Everything in between Part I [Finnick Odair]

       Effie Trinket enters the stage with sadness and pain in her eyes as she tries to act cheery as she announces the 75th anniversary of the games.

“Welcome, welcome. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary and the third Quarter Quell of the hunger games. For this year” Effie pauses, she’s trying not to cry. “This year since District 12 had such victory. We will pick 3 victors” the crowd was quiet but the horror is present in their eyes. [Name] [L Name] is the victor before Katniss and Peeta but they are the same age as them. She knew that this is coming, she had a feeling and she was right. Peeta glance at [Name], he’s scared for her, he want to volunteer for her but it depends what the outcome would be. The whole district knows that it’s Peeta and Katniss. Not Peeta and [Name] so he has to act like a star cross lover when he truly loves [Name].

Effie reach in to the big glass bowl with four papers folded. She slowly grab one and look at the girls, she gave them a sad smile.

“For the ladies” she looks at the paper, holding her tears again.  “[Name] [Last Name]” Headache is starting to form in Peeta’s head, pounding continuously as [Name] step up with a straight face on. For a moment he can’t read her face. Effie swallows as she reaches in for another paper.

“Katniss Everdeen” Katniss walks besides [Name]. Katniss grabs her hand for comfort, [Name] didn’t expect it but she give her follow victor that comfort. She’s afraid too but she knows that she has a mission to carry on.

“Wonderful, for the men”

“Haymitch Abernathy”

“I volunteer as tribute” Haymitch grabs his arm but Peeta pulls away.

“I can’t let you do this” Haymitch whispers

“You can’t stop me”

“Peeta…”

“Just let it go” [Name] looks at Peeta and he looks back. He gave her an encouraging nod. In the District’s eyes he’s doing it for Katniss but to Peeta it’s for [Name].

“Very well. The Tributes from District 12” Katniss did the salute, followed by [Name] and Peeta. Next thing, they know. The thread soldiers are dragging them without saying good-bye to their families.

“Wait, what are you doing. Let me go!” [Name] yells and tried to get away but with little success.

“Hey stop it. You’re hurting her!” Peeta yells at them. It was too much screaming and yelling by the time they reach the train. [Name] was basically thrown inside. She cursed and Peeta rushes to her side.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, never better” she replies bitterly

“Hey, hey look at me. We will get through this together okay?” Peeta cups her face making her look at him.

“I know. We will but in the world’s eyes. You belong with Katniss not me” [Name] didn’t realize that she’s been holding her tears. Peeta frowns and gently wipes away her salty tears.

“Does it matter how they look at it? I love you and you belong with me. Everything in between doesn’t matter okay?” Closing her eyes, she nods. She doesn’t like looking at Peeta when she cries but she knows, she wouldn't stop if she looks at him.

Effie enters the living room area of the train and looking at her three victors and Haymitch.

“Before we begin, I have a thought”

“Effie, don’t” [Name] doesn’t need a heart warming speech right now, she refuse to cry again. She needs to be strong for this game and to protect Katniss. That was the deal.

“No, I insist. Katniss your mocking jay pin, as her the boys I got you both a gold bracelet. [Name], this is for you. I was going to get the same but a guard told me you have a delivery. I guess the gold works with the locket. There’s no name” Effie hand it to [Name], wondering who it could be. She observe the locket, it’s an oval shape that is engrave with roses around it. When she opens it, it says ‘You have my heart for all eternity’ Peeta watches [Name] as she puts on the locket, the feeling of jealously looming over his blood.

"it means we're a team now"

​"Thank you Effie" says Katniss

“Do you know who might have send it?” Peeta asks trying not to sound jealous, [Name] wasn’t sure what to think. She feels fluttered but something tells her that this locket means a lot.

       Cinna finished with [Name] costumes with the same design as Katniss and Peeta but she’s riding alone in the chariot during the introduction of the games. She didn’t mind, the whole she was here. It’s also been Katniss and Peeta, which in this case Peeta tries so hard to prove his love for her. He kisses her when nobody is around, whisper sweet things and enjoying the moment together but how come she has this nagging feeling in the back of her mind? Patting the horse, she whispers, “How did we get here?”

“[Name]” she turns around and saw Finnick, he wasn’t wearing any shirt but thank goodness he is wearing pants in a fashion that represents his District 4.

“Finnick Odair” she replies simply. Finnick smiles at her like he’s so happy that she’s in the games. He looks at her golden locket and this time, he grins.

“Nice locket. Did boyfriend got it for you?” [Name] crosses her arms, she doesn’t feel like talking to him right now. She has a lot on her plate already but she knows that he would be a good asset during the games.

“No” Finnick holds up a sugar cube to her

“Don’t be so tense, you look great” He leans towards her ears, [Name] hiccup as she felt him closer to her. He smells like the sea and sandalwood, she wasn’t sure but her mind is racing.

“Don’t worry, we’re partners right? I got your back during the games. Wait until the interview” He step away looking at her and winks. Peeta was watching them from the distance and he swear, he saw [Name] blush. He can’t believe that he’s losing to her to that guy and not just any guy. It’s Finnick Odair.

       [Name] remember the crowd cheering as they made their entrance to the Chariot and the audience is cheering for their favorite district as they get interviewed.

“What did he say to you?” Peeta asks as he walks up to his secret lover. [Name] has been watching the TV at the back stage as Finnick got called.

“He didn’t say anything. He just told me to be careful” she lied.

“Did you know him before?” she shook her head ‘Yes’ she thought but he can’t let Peeta know.

“I don’t understand why I can’t talk to anyone, when you’re out there kissing Katniss. Peeta, do you even know how I feel? It hurts to see you with her and yet here I am trying to put the brave face on”

“It’s not easy”

“That makes the two of us”

“So I know, I have ask this question before but do you have anyone waiting for you when you get back?” Caesar Flickerman asks Finnick but he just response with a smile. “Well we all know that you’re the bachelor of the Capitol. I’m sure you have someone”

“I do” the audience ‘Ooo’ in response and excited to know who it could be

“She’s actually in this game with me” they start to whisper to each other

“Another star cross lovers! Well then do tell!” Caesar insists, who is also excited to know who it might be.

“She’s… she’s [Name] [Last Name]” the audience gasps and [Name]’s mind just went blank. She doesn’t even know what just happen.

“He’s what?” Peeta says in disbelief. He cannot believe that Finnick is pulling the star cross lover thing but the fact that it’s with [Name].

“Well, that certainly took a different turn” Caesar laughs as he masks his shock, “Any final words for her?” Finnick nods and looks at the camera.

“[Name], my love. You have my heart for all eternity
And if. If I die in that arena
My last thought will be of your lips” the audience when cheered louder and Finnick walk away and took a spot at the back stage where the rest of the previous victor is standing.

The locket that she’s wearing is from Finnick’s. He sent her the locket and the poem is for her. Finnick has been in love with her the whole time? ‘You have my heart for all eternity’ the first line of the poem keeps repeating to her mind. It's also engrave on the locket.

“You don’t actually believe him… do you?” Peeta asks why does he have a feeling that he’s slowly losing [Name] away.

It was [Name]'s turn for the interview and she didn’t expect this eventful night.

“[Name] [Last Name] from District 12” crowd cheers and even whistle. She’d never seen them this hype. “Well, we didn’t know that you are with Finnick Odair” she laughs and smiles at Caesar.

“Trust me it’s a handful” they laugh, “but it’s been an adventure” they awed

“Can you tell us, how you guys meet?” she has to come up with something fast. Her smile fades away and looks at the crowd in front of her

“I was visiting Capitol for my father and shop for his ingredients for medicine and I guess I bump into him and we just got to know each other. I guess it was love at first sight. He’s such a caring and loving person. I thought how lucky I am to have him in my life” she felt sick but also nervous. She has known Finnick for quiet a while but she doesn’t really know if she likes him. Yes, she loves the locket but her emotions are just too confusing.

“He gave me this locket when I enter the train and I—“ she pause, “I love and I will cherish it” the crowd love it, they cry, cheer and stat to chant her name and Finnick’s. They have won the crowd.

       When the interview is finished, [Name] is walking as fast as she can to her apartment where they are staying. She can’t face anyone right since she just confesses her ‘love’ to Finnick.

“[Name] wait” Finnick grabs her arm and pulling her close to her.

“Finnick let me go”

“No, I’m not—what you said out there. Is it—“

“True?” she stare at his bright green eyes, his eyes that shines so bright when sun hits it and how she loves how he says her name.

“What about yours and the locket and poem? Why did you do it Finnick?”

“Well you’re wearing the locket. I can see, you love it”

“Then have it back”

“No and Yes. What I said out there is true! I can’t let the games hurt you,” he protests

“I’m not yours Finnick. You just can’t tell the whole TV that you love me!”

“Why because of Peeta?” her heart drops, is it that obvious? but she can’t have Peeta. It’s Katniss and Peeta, she thought again.

“[Name]. I can protect you. Once, we’re in the games. I will take care of you”

“I can do it on my own” she pulls away and walking away from Finnick. She needs time to think about this.

As [Name] enters her room, she saw Peeta waiting inside. Walking up to her and giving her a hug and kissed her.

“Are you okay?” No, she’s not okay.

“Peeta. I—I need sometime. I—I need you to go”

“[Name], what’s—“

“Please, just go” tears starts to spill in her [eye color] and said nothing more. Without with protest, Peeta left. Without looking back.

The game finally arrived and they were place to their pods. They are not allowed to carry anything valuable but [Name] is holding her locket. She’s not going to lose it but it doesn’t mean she made up her mind. The locket means a lot to her and Finnick is her friend. Her knuckles turned white as she grip on the locket harder. [Name] felt that she’s being lifted and the arena is revealed.

Water.

All the color in her face is drained as she saw that she as to swim to get to the cornucopia since it's in the middle of the open water.

‘Shit’ she cursed. She can swim but for some reason, she has this fear of drowning but how can she drown when she knows how to swim? She pushes aside the thoughts look around. She spotted Katniss first; it looks like she’s been crying, worried for Peeta. [Name] knew that she like Peeta as well, it's obvious but she just never acknowledge it. Then a ways from Katniss is Peeta. He is looking at Katniss then to her. [Name] scan pass Peeta and across from her is Finnick. She notices that he was looking back at her and gave her a nod. She knows what she has to do. Get to Finnick; find Peeta and Katniss.

The count down begins and she took a few quick breaths, ‘don’t freak out [Name], you can do this’ she puts on the locket around her neck.

3
2
1

She did the dive and swam towards the cornucopia, upon reaching the place. The blood bath already started. She quickly scan the place and saw a backpack and besides it a belt full of throwing knives. She runs for it, someone grabs her hand and about to stab her but good thing, she has good reflex and block their attack. Her opponent just drop dead and saw Finnick standing behind the dead body.

“I told you. I’ll protect you” her heart did the hiccup again.

“You’re wearing the locket” he pointed the obvious

“It means something” Trying to ignore it, this feeling. She grabs the bag and the belt, grabbing Finnick’s hand in the process.

“Let’s go, lover,” she says, trying to find Katniss and Peeta. Finnick smile in return.

“Right behind you, my love”

“[Name], over here. Mags found them” [Name] ran to the point direction and saw Mags and her fellow district victors. She ran to Peeta giving him a hug

“I’m so happy you’re okay. I’m so worried about you, “ she whispers to him. Peeta hugs her back, smiling.

“I’m alright, we’ll get through this okay?” he pulls away and [Name] nods.

“Together” she says.