Allied Hearts - Finnick Odair

Chapter 5.

'Y, Y, you don't need to call me that' I barely stuttered out a word to him.

'Well what shall I call you then? A?' I just looked at him this time, isn't it rude to correct someone so many times? Not like I'll have to put up with the little nickname for long.

He guided me toward the direction of where his fellow careers were gathered,

'No I don't want to go with them' his eyebrows raised as I spoke.

'And why not? Oh, you want a bit of one on one time with me?' Flirtingly he teased me, lavishing up my embarrassment at it.

However he did change direction toward a station which was obviously built for district 4. Fishing equipment hung on the wall and various names of fish, telling us which ones are poisonous and which aren't. I was intrigued by it all, how such little things have the ability to be so deadly.

'Well isn't it a good thing you aren't ever reaped. You're a tiny little thing aren't you.' He looked upon my petite frame.

Finnick was right I wasn't particularly tall, he was which made him seem like he loomed over me. 'You're very close to my age aren't you, you would never guess.' The Arrogance began to seep through, hitting me right in the face, reminding me once again he was a career.

Quickly changing the subject I tried to pick up the trident for him to show me, the huge obstacle weighed down my hand and ultimately fell to the ground, causing a huge crash ricocheting off the walls. I heard a chuckle behind me 'Bit heavy isn't it' With ease he took the weapon off the floor and began swinging it around.

'Where did you learn how to do all that?' Stupid question, obviously it was when he was being trained by surviving victors. His answer took me by surprise though.

'The weapon of the sea is what the trident is. I learnt all my skills with this in district 4. It always came naturally to me.' He was right, with every stride and swing he took the weapon looked like it belonged in his deadly hands.

Eventually he got bored of showing off with the trident and we moved to the ropes. All around the hall skill sets stood with different activities, this certain one was telling you how to tie a rope, I couldn't tell if it looked complicated or if I was just completely stupid. Probably the latter since once again Finnick had perfected this skill too.

'You wanna try one?' Offering me two sets of ropes to intertwine it almost seemed like there was a glimmer in his eyes.

'By the looks of that tutorial ' sticking out my finger to point to the screen in front of us 'the only knot I'll be able to tie is a shoe lace'

A genuine amused smile appeared on his face, one of the most beautiful I'd ever seen. The first time I'd seen a genuine emotion from him since reaping day.

'I can help you, another thing I learnt from fishing' He positioned himself behind me placing his big hands over my small ones, guiding them. 'That's the kind of knot to tie yourself to a tree, not like you're ever going to need it, are you Miss Snow?' When he uttered the last words it made me flinch, it was true, all these skills will never need to be put to test by me of all people.

Releasing my hands from his own I swivelled around to come face to face with him. Our noses almost touching, his breath fanning on my face. 'I told you it's not Miss Snow'

'Well you are a Snow, are you not?'

'It's not by choice'

'Let's make you an Odair then' His cheeky smile played upon his lips for the 100th time today. I scoffed at his remark, turning away from the amused boy and walking to another tribute.

I spent my whole day up at the centre and genuinely loved every second of it, learning all the different things and getting to know each of the tributes and their stories. I even spoke to the careers, with a lot of persuasion from Finnick and some harsh words from Laka, who said I can't come in here and discriminate as it looked rude. In other words everyone in the Capitol loved the Careers and would rather see me with them than the innocent ones.

I was shocked at how nice they all were to me, my own father was the one subjecting them to their fate but not once did they hold it against me, I felt like I had formed a little friendship with each one of them, which made it so much harder to accept it would come to an end. But I still had tomorrow with them, and the parade. And then it's the day. The day most of them have been dreading.

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As I lay in bed that night visions of Finnick clouded my thoughts, his words hanging over my head, circling around my ears.

He said he didn't choose to be a career, what does that mean? I thought they all volunteered to go to training camp.

How many more lies have I believed in my naive state?

I didn't want any of them to die, well I was maybe a bit less inclined for the Careers, as nasty as it sounds I haven't grown fond of their arrogance and intimidation.

All day they were harassing the other Tributes, name calling and threats being tossed their way. Eagerly watching them, waiting for them to fail so they had some entertainment. Weakness can't be shown in the room, because those heartless volunteers will prey upon what they've seen and know exactly how to kill you in that arena.

Although I've grown attached to them all, it's Finnick who I truly can't see go, he has to survive. He's the one I want to see coming out of that arena.