BOMBSHELL - Finnick Odair

13

Ember

The tension between us was thick. I could slice right through it with one of my knives.

I felt hot. The cool air suddenly replaced by the warmth radiating off both of our bodies. I was too hyperaware of everything around me.

Sounds of people partying too hard, the hum of the electric equipment on the roof, and even the breaths Finnick let out in shorter pants.

Our chests rested up against each other and rose and fell as one. With each shallow breath.

He stared deeply into my eyes, waiting for an answer.

"Hello? Panem to Ember?"

My eyes widened, remembering where I was. I sat up straighter in the chair that I've been in for the past two hours.

"I asked," Aero started, "If you were ready for your interview?"

My eyelids fluttered closed as Lovella brushed a color across it. "Do I have a choice?" I asked sarcastically.

My escort hummed, "I suppose not."

I couldn't even begin to think about the upcoming interview. My thoughts too preoccupied.

"Is she done yet?" Felix pestered, leaning against the wooden doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest.

Lovella paused in her movement to throw a glare his way. "Beauty takes time, you know?"

He kicked off the doorway, "Not when it comes this naturally." His hands waved around his face, gesturing to it.

"Right..." Aero drew out, turning back around to fiddle with the clothes on the hanging rack.

Felix scoffed and then glanced down at his gold watch. "Isn't she supposed to be ready like...now?" He asked.

The sounds of hangers scraping against metal made me flinch. My stylist, dramatic as ever, emerged from in between the racks.

"Darling," she said in her thick Capitol accent. "We are right on time."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Felix didn't.

Lovella added finishing touches and then ushered my mentor out of the room so I could change.

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled. "I'm going."

Aero insisted that I close my eyes and I reluctantly did as asked. I didn't want to spend my last night fighting with him. I had done enough of that to last the rest of my life.

Which could end quite abruptly in the next several days.

My stylist pulled me out of my morbid thoughts with a squeal.

"Just like I envisioned! Ember, darling, open your eyes!"

My eyes snapped opened and I almost clenched them back close.

I was at least covered more than I had been during the tribute parade. But my team knows what sells.

And when it comes to myself, that means my body.