❝ sometimes it feels like I've got a war in my mind
i want to get off but i keep riding the ride
i never really notice that i had to decide
to play someone's game or to live my own life ❞
【 cassie abernathy was the younger sister of...
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Caesar announced on stage as the tributes got ready for their individual interviews back stage.
Cassie looked into the mirror, Cinna just right behind her. Her outfit was a layered blue and white dress, with detailed lace at the top. Her hair was in a ponytail, her wing eye liner still in tact and blue eye shadow that topped it off.
"You are gorgeous my dove," Cinna tells the girl, his hands on her shoulders as they both were looking at the finished look in the mirror.
Cassie swiveled around to hug him. "Thank you. For everything."
"Go out there and show them what real beauty looks like," Cinna says, kissing her on the cheek as she was ready to go on stage. She was first for district 12, like always, then Katniss, then Peeta.
Although she was most concerned about Finnick's whereabouts, her mind still focused on what Caesar would ask her during the interview. She passed Johanna, each of the girls giving each other a sympathetic smile.
She still had time for her interview, but the crew desperately needed her in line so she would be ready on time.
District 4 was up. By this time, the television broadcasted a familiar face walking on stage next to Caesar. It was Finnick.
"Finnick Odair!" Caesar announced, greeting him with his arms wide.
The thing about Caesar that Cassie noticed was that he was very good at hiding how he truly felt. She could sense it when she was just 14. She knew he was truly just doing his job to ensure his safety, but she could tell that he felt sorrow for the tributes.
"Caesar. It's a pleasure," Finnick returned a smile. According to Cassie, Finnick was another person she had noticed that could truly hide how he felt.
"Now Finnick, cutting right to the chase, we're all pretty stunned how you are here yet again with Cassidy Abernathy. Now, i'm not sure if we could call it fate, but it does seem pretty destined that you two are aimed to fight in these games together. What do you think?"
"Well, Caesar, to be honest, I found it pretty heart wrenching when I heard her name get called for the second time. I don't know if it's inevitably fate, but I do know that it is my duty to protect her, and I will."
As Cassie watched backstage with a sense of shock, the crowd in the audience gave their best "oohs" and "awws".
"Finnick Odair you sure know how to be one heartbreaker. I know the ladies and gents adore you. Is there one specific lady that you need to say your final words too before entering the games, wherever she may be?"
"That won't be necessary Caesar, these definitely won't be my final words before the games."
Cassie furrowed her eyebrows, unaware of what he was about to announce. She watched Caesar also furrow his eyebrows, giving off a confused look. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying you're determined to win these games?"
Finnick licked his bottom lip, rocking his feet back and forth ever so slightly. "No, Caesar. These won't be my final words to her because she's here tonight. Backstage."
Cassie's eyes filled with tears as she heard him say that. She knew in her heart that her and Finnick shared a certain love for each other, but hearing these words come out of his mouth were just as shocking to her as they were to everyone else hearing his words.
"Cassidy Abernathy," Finnick starts, speaking into the microphone Caesar was eagerly holding for him and looking straight into the camera. She felt as if he was staring into her soul. "My love. My Little Lotte. If I just so happen to die in these games, I hope my last moment is protecting you. I am in love with you, and I knew I should have said this a long time ago. But I am. And nothing could ever stop me from loving you."
Tears filled Finnick's eyes, as well as Cassies, as his interview was just about over.
Everything surrounding Cassie was blurry. Her vision. Her hearing. A tear streamed down her face as her eyes became watery. Like she thought before, she knew Finnick cared about her. But she didn't know how strongly he felt. This broke Cassie in every way.
As she waited on line, she managed to see Finnick make his way off stage, his head down.
He passed her, looking straight into her teary eyes. He looked just as sad. It seemed as if he was walking in slow motion to Cassie. She didn't know what to say.
He exited out of her view and she turned back around, waiting for her interview. She knew she couldn't put on an act. In her mind, she was about to unleash her real feelings and thoughts.
After waiting and waiting, District 11's male tribute had just finished, Caesar was ready to announce her entry.
"Now our next tribute is someone very near and dear to the Capitol. Not only did she win us away with her fierceness and beauty, but she strived with great determination at just age 14. Now 10 years later, we have the privilege of seeing her beautiful face yet again. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Cassidy Abernathy."
She walked onto stage with the sound of the audience's applause ringing in her ear. Haymitch had told her to just smile and answer the questions she was asked. She knew he was not going to be happy at her after the interview.
The girl made her way to her seat as Caesar looked ever so happy to see her. Admiring her dress, he spoke, "Cassidy, you are stunning!"
The audience applauded once again, draining Cassie of whatever she had left in her. "Thank you, Caesar. I really do thank you." She knew Caesar had done nothing wrong, so there was no use in starting trouble with him.
"Now, Cassidy, I know you were backstage during the time of these interviews. Have you been able to talk to Finnick since?"
"I have not," she stared blankly.
"Well, maybe you could tell him something now. Would you like that?"
Without answering, Cassie blindly grabbed the microphone from him. "I just wanted to say that this is such bullshit. It is. Putting us in the arena at 14 was bad enough, but now? We were told that we would be safe after the games. We're not safe. No one is. And Finnick, I do love you. I always have. But-but, what will it matter. If I die... when I die... where is that going to leave all of this?"
She aggressively handed the microphone back to Caesar who looked pretty shocked just as well as the audience. "Well I think it is lovely that we have two lovely couples in the game-"
"Actually, Caesar, I think that's pretty sad. When we all die tomorrow tell me how lovely that will be. Thank you again, Caesar."
The girl got up and walked off stage, unaware of what people thought. A million thoughts were rushing through her head. She knew by telling the whole Capitol how she loved Finnick, Gale would see it. She didn't know if he would mind, but she knew one other thing. She knew she also loved Gale.
