District 4 (thg)

1.01

My name is Finnick Odair; i'm fourteen years old and my home is District 4.

Was. My home was District 4; there was no way I was going to make it out of here.

This is what I repeat in my head for the next few weeks as the train us and "decorate" us for the games.

Theres a little part of me that believes I could make it out of that arena, but every day that little part gets smaller and smaller and everyday I just give up little bit more.

Finnick Odair. 14 Years old. District 4.

I continue, mumbling under my breath to calm myself down before I start pulling out my hair.

I'm lying on the bed in the unknown room They assigned me to ('They' meaning the Capital) and waiting for my stylist to come in.

Every year, when the Capital picks its tributes for the annual Hunger Games, they make all 24 teens (two from every district; one girl, one boy) attend a 'Tribute Parade'. We're expected to make a good impression since this is first time Sponsors see us. Usually, we're supposed to dress in something that represents our District. I'm from District 4 which specializes in fishing, and I'm getting anxious and praying that they don't me make wear a giant fish suit.

A tall figure strutted into the room. She was wearing all black to match her long hair that went down past her waist, almost to her knees, "You must be Finnick."

Pushing myself off the bed to stand in front of her. She extends her hand but I don't accept, and I keep my distance.

Ignore the awkward first encounter, she continues, "My name is Adria and I will be your stylist for the next few weeks. Don't worry, I'm not going to make you wear any silly getup." She said as if she could read my mind.

She had a warm smile, and if that came from anyone back home that smile would have cheered me up. But since her face was so structured and her white teeth was sharpened and tinted to look like fangs, it only twisted my stomach even more.

"I was thinking for the tribute parade you should wear this sort of white, flowy button down shirt with some tight trousers-"

"Like a pirate."

"Yes-"

"I'm not doing that."

"I wasn't giving you a choice."

So Adria gave me the pirate clothes. When I put them on the shirt was extra baggy and the jeans weren't skinny. After my comment, Adria didn't bother much about what I looked like, so once we quickly gelled my hair she told me to wait in the common room.

Jeremiah Pluto (District 4's escort) and our mentors were waiting for me and Elspeth (my District 'partner').

"Well, don't you look just the sweetest." Mags, an older lady, the winner of the 11th Hunger Games and my favourite mentor said when I walked out of 'my' bedroom.

I only smiled in response.

"Are you nervous?"

"No."

She patted my shoulder and whispered, "Good. Theres no need to be."

Seconds later, Elspeth walks out of her room that was directly opposite to mine, following right behind her male stylist that I don't know the name of. She was wearing a cream coloured dress that had stopped right bight her ankles so you could see white laced flats that matched her dress. It wasn't a wedding dress, though. It was decorated with silver chains and a corset that looks more like costume wear than for a formal.

Elspeth is four years older than I am, so I have never talked to her before the reaping and I don't talk to her now. But i'll admit she looked breathtaking.

Jeremiah clapped his hands and annoyed, "Lets go, theres people waiting."

As he, Elspeth, Mags, the two other mentors and I all squished uncomfortably close in the transparent elevator.

As I tried to keep my nerves down I repeated the same words inside my head.

My name is Finnick Odair, i'm 14 years old and I came from District 14.