Mentors

15

No one seems to be watching the tributes train when we enter, the eyes shift to us and then back to their conversations. Finnick Odair sits alone in a corner, but rises when he sees that we have arrived.
"You two are the only friends I would like to make, surprisingly. I'm done with all these guys." he utters, glancing at the others.
"Didn't you think we were a big joke?" I scowl, rather defiantly.
"I know for a fact that mostly everyone does, but not me." he says.
The look in his eyes make me want to believe him.
"Okay." I say.
Finnick grins.
"Good. Let me show you around."
He sees my hand linked with Peeta's.
To joke around I'm assuming, he disconnects them and holds each of our hands, walking in the middle.
"There will be no third wheeling for me today."
he chimes.
I exchange a look with Peeta, and we telepathically agree to give a friendship with Finnick a try.
By the end of the tribute's training session, Finnick has told us everything about being a mentor that there is to know. It was quite helpful.

At the dinner table, Raina says she made friends with the tributes from districts 1 and 4.
"Wow! How'd you manage to do that?" Haymitch nods in approval. Kolton rolls his eyes, but looks interested to know.
"A boy said I was pretty, and then their friends just told me I seemed trustworthy. Does it have anything to do with you two being my mentors?" she asks.
"Well, how did they act towards you?" Peeta questions.
"Like I were one of them."
"Then don't worry about what they think of us. They seem to like you." I exclaim.
Raina grins, and I turn to Kolton.
"How did it go for you?"
"It went well, thanks."
"Come on Kolton, you made friends too. The careers want to ally with both of us."
"Yeah? Well they will probably have you stick around longer than me." he scoffs.
"Don't you dare say that." Raina mutters.
"Or what?" Kolton spits.
Raina wipes her hands on her jeans, and leaves the table, infuriated.
"Listen, I know your situation sucks, but being bitter to everyone around you isn't the answer. I learned that the hard way, and want to save you as much suffering as I can. Get over yourself tonight, or I'm calling it quits." I feel officially done with the arguing. Hope I sound like it too.
"You wouldn't." Kolton leans a little closer into the table.
"Damn right I would, watch me."
"Fucking fight me, weak ass." Right away I know he regrets saying that, and I know I'll regret this;
I stand up and tread heavily towards him, taking his shoulder and jerking it backwards so he stumbles over his chair. Pushing him into the wall. I stiffen my grip and go right into his face. No one stops me, this will scare him for sure.
"Have you seen my games? I can kill you with my bare hands. Winning the hunger games can make you let out the inner demon you have inside. These games won't change or destroy you at all, you're already a crude raging dick. Oh. Do I seem unfair? Does it seem like I like the girl more than you? I put opinions on the two of you all the way at the bottom of the list of problems. My concern is to keep you alive in the arena. Make up your mind, do you want to die now or survive in there? They can easily reap another sibling of yours."
My last sentenced straightened him into obedience, realizing he has to protect his family.
"I'm so sorry!" he screeches,
"You're strong, you're brave, smart, beautiful, and love Peeta to death! Please don't touch my family! Kill me! Have the careers rip my throat out with their teeth. Please, just please. Don't have them kill my siblings.." A tear rolls down his cheek as he looks into my cold, dark eyes filled with fire and rage.
He didn't realize how much power I have as a mentor. I didn't until just now either.
I look directly into his scared eyes, and let go of him. I wrap my arm around his smaller figure.
"No one's going to touch your family. I promise you. If it's the last thing I do."
He looks up at me.
"Okay," he rubs his eyes.
I let go of the kid, and blankly walk to my room. Peeta enters a few minutes later.
"What you did," he smiles,
"It was amusing, sad, humorous, clever and touching all at once."
"You really think so? Even pushing him into the wall was the right thing to do?" I question, hugging my knees to warm myself up in the cold room.
"Yeah. You shoved me into a plant that one time." he chuckles.
"I still feel guilty about that."
He crawls into the bed and pulls me into his lap. He kisses the back of my neck, slowly reaching my lips.
"I love you," I breathe onto his mouth, making him smile.