Enigmatic || Treech x OC - DISCONTINUED

VI

Mercedes jolted up from her sleep, gasping rapidly. It was just another one of her stupid dreams. She missed her mother dearly, as she was the only person who truly acknowledged her. Except for Tigris, of course, but deep down, Mercedes knew that Tigris wished for the District Twelve girl to win.

She felt a sickening sensation in her stomach and took a deep breath, only to be met with the musty smell of damp. Groaning, she dragged herself out of bed and turned around to fix the sheets. She peeled off her old pyjamas and changed into her uniform. Today was the day they would see the arena.

A small knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," she called out.

Coriolanus pushed the door open and looked at her with a small sigh. "I'm sorry about Arachne. I know she was your friend-"

Mercedes cut him off, her voice laced with bitterness. "She wasn't any friend of mine."

His eyebrows furrowed, "Oh, I just thought— y'know, because I'd seen you guys talk a few times."

"That was only because the girl was talking bad about Sejanus, my actual friend." Mercedes glared, not in the mood for any more talk about the deceased girl.

"Right... you know what day it is, right?" He questioned her, taking in her appearance as she put on her blazer.

She nodded in response, and he hummed before walking out of her room and closing the door behind him.
_______________________________________

Mercedes and Coriolanus walked through the streets of Panem, making their way to the Capitol. She was excited to see Sejanus, Coriolanus on the other hand, was a two-faced ass who just talked to Sejanus when he had nobody else to talk to.

She rushed to the front door of the academy and grabbed for the door before Coriolanus pushed her out of the way, "Not today, sucker." He smirked.

She scoffed, he knew what she going to do since she'd done it so many times. Yet, it never got old. He ushered her into the academy and she treaded in. Her head snapped around, trying to find the brunette boy.

She bid farewell to her brother, who walked to his own group of friends. Mercedes walked to the cafeteria, searching for the boy. She felt a pair of hands grab her shoulders, "Boo!".

She jumped and turned around to hit the taller boy on his arm. "Sejanus!"

Sejanus laughed at her reaction and pulled her into his chest, "Great to see you too." He could feel Mercedes smile into his chest.

"Hey Sejanus, can I ask you a question?" She steps away from his chest and looks up at him, he hums.

"Why does my tribute hate me?" She groaned, dramatically. He eyed her, suspiciously.

"I don't think he does, just imagine how you'd feel if you were him. You'd dislike us or even hate us. Can you blame him?" He responds, truthfully. She frowns, her head falling back.

"When we were in that stupid van, he was going to let me get absolutely mauled by those other tributes. But—...".

"But...?" He waits for her to continue.

"But he only stopped them because that red-haired girl, Lamina, told him to help me. Imagine if she hadn't told him to. Who knows if I would still be here talking to you." She walks further into the cafeteria before stopping and looking down.

Sejanus follows behind her, soothingly massaging her shoulders, "Mercedes, trust me. He doesn't hate you, he just doesn't fully trust you. You have to gain his trust."

She turns around to look at him, stopping his massage, "What would I do without you?" She hugs him, tightly.

"Probably go insane." He chuckles, hugging her back and ruffling her hair.