BOMBSHELL - Finnick Odair

8

Ember

Watcher's eyes lingered, but only his burning gaze could be felt on my figure.

I had performed this routine over a hundred times now, it becoming so familiar to me that I could do it in my sleep by now. The music faded and the lights dimmed into a deep, red shade as I held my final pose of the night. The crowd cheered and applauded my performance. All except for one man.

He stood further away, tucked into a corner with his arm draped around a colorful woman. His expression emotionless, but still watching nonetheless.

The lights came back on and I removed the white rose from in between my teeth to take a bow. The crowd's whistles and claps echoed off the concrete walls as I strutted behind the red, velvet curtain.

Aero stood there with my satin robe and crystal water bottle. I slid my arms into each sleeve and sipped the drink gratefully. "Amazing, per usual!" He said excitedly.

I smiled and pulled him into a hug. As we separated, he slyly slipped a small note into my palm. I crinkled the parchment paper into a small enough size to fit into my robe's pocket.

"Your car is waiting outside for you, Ember," he instructed. I nodded and let him lead me out of the back entrance to avoid the mob waiting in the lobby.

We walked down the cobblestone path while the cameras flashed from either side. I was thankful for the sunglasses I wore that made it easier to see.

The driver opened the door, allowing Aero and I to slide in comfortably. "Open it," he whispered, to which I shhhed him. I glanced around before slipping the paper back out and unfolding it. Aero could barely contain his excitement. You'd think it was actually for him.

Rooftop. x

This time he let out a quieter, but still audible, squeal. "I am the backbone of this relationship," he sighed, fanning himself dramatically.

I cut my eyes at him. "It's not a, relationship, we're...well," I paused, totally proving his point. A giant smile creeped onto his face and I quickly shut it back down. "Hush," I barked out.

He sat all smug-like the entire drive back to the Tribute Center. This year was the 74th Hunger Games and Felix and I were both mentors. But that came second to my job.

I sighed thinking about my tribute this year, Finch. She reminded me of myself. The girl was very intelligent and had a chance, but not with me as a mentor. I encouraged her to rely on her survival skills, not being able to reveal to her the reason why I would be unable to help her.

President Snow wanted to make sure no more underdogs, as he had put it several years ago, would prevail. Which is why he had me performing all night, every night during the games. I struggled to stay awake most days, forcing myself to be as present as possible for my tributes.

The car came to a halt outside the building and Aero and I made the trek back to our respective floor. The door swung open and we were greeted to the sight of a passed out Felix in one of the dining room chairs. A bottle of opened whiskey sprawled out on the counter in front of him.

"Go change, darling. I'll take care of him," Aero said, feeling pity for the man. Sending two of our own to die in the arena every year never got easy. Especially for Felix who has done it for so long before me.