BOMBSHELL - Finnick Odair

14

Ember

My fingers reached up to rest against my rosy-colored lips. My lips.

I wasn't given the opportunity to process before being moved into position. My cheeks burned hot and red, remnants of last night replaying in my mind.

"Now, give a warm welcome for our Capitol darling...from District Five, Ember Black!"

Crew members had to push me through the curtain. All of my preparation was forgotten in an instance by just those few words.

My legs felt like I could crumble and fall to the floor at any moment. I tried to mask my feelings with a confident smile, striding over to Caesar who extended his hand.

"My, my," he praised, spinning me in a circle to showcase my dress. "Your designer surely outdone themselves, didn't they folks?"

The crowd cheered in agreement.

He eased the two of us down onto the plush leather seats. "Let's cut to the chase, Ember," he said, patting the back of my hand, "Finnick's special someone wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

Audience members squealed, minus Felix and Haymitch. The latter of which pretended like he was asleep and snoring.

I smirked and shrugged my shoulders, knowing how much they loved the mystery. "Maybe...maybe not."

"Oh, please!" Caesar exclaimed, flaring his hands around. "Don't you think it's time to put an end to all this secrecy between you two, yes?"

Yes.

"I'm not the type to kiss and tell," I responded, alluding to the answer they wanted to hear.

Caesar's laughter boomed into the microphone and I took the opportunity to glance back over at Felix and Haymitch again who were fake gagging. I didn't hide my giggles this time, playing it off as joining the host.

"I think what we're all wondering, is what you have up your sleeve this year," Caesar said, changing the subject. "With a training score of an 11, it has to be something good. Right folks?"

Capitol citizens shouted things out like yes, please, and tell us, Ember!

"Let's just say, Finnick and I have put the training room to use over the past several years...and in more ways than one," I smirked, winking at the camera.

Caesar, not hiding the shock on his face, turned to the crowd with a hand covering his mouth.

It always made me feel sick insinuating these things about Finnick and I. We constantly feed into it with comments for magazines, paparazzi sightings, and the occasional picture of us in each other's district.

"Emberrrr," Caesar purred, cutting his eyes at me.

The crowd, loving the dynamic between us, laughed at the interaction. "How will we ever let you go?"

He was a true showman. Always knowing when to transition from an upbeat moment to a more serious one and vice versa.

"I just hope," I sighed, looking down sadly, "I can put on one final performance for my favorite people."