68th Hunger Games// Y/n

2

"Why?" I ask before I can stop myself. He looks at me
"I can't risk losing you" He says softly and again I find myself confused as to why that's his answer. All I can do is nod slightly and he must be satisfied with that pathetic excuse for an answer. We spend the rest of the way swimming around and sitting on the dock. It's peaceful and enjoyable. Like every worry I have melts away in this moment with this man, with Beckett.

"That is silly" I giggle and Beckett laughs, standing up.
"We should head back" He says, holding his hands out for me to take. I take them and he pulls me up. We're inches away and maybe it's my eyes playing tricks on me but his eyes flick to my lips.
"Yeah, it's getting late" I say awkwardly and take a few steps back. I misjudge how far away I am from the edge and I start to fall back. I gasp and Becketts arm goes around my waist and he pulls me against him firmly.
"I got you" He says and my cheeks heat up.

"Thank you" I say and he removes his arm from my waist.

"Let's go back" He says and starts jogging. Finally, running. Something I'm good at. Even though I start later I soon pass Beck. I sprint past him, ignoring my name being called. I run into the training centre and collapse on a bench, Gemma jogs over to me
"Are you okay?" she asks, crouching in front of me
"Fine" I pant, desperately trying to catch my breath. "Running, heat" I manage and she nods, handing me a water bottle. I drink it all greedily and wipe my mouth, the cold air of the arena cooling me down.

"Better?" She asks and I nod
"Thank you"
"Anytime" Gemma smiles and walks off. I sit on the bench, elbows on my knees as Beckett runs in. I swiftly get up and walk into the girls locker room. The Reaping is in less then a week, I don't know what I'm going to do. I change into my normal clothes, blue mid thigh skirt and a white strapless shirt. I slide my feet into my sandals and pack my bag. I walk out and sign out. A man holds the door open for me and I smile at him
"Thank you" I nod and he grabs my elbow. He pulls me inside, the sun blocked by the building, Finnick stands there. "Finnick" I say in awe, he's somewhat of a myth in district four. Usually in the Capitol.
"I'm going to take a guess, Y/n L/n" Finnick says with a hint of dread in his voice.
"Yes" I nod, dumbfounded on how Finnick Odair, the Capitals darling, knows me.

"I need to speak with you" He says slowly and I blink "are you busy tonight?"

"No, I don't think"
"Good, we're going to have our chat over dinner" He says simply and again I think, why me? What possible could Finnick want to talk to me about?
"I need to drop off my bag" I say, it's heavy with water from my clothes
"I'll walk you" he says and offers me his arm. I look at him with confusion but take his arm hesitantly. We leave the centre and people whisper as we walk past.
"What are you doing in District four?" I ask and he smiles slightly
"Well, you see, it is my home" He replies and I roll my eyes
"I mean, why aren't you in the Capitol drowning in riches?"
"Drowning in riches? Is that really what people here think I do?" He asks and I look at him
"Most people, yes"
"I haven't dealt with money in months" he says distantly "secrets, instead" He adds
"What kind of secrets?" I ask, curious what secrets the capitol people could possibly have?

"Secrets that are not mine to share" He says simply and I nod.
"Why are you back?" I ask and he sighs
"No small talk?" He asks with a grin
"This is small talk no?" I ask innocently and he blinks
"I'm a mentor for this year's games, that's why I wanted to speak with you" For a seventeen year old he speaks with formality. Again, why me? I turn down a small driveway and open the door to my house.
"You can come in" I say, holding the door open for Finnick. He walks in and takes off his shoes.
My sister shrieks and runs at me, throwing herself in my arms. My brother follows behind.

"Hi you two" I stand up and my brother eyes Finnick
"Who are you?" He asks and my cheeks heat at my brother's bluntness but Finnick doesn't seem to mind. He kneels on his knees and holds out his hand
"I'm Finnick" My brother shakes his hand with his tiny one.
"I'm Kai"

"It's nice to meet you Kai" Finnick smiles and my brother turns to me, hugging my leg. "And who's this?" Finnick asks, standing up and smiling at my sister
"Don't be shy" I coo and she smiles
"Maren"

"That's a very pretty name" She laughs and wiggles until I put her down. She hits Kai and they barrel down the hall and outside to the back yard. Finnick looks at me with a look and I tuck my hair behind my ears.
"I'm just going to find my parents, so they don't worry" I say and he nods
"I'll wait here" I walk outside where my dad is grilling food and my mom is playing with my siblings.
"I'm home" Mom runs up and hugs me
"Did you have a good day?" she asks, and I nod
"I'm going to go have dinner with a friend, I won't be out too late"
"Okay, be safe dear" She holds my face and kisses my forehead. I kiss Dad on the cheek and jog inside the house. I grab a handful of money and stuff it into my pocket, yes my skirt has pockets, and find Finnick waiting exactly where I left him.

"Shall we?" He asks, holding his arm again. I take it and we leave. We find a small restaurant and get a table for two, I get weird looks from almost everyone and jealous looks from everyone else. We sit down and order.
"So" I prompt
"What?" Finnick asks, mid bite
"Why are we having dinner like friends?" I ask, stabbing my scallops.
"I wanted to talk about the games" He says and I nod "I don't want you going in, now more than ever"
"What? Why?" I ask,
"I know I haven't been in district four but I keep tabs on who's going and whos been training"

"Oh" I whisper

"All of my sources, say you are the ideal candidate for the games"

"I've been training for the games" I say simply
"I don't want you playing" He says firmly
"Why do you care?" I ask, rather aggressively stabbing another scallop.

"Because, I don't want you ending up like me Y/n" He says, anger in his voice.

"What? Alive?" I spit