Nightmares And Seashells

chapter three

The next day, again none of the three were reaped, and it was a great relief to Lillian and Mags alike.

The two tributes of this year made it farther than the last. The girl was taken down five days in by a mutt that came out of the water at the girl.
The boy who had joined the careers. Was sadly taken out once they were the last standing, and he was no longer needed to catch food for meals.

The winner this year was a girl from 1. The sister in fact of last year's winner Gloss.
Her name was Cashmere. Like her brother before her, Cashmere didn't make the family's feel any better about their loss of a loved one.

She had been the one to kill their male tribute, Matthew Hencen, and she did it with a smile.

After her victory tour, one in which she still seemed very proud and happy with herself. A fact which left a sour taste in Avery's mouth. 'How could you be happy with an act like that.'

Avery found herself growing frustrated, Finnick had watched the games with Caspian and herself. Just like every year since they were 10 and he was 11.
But after it was over, he started throwing himself into training more. He refused to train with Avery on days they did mixed classes.
Instead going for some of the bigger boys from her class. This left her to find random people to train with since Caspian had kept pairing with Annie since the first time she had agreed.

Not that Avery had a problem with them. She was glad he was spending more time with his crush, and Annie seemed to be taking a real liking to the blonde boy.

Her problem was pairing with stinky upperclassmen that did nothing but taunt her the whole time, and who genuinely seemed like they didn't care if she got hurt.

At least Finnick making fun of her while she caught her breath, she knew was all in good fun. Especially since he was usually the one to make her take a breather.

On the way out of the nurses office in the training center one day. Avery stormed passed both Odair boys. Without so much as an hello, as they had waited for her.

Caspian spared Finninck a confused glance before calling out to his best friend.

"Aves!"

"Avery stop!!" Caspian tried again, when the girl didn't stop.

"WINTERS!"

Finnick finally yelled, making her whip around to face the pair. Her face almost as red as her firey curls whipping into her face in the wind.

"What?!"

"We always walk together, what's up?" Caspian asked catch up to the girl with long strides, Finnick only a step behind him.

"Well today, I'm not in the mood alright!" She said turning back around and speed walking again. Although the attempt was pointless as both blondes has longer legs and had not problem catching up.

"Aves is it because of how that Mykal kid thew you at the end of class?" Caspian asked grabbing her shoulder lightly, making the girl hiss in pain pulling it away again.

"No it's because I wouldn't have just had to have the nurse pop my shoulder back into place if someone! Wasn't still being a dick!"
She said pointing a angery glare at Finnick.

"I just need to cool off Cas, I'll see you later." She said in a calmer tone. Walking away still cradling her left arm.

The boys spent the rest of the walk home in silence. Caspian felt bad for his beast friend. If he wasn't the same age as her, he would have been her partner just like they are on days it's just their class.