ODDS

ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ

𝓘 𝓭𝓲𝓭𝓷'𝓽 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 bother much with training. I'd been training for almost ten years, so I couldn't find the point in practicing technique for a few measly days. Instead, I elected to sleep in, getting up around lunchtime every day. Finnick was already out of the door by then. I couldn't say that I hadn't expected it, though. When Finnick got into his own mind, training with his trident calmed him down. Plus, he had become slightly reserved, as if he were planning a battle strategy or something.

He'd also become fairly interested in the newest of the victors.

Katniss.

He seemed to study her, like she were some kind of new species that he had discovered. I tried to get him to lay off her. Katniss couldn't have been very trusting, what with just winning the games only to be thrown in again a year later.

But Finnick didn't listen.

Peeta, on the other hand, is who I became interested in. Or rather, he had found interest in me. We both tended to keep quiet, so when I finally made my way down to the training room, we somehow had found each other by the camouflage station. He showed me how to use different elements of nature to hide within the land, and I suddenly remembered how Katniss had found him during his first games.

I mentioned this.

He got quiet.

"Sorry, I just- That was really smart of you. I don't think I would've thought of that."

His eyes met mine and a smile tugged at his boyish face. I returned the smile and continued following his instruction, not that it helped. My camouflage looked more like a blob of nothing.

"I remember your games, too. I think that was the year when I really understood what was going on." he began cautiously. After watching my curious expression, he continued. "You're games showed me what reality we were- are- living in."

My eyes became misty at the thought. I imagined Peeta, no older than twelve, and his realizations about the world we lived in. I'd gone through the same thing, as each of the victor's had, as everyone in Panem had, really. We were only puppets in a show of life.

"I forgot your district partner's name."

A sad smile made its way to my face as a tear let loose. I quickly sniffed and wiped my eyes. There was no time, or room, to be crying over long-lost souls.

"Sander." I answered, staring at nothing in particular. "His sister has become family now. Tora. She and Caspian, I think, will get married in the spring."

Peeta smiled at that. "It's nice to know that happiness can still be present in such a desperately evil world."

I tilted my head at him, a beaming smile on my face. "Sander would have liked you."

Peeta looked at me once more, a grin dancing its way across his cheeks.

We went back to painting in the quiet, listening to the grunts and pants of victors wielding weapons of death and destruction. But as we sat there, brushes in hand and faint smiles adorning our faces, I realized that happiness was a choice. Even in the darkest of scenarios, the only one who could capture our happiness and stow it away was ourselves. Determined not to allow Snow to take away the happiness within the last few days I had, I let out a sigh. A dreamy kind of sigh. A sigh which believed in brighter and simpler times.

***

"These chairs suck." I moaned quietly. Finnick turned his attention back on me.

"We'll be out of here soon, princess. Then you can go dine in your great golden chambers on a fluffy dining couch." he whispered in an exaggerated manner. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Don't call me princess, Odair." I warned. Finnick bit his lip, holding in the fit of giggles just behind his pink lips.

"Enobaria Triarius, District Two. Report for individual assessment." The coms sounded, loud compared to the whispering chatter of the room. I suddenly became very nervous and began bouncing my right leg up and down, a normal occurrence.

"Stop that." Finnick commanded quietly. I turned my attention to him, keeping my leg still. But I noticed the metallic taste in my mouth, and realized I had bitten through skin. Finnick pulled his sleeve higher to cover his hand and came closer, swiping the material over my bottom lip. I winced a little at the stinging, which caused Finnick to sigh.

"I'll check on it after assessment, okay?"

I grinned at him, raising my eyebrow just a bit. "You know, it's not that bad. And I'm an adult, I can handle myself." I reminded. He gave a low chuckle.

"Of course, you can." he gave in. Though, I could tell in his eyes that he hadn't fully conceded.

But before I could pick a fight, the coms interrupted.

And I was reminded that time was not on our side.

"Finnick Odair, District Four. Report for individual assessment."

I looked up at Finnick as he stood, towering above me. He started his trek toward the door that separated us from the Game Makers, but not before being held back by my hand. He turned and his eyes met mine. We didn't have to say anything. We knew each other well enough without words. He nodded, sending me a wink for show. I rolled my eyes.

Before our hands separated, however, he gave my hand one last squeeze of comfort.

I love you, it seemed to say. You've got this. I believe in you.

And then he was gone.

I let out a breath that I hadn't known I was holding.

Thoughts suddenly flooded my mind, each prodding and poking for my affections. It always seemed to happen while Finnick was away. The memories and thoughts rampaging the darkest and lightest parts of my mind alike. It always became too much for me to bear, and I would inevitably lose it.

But before my mind could travel to that point, it was my turn to traipse into the arms of death once more.

"Alana Knight, District Four. Report for individual assessment."