User blog:Rose Hathaway/Johanna and Finnick - The Good Old Days

Plot Summary
This is my version of how Johanna and Finnick met as mentors, and what happened in their lives from that point on. But this isn't your ordinary story. This is a story about friendship... with a twist.

FINNICK'S POV - just after winning his Games.
"Give it up for the winner of the 65th Annual Hunger Games, District Four's Finnick Odair!"

I'm on auto-pilot after I'm taken out of the Arena. Half of it's from the maddening exhiliration after winning the Games. But the other part is much deeper than that.

When I get back to the Capitol (the real one), I press my fingers against my temples to stop myself from thinking about her. Annie. As I thought. It's pointless to even try to refrain from imagining the feel of her in my arms, regardless of the situation.

I'm led down a corridor towards the customary victor's feast, but that deep sadness struggles to show itself on my face. Keep cool, Finnick, I think. Just put on the face for a little longer. Delicious smells of seafood - they've prepared it especially for me - that would have caused me to smile do nothing to battle my masked anxiety.

I won't be staying with my Annie. I have to serve the Capitol.

I'm assaulted with congratulations and applause as a set of huge double doors open. Just put on the face for a little longer. I put on my signature sexy smile, and walk in.

JOHANNA'S POV - just after winning her Games.
"Congratulations, Johanna Mason of District Seven! You are the winner of the 69th Annual Hunger Games!" My hands don't shake at all as I'm transported out of the Arena. I don't give a thought to the people whose lives I've taken, because in reality, do I really care? If those filthy people over at the Capitol want to make us suffer with this bad-as-hell invention called the Hunger Games, then at least I'll do my freaking best to stay alive. After all, what else can we do (apart from starve most of the time).

No. My mind's just focused on my upcoming job as a mentor, and how different my life's gonna be. Sure, I might have to be the lifeline of a couple of brats, but at least it's something. Better than going back my district and living in solitude for the rest of my life. Hell, I know that's what would happen, and not because I'd be so guilty over those innocents I killed.

I laugh, letting an edge of hysteria creep into the sound. This is gonna be good.

1~ Chance Meeting
**The 70th Annual Hunger Games**

FINNICK'S POV - on the way to the mentors meeting.
I casually walk down the hallway, heading for the meeting between this year's mentors. I've already been a mentor for four years, but I still have to go and get introduced to the new mentors. This should be interesting, I think, smiling to myself. Maybe there'll be someone there who actually likes ''me. ''

Sadness and longing for Annie crosses my features for a second, before I lapse into my usual cool demeanour. Every day is a struggle, but somehow, it's getting easier to cope. It's like seeing her there in my head doesn't cause as much pain as last year, only, it's pain enough.

As I turn the corner, I notice a pretty girl who's just leaning against the wall as if she doesn't have a place to be - although I'm sure she does. No, I guess pretty's kind of an understatement. She's certainly got a nice body. Her wide-set, flat brown eyes flick towards me as I approach her, and then I notice she's taking greedy gulps from some carbonated drink. My smile widens.

"Hey," she says, already extending her hand. I keep my surprise in check. "I'm Johanna Mason, one of the mentors." I gaze at her incredulously, and she laughs. "Yeah, I know I'm supposed to be at that meeting, but it can wait while I finish this bloody awesome creaming soda." I immediately recognise the name - she's the victor of the 69th Hunger Games.

"I'm Finnick," I reply automatically, catching her hand and shaking it. I can see that she knows the name too, but for a different reason. I can't stop the question that escapes my lips, but I'm way too surprised to hold it in. "How old are you?" I suppose any other girl would blush and stammer, but not this chick. She looks at me levelly and then says, "I'm seventeen. You?"

"Nineteen." Whoa, I'm actually having a decent conversation with someone, I think to myself, and then I eye the drink in her hand. "Okay, well, I'm gonna go to the meeting. We're not all as uncaring as you, Johanna," I say, winking. She knows it's just a tease, and as I start to move away, she falls in step beside me.

"You mean we're gonna go to the meeting..."

JOHANNA'S POV - at the mentors meeting.
"So you've been a mentor for what, four years?" I say, brash at the stares around us as me and Finnick sit down. "Rad."

"Yeah, but it's been kinda dull," he mutters back, "since there's no-one here who I actually like, and vice versa." I surprise him by laughing.

"Hey. Finnick, if you think no-one likes you, that's nothing compared to what I'm gonna get." I lower my voice slightly as one of the Gamemakers starts the meeting. He tilts his head in confusion, and I suppress another laugh. "As you'll find out soon enough, I'm stubborn and always speak out when I don't like something." Finnick looks amused at this, but there's a dangerous note in my voice which makes him a little wary. Comfortable, but alert. ''Whatever. He needs to know he's sitting next to a girl with some fire in her. A backbone. ''

The talking Gamemaker shoots me a look, and I can already tell he dislikes me. Again, whatever. Seems like a dull guy anyway - he always follows orders.

"For the old, welcome back to another year of mentoring your respective district tributes." His eyes sweep around the room, and he even acknowledges Finnick next to me. "But now, I want to introduce you to some new additions to the team." Another direct, disapproving gaze. ''Ugh, what the hell does someone need to do to get his stamp of approval? Be a goody-good two shoes? ''

"Everyone, I'd like to call up Johanna Mason onto the stage." Nice sarcasm there. As I move to the front he continues, "Johanna was the victor of last year's Games, that is, the 69th." He moves away - finally - and, sensing my cue to speak, I face the group.

"Hey. Hopefully you all aren't as uptight as this guy over here," I begin, looking pointedly at the Gamemaker I was referring to. His frown deepens. However, I get a few chuckles, and I'm kinda pleased one's from Finnick.

"If you are, we've got a problem, but if not, that's all cool. Either you like me, or you don't. You choose." I walk back to my seat, and I'm appeased to see that the Gamemaker is just livid. Finnick has a weird but still sexy look on his face. ''Man, is he hot. ''

"That. Was. Brilliant," he says, and as I look at him I know we're gonna be awesome friends.