Allied Hearts - Finnick Odair

Chapter 15.

Day light broke through a gap in the curtains beaming around the four walls. I groaned at the sight knowing it was just another day of hell, everyday in this house was hell.

Ava had dozed off shortly after their chat last night and at around three in the morning she had sluggishly made her way into her own quarters, not wanting to be seen by my father who no doubt would twist the situation into the worst for Ava.

A knock resounded on the door followed by silence, clearly not Ava as she always made clear it was her and rarely waited for permission to enter, she knew she didn't need to with me.

The silence continued until Alia finally broke it with a 'hello?' The door slowly opened as the mystery knocker revealed themselves. Icy white hair and wide grin as usual.

'Dad?' Snow rarely ever greeted his own child in the morning so confusion clouded her mind.

'Good morning sweetie.' His fake affection didn't impress her one bit and her stony expression stayed put. What was he in such a good mood for anyway?

'We have breakfast ready, come along now.' We always had breakfast made for us, it was usually Ava who would come and get her not her father.

There was nothing I wanted less than to socialise, the comfort of the bed was drawing me in more and more. Not having a wink of sleep will be taking its toll on me today.

I eventually forced myself to get up after many calls from down the corridor from my father. Walking over to the mirror I sighed at the reflection, A sluggish zombie stared back at me aching for more sleep.

'Right I've got five minutes hun to get you looking presentable.' A tender voice sounded from behind, I instantly recognised it as Ava's.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as she rapidly began to brush the long locks of blonde hair, taking care with each strand as she put it into a pretty half up half down do. Striding over to the wardrobe a short pink dress was slung my way with the instructions to put it on.

And like a miracle within four minutes I was ready and Ava was beaming with pride.

'Right Ceaser Flicker is in the dining hall, your father has told me he's going to interview you. Your favourite contestant is Cooper you're to say.' My memory searched back for the recollection of Cooper, he was the young boy who was left in the games with Finnick and Callissa.

'He's not my favourite.'

'Yes well I know that, but president Snow says the public need to think he is as he's not happy about all these love story rumours between you and Finnick.' Sympathy clouded Ava's eyes as she spoke.

'What rumours?'

'Everyone's got this idea that Finnick is going to win and you guys will live happily ever after, it's quite romantic really.' Ava seemed to enjoy the story she was telling. 'Right time to go come on.'

She gave me a reassuring small pat on the shoulder as I left to walk down the corridor and into the arms of President Snow.

'Ah finally, don't you look so sweet my darling. Come let's have some breakfast.' A camera was shoved into my oblivious face making it clear they were rolling and I needed to go along with his pretence.

Sitting down at the table all the various foods became appealing as my mouth began to water. Our chefs did a good job everyday, cooking up fresh batches of delicious food each day.

Grabbing a croissant Ceaser took a seat next to me doing the same. I was hoping to enjoy the breakfast in silence but obviously that wasn't going to happen.

'So Alia what do you think of the games so far?' His bright green hair bobbed up and down each time he uttered a word. He was known for probably being the most eccentric figure in the Capitol, constantly changing the colour of his hair and matching his outfits with the new do.

Barbaric was all I could think of but my voice obeyed the rules as a lie fell out. 'Action filled.'

'So there's some rumours going around isn't there... you and Finnick?' President Snow looked less than impressed at his question choice.

A silence filled the air waiting to be rectified by the interviewer who shortly got the hint. 'Well it seems everyone loves him, all the food and wound care and most of all, the most expensive gift in history. The trident.' His smile beamed across the room, fake teeth shining.

It amazed me how the Capitol had no problems splashing endless amounts of cash on themselves and their ludicrous attire but could easily ignore the poor in need.

The questions seemed to go on forever until he eventually got to his last one, the most important of all. 'So I must ask the question we're all dying to know, who's your favourite tribute?'

My father kept his eyes on me intently, the beady hard look warning me of what to say. I had been pre warned so nothing should've gone wrong.

But it did, as I smugly smiled in defiance.

'Finnick Odair!'