Allied Hearts - Finnick Odair

Chapter 6.

My father and I were seated at the dining table early the next morning. Enjoying a silence filled breakfast. Avox's stood by the side waiting to assist at Snow's every command.

I always felt sorry for the Avox's, they were 'rebels' as the Capitol likes to say and therefore have their tongues cut out as punishment. It was a cruel technique but it never bothered the enforcers, they felt nothing towards people of seemingly lower class.

My favourite Avox was called Pollux, he was always kind to me, and in quiet times when it was just us he'd try to teach me sign language so I could understand him. Most the time he'd actually be working underground in the tunnels but on the odd occasion he'd have to come up and serve these wicked residents.

'So how was the training centre yesterday?' Breaking the silence that filled the room my father finally decided to speak up. His voice coarse from his awakening.

'It was actually very good, interesting to see all the different skills and talents they each have.'

'And the boy?' He ignored what I had said before, making it clear he was only interested in knowing where I stand with Finnick.

'Still twelve of them.' His face dropped showing utter bemusement in my witty response. Before he had a chance to scold me the two peacemakers from yesterday appeared, ready to get me on the train and back to the centre.

Snows entire demeanour changed as people entered the room and he grasped my hand giving it a tender squeeze

'You have fun today my darling.'

Snatching my hand away I exited the grand dining room, much too big for two people to sit and eat at everyday.

For the third day in a row I stepped onto the train and took a seat, it was a couple hours or so, the peacemakers don't talk much which I'm glad of, they're not the type of people I enjoy company with.

It gives me time to ponder on my thoughts, they're mostly of Finnick, and the odd Callissa one pops up. She was so kind to me yesterday, the first to approach and take me under her wing. All day we were chatting, it was like intervals between her and Finnick. Like they each had a turn with me.

I couldn't decipher how I actually felt on the way, knowing I was going to see him again sent butterflies in my stomach, doing somersaults and flying about in there, my heart racing to go along with it. It was the last training day before the games which added to the nervousness, the last chance these kids have.

When we arrived the peacemakers didn't even bother taking me to the top room to just observe, they swung open the doors of the training hall and escorted me in, leaving me alone shortly after. They didn't need to be here, none of these tributes stood as a threat to me, no one needed a blood bath early.

Finnick rushed to my side as soon as he seen me. 'You came back!' The joy I heard in his voice was unforgettable. Clearly they all thought I was just here for a day, only to look good for the cameras. Now I've proven that's not the case.

'Of course I did, I can't leave until I'm strong enough to hold a trident, Duh!' I joked with him, letting him guide me to the first station of the day. His hand on my lower back, sending electricity volts shooting from my head to my feet.

We were at the camouflage station looking at all different pictures of the Morphlings. They were Victors who had won their games by blending in with literally everything; Trees, Grass, Stones. You name it, they painted themselves that way. It was quite a creative talent, very impressive and not one everyone can accomplish. Unfortunately the games was all too much for them, when they returned home they became hooked on drugs, it's heartbreaking to watch and I wish I could help, but I wouldn't even know where to start.

Finnick began painting his arm a murky brown colour, following a picture by picture tutorial, when he was satisfied with whatever the splatters on his arm were, he picked up a leafy green colour, making a big muddy looking mess. His tongue was stuck out in concentration, sitting between his set of pearly white teeth. I took this time to admire him.

Sandy blonde hair, scruffy, but a nice messy. One that only a small amount of boys can pull off. All of his features were light, giving a kind and gentle look to him, always glowing a nice golden colour. His jaw line was chiseled and came to a perfect point where his chin started. Little freckles dotted around various parts of his face, adding to the rare beauty. Best of all were his ocean eyes, each time I looked it was like I was being washed up by a tidal wave.

'Even though I'm painting I can actually still feel your eyes staring at me A.' He loved the fact I was admiring him, I felt as if I'd seen him smirk more than even breathing in these three days of knowing him.

'I wasn't staring at you, I was staring at the painting, obviously.' I tried to excuse myself, but his eyes told me he didn't believe one word of what I was saying.

Motioning his arm upwards toward my eye sight he spoke again,

'So do I look like a tree?' I took in the mess that was on his arm.

'Not at all' We both erupted in laughter.

'Finally we've found something that Finnick Odair isn't good at!' It was like a miracle, he really could do anything - except paint.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward him passing me a paint brush, insisting I try and 'see how hard it actually was!'

It turned out neither of us were particularly great at painting, In fact we were equally as awful as each other. I was deep into merging myself into a wonky looking leaf when a cold, wet line licked my face. I touched my face and drew my hand away to have a look, bright green smeared across my finger. I looked across to see a very impressed Finnick holding a green paintbrush lathered in thick green paint.

'You'll pay for that Fin!' Before we knew it we were chasing each other round like little children, splattering paints of all colours all over the place. All the tributes were watching in amusement as we made an absolute spectacle of ourselves.

We collapsed in a pile of laughter together, each time we looked at each other it erupted again, we really were covered from head to toe.

'Wrong day to wear white A.' I looked down at my once pristine dress. I'd learnt from yesterday and gone with a more casual look, long sleeved T-shirt dress and sneakers again. Only problem was everything was white, or used to be.

Purple, pink, green, blue, brown.
Every colour you could imagine staining not just the clothes but our skin too.

'Won't it be your birthday soon? They always do that massive party for you at the capital don't they. I remember it's always sometime around the Games?'

'Yeah it's next week.' It was pretty messed up, 24 tributes out there fighting to stay alive whilst the Capital celebrated my birthday with great extravaganza, I never enjoyed it, it was all for show anyway.

'Well what a shame I'll miss it, we'll just celebrate when I come out. I promise' He looked at me with hopeful eyes, I'm pretty sure mine looked the exact same way.

'You'll have to be careful Odair I'll hold you to that promise' We held our gaze with each other for a moment, his hand gracefully brushing against mine, it was the most beautiful moment we had shared, until Callissa interrupted.

'Come on Alia! You've spent ages with Finnick now!' And with that I was dragged away from our moment by an eager to know everything Callisa.