THE SIREN'S SONG 𓇼 F. ODAIR

21 ~ the 70th hunger games

Carolina spent six months of the year in the Capitol. 

She was paraded around on Cyrus's arm the entire time, whether it be during interviews or at late-night parties with the wealthiest members of the Capitol. Every second of her days was filmed and televised to all of Panem, and at night, Cyrus wouldn't leave her side. 

She felt as if she were drowning whenever she stepped foot in the Capitol. She never had a moment alone, and it was rare for her to be in the right headspace either.

When she was back in District 4, she kept to herself. 

Her parents stayed at the mansion in Victor's Village less and less, claiming that it would never feel like home to them. There were no childhood memories of Carolina and Charlie, and the house was too far from the rest of the town. 

But those were the reasons why Carolina decided to stay there. Charlie would spend the night with Carolina occasionally, but their parents would only allow it maybe once a week.

Pearl was who kept Carolina sane. Her best friend would meet her at the train station to walk Carolina home, all the while reading off a list of everything that had happened in the months she was gone. Pearl would also stay at the mansion in Victor's Village to keep Carolina company when she was in District 4. 

Carolina knew that her best friend would still stay at the mansion when she was gone too, probably to get away from her family every so often. She didn't mind.

"Maya Wells was assigned to spar with her ex-girlfriend and nearly decapitated her." Pearl started listing off the latest events of what happened in District 4 when she saw Carolina step off the train. "So now, she's in another class."

That time, the girls walked straight to the Hall of Justice for the reaping of the 70th Hunger Games. It was the first time in years Pearl actually spoke on that day, but it was also the first time her name wasn't in the reaping bowl.

"Finnick Odair started working for Lee Rosebloom at his bakery," Pearl continued. "I wrote that down because that's weird, right? He doesn't need to work."

Carolina froze at Pearl's words. 

"Rosebloom? He's working for Marsh's father?"

"Who's Marsh?" Pearl looked confused. "I don't think he has a son. He has two daughters, though."

They reached the Hall of Justice before Carolina could reply. Not that she would have replied. Pearl's words felt like a punch to the throat.

"I will see you after the games, alright?" Carolina said, hugging her friend goodbye.

"Stay longer next time, will you?" Pearl asked, squeezing Carolina a bit tighter. "It's weird not having you here. Or bring me to the Capitol. I'd much rather prefer that than sharing a shack with seven people."

"I'll try."

Pearl walked into the crowd as Carolina turned to head to the stage. 

When she arrived, her eyes scanned the area for somewhere to sit. The only seat left with the victors was the one beside Finnick. His eyes met hers the moment she stepped foot on stage, and she slowed her steps. 

It was the first time she saw him since the night he told her everything. She wanted to smile at her old friend and ask him how he was, but then every memory of what she had gone through because of him flooded her mind. She decided to keep her eyes forward the entire time, refusing to meet his sea-green eyes again.

She thought a year apart from him would give her enough time to lose every complicated feeling she had for the boy, but all it did was make her seeing him again even more painful.