she casually placed her arm around Finnick's waist and confidently stepped forward.

The car was waiting nearby. All they had to do was push through the mob.

Hands grabbed at them. A few times she thought she as going to drown in the crowd, but her hand stayed firmly around Finnick.

Photographers were following them, their cameras still flashing.

Everyone was screaming and shouting. The world was spinning in Pandora's mind.

The driver honked his horn, trying to warn the horde not to get too close to the car. Her fingers pulled her mini dress down as she let Finnick help her into the car.

She was still in the photographers' view.

Pandora's eyes lifted to him. He wasn't shutting the door. He was staring at her.

She parted her lips. The press was taking pictures of them, shouting at them so that they'd look.

There was something behind his eyes, some strange emotion she couldn't identify.

His lips parted as he leaned down, inching closer and closer to her face. Before she could understand was about to happen Finnick's lips were against hers.

Screams broke out in the crowd, suddenly the flashing cameras seemed more excited and spurred.

He gently held her lips in his, planting smaller kiss within that single one. She could have sworn his lips tasted like the ocean. If her head wasn't whirling before, it was now.

The kiss lasted only seconds but it felt like several eternities.

When he finally released her she slumped back in the car and peered at the roaring audience. They were intoxicated with this confirmation of rumors, intoxicated by the public display that had just happened.

Pandora arched her eyebrow, pulling the door shut with a slam. She had to catch her breath.

The theater curtains crashed together. The applause of the spectators clamored on and on. A performance well down.

As the car started forward she peered to Finnick. Her lips felt hot, her cheeks flushed. He slowly returned her gaze. In the dim light his green eyes glimmered wildly. She took a sharp breath and urgently looked away. Even though she could feel Finnick's eyes on her she didn't look back at him.

Uneasily Pandora stared out the window. Her lips pressed together.

She felt breathless and confused. In the depths of her soul, butterflies whirled and danced.