Defying the Odds (The 4th Quarter Quell) [The Hunger Games Fanfiction]

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Layla

“Are you sure they won’t notice us slipping away? Even for a few minutes?” Asher whines on again. I smile, again, and wrap my fingers tighter around his arm.

“Not now, Asher.”

“With every second that goes by, that dress gets tighter on you,” he comments, and a smirk rises to my lips.

“You’ll live,” I tell him, and he lets out a sigh. His arm draped around my waist is firm and steady and I know it’s taking every ounce of his little self-control to keep it in a safe spot.

“I just want to go,” he whimpers into my ear, and kisses my head lightly.

“It’ll be done in what, an hour?” I guess, and squirm out of his grip to fix my crown. He ignores my attempt at looking presentable and nuzzles his face into my neck. “Asher- Ash, stop,” I hiss furiously, and my cheeks burn bright. “God, you’re ruining my hair.”

He laughs a light laugh, and I growl in response. When I look up to him, his eyes sparkle with happiness.

“I love you,” he whispers, ignoring the people bustling about all around us.

“I love you too,” I say, and watch as a group of people stride over to us. “People, Asher. Look normal.”

He laughs as he turns around, but keeps his arm rested on me.

It is only another set of sponsors, and we put on smiles for the cameras as they snap more pictures.

The cameras don’t stop taking pictures after the people leave, and it’s hard on my eyes to look into them time after time.

I resolve that I need a drink right now if I’m going to make it through this night any longer.

“I’m getting something to drink,” I whisper to Asher as I try to wiggle out of his grip. He doesn’t pull his arm away though, but instead tightens it.

“Let me come with you,” he says, but I shake my head.

“No, keep them company while I’m away. I’ll just be a minute.” His face falls as his arm falls, and I glance at the table of drinks across the way. Surely, it wouldn’t hurt to have one glass of wine. No one would reprimand me for it anyway.

I make my way to the drink table. No one will tell me what to do anymore. This is my party – our party.

Just as my fingers close around the stem of the glass, a voice shocks me back to the present.

“Hello, Miss Kimber,” President Snow hums. A thousand shivers run up my spine. I take a sip of the wine before turning to greet my new guest.

“Hello,” I muse back, unsure of what to say. A chilling smile rests on his perfectly shaped lips and his bright blue eyes twinkle with delight.

“Would you care to pose for a picture, Miss Kimber?” My stomach clenches up as he calls me ‘Miss Kimber’. In all the games that have passed, I have never seen the President in a picture with the Victor. Never, except for Katniss and Peeta.

The thought sends another shiver running through my spine.

But, who am I to deny a picture with the president?

“Sure,” I reply coolly. He waves over a cameraman, and turns around to face them. He stands about a quarter of a foot above me, and I can feel his body inches away from mine. He rests his hand on my back.

The camera goes off.

I almost scream.

“It was lovely meeting you, dear,” he murmurs close to my ear, and I get the urge to vomit. Then, without another warning, he drifts away.