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"do not try to solve all life's problems at once - learn to dread each day as it comes." - donald kaul __________
Finnick didn't question her about volunteering. He wished she hadn't, but it was too late for that now. They were in the train, headed towards The Capitol. She knocked on Finnick's compartment, leaning on it when it opened.
"How are we going to make it out alive this time?" Coralia asked; the thought of Finnick dying ripped her heart in half.
"There has to be something we can do. This whole situation has made me realize that shouldn't have said no to labels. I've loved you since I was fifteen, Cora." Coralia took a seat next to him.
"Finnick, I've loved you since you saved me in the schoolyard from Blaze. You know that." She replied. She remembered the day she'd fallen in love with him. It was around a week before she was reaped, and she had barely knew him.
"Hey, Keenwood, you're eighteen. Act like it, or I'll tell the whole town you steal from the market every chance you get. Learn some manners" Coralia told the boy.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. My mother taught me to be a kind, respectable person. Did yours not? Oh...right." He smirked. Coralia was around four when her mother died. Her father said she had a brain aneurysm.
"You know, just because your daddy drinks to forget your existence doesn't mean you have to be horrible to everyone else. If I were your dad, I'd be drinking, too." Coralia snapped. Normally, she was the quiet one; but a person could only handle so much of Blaze's taunting. Her younger sister had been the the one to encourage her stand up for herself. Blaze lunged at the girl, but before he could do any damage, was pulled away.
"Get off of her!" She looked up to see the victor she used to play with as a kid. Blaze backed down, knowing what Finnick was capable of. He had watched his games. Finnick bent down, offering his hand. He pulled her back to her feet and frowned.
"Your head is bleeding." Finnick walked her home, making sure she was okay.
Coralia leaned her head on Finnick's shoulder, feeling calmer.
***
"Plutarch Heavensbee has requested to speak to you both." Verena announced the next morning. They'd arrived in The Capitol while they were sleeping. Coralia had woke up in Finnick's arms.
"The new game maker?" Finnick questioned. It puzzled both of them.
"Yes, now go!" Verena ushered them out.
***
The talk of a rebellion gave Coralia hope. Something she had been lacking, and the one thing President Snow was afraid of. Keep Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark alive. The goal was harder said than done, and Plutarch warned them that the fight could take their lives, but Coralia was tired of being in constant terror of the man.
"I'll do it. I'll join the rebellion. I'd give anything to see President Snow fall." Coralia said quickly. Finnick looked at the brunette before looking to Plutarch.
"As will I." Finnick said, his lips turning into a smirk. He had been waiting for this since he was fourteen.
Plutarch smiled, telling them who was in on it, and what they needed to do. Meeting Haymitch Abernathy after the tribute parade seemed to be important.
After saying goodbye to the game-maker, and getting into their penthouse, Coralia looked out of the window, watching the people of The Capitol walk around the city.
She felt Finnick's hand on her shoulder.
"If Plutarch's plan works, Snow wouldn't have to force a helpless child into sex ever again. We wouldn't be forced to murder each other every year. Finnick, we could actually live." She said, still facing the window. She thought of her ally in her games, Azure. How brutal her death was, and how hard she had tried to save her. The tribute from her district, Blaze, had proved not to be evil right before he died. Her games haunted her everyday. Nightmare after nightmare; it never ended. If Plutarch could make this happen, everything would change for the better.
"No matter what, I'm making sure you get home to your father and sister. Katniss and Peeta may be the goal, but you, Cora, you are everything to me." Finnick said, hugging her from behind.
"Now, Annie and Mags are going to be here soon. Want to get a head start on training?" He smirked.
"Verena would kill us if we broke anything." Coralia said, looking around the room. There were glass sculptures everywhere. "With that being said..." Coralia flipped Finnick to the ground, watching as he smiled widely.
***
"How's my family doing?" Coralia asked during dinner, bringing down the mood. Coralia was sitting next to Mags, happy to see her again.
"Not good." Annie replied. Annie didn't tend to speak a lot. "Marina is distraught, your father is only focusing on fishing." She said quietly. Coralia nodded, taking a large drink of water.
Marina had said when she'd gone into the games the first time, their dad has completely closed off. Coralia worried he was doing this again. After a few minutes of silence; which was rare with Verena around, Annie spoke again.
"Why'd you do it?" She whispered. Everyone looked towards the brunette.
"I'm her sister, but you're the love of her life. Watching someone you love go into the arena, knowing that they might not..." Coralia trailed off.
"Excuse me. I'm full. I'm going to head to bed." She informed them, wiping her mouth with the napkin. Finnick watched as she walked away, sighing. Mags tapped his hand, gaining his attention.
She pointed to him, and then the direction Coralia had gone, and finally to her heart. Her eyebrows were raised; it was a question.
