'Finnick, don't you have to be on Tribute fours train?' I asked the concerned boy as he stepped onto the train that was taking me to the arena.
'I sorted some stuff.' He left his reply open for discussion but I didn't pick it up, I was just glad he was here for my last night.
When he looked at me I could tell that sadness filled his eyes but he disguised it well for my sake.
'Well say your goodbye's tonight.' Haymich snickered from behind already having five too many drinks.
Looking around the train I wondered just how I had ended up here? Snows daughter, Capitol born and yet here I was in the midst of the madness.
The only person my father was loyal to is himself, he wanted me to have the same destiny as my mother but I'll try my hardest to defy that.
'You need to eat Alia. You don't know the next time you'll actually get to.' Wisely Finnick advised me over the dinner table where all eyes rested on me.
I hadn't touched a single piece of the buffet, butterflies crowded all my stomach room, and not the good kind. It was a nauseating fear that clenched my being.
Elzaza looked at me with pity but I hated that look. I didn't want sympathy. It was the way everyone looked at me after the death of my mother, thinking I was a helpless young girl.
Prodding my fork into the steak a few times I finally brought it to my mouth and chewed the substance. No flavour exploded in my mouth like it usually would, the world seemed dreary these days. Settling in my uneasy stomach I crammed in all I could.
'Very good.' Finnick reassured me with a soft smile.
'Do you know I really think it's heartbreaking that Snow split you two up. Much like Romeo and Juliet, the star crossed lovers. Only difference is just one of you need to die.' Haymich's patronising voice spoke up again leaving the others with disgusted expressions.
'Haymich!' Elzazi's high pitched voice echoed through the walls.
'What, come on. You can't actually think she has even half a chance of winning this thing.' A scoff fell from his lips, Finnick's face turned sour as he opened his mouth to say something, I could guess it was nothing pleasant.
Squeezing his hand under the table I hinted at him not to say anything, I could handle myself. 'You know Haymich, when I do come out of these games alive I hope I don't turn out anything like you. Just a bitter and old alcoholic.'
His face upturned in amusement at my remark. 'Very good Miss Snow. Keep that fire.' Pressing the glass to his lips again alcohol drowned his kidneys.
We all sat at that table for a while, laughing and joking about anything and everything. Every attempt to lift the mood was made but it didn't result in anything. The underlying reason why we were all there remained.
Finnick followed me to bed when the clock struck 12:00, 6 hours to go.
His warm arms embraced me and held me there until morning. He didn't let go once. Soft kisses were placed on my head every so often and he caressed my face in comfort.
And even though I didn't sleep one wink it felt nice to be safe in Finnick's arms. I just prayed it wouldn't be the last time we lay like this.
YOU ARE READING
Allied Hearts - Finnick Odair
General Fiction'We're joint by way more than a gold bracelet Alia, you can't forget the bond we'll always have. No one escapes the past' Alia's whole life changes when she's back in the cruel games with the one boy she wanted to forget, Finnick Odair, darling of t...
