A fate worse than death~~A Finnick Odair story~~

24. Booze is fun

The instructions would have been easier to understand, childish really. Be flirty, wear this.
He could not have been much clearer. Still I struggled.

First of all, the dress was very short, almost too short. It felt like I could flash someone at any moment. Second, I had no idea who I was looking for. And thirdly! Because yes, there is a third, I still hadn't quite recovered from my afternoon with Haymitch.

Evernis had been overjoyed that I wanted to go on a mount. Even happier when I said I already had a dress picked out. It was tight, short, blue and almost entirely decorated in pearls. It was a dress south of a capital city party, if you didn't know me you'd think it was something I voluntarily put on, but god!
All I could think about was how tight it was on my body.

"He's the one at the glass table." "What?"
I flinched at the voice that rang in my ear. But before I could turn to see who it was, they were gone. But then at least one problem was solved. Or well, almost. There were three men sitting at the table. Three.
This would certainly not be embarrassing.

How on earth would I approach them. I had no idea.
So, well, I didn't.
Instead, I just slowly walked closer to their table and instead of just plopping down,
I waited for them to approach me.

"Hey you!"
I turned, a little hopeful, a little terrified. Let my gase wander to their table and give them a look that said, who me?
"Yes you, pretty girl!"
Reluctantly, but with a pep in my step that made me seam ever so happy, I walked over to their table and sat down.
Got you.

"We're trying to settle an argument, could you help us?"
A blue-eyed, blond and quite handsome boy began.
"Ohh quite it Cory, what would she know about the arenas!"
A gray-eyed, raven-haired boy had interrupted him, and I knew I couldn't keep quiet.
"Ohh, but please try to enlighten me!"
I chirped in the sweetest voice I could muster.
It made me want to puke.
"Surely you won't understand--."
"Uhh let her try!"
The third boy interrupted the second, and a venomous look was shared between the two.

Then there was silence for a little while before Cory spoke.
"Okay sooo, we're trying to decide which arena would be the most dangerous, but at the same time be the best to vacation in."
"Do you understand."
It wasn't a question, more of a mean comment from gay number two, but now I was going to show him.

"Well, I would think that the quarter-quill arenas are the most dangerous, but....For my own sake, I'll probably have to choose my own, those metal sharks are not something I want to experience again. But at the same time it was very beautiful, with the sea, the islands and the meadow I mean."
Two out of three sat completely stunned.
"You, you are a victor?"
And suddenly he wasn't that cocky. But as I was supose to answer, Cory was quicker.
"What is it Treww, don't you recognize the youngest victor in history of the Hungergames?!"
"You are, you are."
He couldn't even get the words out, but the third boy could.

"Elizabeth Whitmore, an honor to make your acquaintance."
I strightend my posture a bit and smiled flirtatiously at all three of them before answering.
"The honor is all mine."

After that I was bout countless rounds of drinks, and with each drink I got bolder, dumber and drunker.
It was as if every ounce of coherent thought had left my body.
As if I had nothing to lose from this, other than my dignity.

So when Cory asked me out on the dance floor, I didn't say no.
I danced like no one was watching and sang along to the songs I knew, something that only ached to amuse the young man. But the fun ended when Evernis found me.
"Elizabeth I've been looking all over for you!"
"I've been here the whooooole time!!"
we almost had to shout to be heard over the music, but when I saw the angry look on her face I knew, it was time to go.

"Thanks for keeping an eye on her!" She told Cory, almost bowing at the words, but as we started walking, something came over me.
"Wait!"
I hurried back the few steps I had managed to take from Cory, gave him a light kiss on the cheek and smiled. "Thanks for tonight."
"Thank.....you."
I barely heard the last part because I had already rushed over to Evernis who was angrily waiting for me.

That had better be flirtatious enough for you Mr. President.

But at least it was over now. At least for this visit.

We had taken a car back to the apartments. Evernis had scolded me the whole trip. Something that didn't end when we reached the elevator.

"Honestly Elizabeth!! I expected more from you, and I who was so happy that you finally wanted to come to a party!! And so, you're acting like this, dancing and getting drunk! Honestly, I can't take it yet think what the papers will say tomorrow!!"
I sat on the elevator floor and just wanted to puke. My head had started pounding around the same time we left the party and Evernis' constant berating didn't make it any better. DING!! Shit, how loud was the elevator, did it always sound that loud?
God I just wanted to go to bed, but when the doors opened they only showed Finnick and Mags' faces. Great more scolding.

But it didn't come. Instead they just looked at me silently until Finnick said.
"Did you have fun?"
"God please don't scream!!"
They both looked questioningly at Evernis who with only two words, and a disappointed tone, explained. "She's drunk."
"Ahhh."
Was all they said.
So instead of waiting for a bigger reaction, I started walking towards my room, but Everni's words made me stop.

"Wait young lady! We haven't discussed your punishment yet!"
Shit.
Wait, I was a victor and 17, what the hell kind of punishment was she talking about?
I was just about to snas a not so nice answer, but Finnick was quicker. "Lizzy go to bed, and Evernis, I'm pretty sure she'll be punished enough tomorrow when she wakes up."
So I continued to my room and sent a wordless thank you to Finnick.

I knew he understood something Evernis never could, not only the thing about being victorious, but more importantly, what came after.

It wasn't to say he wasn't right. When I woke up that morning, it felt like the punishment was worse than the crime itself.
My head was pounding worse than I could ever imagine and the thought of just leaving the bed made me want to cry, and once again an old thought awoke in me.
I wish I'd just died in that arena.