BOMBSHELL - Finnick Odair

36

Ember

"Hey, Peeta."

I sit slowly on the edge of his bed, as to not startle him, and flash a soft smile.

The blue eyes staring back at me look lost.

Foreign.

All the re-wiring on his brain did little to clear up any of his memories. Instead, clouding them even more.

But ours were untouched.

"Ember," greets Peeta quietly.

I comfortingly place a hand on one of his own, and his stare follows the movement.

"You're engaged?" He asks, gently lifting my hand closer to inspect the diamond wrapped around my finger.

My smile doesn't quite reach my eyes.

"It appears so."

Peeta places his other hand on top of mine, hiding the ring, and encapsulating my one in his two.

"Real...or not real?"

"I'm not sure I have the answer to that," I whisper, suddenly finding interest in the old, grey sheets.

The boy squeezes my hand a little tighter as he says with an underlying tone, "Me neither."

I avoided Finnick's presence entirely over the next few days. I found company in the baker's boy and his jumbled mind. Real or not real had become our favorite game.

We might as well still be stuck in those cells.

"Ember O'dairrrr," Johanna sings mockingly.

I pause, my fork full of food mere inches from my mouth. Narrowing my eyes at my friend I say, "Keep it up and I'll make sure you're the one in a white dress."

She winks amusingly, "Don't threaten me with a good time."

I angrily chew on the bland meal.

Katniss, who had yet to congratulate me, was staring at me with her big, blue eyes. It wasn't a secret that we weren't the best of friends.

"What?" I snap.

The girl clears her throat before speaking up. "Nothing, it's just..." she trails off, seemingly searching for the right words to not tick me off.

"I thought maybe you would like to join Johanna and me for training."

I'm taken aback by her offer. The last thing Coin wanted was a weapon anywhere near my hands. But Katniss did have some sway around here.

"You think you could work something out with Sunshine upstairs?" I ask the younger girl.

She shrugs, taking a sip of her water in response.

And this is how my least favorite of the District Twelve trio landed me back in Coin's office for the second time this week.

"So let me get this straight," the woman started, her eyes trailing me up and down. "You want Ember to join your squad?"

Katniss says nothing, just twists her hands together uncomfortably.

Coin makes a disapproving smacking sound with her lips. "Anything else," she says sarcastically.

Plutarch is leaned back against the chair next to her, a satisfied smirk on his face. I take a step forward, falling in line with Katniss.

"Peeta is to attend the wedding," I negotiate.

Coin's brow arches at my request.

"No."

I arch one in return.

My right hand begins twisting at the ring on my finger, preparing to rip it off and throw it back into her face.

"Wait," interrupts Plutarch. "This could be beneficial."

"Don't we want the Capitol to see Peeta joined together with the rebels?" He asks.

She appears deep in thought. Her eyes like daggers, slicing into me repeatedly. But I see right through her. Coin doesn't care about the rebellion in the same way that we do. Our cause is meaningless to her. A position of power is what she truly craves.

So, I don't break eye contact. My burning gaze full of as much disdain as her own.

"Welcome to the Star Squad, soldier."

-

Hi!  I understand it's been awhile and that I have a lot of new readers. Let me formally welcome you all here! 🥹

This is a shorter chapter than what I normally produce because I've been struggling with inspiration. So, I'm asking you guys for some thoughts. Are there any specific moments you would like for me to share? Leave any and all suggestions in the comments. TIA 💖