The Dancer - Finnick Odair

XXXIII

"The Second Interview"

Melissa woke up from a nightmare with a jolt Finnick beside her, heard her silent cries.

"Hey, hey Mia, what's wrong?"

"He did, again he touched me, then it was on in the square, everyone just stood there and did nothing." Melissa confessed as she couldn't keep the tears in.

"It's okay Mia, he is dead, you saw it, you did it, ok, he is gone and will never hurt you again, I promise." Finnick whispered in her ear, bringing her head to his chest as he layed back down.

"You promise?" Melissa asked, as her eyes started to flutter closed.

"I promise,"

Melissa was dragged out of bed, three hours later. Her prep team looked at her smiling so bright she thought it was the sun.

"Dear let us make you look like you are a model."

"Let's get this shit over with."

With that they went wild.

Five minutes before the interviews, Finnick, Mabel and Melissa were dressed for the interviews.

Melissa was in a skintight dress, that went mid-thigh, was gold and was of the shoulder. She had ballet shoes that weren't broken in yet, put she wasn't dancing in them, so it didn't matter, they were polished and colored gold. Mel's hair was down and curled with highlights. Her makeup was gold as well, golden eyeshadow and lipstick. She also wore Finnick's promise ring, that had a gold band and small diamonds incrusted.

Mabel wore a short sleeve dress that went to her knees. There was a thin layer of tool, surrounding her skirt. She also wore flats, and had her hair in a high ponytail, with bangs. She wore light makeup such as mascara and lip gloss. Finnick would still not be happy with how they made her look at least ten. She also wore a headband, that had a white rose on the end.

Melissa and Mabel waited until after Gloss's interview to make their way to where they had to wait.

"You know her, you love her, you probably watched one of her performances, Give it up for Melissa Becker and her daughter Mabel Odair!" Caesar said, the crowd cheered as she and her daughter walked on the stage.

"Caesar hello," Mel said, as she and Mabel sat down. Mabel on her lap.

"Hi, Caesar." Mabel said, in a small voice giving a little wave.

"Hello darling, don't you look pretty." Caesar said, as the crowd awed.

"Thank you, the nice people in color made it." Mabel blushed.

"Okay, Melissa, first off how do you feel about going into the games again." Caesar asked.

"Well, I feel confident and not about some parts. But I know I have to win for my baby right here." She answered.

"How do you feel about going against Finnick."

"We decided not to be allies, less of a chance it comes between the two of us. When I win, I will win in his honor, and let his memory live on." Melissa said, tears formed in her eyes.

"This is getting depressing; you know me I'm going to cry." Caesar said, whipping away non-existen tears. "Let's gossip."

"Ok, just not in front of Mabel." Melissa said, picking Mabel up and telling her to go to Finnick.

"Bye," The young girl waved as she walked off stage.

"Ok so let's talk about Mabel." Caesar said.

"Mm."

"So Finnick adopted her."

"Yes."

"So, who is her father?"

"A donor." Melissa said, repeating the story Snow told her.

"Wow, do you know how this donor is?"

"No, you would have to ask my grandfather."

"Also how did your mother end up in 2."

"My grandmother, she's dead now, but she went to the Capitol as a victor, and she meet Snow, they dated for a while and then she left. Snow never heard from her, but when he heard my mother was a tribute, he learned he had a daughter." Mel said, recalling the stories her mom told her as a child.

"Last question, what do you think about Katniss Everdeen." He asked.

Melissa had to think, does she say how she feels, what Snow told her, or what the Capitol wants.

"She is nice, but between me and you, she's just for District 12, she's not a threat compared to someone who's been training for the games her whole life and has victor in her veins." Melissa said, the crowd went silent as they heard her talk shit about Katniss.

"Well thank you Melissa, have a great night and we will see you tomorrow for the games." Caesar said, with an obviously fake seem.

Melissa had a resting bitch face, and she knew how to use it, she faked smile and walked backstage.

She walked up to Katniss.

"You better watch your back Everdeen, you are just new here, so don't think you own the place."

Melissa left with Mabel in tow and went to bed.