Stay with me? [Finnick Odair]

47

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Chapter  forty seven: A new plan
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We eventually get back up to our floor and were bombarded by questions from Asher and Mags, mainly asking us who we want as allies, I take a seat on the couch and Finnick follows close behind.

"So, who do you want as allies?" Asher asks, waving her hands about as if she is on camera, I pull my knees to my chest and rest my head.

"I don't know about her, but I want Johanna," Finnick says, gesturing to me, I lift my head up and look to Mags; she nods her head, as if she knows what I'm about to say.

"Katniss and Peeta," I say, turning to Finnick, he gives me a look and I shrug my shoulders. "They're good people, Katniss is just feisty."

Finnick laughs, shaking his head and looking to Asher — who is clearly holding something back, she looks to Mags for help, but she doesn't say a word. Then she looks at us.

"Well, we have news from Haymitch but we can't talk here."

Without another minute to think, Asher takes us both by the wrist and drags us to the elevator, not giving us time to talk, we're led outside of the training centre and around the back of the building. I keep wanting to ask Asher what's going on, but if it's news from Haymitch Abernathy who knows what it could be.

"This should be okay," Asher sighed.

"Ash, what's going on?" Finnick finally speaks my mind, Asher glances around as if she expects someone to be watching us.

"Haymitch told me about something... a plan... the mockingjay." Finnick and I share a glance, brows creased, confused looks mirrored on each other's faces, we eventually turn back to Asher and she continues. "I can't tell you everything now, but becoming allies with Katniss and Peeta is a very good idea. It's a rebellion out there and we are going to help."

"But how can we help? There's a very high chance we don't get out of this alive," I say, looking around me as if I'm going to find someone listening to us, Finnick places his hand on my shoulder and we share a smile.

"We don't know exactly what will happen in that arena, but everyone who is a part of this is going to help to keep you alive," she replies, looking towards me, my brows deepen and I glance back at Finnick. "You specifically, Clementine." She sighs and my attention is immediately brought back to Asher.

"Why me?"

She gives me a nervous glance and instantly my curiosity heightens but so does my fear. I can't help but wonder what makes me so special.

"You're the sparrow, Clem," Finnick speaks up, making me spin on my heel and face him. He smirks down at me, reaching a hand forward, his nimble fingers grasp at my necklace and his face holds a knowing look as he stares back at me. "You're the mockingjay's right hand man — or woman, in this case."

I can't help but laugh at Finnick's comment, rolling my eyes, I turn back to Asher for confirmation and she nods slowly. My smile fades.

"You're serious?" I ask, lips pursing into a thin line, Asher doesn't have to say anything for me to know they're completely serious. "So... Katniss and I are the priority, not Finnick? Or any of the other victors?" I say, gesturing behind me at the training centre, I felt my anger rising at that one moment. "Why are we the priority? Any one of these victors can be important!"

"Clem, Clementine, listen to me," Finnick spoke, placing his hands on my shoulders and turning me to face him. "You and Katniss will be the faces of the rebellion, every other victor will be helping you both from the sidelines. There's no priorities." I stare up at him for I don't know how long, I just search for any sign that he's right, I don't even know if Katniss knows about this, I keep glancing behind me at Asher and the look on her face tells me all I need to know.

I sigh. "This is shit," I mumbled. "Why do I have the be the mockingjay's wingman? Why can't it be someone else? I don't want this damn job."

Asher let out a heavy sigh, eyes falling to the ground beneath us, she shakes her head for a second before looking back up to me. "You didn't know it at the time but Cosmo was planning this since before the mockingjay idea came up, he was going to make his next tribute the face of the rebellion, and when you showed up he knew the sparrow would be able to handle it."

I swallow hard, the mention of Cosmo being a part of this making me question things, a sudden war erupted in my mind, I chewed on my bottom lip as I contemplated my next actions.

I nodded my head. "Alright, fine."

With that, Asher let out a happy noise and we were allowed to head back inside, I didn't bother talking to anyone or eating supper, I just went into my room and straight into the shower. Giving myself a quick wash, I dried myself and detangled my hair before tying it back into a loose ponytail. It has been forever since I had my hair cut — it was beginning to flow to the middle of my back, the length of it is getting annoying and it's getting much easier to tangle than when I had it up to my shoulders.

I sigh at my reflection in the mirror, the one thing I notice is I look so much older than I am, pursing my lips, I force myself to leave the bathroom and towards the wardrobe. I'm about to put something on when a cough comes from the door, I jump, turning on my heel, my eyes widen and I give a small sound of shock when I see Finnick standing there with his charming smile on his face.

"Finnick! What are you doing? I'm naked, get out!" I exclaim with a giggle, tossing a used shirt towards him. He chuckles, stepping closer to me, he tosses the shirt back at me and tilts his head to the side.

"Say that a little louder, I don't think the people all the way downstairs heard you," he jokes, stopping inches from me, his warm hands meet my bare waist and I jolt at his touch. "Seriously, we could be dead in a few days, live a little."

I can't help but chuckle at his words, rolling my eyes, his hands slowly drift up my body and I soon feel him placing his hands on my shoulders. I swallow hard, staring up at his oceanic eyes, I felt goosebumps rise on my arms at the touch.

I don't know what's happening, his touch feels so nice against my skin, but I know I shouldn't be liking it, it's completely different to the grimy feeling of the Capitol men's hands on me but there's something in the back of my mind that's telling me not to do this.

"You're really beautiful, you know," he whispers, his face inches from mine, I can feel his breath brush against my lips as he hesitates to close the gap. All I can think is: 'kiss me, just do it.' He just stares.

So, I close the gap. My lips press against his and I feel my body brush against his clothes, his sweater feels soft on my chest, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer to me. My heart is racing, I can't think straight, the feeling of his hands on my body makes me go insane...