"All these people think love's for show, but I would die for you in secret."
In which Zia Greyling is forced to compete in a game to the death, but even when she wins Snow won't let her go. Her only peace comes from the sandy haired boy across the s...
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There are specific moments that change the course of your life. Some major plot twist that you never see coming. For Zia Grayling there are two moments that come to mind and they both have to do with the fucking Hunger Games.
She woke up on the day of the reaping somewhat hopeful. She was eighteen, this was the last year. She was almost free. A knock on the door shook her from her thoughts. Her brother stepped into the room.
"Hey Z, time to get ready." He gave her his signature bright smile and closed the door behind him. It was his last day too. Zia slowly got up and slipped on the dress that her mother had left out for her the night before. It was a flowy knee length green dress that had been passed down from each of the women in her family as a sort of good luck charm. She made her way downstairs to see her family eating at the table. Each of them smiling and laughing despite knowing what was about to take place. She sat down and started to pick at some of the fruit on her plate. She couldn't bring herself to eat anything. Despite the hope that her family was feeling there were undertones of worry Zia couldn't quite shake.
Suddenly their front door opened and a hand squeezed Zias shoulder as it passed. She immidiately knew who it was and could physically feel all of the anxiety melt from her body.
"Finnick! Have a seat!" Her mother Savanna, gestured to the empty seat at the table that was almost always occupied by the blonde boy. "I thought you would have to be at the square by now?"
"Technically yes, but i couldn't pass up your delicious breakfast Mrs. G." He shot Zia's mother the smirk that could light the world on fire and Zia couldn't help the corners of her mouth lifting. Finnick Odair had an uncanny ability to make people smile, no matter the circumstances.
"Oh please Finn you practically live here already." Her brother teased. Finnick didn't have any family of his own and the Gralings were more than happy to take him in. Finnick and the twins had been friends since they were little. They had origionally bonded over flowers originally when they had discovered that both of their favorite flower is a Limonium Latifolium or sea lavender. A beautiful purple flower that grows by the Ocean. Random, but true. After his games he needed a support system, just some people to truly be there for him, and so he started spending the night at their house most nights of the week just to have some company. He would still spend the occasional night at his house in Victors Village in fear that he was overstaying his welcome at the Graylings.
"Well we best be off." Savanna suggested as they each finished their food. Zia stood up and took her plate to the sink. She started to wash it when her mother noticed,
"Zia, sweetie I can do that when we get back." But she didn't stop. She kept scrubbing and scrubbing, by that point the plate was already clean.
"You guys go ahead, we will catch up." Finnick nodded at the door and the rest of her family silently walked out the door, giving the two some space. Finnick walked over to the sink and placed his hands over hers, taking the plate from her and placing it on the counter next to them. He then turned her around to face him.
"Zia look at me. Its going to be ok."
"You don't know that."
"Yes I do."
"How?"
"Because I won't let anything happen to you."
She looked up at him. His eyes were so sincere. He actually believed that he could protect her from the games and she loved him for it, she truly did. But she knew that there was nothing he could do. Reaping Day had always been an anxiety inducing time for her, but ever since Finnick's games, the thought of the arena made her sick. The Hunger Games had always been cruel and horrible, but there is something indescribably soul crushing about watching someone you know fighting for their lives, nearly dying, and you sitting there watching the entire thing, helpess to do anything to help.
"Ill tell you what," he continued, placing both hands on her cheeks, "After the reaping today we will go out to the cove and collect seashells for that gift you are going to make for your moms birthday." She took a deep breath imagining the sand under her toes and the rushing waves. Finnick and her hand in hand searching for the gorgeous shells that lined the shore.
"Yeah, ok." She leaned into the comfort of his hands.
"Ok." He kissed her forehead. "Lets go meet your family."
As they made their way through town Zia couldn't help the anxiety that filled her once again. She couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. Once they got to the square Finnick squeezed her hand and went to sit on the stage with Mags and Annie, the other District 4 winners. Zia stood with the other girls waiting for the names to be called, she cought a glimpse of Caspian on the other side of the square. He gave her another smile and mouthed breathe. She hadn't even realized she had stopped breathing. She gave him a small smile as their escort Midge walked onto the stage.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 79th reaping for the Hunger Games!" The crowd was silent as she waited for their reactions. "Let's all focus our attention to the screens where president snow has a video to show you!" Zia sighed, it was the same video they play every year at the reapings, it was still has boring and overly dramatic as it has always been. The video ended and Midge walked back up to the microphone, "Well then I won't keep you all waiting, the female tribute for the 69th hunger games will be..."
"Zia Grayling!" She stopped breathing again. Finnick shot up from his chair on the side of the stage, his fists clenched at both sides. She felt like she was going to throw up. The girls around her spread out to make room for the peacekeepers who came and took her by the arms, dragging her onto the stage. There she stood in front of the entirety of District 4 all of them staring up at her with looks of both pity and relief. It wasn't them. She looked over at the boys and saw her brother jaw clenched and eyes fiery. She found her mom in the back. She were holding onto to Mrs. Castellan, the town flourist and he best friend since childhood, for dear life, tears streaming down both of thier faces.
"Now for the boys!" Midge said breaking the silence. Her heels clacked on the platform as she made her way to the clear bowl."The male tribute for the 6th Hunger Games will be.."
"Oh dear this will be interesting...Caspian Grayling!" Gasps rang out though the crowd. As they walked her brother up onstage, his face pale and emotionless Zia felt the bile rise in her throat. She was going into the games with her brother. Her best friend. Her. twin. brother. One of the peace keepers dragged her from where she stood back towards Caspian and Midge. Her hand was raised into the air as Midge proclaimed "I give to you the district 4 tributes of the 69th Hunger Games!" that's when her mother screamed. A painful guttural scream that no one in the district would ever forget. Both of Savanna Gralings children were going into the hunger games. They weren't safe. They were closen to die. She was dragged off of the stage and into an empty room, awaiting her final goodbyes.
