Socialite II Finnick Odair

IV

the presidents mansion is even bigger than i expected. even though i've driven past it more times than i can actually count, i have never seen it from the inside. it definitely doesn't disappoint.

the foyer is grande. the chandelier, made up out of thousands of little gemstones, must weigh at least a ton. and i really don't want to think about the price. does he even have to pay for anything? other than that there are two sets of stairs, one on each side of the chandelier, seemingly leading up to the sleeping chambers. between the staircases i can see a door, directed to the living areas and gardens.

i look around further, trying to spot iva's dark hair, because i honestly don't think i will survive this evening without her. i might know how to socialise, but that doesn't mean i like it. iva on the other hand might not be the best at it, however she at least enjoys it. i swallow when i can not seem to spot her.

doesn't matter lili. you will do just fine on your own. just find your brothers. i try reassuring myself, even though in my heart i know it's futile. once i'm stressed there is unfortunately not much that could calm me down.

"asher, hey!", i exclaim when i finally find him. he is talking to cecily cloutier, of course. i really dislike her, just like everybody else, and yet my brother and her have been together for almost a year now. he deserves so much better.

"lili! we have just been talking about you. tell cecily about your job offer" asher excitedly requests. i just roll my eyes at him before saying: "i don't have to tell your little girlfriend anything."

"seriously lili? god, you are so childish."
even her voice is annoying. it's too nasal. and high. and also kind of squeaky. very hard to listen to.
"whatever. i don't have any reason at all to even speak to you. asher, i will now seek out the company of someone of my iq. and not the one of a cow."

i turn on my heel and strut away. on my way to the gardens, asher and cecily were standing at the bar, i can hear the cow whine.
"i really don't understand why she hates me so much. have i done anything to her?"
i feel a smile creep up in my face, unable to contain the happiness, which is provoked by her insecurity. she deserves it.

———

auggie is in fact in the gardens, speaking to a man whose face i can not see, since his back i facing me. in the dark i can only make out dark blonde hair and a tall frame. i hesitate. what if that man is important and i come off as rude or superficial? that could ruin everything for me. i don't want to make a bad first impression. before my thoughts can spiral more i am interrupted.
"oh, may i introduce to you, my sister lilibet schermerhorn, the smartest person i've ever met." not exaggerated at all auggie. i hate how he makes me sound like i'm in love with myself. nonetheless i smile brightly, while holding my hand out for the stranger to shake.

"finnick odair, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." i feel my smile slightly falter as i look into two ocean green eyes that are accompanied by a pearly smile. i swallow. fuuuuck.
"lilibet schermerhorn, the pleasure is all mine." luckily i don't have to think to speak, because in my brain there is currently nothing.

finnick is wearing a white shirt, obviously not closed so that his tanned chest can be seen. as pants he is wearing some swimming trunks. it feels wrong to see him wear this, especially because the weather isn't that good. it's not particularly cold thus he probably is just fine, but still. it is definitely not warm either. apart from that it also feels to slutty for an event like this. and too casual. i mean swimming trunks. really?