CHAPTER EIGHTEEN!

DEJA VU.

KATNISS EVERDEEN never thought she'd be in the exact same position as she was last year, sitting on the train and awaiting Haymitch to walk in. Peeta sits to her left, staring ahead as well. Haymitch is to arrive soon so that they can go over the pool of tributes that are going to be their opponents.

"These games are going to be a lot different than the last go. These tributes are all experienced killers," Haymitch explains as he walks over to the two tributes. "You will have to be more on your game this time round,"

Katniss leans back on the couch just as Haymitch turns the screen on. It is likely she will recognise some of these tributes, most of them more than likely quite recent. She is also well aware than most of them know each other already, probably have quite a strong relationship.

"Alright, what does that mean for us?" Peeta asks softly.

"That means you're going to have to have some allies," Haymitch explains to the boy who simply nods his head in response.

"Ok I think—" he is cut off by his mentor.

"You're not the problem," he points his finger towards Katniss.

"No," Her answer is definite.

"Look, you're starting at a disadvantage. Most of these people have been friends for years,"

Katniss rolls her eyes. "That just puts us higher on their kill list,"

"Do it your own way, but I know these people. You go it alone, their first move is gonna be to hunt you down. Both of you,"

"Katniss, come on," Peeta pleads quietly.

"How could any of us even trust each other?" Katniss questions.

"It's not about trust, it's about staying alive,"

The first of the tributes appear on the screen, admittedly Katniss doesn't recognise them. That is until they get to District Four and she definitely does. Leaning forward in her chair, she looks at the screen.

"Finnick Odair, right?" She asks her mentor who nods his head in response.

"Yes, he won his games at fourteen. Youngest ever. Extremely humble," Haymitch comments and Katniss scoffs is response.

"You're kidding?"

"Yes, I'm kidding. He's a peacock, a total preener. But he's the Capitol darling, they love him here. Charming, smart and very skilled in combat, especially in water,"

"What about weaknesses?" Peeta interjects, wonder evident on his face as he looks at the man. Katniss is also looking and when the screen flicks over to a brunette girl, she raises her eyebrows.

"One, this is Rosalie Barton. She won the 68th Hunger Games which actually turned out to be one of the shortest of the Games. Her and Finnick have been close friends since they were children and word on the street is, it exceeds friendship," Haymitch speaks with a small smirk.

The brunette girl gently grabs an older woman's hand on the screen, shaking her head softly and giving her a smile. She moves to stand beside Finnick who is already looking over at her, his hand reaching out to grab her's as she tucks herself into his side.

"See?" Haymitch points out.

"So we should watch out for them?" Peeta questions his mentor who shrugs his shoulders.

"Rosalie is a very nice girl. I just think you should know that if at any stage you want her as an ally, you're going to get Finnick too. Formidable allies though, I must say," Haymitch responds.

"How can we trust any of these people?" Katniss repeats her earlier question.

"You're going to have to if you want to make it to the end of these games. As you said, these people will go after you without hesitation. You need to make allies and you need to make them fast,"

"I hate this stupid place," Rosalie mumbles as she fiddles with the flowing purple dress that Lila had given her. "Never thought I'd be back here,"

"Me either," her stylist responds quietly, positioning the last of her curls so that it's out of her face.

Rosalie slips into the shoes that have been provided for her, before walking out of the room and towards the area where all the tributes are situated. Finnick is already there, seemingly causing trouble as he talks to Katniss in his ridiculous outfit.

The brunette's eyes connect with those of the District Twelve victor who watches as she practically glides over to her district partner. It's almost as if he senses her, turning his head and flashing her his signature smile. She returns it almost instantly, instinctively grabbing his hand in her's.

"It's nice to meet you, Katniss. I hope he wasn't bothering you," Rosalie's soft voice flows through the air as she gives Finnick the side-eye.

"You too," Katniss' tone is less kind and a lot more hostile, not sure how to talk to the two of them.

"I was just offering Katniss here a sugar cube," Finnick interjects with a smile.

"Annoying her more like it. Come on, it was nice meeting you Katniss," Rosalie gives her one last smile before tugging Finnick away.

The girl watches the two of them going before returning to her own District partner who seems to have been watching the whole thing.

"You're a pest sometimes, you know that?" Rosalie speaks.

"Maybe," Finnick winks.

"She doesn't like you very much, her facial expressions said it all. I highly doubt she'll want to be around you,"

"I was just being nice! Besides, why would we want her to be around us? We don't need anybody else,"

"Allies are not a bad idea, Finn. I'm sure Johanna would be a good choice,"

"That's different, I actually like her,"

Rosalie rolls her eyes and pushes him lightly towards the cart, to which he climbs onto moments later. He offers her his hand and she grabs it, stepping up to stand beside him.

"I forgot to tell you, you look beautiful," He whispers over to her as they begin to move.

A blush coats her cheeks and she leans over to kiss his cheek. "You look nice too,"

Finnick's hand holds her's as they make their way out in front of the crowd. She squeezes it lightly, her hatred of large crowds still prominent even after all these years. Rosalie manages to put a small smile on her face, directing it at the audience who are screaming her name — she hates how they're so casual with sending these people to their deaths.

Snow gives his usual speech and soon enough, they're in the back room once again. Finnick and Rosalie dismount the cart and start to walk away when their names are called, both of them turning to see Haymitch Abernathy from District Twelve walking towards them.

"I need to speak with the two of you," he says simply.

Rosalie raises her eyebrows as Finnick nods his head, the three of them moving away to have a much needed discussion.

NOTE!

Hi everybody! Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed!