Pearls and Perils ・❥・Finnick Odair x Reader

Chapter 1

I stand looking out at the painted sky, cool waves crashing at my feet. I inhale the refreshing scent of fresh seaweed at one of the only beaches in district 4 left untouched by the fishing industry. I glance back at my sister who's sitting in the sand picking at her fingernails.

"Cora," I say, "c'mon let's go for a swim." She still sits there acting as if she didn't hear me, so I walk over and crouch down next to her. "Look I know you're nervous, it's your first year that is completely normal. But I promise it's not going to be you."

"But what if it's you?" she replies. I hesitate, thinking of all the extra times I put my name in the bowl in exchange for food.

"Then we'll figure it out and it'll be okay." I try to reassure her. "But that hasn't even happened so let's not get ahead of ourselves. I go for a swim here every year the night before the reaping, the water is so cold you'll forget all about the fucked up world we live in!" She gives me a half smile and I extend my hand to her. We run into the water splashing, until we fall face first into the waves. Cora splashes me, we joke, and eventually we just float on our backs and let the tide push and pull. All the problems in the world melt away.

The sun completely sets and it's getting dark, so we decide to head back home. I unlock the door, "Dad?" I call out, only to be met with no response. I walk into the living room and he's passed out on the couch, with a bottle of vodka about to fall off the coffee table. I roll my eyes, but cover him with a blanket anyways. He's been like this ever since mom died a few years back, and I understand he's heartbroken, but he's left me to be the functioning adult of the house. They both had jobs, but mom was the real breadwinner and now dad's not even working at all. I want to be angry at him, putting the weight of the entire family on my shoulders overnight, but I just can't.
I give Cora a kiss goodnight and try to fall asleep despite my racing thoughts of what tomorrow would bring.

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I get up and hop into the icy cold shower. I check to make sure Cora is awake and find her in her room nervously fidgeting with the zipper on the back of her dress.

"Want some help?" I ask.

"Yes please." She responds. I walk over to her and zip her dress up, then I play with her hair as she smiles in the mirror.

"You look beautiful Coraline." I say.

"Ew don't call me that." She says as she makes a face, "Just Cora."

"Yeah it sounded unnatural anyways." I laugh. Then I turn to the closet and pull out my dress, nothing fancy, the same thing I wear every year- that real reaping couture look. I check the time and we should get going soon so we head downstairs. Dad is still passed out on the couch. "Dad?" I say "Dad wake up." I'm shaking him now, no response. I fill a cup with water and splash it on his face, this seems to do the trick.

"Agh what the hell?" he stutters.

"Dad it's reaping day. Get up, we need to leave." I say firmly.

"Christ y/n give me a second I'll go change." He replies. We wait for him to change and then head out the front door.

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Cora and I wait in line, she's practically squeezing my hand off.

"Hey it's gonna be okay." I start, "they're going to prick your finger when we get to the front of the line, it's okay, just a little pinch. From there you stand with the people your age so we're going to be separated, but just for a bit, okay?" She looks up and then pulls me into a hug.

"Okay" she responds. We get to the front of the line and Cora flinches only slightly, I'm proud of her. I lose sight of her in the sea of kids as I go to stand by the other 16 year olds. The crowd settles as our district's escort- Seraphina- takes to the stage. Her hair is such a vibrant shade of green it makes me nauseous, and her skin looks pinker than it did last year.

"Hello and welcome!" She starts, "Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!" She then gives her yearly speech on the history of Panem, the dark days, the obliteration of district 13, the treaty of treason and blah blah blah. Of course, all topped off with a video made by President Snow himself. I can't bear to pay any attention to it, the stupidest attempt at propaganda I've ever seen. "Ladies first." She finally says. I hold my breath and clench my fists as she wanders over to the girls bowl. I've lost track of how many times my name is in there and to be honest I don't want to know.

"Y/n L/n." She booms into the microphone. Suddenly the whole world is shrinking as everyone shuffles away from me. The sun is hot on my face as I feel my heart beat hasten. I hear Cora cry out and I get my grip on reality back. One foot in front of the other, I make my way to the stage. My feet drag on the steps as I force myself to not let a tear drop, I can't look weak. "Oh how lovely!" She exclaims as I finally face the crowd. "The female tribute for district 4- Y/n L/n! Now, onto the boys." I scan the crowd for Cora, I finally notice her all the way in the back. She's weeping helplessly and won't move her eyes away from mine. It's okay. I mouth to her. It's gonna be okay.

"Ronan Redmond." Seraphina announces. A stocky 18 year old emerges from the crowd with a smile on his face. Oh fucking great. Of course my district partner is a career. District 4 is unique in that way, we technically are a career district, but only those who can afford training participate. Before mom died, my family could afford it. But that was several years ago, now we can barely put food on the table. The mayor gestures for us to shake hands. I hold mine out to Ronan as he stares straight into my soul and already I feel as though I'm doomed.