Cupid's Day Off / katniss everdeen

3

iii.   Accidental Friends

The next few hours passed by in a blur. Finnick reassuring her that everything would be okay, her mothers tear stained face as she attempted the same before breaking into sobs. There were Annie's water lined eyes that Eliza caught as she walked past. It was as though the girls death certificate had already been signed, as though the only one refusing the truth was Finnick. 

Either that or he refused to show it in front of her.

Eliza decided that she would make the most of the event. She would wear the fine silks she found in her room on the train, she would eat all of the chocolate she was given as dessert and live up life as though she was raised in the Capitol. 

What was the point in attempting anything else? Either way her life would never be the same. Either she would die or she would be a shell of her former self. 

Wiping her chocolate stained hands off on a napkin Eliza focused her attention on the TV before her. To her left Haf, the other tribute, was pulling at a loose thread on his jeans and tentatively watching as the other tributes were shown. It was really just a replay of the day, but he seemed as though it was the most important thing he ever saw. Perhaps it was, but Eliza was more focused on the dress she chose to wear. 

It reminded her of the dress she wore at the reaping, a sky blue dress that ended at her knees. Except this dress was made of silk and had little fish embellished along the hem in gold beading. She trailed her hand over the pattern as she heard the names be called. 

A boy from District Two who practically jumped at the opportunity to join.
A red haired girl from District Five who reminded Eliza of a fox.
A dark skinned girl from District Ten who was withholding tears at the turn of events.

There was also a twelve year old from District Eleven, something that Eliza purposefully looked away from. She hoped she wouldn't run into the girl, that she wouldn't have to be the one to bring the games one step closer to the end. 

The last two tributes made Eliza lean forward a little, curiosity lacing her features as she watched "Primrose Everdeen" be called by Effie Trinket. They all watched as her older sister, Katniss, rushed forward to volunteer. Then someone named Peeta was called and the TV switched to the next big thing. 

Finnick nodded in consideration, stepping away from where he was standing behind Eliza to round the couch. "District Two should be the hardest to compete against," he explained. "Because they train from birth," Haf cut in. Ariel shook her head at this, "That's illegal, however-" "We won't know who to really focus on until training." Finnick made his way towards the hallway. "Until then I suggest resting up, we should be arriving in the morning."

With that Finnick disappeared towards his room and Ariel tsked at him. "Always so curt." Sighing the siren walked off to her bedroom leaving Haf and Eliza alone on the couch. 

Haf, refusing to meet Eliza's eyes, turned to walk off. "Goodnight-" "I'm Eliza," she cut him off, brightly smiling as she outstretched her hand. "Haf, right?" "Uh- Yeah." "Your parents run the fish shop down by the pier," she suddenly realized, "I go there all the time."

Haf nodded along, desperately hoping to end the conversation soon. It would be terrible if he befriended her and then... He didn't want to think about what the future held.

However fate didn't agree with this and soon enough he was left in a conversation with Eliza, both of them grinning as they went back and forth between topics. Soon enough though Ariel had walked in with a glare and told them that they're "Interrupting her beauty sleep" so with that the two begrudgingly went off to their rooms.

A week later they would both regret befriending the other, both wishing that they wouldn't have put themselves through that pain. 

Yet it happened.

A/N   !

i.   I didn't proof read this or anything so I'm sorry if it sucks. I'll probably end up editing it later on in the week.

ii.   Also, I made a new cover!