saving serena , finnick odair (ON HOLD)

chapter one

Serena Seymour taps her foot nervously as Roman Pelagos slouches smugly in the seat opposite her. The cushions sink with his body weight and form a protective bubble around him, just as they are to Serena.

There is no need for Serena's skin to be tingling with nervous jolts as the Capitol train rumbles with life. The girl had volunteered for a small, 12 year old girl, who's face shattered as her name was called out amongst the District 4 children at the 69th annual Hunger Games reaping. So really, it's Serena's own fault that she sits in a carriage similar to one that drags the other 22 unfortunate children of Panem to a death sentence.

After a few minutes of silence between both volunteers from District 4, an automatic door next to Roman opens and Finnick Odair strides in. Serena has to choke down a scoff as the famous victor pays little to no attention to his new tributes, instead deciding to mull over which chocolate truffle to place between his pristine rows of teeth before running his tongue slowly against his soft lips.

"Serena Seymour and Roman Pelagos," Finnick's voice struggles defiantly to break through the thick atmosphere the volunteers have created through their silence. The girl jumps slightly, not expecting a word from the golden boy as he still has his back towards them. "More power-hungry volunteers. Shame. I was hoping that I would get someone with a decent heart, for once."

"I don't think you can say much." Serena speaks before she even has time to bite back her argumentative tongue. It's a trait frowned on by most adults in District 4, but she supposes she inherited it from her pathetic parents, who only left the cruel memories of arguments shaking the Seymour's house.

"Excuse me?" Finnick snaps at the girl as Roman snorts into his hand and gives Serena a whisp of a smile. The mentor is finally facing the pair for the first time and a storm brews in Finnick's eyes, yet his lips smirk with amusement.

"Oh you know, with all the women you have waiting at the capitol, you can't have that decent of a heart." Serena smiles sweetly at the man, before turning back to face Roman proudly, a smirk mirroring the younger boy's.

"And how are you so sure?" Finnick questions, daring to walk closer to the female tribute and tower over her slouched figure. Serena laughs softly as if it's obvious, making Finnick's amusement falter.

"Well, how are you so sure about us?" She purses her lips at her mentor, who steps backwards and falls perfectly into the seat next to Roman, who watches the pair with eyes alight.

"Serena," Finnick frowns, leaning forward slightly. "Where's all this hostility coming from?"

"Maybe next time you enter a room, keep your negative opinions to yourself." Serena huffs. She crosses her arms over her chest and stares directly into Finnick's ocean blue ones.

"Duly noted." The sarcasm in his voice states otherwise. Serena just rolls her eyes and looks out the window as the sea blurs into a chaotic rocky layer. "I mean, I was meant to brief you but I'm not quite sure if I'm the right man to do it..." Finnick says but Serena refuses to witness the smug look on his face. "Then again, I don't think anyone is." He mutters harshly to Roman who lets out a quick laugh.

"You know-" Serena whips her head in Finnick's direction with searing eyes, but he isn't having any of it.

"Good. Now I've got your attention, may I begin?" Finnick's smirk is meant to frustrate the girl, but she decides against satisfying the arrogant victor more than she already has. So instead of snapping, Serena places a fake smile against her lips and nods her head softly, spooking both men ever so slightly at her quick mood change. "So, mainly I'll be mentoring the both of you as I'm the most recent victor."

"And the others?" It's the first words Roman has actually spoken and it shocks Serena slightly as his voice isn't low and gravely like she expected. It's soft and flows through her ears like the morning tide against the smooth sand at home.