𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳 ° finnick odair ¹

29

"Ladies and gentlemen," Caesar's voice echoed throughout the room. "This years Games were a lot quicker than most of us expected, but also a lot more thrilling and surprising. But the biggest surprise of all came from this years victor. Please help me welcome, the victor of the 70th Hunger Games...Adrienne Sallow."

The crowd cheered as the girl in question was announced, growing louder as she stepped out onto the stage, her long dress flowing around her. She walked over to Caesar and gave him a small smile before taking his outstretched hand, letting him guide her to her seat.

Once everyone had settled, Caesar spoke once more. "Wow, wow, my dear. You look absolutely marvelous tonight."

She gave the man a fake smile. "Thank you, Caesar."

"Might I say you have made quite a fashion statement this year. Your stylist certainly has had a wonderful muse. Wouldn't you say folks?" The crowd cheered loudly in agreement.

Adrienne's eyes met Serin's in the crowd. The man just nodded with a large smile, agreeing with the host in his own way.

"Yeah, he has certainly done a lot for me. I don't think I would be here without him." She took a deep breath. "I wouldn't be here without a lot of people."

"Oh really? Like who, my dear?"

"Well, for starters, without Fleurie. Without her, I wouldn't have been in the Games. But unlike others, I'm not upset that I went."

"And why is that?"

"Because if I didn't, I wouldn't have gained the knowledge and experience I did. I would have stayed a scared young girl."

"I see. Who else do you dedicate your victory to, Ms. Sallow?"

Adrienne's eyes met Finnick's in the crowd. She didn't know how long she was staring at him before she blinked a couple times, getting out of her daze.

"The one who taught me how to survive in the Games. How to fight." She said. "My mentor, Finnick Odair."

She could practically hear all the girls swooning over him, causing a soft blush to come to her cheeks. She just hoped no one would notice.

"He is a handsome young man, isn't he?"

"He is." She replied, her cheeks heating up more.

"Now, there are many rumors that the two of you are...romantically involved." Caesar said, causing the girl's heart to drop slightly. She wasn't aware; they must have started while she was in the arena. "Is this true?"

Adrienne's eyes drifted over to Finnick, who was sitting a few rows back from the stage. He seemed to be having a debate in his head before his ocean blue eyes locked into the blonde girl's. A small smirk came to his lips and he nodded slightly.

She smiled slightly before turning to face Caesar, who was waiting not so patiently for her answer. "Yes. They are true."

The crowd seemed to go crazy at that, especially the women. Everyone was shocked by the news to say the least, seeing as the male victor was always seen as a player and a flirt.

"Well, this is certainly news. Care to shed any light on this?"

Adrienne shook her head. "We'd like to keep this private. At least, for now, Caesar."

"Of course, of course. But, to get back into track, who else would you like to thank before we send you on your way."

She took a deep breath, knowing there was no way around saying this last name. "Just one more; Vern Everest."

"Your district partner?"

"He wasn't just my partner, he was my childhood friend. We had known each other since we were four, even if we didn't talk for a couple years. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be sitting here today."

"How so?"

"Well, it was my initial plan to do everything in my power to help him win. To make him win. But when everything happened, I wanted to give up. Until he gave me this." The girl said, placing her fingers gently over her necklace. "Then I knew I had to win for him."

"And win your did, my dear." Caesar said before taking the young girl's hand in his own. "I wish you all the best and we will be seeing you throughout the victory tour." The man leaned down and kissed her hand gently before standing up, the girl doing the same. "Adrienne Sallow, everybody."

The crowd cheered once more, standing up for the newest victor. She smiled slightly at the crowd, but she couldn't help but feel as though she didn't deserve all of the attention.

Mainly because, I'm her mind, only one person did, but there was nothing she could do to change the fact that he was gone. That he was dead.