Song- Unfair by The Neighborhood
Today was the day. The Victory Tour started. Sapphire, Nadiyah, August, and I all boarded up by the train. I said goodbye to Annie and Finn, as did Sapphire and August.
"I miss you already." Annie sadly smiled as I gave her one last hug.
"Dear God, may she shine throught the Tour." I laughed as Finn returned my hug.
Sapphire tugged my shirt signaling that it was time to leave. Nadiyah and August had already boarded. I sadly waved at the two remaining people I cared for. The train then started, sending Finnick and Annie out of sight.
"Alrighty, so Miss Tessa. How are we feeling today?" Nadiyah asked me. I guess she was a bit more important in the Capitol because of my win. Maybe I became more of a priority to her, to make her look better. August, well I just didn't really understand him. He kept to himself, but he also seemed to be very bubbly and excited.
"Confused." I smiled at her, answering the stupid question of how I felt about going off to the other districts to tell them they shouldn't mourn their loved ones death because they 'fought so hard' and other bullcrap. It gets on my nerves.
"Well, I scheduled out our trip to district 12. We have a 2 days, and time is of the essence." Sapphire rolled her eyes.
"How will the trip go, Nadiyah?" She remarked in a very thick Capitol accent."Well maybe if you stopped mocking me and shut your little pie hole then maybe I could explain." I chocked on my water."Oh." Sapphire crossed her arms."Carry on then."
"So we're starting in 12, working our way up to the Capitol, skipping 4 of course. Your final interview with Caesar, and lots of applause." Nadiyah smiled at me.
~
"Ah! Here we are! The Capitol!" I let out a shaky breath as Nadiyah strutted out of the train doors. Sapphire walked infront of me, and I'm walking infront of 3 peacekeepers. There were a bunch of people crowded around. All clapping, and applauding. Then there was the section of middle aged-old men who only watch for the women. And right now I was dressed in a dull, light blue dress that had flowers, and some see through parts. Added with some black flats and a black headband.
Yeah, I might've looked like a little kid in a dress that fell just below my butt, but I was only 13 with no decision on what I got to wear! And the men here were trying to touch my thighs and lift my skirt, some of them actually succeeding! I just gently pushed their hands away, still a gentle smile on my face, knowing full well that cameras were everywhere. Once, my dress had been lifted up high enough to see my shorts underneath, so much that I had to cover my butt with my hands.
We had finally gotten up to the place where we would stay, aka the 'hotel' type place we stayed in for the Hunger Games. The last thing on the list, my final interview. At last, I just wanted to go home.
"You have a big day tomorrow, so go ahead and get some rest." Sapphire smiled, excusing me from he table. I got up, after wiping my face with the napkins, and headed toward the room I had stayed in 6 months previous.
Lots of memories I thought I lost. They were resurfacing in the nightmares I faced that night.
I walked out from the hall doors to be greeted with Hailey and George's faces. They were moving and it almost looked like they were alive. Still...alive. I looked around, my eyes met with a 6 year old's. She had dark brown hair that was in a short braid down her right shoulder. Her eyes were gray, and she was holding her younger sister's-around 4- hand. There was no ovation. I stood a tad speechless at the mic, remembering how Hailey had been tortured before I killed her. I did.
"I-I remember when I first met Hailey, she was kind enough to me. Kind enough to not call me a young loser. She was like a big sister to me." I looked over to George's face."I never really met George. He seemed to be a gentleman, like he didn't want to kill me. Almost like he knew about Hailey and I. Hailey loved him. I can only imagine he did as well." Then I continued on with the 'regular' speech on the cards.
I finished with a gentle smile, then turned to exit, but not without a wink towards the camera. But then, Sapphire was running towards me."Tess! Tess!" What was she yelling about?
All of a sudden, I was covered in ice cold water."WAKE UP!" I looked at her with a 'really' look."Ay, you'll thank me later. I let you sleep in. Interview's in a hour." I nodded at her as she left my room.
~
"This dress is wonderful. But it's-" August cut me off."Capitol dress." He whispered in my ear. I nodded."Go out there and shine TT." I smiled."You're a darling now." It was a vague message, but I understood what he meant. I was apart of the Capitol now. I was a favorite out of all of the other victors. My dress was anything but what a 13 year old would wear. A red dress and I was paired with lace up black heels, and my red hair was up in a ponytail with a braid among my straightened hair. My baby hairs had been pulled out and curled at the front.
•••
•••
Yeah. My butt was practically hanging out. I knew the Capitol was sick, but sexualising a 13 year old! I was uncomfortable even around August. My name was called, and I walked out from the wings. I got a standing ovation, as I blew a single kiss to everyone, my other hand trying to pull the dress down from the back. I waved and had a huge smile on my face. It was only when I shook Ceaser's hand that I realised that he was looking too. Looking down.
"You look wonderful Tess, and congratulations on your win." His eyes were darting up and down at me. We finally sat down."So, that was an amazing victory you pulled out Tess, considering that you scored a 5. Tell me about your experience." He was looking straight at my chest.
"Well Ceaser, I honestly couldn't have done it without my allies throught the whole thing. H-Hailey, Dylan, even George a bit." I stuttered when saying their names, but it was subtle."It was definitely a unique opportunity and experience for me. I understand that it had cons to come with winning, but doesn't all things?" I asked, earning a rise of laughter from the crowd.
I saw a young man in the front row who looked a lot like Finnick. I moved my head to the right and raised my eyebrow. That got a few cheers.
"So Tess, this dress, it's wonderful." Ceaser smiled, looking down again at the fabric that barely covered my privates."Thank you Ceaser, I think it shows off my personality just nicely." Ceaser laughed."Well unfortunately that's all the time we have folks! Have a wonderful night Tess, and congratulations once again!" Ceaser kissed my hand and I exited the stage.
Sapphire was there to greet me."Let's go get your stuff, and something else to change into." I nodded, knowing there were still cameras. Once we got back into my room, I hugged her.
"I wanna go home," I sobbed as she just held me tightly."I know. That was good acting though." She wiped my tears."Go change. You're going to live without this mess from now on." I nodded. She left and I gathered the few things I brought. Finnick's necklace, and Annie gave me a hairclip she would always wear. It was shaped like a pink shell with glitter on it.
I put them in the pockets of my light tan cardigan that went well with my black pleated skirt and light pink top.
I let my hair down and we were off on the train again. Back home.
~
The train door opened and we walked out of the Justice Hall's doors. Sapphire walked me home as we lived close by(obviously).
"Goodnight dear." Sapphire smiled."Goodnight Saph."
I walked in the house and saw Finnick on the couch. But no Annie."Hey, it's a bit late don't you think?" I said, walking up to him."Tessa. You're back." Finn beamed, and hugged me as I sat down."Did you see the interview?" I asked as I just found out how tired I was."Yeah. I saw how uncomfortable you were. But you looked great!" He lightly smiled. I punched his arm."Shut it." I laughed.
"You did. And I don't lie often." Finn looked at me straight in the eyes."Finn?" He continued staring."Tessa you've been my best friend for years. But throughout that time I saw more in you the past year. I-I...you make me feel confident, and strong. You make me believe in myself more than my own mother could."
"What're you trying to say?" I asked. Now it felt like time slowed down for a moment. Finnick had grabbed my jaw slightly with his right hand, and brought our faces close together. Before I knew it I was kissing him back. It was airy and soft, but still filled with passion.
" 'M saying I love you."
Word Count
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