Nightmares And Seashells

chapter sixteen

Marcel was a breath of fresh air to Avery after being with that circus.

He wore a crimson suit with darker red swirls down his left side in glitter. His dark red hair could almost pass as natural. But his dark complexion suggested his natural was more of a dark brown or black.

"Avery winters, the pleasure is all mine my dear." He said grasping her hand and kissing it.

"Please sit your sandles are going to take a bit of lacing." He said grabbing the white strappy wedges and lacing them criss-crossing up to her knees with little shells clipped on wherever they cross.

"Alright dearie, now this way to the pedestal" He said getting up and taking Avery by the hand.

He helped her up the step then turned to grab the outfit. The dress was shorter in the front to show off the sandles then flowed down like waves in the back. The chest faded up from the seafoam blue to a sparkling white. The whole thing seemed to sparkle and shine in the light like sun on the water, and it was absolutely breathtaking.

After shedding the robe and pulling the dress on he touches the necklace around her neck and says,

"Well I have made a necklace for you, but I think this one rather suits you better."

Looking down at the to shells she smiled and felt her face warm.

"Ahh it came from someone special?"

"Yes, my best friend." She said.

"Just friend?" He asked with his eyebrow quirked at the young girl.

"No he's my friend, my family, my first and hopefully someday my last.. I think I've loved him since I figured out what the word meant.." She said smiling even brighter.

It felt nice to admit it out loud she just wished it was Caspian hearing it. Or even Finnick if she could find the courage.

"Oh beautiful girl, that is wonderful. Now when you get on that chariot I want you to think of what you just said to me, and wear that dazzling smile you have on right now. If you do all of panam will love you the moment they see you."

"Thank you Marcel, I needed to say that. I needed it to be heard. Before..." she trailed off tearing up.

"Hey none of that my dear! You don't want me to have to send Nezzi in to fix your makeup do you?"

Laughing at the man's attempt to cheer her up she said

"Good God no! Please get me out of here."

"With pleasure!" he said looping her arm through his and holding her hand in both of his as he walked her out.

At the chariots she saw finnick giving sugar cubes to the number fours chariot horses before popping the last one into his own mouth.

As the 16 year old turned around he stopped mid chew and awhed at the sight in front of him.

The waves of her dress almost appeared to be moving with each step closer she took and looking at her from the ground up he fell harder for everything that is Avery Winters.

"Wow Aves, you weren't wrong earlier. You ARE dressed to kill. My heart my has just stopped." He said putting a hand over his heart. He then added,

"I think you missed an opportunity to add MORE sparkles though." He said laughing, then popping another sugar cube into his mouth.

"Haha very funny Odair!" she replied.

"But thank you none the less."

Looking between the two Marcel smiled before helping her up into the chariot.

"Alright dearie remember what you told me." he said sneaking a glance at the blonde boy next to him.

"And smile."

"I will Marcel." she said, blushing.

"Thank you."

Nodding he walked away leaving the girl and Finnick alone.

"Aves you got this okay? Once it's over, Mags and I will bring you upstairs and you can relax with dinner and watch the other reapings to get a feel for what you're gonna be up against. Then I'll be back sometime tonight if you want to talk strategy and possible alliances okay?"

"Okay fin." she said before lowering her voice and saying,

"I wish you didn't have to go.."

"I know, but I'll be okay.. I need you to focus on you right now, because that's what I'll be doing. You're gonna win this." He said lightly tapping the edge of the chariot with both hands before turning to go with the other mentors as Jasper walked up to join her. Mags telling him to smile and wave, the same as the rest had.

"Maybe throw in a wink or two." She added looking at Avery.

Then they were off. Smiling and waving at everyone who made eye contact, and blowing a few kisses. The action making her want to retch on the inside, but not showing it.

Once stopped in front of snow however, the girls smile no longer reached her eyes.

Instead her green orbs skeward him like daggers. Wanting nothing more then for him to spontaneously combust in front of everyone.

And in that moment she promised herself she would see the day, that man meets his end.

"May the odds, be ever in your favor."