BOMBSHELL - Finnick Odair

2

                                         Ember

The hollowed, pale faces of District 12 stared right through me. Like they weren't believing the absolute Capitol nonsense Aero had wrote up for me prior to my appearance.

Their...colorful escort, Effie, clapped enthusiastically in some attempt at covering up her district's lack there of.

She not so subtly pushed me out of the way of the microphone, "Wasn't that just wonderful!"

It was very clear she was trying to get her moment for the cameras, but I doubt this part will be broadcasted because one by one, each person in the crowd held three fingers up above their heads.

And if there was anything Snow hated more than myself right now, it was District unity. I tipped my head slightly in a sign of appreciation before peacekeepers ushered me off the stage.

"Ha!" A disheveled man shrieked backstage. I jumped in surprise at the unfamiliar man's presence.

"Welcome to the club, cupcake."

The man with shaggy, blonde hair wore a crooked smile. Meanwhile, I stared on in confusion at his statement that seemed to hold an underlying meaning.

"Haymitch!" Felix cheered and pulled the man into a bear hug and they shared their...weird, but also touching moment together.

Was he a victor as well? The Capitol usually covers previous victors throughout the year leading up to the games, but I have never heard of a Haymitch before.

"Ember, this is Haymitch, the 50th victor," Felix said with his arm still wrapped around the man's shoulders.

I paused in my stride towards the pair at his words. 50? The second quarter quell? And the only living District 12 victor? Why weren't the Capitol eating him up?

Continuing on my walk towards them, it became clearer to me. He reeked of booze. No wonder Felix got along so well with him.

I looked Haymitch up and down, studying him. Another habit the games had gifted me with. "You done, sweetheart? Or do you prefer bombshell?" Haymitch asked with a smirk, tapping his finger on his chin.

I scowled in response.

"I mean, I know I'm handsome, but I didn't take myself as this much of a lady's man," he smiled at Felix who removed his arm from Haymitch's shoulders to smack his chest.

"Easy, Mitch she's still new," he said in my defense.

Haymitch rolled his eyes and threw his arms around in the air as he said, "Right, trauma or whatever."

"What, is this funny to you?" I asked with furrowed brows and clenched fists.

His smile dropped at my words and he took one step closer. "Darling, if you haven't figured it out yet, I am you. Which is why I understand how far from funny this is."

"Just because we're both victors doesn't make us the same," I argued. "And cool it with the nicknames would you?"

He laughed, but before he could respond Felix cut the argument off. "Alright children, we have a dinner to attend."

About that time, Effie and Aero's arrival was made clear by the sound of their clicking heels. "Let's go, Darling. We have a dinner to attend," Aero said while snapping his fingers in my direction.

Haymitch and Felix's faces lit up at his choice of words.

"Don't," I spat.

The two giggled and wrapped their arms around my shoulders to lead me towards District 12s dining hall.

The dinner wasn't that long considering the lack of people to meet. The only ones attending were Haymitch, Effie, and the Mayor, along with his family.

Cameras fluttered around filming the entire thing which mainly consisted of Felix and Haymitch goofing around and drinking.

But it was hard to miss the fleeting glances the latter threw Effie's way when he thought no one was watching.

Which is why when he accompanied Felix and I to our train departure I pulled him into a hug and whispered into his ear, "Didn't take you as the type to be into all of that Capitol glam."

He covered up his surprise with a laugh that I couldn't help to return. The moment between us was broadcasted to the Capitol as a lighthearted moment, but only the two of us really understood it.

Over the course of a week I had visited 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, and 6. We skipped 5 and are now approaching District 4.

This District was the one I was the most anxious over. The water district. The first of the career districts. But it seems this anxiety I was feeling didn't reciprocate throughout the train.

Aero and my stylists stood by the TV fanning themselves over the recent gossip channel showing.

"He's so dreamy!"

"I could get lost in those eyes!"

"The things I would do for just one night with the Finnick Odair!"

Aero shot a look towards Lovella at that comment. "Haven't you heard how he treats his flings? Spends the night with them and then dumps them the next day. What a shame."

She shrugged, "It would still be worth the heartache."

I cringed, but couldn't go hole up away in my room. We were arriving soon and my stylists still had "finishing touches" to add before we did.

They made their way back to where I was seated and began to pull and tug on my hair. "Ouch!" I yelled out when a piece of hair got snagged on the comb.

"Oh please," Aero said with a roll of his eyes, "you're a victor, suck it up."

"Besides," Lovella sighed, "we have to make you perfect because all anyone in the Capitol is talking about is what a match you and Finnick would be."

Felix laughed at her words as he joined us in the main cart and my face twisted up in disagreement. "Like that would ever happen. Last time she was near water..." he cut off his words with a whistle and drug his finger slowly across his neck.

I grabbed a hairbrush off the table and flung it in his general direction. He dodged it easily, laughing at my retaliation.

"Act like adults, would you two please?" Aero asked as he pressed his forefingers against his temples.

Felix and I caught each others eyes and tried to stifle a laugh, but couldn't hold it in. Soon enough we were doubling over at Aero's irritation.

"Right, so funny," Aero mumbled under his breath.

A squeal rang out as another stylist said, "We're here!"

My smile slowly faded and noticing the change in demeanor, Felix helped me up from my seat to whisper a "Relax" close to my ear.

He ushered me towards the exit door because Aero says the cameras need a solo shot of me walking off the train. Like they don't have 7 other shots of that already.

"I'll be right behind you," Felix assured me.

I nodded and made my way to the top of the steps as a peacekeeper opened the door from the outside.

Slowly, I descended the steps and had just placed my heeled foot onto the concrete when my breath got caught in my throat.

I froze in place.

The man that was just on the screen moments before stood with a bouquet of white roses locked within his grasp.

Finnick Odair's famous smirk stared right back at my shocked face.

"For you, gorgeous," he smiled and held them out to me.

Gasps rung out from behind me and I could just make out Felix muttering, "What the fuck?"