The Mermaid

Chapter 7

"District 4: Finnick Odair and Marilla Lutz," Haymitch told the two, pointing at the screen of the Reaping. They watched as Marilla volunteered for Annie, a brave act.
"I remember her, and her grandmother," Katniss informed as the video stopped suddenly, right after a wailing was heard.
"Marilla Lutz: cunning, brave, and good with a knife," Haymitch talked about the young lady to Peeta and Katniss as the video began to play again.
"Finnick Odair: youngest to ever win the Games at age 14, good with a trident, and extremely humble," Haymitch pointed back to the screen as his name was called, his expression emotionless.
"Really?" Peeta asked.
Haymitch snorted, "Of course not! He's the Capital darling!"
Katniss rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.
"Any weaknesses?" Katniss asked, unimpressed by the charming young man.
"Just one- that girl," they watched as the camera panned to show his expression when her name was called. A look of horror washed over his face. Static filled the screen before it showed the pair embracing each other, tears streaming down their faces.
"He mentored her. He'd die for her. He really loves that girl, believe me," Haymitch explained, his expression dropping.
"And she's ready to do the same for him."

~

For the next few days I ignored everyone, only eating occasionally and getting little to no sleep. I didn't miss much, just meetings with my stylist and prep team.
I had changed my window view with the little remote to an ocean, the beach. It had white sand that looked like snow, clear skies, and blueish-green waters. Foamy white waves rolled over the sand, bringing the tide in and out.
Memories flooded me as I watched the scene and they seemed to come alive in the window.
Most were of Granny and I, but sometimes Finnick was there too.
My mind kept replaying a memory of Granny, my mom, and I over and over of a time when I was just a toddler, with pudgy cheeks and bright eyes.
Granny had told it to me so many times I could picture it, even though I couldn't remember it.
That was a time when my mother was still alive. The three of us had gone to the beach that day, with a picnic packed for lunch.
Mom and I splashed in the sea together, and, as Granny told me, my "melodic laugh could be heard over the roaring waves".
Mom swam like a mermaid. She could hold her breath for minutes and she was so graceful in the water. She had long black hair, tan skin, and eyes bluer than the skies. She was perfect.
Granny watched us from the shore, laughing as I squealed and splashed.
I'm still not sure why this memory meant so much to me, but it was probably for the same reason it meant so much to Granny- it was the last time we had gone to the beach all together before my mom died.
Mom had gotten sick days later and was cooped up in our house for a month after that. I don't remember any of it.
Finnick would've liked her, and I'm sure she would've liked him. Would she have been proud of the person I've become?
I jolted as someone knocked on my, scaring me. Confused, I didn't answer it. The Avoxes only came to feed me in the early morning. It was the middle of the night, who was here?
My eyes went back to the window, memories beginning to unfold before my eyes.
The door opened a crack, before opening the rest of the way.
"Mari?" Came Finnick's voice. I didn't answer, scenarios were still playing in my mind.
Finnick shuffled over to my bed where I sat cross legged at the edge.
The light from the window was the only light in the room.
"Mari," whispered Finnick as he edged closer to me.
He lightly placed a hand on the small of back, making me shiver.
"I thought you'd be asleep," he said to me, removing his hand from my back.
I snapped out of it, still staring at the window, however.
"I thought you'd be asleep, too," I replied, my voice hoarse and quiet.
In my peripheral vision I saw him turn to me.
"You haven't been taking care of yourself, have you?" He asks, seriousness in his voice. I don't answer, because I haven't, in fact.
"Mari, I know it hurts. But if you don't try to heal, it'll never get better," he advised. I forced myself to tear my eyes from the screen to look at him.
"Please, for me," he pleaded. I stared into his eyes, illuminated by the window light.
"I don't think I'll be able to," I answered honestly. I tried, but in plagued by nightmares. So, I just don't.
"I'll stay here tonight. We have a busy day tomorrow," Finnick reminded me, smiling softly. He crawled under the covers, me following his lead.
"Oh, and by the way, I saw your costume for the Tribute Parade," Finnick said, smirking, "And I think you'll hate it."

My prep team was going to be ready for me soon. I'd meet with my stylist and he'd fit me into my outfit for the Tribute Parade tonight.
My stylist was freaking out. If he had any last minute preparations, he'd only have a day to fix them. I didn't blame him- I'd freak out too.
Slowly but surely I was getting over it. Well, not over it. It'd take a while to get over it. But I promised Finnick I'd heal, so I wasn't grieving anymore. I had showered, eaten a fine Capital meal, and even engaged in some conversations.
"Marilla, your prep team is ready for you," Argus barged into my room, not bothering to knock. I put down my magazine, a Capital one, and followed him to the elevator.  Finnick had an appointment with a client this morning and couldn't make it to his own fitting, so his stylist was freaking out too.
Argus anxiously pressed our floor number. He was aggravated with Finnick and I. Me, for missing all of my fittings, and Finnick for missing this one. Capital are so high strung.
He put a hand on my back and hurried me out the minute the door opened.
"Run along now! Don't keep them waiting!" He ushered me out, pushing me forward. I followed the corridor, taking the occasional turn down the all too familiar hallways. I pushed open the gray double doors and entered the room, where stylists, prep teams, and Victors hurried about. A few stopped to acknowledge me, like Johanna Mason or Beetee and Wirus before being shoved off somewhere.
"Marilla! My dear!" My prep team exclaimed, running to hug me. They wore the everyday Capital attire- bright colors, mismatched outfits, and over the top makeup.
"My dear, how you've grown!" My stylist, Leandro, followed suit. He had earrings all along his cartilage and he wore gold bronzer almost every time I saw him. He was in his early fifties, and although addicted to Botox and high fashion, he wasn't so bad. Lea was nice, but his styles weren't always the nicest. No Cinna, that's for sure.
Leandro gave me a room and my outfit, urging me to slip in to it. Pulling it over my head, turned in the mirror.
"Ah! It fits you like a glove," he obsessed over me, kissing my knuckles and hugging me tightly.
"I look stupid!" I exclaimed, before I could stop myself. Not that it mattered, to him I was a "fashion distressed mermaid" as he put it multiple times. I looked at myself intently, cringing as I did so and turning in my outfit. He made me look like a fish! Apparently, however, I was supposed to be a mermaid. We were going back to the original style, from 6 years ago when I won. I was the Mermaid. Before the Mockingjay, there was the Mermaid.
Finnick was the net, and I was the mermaid. Almost a fitting concept, almost. I had scales going up my whole dress and fish bone sandals. It wasn't pretty, that's for sure.
"Darling, it's the Capital style! Everyone will be all over you," my stylist explained, walking up behind me and fixing my dress. Well, he wasn't wrong about that.
"I- I'm just so proud of my work," he smiled, looking me up and down.
"Wait until you see Finnick's outfit," Leandro smirked, "The ladies will be all over him."
I shuddered, disgusted. Noticing my dismay, he quickly dropped the subject.
"Your prep team will be by 2 hours before the Parade to get you ready. You hear me, child? 2 hours," Lea told me, I nodded, pulling off the atrocious outfit and pulling back on my tank top and leggings.
Leandro took the dress from me, letting me go off. I said my goodbyes to the Victors and my prep team before heading back upstairs. Bouncing on the balls of my feet as I went up, helping to pass the time.
The doors opened up to my floor. Hurriedly, I scurried out of the elevator and to the living room.
Finnick lounged on the couch, the magazine I was reading in his hands.
"You're reading that trash?" I asked, a smile playing on my lips. He looked up, smirking and putting the magazine back on the mahogany coffee table. He swung his legs around as I came to sit next to him on the white sectional.
We sat in silence for minute.
"How was your appointment?"  I asked, 
Immediately regretting it.
"Sorry Finnick, that was stupid of me,"  I apologized. Of course it wasn't good, he was being forced to sleep with some random Capital lady.
He smiled, letting me know it was okay.
"I can't stop being awkward, can I?" I laughed, turning back to him. He began laughing too, and before I knew it, he was kissing me.