Chapter 3- The Parade
Annie's P.O.V
I wake up sourly to the sun beating down through the window of my room. It blinded me as soon as I unfolded my eyes, and thus made me trip out of bed. If I could barely manage the sun in the morning, how was I going to survive the days, maybe weeks, to come? That's what worried me the most, and what bathed me in guilt; as Finnick was still holding on with all of the strength he could manage, I was slowly but surely slipping away from hope. He was trying, why can't I?
As my vision comes back to me, so does my memory. Yesterday was torturous. Being reaped was a draining and emotional experience as I wasn't prepared it would be. Heck, I wasn't even prepared for my name to be called, how could I possibly be prepared for the turmoil and pain after it? I just never expected it to put such a permanent weight on my shoulders. Even as Finnick tried to loosen my nerves, I couldn't seem to shake the echoing of my name as it was being called throughout the audience, and I imagine I never will. I must try for Finnick though, he is the only reason I have managed to control my ever disappearing hope.
I look at the round clock beside my bed: 7:30. I groan at the numbers. Finnick said I needed to sleep as much as possible while I still can, but with only seven and a half hours to manage, I imagine it will be hard to fulfill the task. No use trying to revive my unconsciousness, my mind was already wide awake.
I slip into the shower, hoping the familiar feel of water would calm me down. It doesn't. I realize now that when water surrounds me, it actually makes my mind reel more. So of course, when I turn off the water and pull on some clean clothes, my mind is buzzing again. I wash my face with cold water to help me snap out of my strange daze. Still nothing. I give up and hesitantly slip into my thoughts.
I open the smooth door back to my room. A low and quiet knock registers through my thick daze. That's strange, it's still pretty early. I can't imagine Asteria being up this early. I open the door anyway. Outside awaits a young girl, I assume around the same age as me, holding a steaming tray of food. Her hair is bright crimson, skin as pale as paper. Her head hangs low, as if ashamed. I smile at her giving her all the kindness I can manage; Avoxes usually don't receive any.
"Oh, no thank you. I'm fine," I say to the girl.
She shakes her head and pushes the tray into my hands.
"Well if you insist," I say with a chuckle. A form of a smile creeps onto the girl's lips. Then as quickly as it was formed, it is replaced with a solemn frown that I assume she wears often.
"Thank you," I whisper just low enough for her to hear. Showing any sign of compassion to an Avox could give you the same fate.
Her eyes go wide and make contact with mine. She grins and nods. She probably hasn't received such kindness in a while. With a switch of a heel, she turns back down the hallway, leaving me with a massive amount of food.
The smell overwhelms me almost immediately as I shut the door. I place the tray in my lap as I sit down on my bed. I turn the T.V on, searching for something to distract me. I look down at the food in front of me. Ham slices sit to the left of perfectly cooked eggs. A muffin shaped pastry shimmers with honey icing against the light streaming through my window. It takes all of my power not to inhale the stuff in a matter of seconds. Instead, I take large bites one at a time. The ham is infused with a sweet juice that floods your mouth with every bite. I decide to eat that slower than the rest; the richness of it may cause a reappearance if I'm not careful.
By the time the last bite is done and my boredom with Capitol T.V has become overwhelming, I hear footsteps coming from outside my room. I turn off the T.V and take the dirty tray with me as I follow the footsteps to the main car.
Demere stares longingly at a pile of pastries, hesitating to take one. I assume his feet made the footsteps that I heard. He looks up at me as I open the door.
"I didn't think anyone else was up," he said.
I chuckled, "Well good morning to you too."
He smiled, "Good morning."
His head turned back to the hundred pastries presented before us. I take one, edging him on, but he still just stares.
"They are for us," I say through a mouthful of sweet tasting bread.
"I know, but I want to follow Finnick's directions," he looked at me. "He said that we shouldn't fill up on sweets right?"
I roll my eyes, "Yeah, he said fill up on them. It would just be a couple."
He smiles, "Well I don't know how good they are yet – I might eat more than a couple."
I chuckle as he grabs two of the fluffy little pastries and crams them into his mouth. I walk over to the end of the buffet and place the tray there. Hopefully the little Avox girl will see it.
"If I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?" Demere asks. I dart my head to look at him, but his gaze doesn't meet mine. He stares out the windows of the fast moving train.
"I suppose I don't have a reason to lie," I say truthfully. Unless I can find some trail to him finding a weakness on me, I can't mislead him.
"It's about Finnick. Well, actually both you and him." He still stares out the windows and I can tell he's avoiding my eyes.
He can't know about Finnick and I, can he? I could see the way he was eyeing both of us last night with curiosity in his eyes, but he couldn't come to that assumption so quickly could he? If he knows, his life is in danger.
I clear my throat, nerves making it unbearable to talk through, "What about him and me?"
This time, he meets my gaze. I guess he heard my voice crack in answer. A smile forms on his lips.
"Don't worry, you can trust me. It's not like I'll tell anyone; it's none of their business. It's barely my business right?"
I look down to the floor. He knows. My heart beats uncontrollably through my rib cage. Maybe I can still play dumb.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I think you do. Look, I'm not stupid. You guys can barely stop looking at each other for two minutes. Not to mention the fact that I live in District 4 too. Words can pass like wildfire in that place."
I walk closer to him so that when my words come out in a whisper, no one else can hear either.
"You have to give me your word that you don't tell a living soul. Act like you have no idea. I don't want you to get hurt."
My words came out wrong; that probably sounded like a threat. And by looking at his wide eyes, I can tell that impression came across to him as well.
"I wasn't going to," he mumbled.
He filled his plate up silently and went back to his room, leaving me hollow and twisted. I should have tried to clear things up, say my words again, but I didn't – I let him go. Don't I want him to be scared of me? Don't I want to come across as at least a little intimidating? I rub my temples from the new headache creeping through. If this is all I can endure without a pang of guilt, how am I supposed to survive? I try to drink some water to erase the lump in my throat. It doesn't work.
…
"Finnick! Finnick Odair!" The sound of the crowd is deafening as we make it out of our train to meet our stylists.
Finnick slaps on his signature smile, the one that I see on a daily basis. His eyes don't sparkle the way they do with the smile that belongs to me. His skin doesn't crinkle on the sides of his eyes when his lips come all the way up. No, this smile is meant for his adoring fans, the majority of them being females.
Finnick has a hand at the middle of my back, leading me through the path. This touch can't be seen as anything but friendly, innocent, but it still leaves a surge of electricity. The pathway leads to a large sand colored building, and in it holds our stylists. I can't help but be mesmerized by past costumes for District Four. They usually are repeated, fish and seaweed always dominating the fabric, but every stylist puts a different spin on it. Hopefully the look will be different this year. Finnick was lucky enough to have a different costume, though it was barely legal for a fourteen year old at the time.
The doors open wide and we all file in, Asteria chirping away at the architecture of the Capitol. I have finally mastered the technique of tuning her out, completely ignoring her. I offer a 'Really?', a 'Oh that must have been very exciting' or maybe even 'You poor thing' and she continues to talk as if her words don't drive me insane. I can tell the rest of our little group has as well. They speak in the same pattern as I do. Finnick is the best at this though.
As we trail in, the audience's screams become muffled behind the layers of cement.
Finnick leans in to whisper in my ear, "I will have to leave in a minute, but remember what I told you: blend in as much as possible. Don't be nervous."
I give a small nod in response. Why did he warn me to control my nerves? Should I be nervous? It seems his words have done the opposite effect as my palms start sweating.
"Now, you two must be very excited to begin the preparations for the parade tonight. Annie dear, why don't you go down that hallway and wait in the room with your name beside it." Asteria points down a smooth hallway to the left, "And Demere you follow down this one," she points to the one to her right.
Demere and I nod at the same moment and do as we are told. I look back at Finnick who hasn't taken his eyes off of me since our quiet conversation. He nods with a grin and I do the same. I wish he could come with me. It makes me even more nervous to be away from him. I cross my arms in attempt to control my heartbeat and find a door with my name beside it. As I pull the door open, I'm not surprised to find the whole room inside chrome from ceiling to floor. To the left of me are round cabinets that line the whole wall. Decorated atop and inside them are numerous beauty tools. I looked at them for a long while and could only put a name to three. To the right is a blank wall and directly in the center stands a cold looking light blue table that I take a seat on.
As soon as I make myself comfortable on the flat surface, the door booms open. In comes four strange looking people. They all look smiley and anxious at my appearance.
"Let's see if we have a chance this year, shall we?" A feminine voice says from behind the cluster of surgically altered people.
A scary looking woman walks forward, gently touching my hair in between her fingertips. She stands tall and slender, her face an oval with raised cheek bones. Her skin has a light purple tint to it that she couldn't have achieved without some surgical adjustment. Her hair is light blue and falls to her waist in a strait and sleek style. Her outfit, or uniform as I assume, is black and reaches from her collar to her ankles. Buttons are sewed in the middle and lace accents come to her wrists.
"I say we do," she smiles at me. "My name is Camilia. I will be your head stylist."
I stifle a grin, "Annie Cresta."
She nods, approving my physical appearance. She clears her throat and turns to the three people behind her, "Beauty base zero if you will."
The three simultaneously nod at her order, though I am muddled in confusion. And as the woman leaves the room to the hands of the three small frames in front of me, I can't help but yearn for Finnick's comforting words for the hours to come.
Finnick's P.O.V
Why is it that Capitol people always seem to get drunk? Whenever more than thirty of them are together, they drink themselves senseless. Many people have offered me the same substances that made these people oblivious to their surroundings but I have refused time after time again. I like being fully aware at all times.
3 hours have passed since I left Annie to her stylist. 3 hours and the many people surrounding me are drinking to oblivion. I search for a familiar face, one in particular that I would like to see more than anybody: Johanna Mason. Ever since she had won Victor two years ago, we had become close friends. She understands what I'm going through as far as my…occupation…goes. Snow forced her to do the same thing he has to me, but she refused. And in turn, he killed off her family at the drop of the hat. Our friendship has also stayed strong due to the fact that I allied with her love in my game and avenged his death rather well. Scarr was his name, and I will never forget that.
I scanned the thick crowd of mentors, victors, and escorts to see if I could find her face. I heard she was mentoring this year, her tribute will easily ally with Annie if that's the case, and I had hoped she would come to the welcome party held for mentors and other important people to the Games.
A finger tapped my shoulder, "Who are you looking for ?"
I turned around at the voice almost instantly. Johanna stood there, smiling and laughing just as I last saw her. I hugged her quickly, feeling eyes on us from all around.
"Were you trying to scare me? Because if that was the goal, you achieved it." I said through a grin.
"No, I was just desperate to find someone sober in this messy little pit of crazies we have here." She took a look around, as if trying to prove her point.
I nodded and rolled my eyes, "As long as I get to laugh at their stupidity without them knowing, I'll be fine."
She laughed, "Good point. Want to get some food?"
I nodded. We made our way through the insane cluster of people in front of us until we made it to the monstrous buffet. We grabbed a plate full of the most appetizing food and found an empty table. As soon as we set our food down, Johanna's eyes were serious.
"I need to tell you something." She said while she plucked a few pieces of meat in her mouth.
I knitted my eyebrows together, showing my confusion for her words, "Go on."
She leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper. It was hard to make out her voice through all of the screaming and loud music around us.
"Do you know Plutarch? Plutarch Heavansbee?" she waited for an answer.
I shake my head. That name made no recognition.
"I was wishing you did. Anyhow, he's planning something. Something so massively huge that Snow himself doesn't know what's going on."
My eyes widen, "What are you talking about?"
She pulled in closer towards me, our noses were centimeters from each other, "A rebellion."
I pulled back, shocked. No, that's impossible, "Are you out of your mind?"
She raised her hands in defense, "Wasn't my idea. I'm just joining them. We call ourselves the rebels."
"Johanna, you know that kind of stuff will get you killed."
"And if it does? Nobody cares if I die anyway. Everybody I ever loved is long gone now. I would be fighting and dying for them." She sat back in her chair, arms crossed.
I shook my head, "I care if you die."
She chuckled, "Thanks Finnick. Really, means a lot." Her tone sounded sarcastic but I couldn't be sure with the sounds all around us.
"How far has this thing gone?" I asked, still shocked.
"Pretty far. District 13 is going through with it along with some victors. I know Haymitch from District 12 is a part of us as well as Beetee from 3."
I looked around the room at them. Haymitch sits beside one of the Victors from 11, Chaff I believe, both of them wasted. Beetee sits near them, twisting some sort of wire. Then, something stops me. District 13.
"What do you mean District 13?" I ask her after I finish eyeing the two men.
She laughs, "Honestly Finnick, did you really believe they had just destroyed that place? No. It's very much alive."
I stare at her, wide eyed. I immediately turn my face into a fake smile and laugh, just in case someone is looking at us. She does the same.
"We are having a meeting after the Games, to sort things out. Top secret location, so I can only tell you if you're with us." Her fake smile stays on her face, but I can see the intensity in her eyes, begging for my answer to be yes.
Of course I want to join them. I have to avenge my parents in some way don't I? But then there's Annie. She is still so alive and a majority of my life. What if Snow found out I was playing for a team that was against his own? He knows better than anyone that the amount of pain he would put Annie through would double, triple, onto me. I couldn't take the chance. Not yet. Not while Annie is in such a short grasp from the man himself.
I shake my head and her eyes blink in shock. "Not yet," I whisper.
She squints her eyes at me, "Is it because of that Annie girl?"
I lean in close, anger suddenly fuming through my skin, "That Annie girl is my life. I can't risk her. I can't do that. I want to fight with you, but I can't."
"She's not asking for a babysitter Finnick." Johanna crosses her arms.
The anger makes my lungs blister, "If I agree right now, she is about as dead as your family and my parents, Johanna."
Her eyes flash with guilt. I have never seen that emotion on her face before, "Oh. I never realized that Finnick, I'm sorry. We will wait for you then." She lands a soft hand on my forearm. I notice now that I have been clenching my fists with anger.
I relax and nod, "Much appreciated."
"Oh! They are announcing, everyone! Get a good seat!"
I would just look out the window of the rectangular room we are all in. It's in a perfect place really; right over the pathway for the chariots, above the audience's bleachers, a humongous window to the left to see the event. I could look out there and see the whole thing. But Johanna grabs my wrist anyway and leads me out to the roaring audience. The breeze is strong and cold, cutting right through my thin clothes. We really do have a good view. Caesar's voice booms over the loud speaker.
"Welcome everyone to the tribute parade for the 70th annual Hunger Games! I bet you are all excited, yes?" A loud applause rumbles the ground, "Shall we start Claudius?"
Claudius speaks now, "I think we should! I am so excited for this year Caesar."
"I know Claudius, as am I." Another loud applause shakes the cement we stand on. "Let's begin with District 1!"
The mentors from District 1 smile and clap their hands in response. I look away, suddenly nervous for Annie. If she is forced with a hideous costume, well what will that do? I cringe when I think of her being forced in a costume that barely covers her, as mine did. The humiliation she would have to go through. I would probably run down there and rip her from the chariot, so that she could be in less pain.
Johanna nudges my side, "Hey, there's your Annie."
I look up as soon as the words escape her. I see her…my Annie and she looks beautiful. She looks perfect. The crowd howls in response. From head to toe, she wears pearls. A long dress completely made of the things doesn't stop until they completely cover her feet. Her sleeves hit the floor, and with every move, she shimmers. They come to a plunging V on her chest. A flat diamond shaped blanket of pearls sits atop her straightened hair. Pearls are scattered in random places throughout her hair, looking like diamonds in a sea of black. She looks like an angel. My angel.
Johanna laughed, "Lucky you."
I look to see what she means and I chuckle when I find the source. Her poor tributes are dressed in obnoxiously sized tree costumes, coming from the District of Lumber.
"Maybe they find it pretty," I say with a gesture to the audience below us.
Johanna shakes her head, "You never know."
And then the parade goes on. The rest of the tributes come out, President Snow makes the same scripted speech as he does every year, and we all rise to sing the Anthem of Panem. I sing it halfheartedly, knowing I wouldn't be standing for it much longer. Then with a final wave of his hand, Snow ends the event. The audience dies down and the tributes pull back into their stations. I practically run to the station Annie waits in. Asteria tries to toddle behind me while Beth walks as slow as a slug, not even making an effort.
I find Annie, looking just as perfect as I saw her from far away, and my heart skips a beat. Her stylist is next to her, both of them talking.
"Congratulations, both of you." I say to the two girls. The stylist giggles uncontrollably.
Annie looks at me, "Finnick! I knew you'd find us."
I smile at her, the kind of smile I save only for her, and turn back to her stylist. "How in the world did you come up with such a genius creation?"
Her cheeks turn pink underneath her purple skin, "Oh well, I was inspired by Annie's dress she wore to the Reaping, and realized we hadn't done pearls in a while."
I nod, "Amazing. Really."
She giggles more as Asteria comes to meet us. Demere and his stylist talk too, I hadn't noticed them at all. Demere has the same pearl fabric, just in a suit form. His hair has been dusted with grey shimmery powder, and a few pearls are nestled on the strands.
"That went perfectly! Congratulations everyone!" Asteria says, her words slurring together due to the alcohol.
I nod at her comment. Annie's eyes never leave mine.
"Come, follow me to your rooms. We all need some rest," Asteria says with a wave of her hand to follow her. Annie grabs my wrist to hold us back behind our entourage.
She hugs me tightly once we are out of sight. I hug her back without hesitation.
"So everything went well?" She asks as we release.
"No. Everything went perfect." I say with a smile.
And it will. Everything will fit into place. Rebel or not, I owe Annie a happy ending.
N/A: Hope you enjoy this one! Happy New Year! Thank you for all the support as always. You guys are the best.