ODDS

ʟᴀꜱᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ

𝓘 𝓽𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓪 deep breath to calm my annoyance. My dress fell to the floor in a flowy sort of fashion while the bodice clung tightly to my waist.

"Oh, Alana, you look absolutely breath-taking!" Freya strutted around me, taking in every inch of my costume. "Cinder has truly outdone herself!"

"Thank you, Freya." came a small voice from behind me. I looked over, finding Cinder behind, fixing the train of my dress.

I stifled a mocking laugh, sick of every little thing. I had no sleep, which couldn't have helped my mood, but I hadn't seen Finnick since the night before. I couldn't really decide which was worse.

"Alana?"

My eyes met Cinder's. She gave me a curious look, eyebrow shooting up. I only shook my head.

"Wow. Well done, Cinder." A man glided over to where we were standing, looking over Cinder's masterpiece. It really had been a beautiful dress.

"And, Alana, you look magnificent." He stuck his hand out, and I followed, allowing him to kiss my hand lightly.

"Thank you, Cinna. I got lucky. Alana is easy to work with. I heard your 'Girl on Fire' isn't so easy." She teased. My eyes snapped back on Cinna after I realized who he was; Katniss' stylist.

"She's difficult, if you don't try to sympathize with her. I've found her to be quite endearing." He answered.

I smiled at this. I'd gathered that much.

Suddenly, Freya came back to where the three of us were standing, beginning to fiddle with my outfit. "It's time, Alana. Come, come." She rushed out.

I nodded, but before I could make my escape, Cinna stopped me by lightly grabbing my arm. I looked over my shoulder, a questioning glance flashing his way.

"She really is a good person. She's just not trusting. I can depend on you to keep her safe, right?"

I was confused. Were the games not supposed to tear us apart? As soon as we all were lifted into the arena, we would be at each other's throats. And Cinna was accommodating peace?

Despite my confusion, I found myself nodding. I knew Peeta well enough that I would protect him, if it came to being allies with him in the arena. And if Peeta trusted Katniss, that was enough for me, as well.

Cinna smiled at me and nodded. "Good."

"Alana, come on, dear!" Freya dragged me away from the stylists, who continued talking, but in much lower voices that before.

The stage was before me. I had only a few minutes before Beetee left the stage, and then, it was my turn to dazzle the crowd. I took a breath and practiced smiling. I didn't feel like I had it in me. I was in too sour of a mood.

"You look like you're in pain."

I gave a huff of a breath, busying my hands so as to not look him in the eyes. Or in his direction in general.

"I am in a dress." I answered, spite evident in my voice.

"Ouch." He deadpanned. This is when our eyes met. My jaw clenched as I saw him in his ridiculous outfit.

"You look like a loser." I shot back.

"Maybe I am."

"Maybe you are."

We didn't talk after that. The timer behind the stage hit thirty seconds. I took a breath and began bouncing on my heels. I'd never liked crowds, so this was torture.

Twenty-five seconds.

And suddenly I was engulfed into a hug, which took me by much surprise. I froze, muscles more tense than they'd been during the reaping.