And on went our days, until District 5. The energy or power district. Finnick woke me up, holding a cup of highly caffeinated coffee.
"We need to have a chat." He said, sipping from his cup. I turned and looked at him. I yawned.
"About?"
"Meje."
"What? I haven't called him or anything. I kept my promise." I was confused. Not just because I had only just woken up.
"I know. But you have your Victory Party coming. And I can't be your date." He explained. I nodded and yawned again. This caused him to yawn.
"So want me to call up Meje and have him be my date?" I asked.
"Precisely."
"Can our deal still be on?"
"Well I need a date to Annie."
"Right, right."
"But other than that, our deal is on. I'm sure Snow has someone lined up already. Besides, you going out with Meje might just be sensational enough for Snow to call off your sister going into the games. Maybe even executing my dad." He smiled. I smiled back.
"Alright." I said, grabbing a comb from my side table. I brushed through my permanently wavy hair. It was long. I was groggy and tired. District 5 might prove interesting, but I decided it would be smart to call Meje first thing. So as Finnick got me some food I dialed in his number. After a few rings he picked up.
"Hello?" He sounded tired.
"It's Annie. Did I wake you?"
"Yeah, but it's okay! What's up?" he asked. He was clearly happy to hear from me.
"I had a dream about you last night." I told him. I was lying of course, but Finn just walked in and he stifled a laugh and gave me a thumbs up.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"What happened in it? It was good right?" he asked, he was immersed.
"Don't laugh okay? I had a dream we were at a ball together, and then this morning my mentor reminded me I have my Victory Party soon. On my birthday actually. And I was like 'I HAVE to ask Meje to come!'" I said in my sweet, giggly voice. I could almost hear his smile over the phone.
"I'd love to come! I'll ask the Capitol if I can come early and make an even bigger cake so everyone can have some. I'm so glad you asked Annie! I was worried you weren't gonna call."
"As if! We had some major chemistry. I've just been busy. Surely, you were too with your victory tour."
"Yeah that's true. Schedules, schedules, schedules." He said, clearly trying to copy the capitol accent. I laughed cutely. Finnick smiled, and silently encouraged me on.
"Ask your stylist to dress you in a dark blue, so we match." I told him.
"I will. Maybe our stylists can talk about your outfit so we look like a set pair."
"We'll need to add in a bit of District 9, then." I giggled.
"Nonsense! This tour is about you AND it will be your birthday. We will be purely District 4, my cake will be District 9's contribution." He insisted. I smiled.
"If you say so. I'll have Trilish set it up with your stylist. Can't wait to see you again!" I told him, brightly as I could.
"I can't wait to see you either. Goodbye Annie. I'll start getting everything ready today." He told me.
"Bye Meje!" I said, and hung up. Finnick handed me a cup of coffee.
"You'd be a damn good escort." He joked.
"Why?" I sipped my coffee. Warm and yummy. It was district 4 coffee, infused with seaweed. I loved it.
"You just made that boy feel like he was on top of the world, from a phone call. Good job." It was odd. He was encouraging and not jealous at all.
"How do you do that?" I asked him.
"What?" He asked, taking a bite of toast.
"Not get jealous."
"Oh, I know that you like...excuse me, love me, more than you like him. So it's fine. I know the drill. I do it all the time." He said calmly. He set down his piece of toast and pushed my hair to behind my ear.
"However, if you sleep with him, he will die." He said with a grin. For the life of me I couldn't tell if he was joking so I nodded. But then I got an idea. I left my room and found Raviah. He was sitting in the living quarters.
"Raviah, I need to speak with Snow." I told him.
"Whatever for, Annie?" He asked, looking quite puzzled.
"Can you just holo him please?"
"Of course." He said, grabbing his holophone. He pressed five buttons and static appeared. Snow appeared in the place of the static moments later.
"Sir, I would like you to know I've broken up with Finnick Odair. He can continue with his duties to the capitol. I also am now seeing, Meje."
"The victor from 9?" Snow asked, clearly suspicious.
"Yes. He will be my date to my party. If you need any evidence you will see it in us that day. Also, Finnick was wondering who you could get for his date."
"Well I'll see who is interested." He said, slightly surprised.
"Also, get an orchestra to learn our songs from 4, or musicians from 4. I was some music from home playing. It is my party after all, but have them at my interview with Flickerman. I want to sing an old song from 4, in honor of Panem." With that statement from me, Snow had a smile on his face. He believed me.
"I will have that all prepared for you Miss Cresta. And if you want anything else don't hesitate to ask."
"Well, Meje wants to come out there early to help a team of professionals make my cake."
"Done!"
"Thanks you sir." I replied.
"No, Miss Cresta. Thank you. And you can rest assured, Mr. Odair's and your families are safe from harm now. I'm glad you've decided this."
"I am too." I replied, smiling. Raviah shut down the holophone and hugged me. Something he'd never done before.
"Annie, Welcome to the beautiful world of being a victor. I wish you and Meje all the best, and every detail of your party will be perfect. I promise." Raviah promised me. I smiled.
"Thank you Raviah, you were right the whole time. Finnick is only good for a friend. Unless you're a capitol girl." I joked. He laughed, and patted my back.
"Smart girl! A genius!"
"Yes, well, I'm going to prepare for the day." I told him, and went back to my room. I sat down on my bed. Finn was still there.
"So?"
"Families are safe. Snow thinks I'm with Meje, and he's finding you a date." I said with a smile.
"Marvelous." He said happily. He hugged me.
