Allied Hearts - Finnick Odair

Chapter 10.

'Finnick, you need to be careful! They're targeting you! They're going to kill you!' A panicky state began to wash over me as I tried to warn him.

'Hey hey, shhh shhhh, I'm going to be fine. No one is going to kill me okay. I'm just going away for a little bit and then I'll be right back here, ready to know all about Alia Snow.' He tried to reassure me but I still remained on edge.

'Well you promised to spend my birthday with me anyway, and I don't take broken promises lightly so I hope you're right.' I tried to make the best of a bad situation as I broke away from his hug, a chill covering me as I pulled away.

I finally got to take a proper glance at him and when I did I burst out with laughter. 'Fin, what on Earth are you wearing?' A blue cloth draped over one of his shoulders and swivelled round his back just to cover his groin area. Leaving little to the imagination as his whole torso was exposed. It flared at the bottom presumably to create the effect of waves for his fishing district.

'I'm a Greek God Duh, looks good doesn't it!' He admired himself in a close mirror jangling about the gold chains that draped from his neck.

'It looks like you're just a slab of hot meat to the Capitol. Barely putting any clothes on you.'

'One, I'm not going to forget you just called me hot' Of course that's what he'd take from my sentence.

'And two lets not dwell on my little costume, look at you Alia. You look absolutely stunning.' He grabbed my waist to spin me around. 'Really really beautiful'

My cheeks rapidly turned red as he looked me up and down. Jokingly I gave him a push whilst doing anything to change the subject.

'I don't think you'll have any difficulty getting sponsors, everyone out there is raving about you.'

'I hope so. What about you? Are you rooting for me?' Hope displayed all over his face as he asked me.

'Of course' Bens threat suddenly stuck in my mind. 'Oh Finnick you need to stay away from the Careers, as soon as you get in that arena get as far away from them as possible. You're the biggest threat to them and they know it, they'll kill you first if you stay. Please.' Terror began to creep back into my voice as it had before.

'Okay, I'll go by myself, you don't need to worry I promise.'

'Another promise? You just can't stop making them can you?'

'Only the ones I intend to keep, A.'

All of the escorts began rounding up their tributes to get them in their carriages. I won't have another chance now to speak to Finnick until he's out, or at least I hope it's him coming out.

'So this is it. Show time. Good luck Finnick, do whatever you need to.' I gave him another tight hug. As we pulled away he lifted my chin up and placed a light kiss onto my lips. Warmth shot through my body as butterflies exploded internally.

I never wanted the moment to end but unfortunately it did. Ushered off by his escort he kept his eyes on me until he disappeared out of sight, holding me in a trance.

It was a quick and childish kiss, and the first for me and probably Finnick too. But the intimate moment was filled with hope and desperation.

When I eventually regained my sense I exited the dressing rooms and found my own seat. It was right at the top with my Father, watching over the Tributes as they did their glory ride. As I took my seat at the top my father gave me a puzzled look.

'Where have you been Alia?' He hissed making sure no one around heard.

'I was right at the entrance, the Capitol was swarming me, you know how they get at a celebration Father.' I quickly made up the excuse which he seemed to buy.

Music serenaded throughout as the carriages began their journeys to the front. It was all very over the top and quite frankly ridiculous at times, which is probably why they Capitol loved it.

As gorgeous as Callissa looked her face pretty much ruined the effect. She was clearly making no effort to attract sponsors as she remained emotionless, refusing to even give the cheering crowd a wave, much to her partners dismay who was trying his hardest. It looked bad on the both of them I had to admit, the poor boy was now getting no attention at all as the Capitol set their sights on a more cheery campaign.

I tried to motion at her to smile but she paid little attention, it looked like she was completely in her own world. Distant eyes staring ahead of her.

Finnick on the other hand was lavishing it up, giving the crowd exactly what they wanted. Several people attempted to throw things his way but the carriage was moving too fast for him to clasp onto the items. All eyes were on him as he shot his hands through the air, resulting in a huge cheer from the crowd. They really did adore him.

They all came to a halt below where I was sat, giving us a clear view of each carriage and the Tributes stood in them. The Careers had the biggest smiles upon their faces, it was what they had waited their whole lives for, clearly adrenaline was pumping through each of them as they could hardly stay still. Jittering up and down as my Father's speech began.

'Welcome, Welcome to the Tributes! We welcome you to the Capitol with open arms and open hearts.'

What the hell is he going on about? I think to myself as I zone in and out of his waffling on.

'Your bravery, your ambition and your sacrifice is honourable. We all admire the courage it took to get you all here today. Good luck to each one of you, let's put on a great show. Happy hunger games!'

It was essentially the same drivel Snow provided each year, blabbing on about the sacrifice that most of them didn't choose to commit to, it was a forced game. They were victims and not volunteers.

Even the Careers as arrogant and vicious as they seem were victims too, brainwashed to believe this society is a justified one, when it is not. It is a cruel society and they're all just pawns in the Capitols games.