Stay with me? [Finnick Odair]

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PART ONE
Chapter One: Chrysalis
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DAY ONE
The first day my life fell apart was the morning of the reaping. I had woken with a start, like someone had fired a gun right beside my ear, but there was no gun, and I was alone.

My head turned to find Mae, my younger sister, but she was in my mother's bed; both of them hugging each other so tightly you'd think they were afraid to let go.

The light of the sun hadn't met the window; it was still dark outside. I pulled the thin sheets from my legs and picked up the leather jacket from the floor. Pulling it over my arms, I straightened it out before heading into the living room and picking up my old, worn down boots. Brushing my hair back with my fingers, I stood up straight after securing my boots onto my feet — I stretched until a satisfying pop erupted from my spine.

That's when I walked out the door, the cool air of the early morning catching my cheeks. I ignored the cold feeling and walked straight down to the docks.

My favourite place.

The one dock that was hidden from the rest of the district, very few people knew about it, my father used to bring me to it before he passed in a tragic boating accident. His boat capsized in the middle of the ocean, he couldn't pull himself back up, him and most of his crew had drowned. Only one made it back. My best friend, Annie Cresta's father.

I was also familiar with her brother, Oliver, who takes care of her since her mother wasn't around a lot and her father was constantly in a state of stupor from the shock of the accident. It's tragic to see your best friend have to go through that, but it couldn't be helped.

I just wish I could have helped her that day of the reaping.

I collapsed on the old wood of the docks, earning an annoyed creak from the planks, I pull my feet from my boots and set them down beside me before lowering my bare feet into the glistening waters.

I sat there for God knows how long, just allowing my thoughts to melt away when my father's voice rang through my head.

He always sang a song that my mother never approved of, she said it was a song that reminded everyone of the Dark Days. I never agreed, I loved listening to my father singing to me...

'I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go.
When all those shadows almost killed your light.
I remember you said don't leave me here alone.
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight.

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down.
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now.
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound.'

I hadn't even realised I had began singing until I heard clapping from behind me, heavy steps approaching, my head whipped around to see a familiar blonde haired boy slowly stepping towards me.

"Finnick."

I wasn't surprised to see him there, him and I were friends before all of his fame and glory, he had won the games the year before and had just came back from his victory tour. Before the games, he was already rather cocky and full of himself but he was also sweet and caring; the games had ruined him, he became incredibly cocky in front of the cameras but reserved when the spotlight wasn't on him.

He shut himself away from everyone. He refused to speak to me for months; this was the first time he ever approached me.

"Hey there Clem," he smirked down at me, shoving his hands into his pockets of his expensive looking jacket. "Mind if I sit?" He gestured towards the space beside me, I shrugged and nodded my head, he took that as a yes and sat beside me with his legs crossed. He was still so young, we were the same age, but he looked so much older than he was.

My guess was that he wasn't getting enough — if not any — sleep.

I sighed softly. "How are you doing? You know, after everything?" I asked, genuinely curious about what his mind was so occupied by.

He kept his eyes on the water, refusing to meet my gaze, he took in a deep breath through his nose and pursed his lips ever so slightly. "I'm dealing with it." He nodded. A pause surfaced, his eyes flickering as if he were trying to find the right words. "I'm not gonna lie; it hasn't been easy. I've had nightmares — worse than ever before. I can't sleep most of the time, but I have to pretend like I'm fine in front of the cameras or else..."

He trailed off, a switch in his mind telling him to shut up, my brows knitted together and my head cocked to the side.

"Or else what?" I pushed, he took the quickest glance at me before shaking his head.

"Nothing. I shouldn't have said anything," he mumbled, becoming silent, I placed a hand on his shoulder and his eyes finally met mine.

I searched his expression for a minute, it scared him, that was obvious, but there was a look in his eyes that I couldn't quite place. "I'm still your friend, Finnick, if you need someone to talk to, you know I'll always be there," I offered him a smile, raising a brow, he let out a chuckle and nodded towards me.

"Thanks," he uttered, eyes falling to his lap, I recognised the want for silence and shuffled closer to him; placing my head on his shoulder, he allowed another chuckle to slip past and lowered his head onto mine. This was the Finnick I knew, the guy you could always count on to make you forget all the bad things, who could put a smile on your face without even trying.

We sat there for hours, just enjoying each other's company, watching the sun rise above the horizon, when Finnick suddenly spoke up.

"We should probably head off, the reaping will be soon," he breathed, beginning to pull himself up, I hummed in agreement and followed him up; picking up my boots. He turned to me, hesitating, opening his mouth like he would say something before inevitably closing it again. He eventually spoke up. "Good luck today, you'll need it," he smiled, not bothering to give me time to reply before rushing off and leaving me alone on the docks.

I shrugged his words off and headed back home, taking a short detour through the market — just looking at everything before eventually realising my mother will be worried about me and heading straight home...