Finnick was still there, lying on the couch. Cassia glanced at the clock, the digital time was eight. Priscilla wouldn't be in for another hour, since it was Sunday. Then she wondered, she didn't remember climbing into bed, she remembered falling asleep on the couch. Someone must have moved her. And that someone was Finnick.
"Cassia..." Finnick was waking up, she offered him a small smile. "Hey..." he whispered,
"Hey" she replied, he pushed himself up and he sat up, looking at her.
"I have to go..." he whispered, the teenager sighed and nodded. He walked over to her, looking her in the eyes, "I'll see you soon..." he leaned close to her, her eyes met his. Sea green. Her cheeks flushed red and he walked out the room, surely making his way back to district four.
Cassia decided to get ready for the day, she knew was meeting her friends in a few hours, but she also knew that it was of a high likelihood Priscilla would find something she was expected to do that morning.
Cassia opted for an outfit that was fancy but still had an element of comfort to it, so that she could keep up appearances whilst remaining comfortable.
"Oh good morning! Oh Miss Snow, you're already up. I trust you had a good night sleep" she nodded, once again she questioned how much Priscilla knew. "Now, breakfast is being served whenever you're ready for it, your grandfather wishes to speak with you after. He wants to meet in his office to discuss your idea about improving the state shelter system" her eyes widened in shock. She didn't expect her grandfather to actually listen to her idea. "And then of course you have your lunch with your friends, you need to be home by ten after that" Cassia nodded, with that Priscilla turned on the heel of her pointed shoes and left. After a moment of thought, pondering her grandfathers choices, Cassia left her room to venture to breakfast.
"Cass! Oh how was the party! Was it fun!" Credence swarmed her with questions as she sat down next to him, she chuckled slightly and smiled at him.
"It was wonderful Cree" he looked off into the abyss, a dream filled look on his face. Cassie laughs slightly, pancakes and bacon were what they were served for breakfast. It was delicious.
A short while later, Cassia was knocking on her grandfathers door, awaiting the conversation she'd been anticipating since Priscilla informed her of it.
"Enter dear" her grandfather commanded, the teenager hurriedly obeyed. Entering the room and taking a seat in front of him. "Now, I have decided to see how your idea plays out. The cabinet think it would improve the entertainment factor of the games" Cassia didn't like his reasoning but whatever got him on board with her plan, "now, your presentation is tomorrow? Yes?" She nodded, "alright, Tuesday you will begin your tour of the districts. I suspect it shall last a week or two, possibly threeYou shall visit each district for a day or two and evaluate their shelter system. You shall then produce a report for the cabinet and they will decide whether or not to follow your suggestions" she nodded, a smile on her face. "I shall have Priscilla travel with you and control your schedule" she nodded in return at her grandfather. "You will spend more time in the safer districts" she nodded, one, two and four. The district's that were closest to the Capitol, not geographically. But through relationship.
"Thank you grandpa" she smiled, he nodded at her,
"You're welcome dear, you will be expected to complete your school work whilst there dear, it will all be sent to your pad and you simply must complete it" she nodded, and with that he dismissed her.
Cassia rested her head against the window of the car as she was driven to the restaurant. Her brain pondered all the thoughts of what her upcoming week would look like. She'd only been to district four, and she hadn't been there long.
"We're here Miss Snow" She looked out to see her friends smiling at her, hurriedly she exited and ran over to them.
"Oh Cass!" Jade hurried over, pulling her into a hug, Cassia smiled and hugged her back tight. The rest of their friends joined within seconds, the large group hug on the street caught the attention of many bystanders. They all laughed, smiling broadly.
"Oh come on! Let's get inside!" Grace hooked her arm in Cassia's and led her inside, the teenagers all laughed.
They were seated immediately, perks of being a part of the presidential family. They group talked about a myriad of things, from Haylo's idea for his science project to Grace's latest hyper fixation. Cassia didn't dare reveal to them all about her conversation with her grandfather or about her ever growing obsession with Finnick Odair. He simply wouldn't leave her mind, it drove her crazy.
"Cass? You okay?" Jade whispered, she turned to look at her best friend. The rest of their friend group was still immersed in conversation,
"Yeah... just stupid hot victors taking up my brain" Jade smirked and nudged her gently, Cassia responded with an eye roll. She didn't understand why it was such a pressing issue that Finnick Odair was occupying her thoughts. He was an attractive person who she had spoken to several times over the last week. Week. It had only been a week since she met him. It felt longer than that.
"I'd say go for it" Cassia eyed her best friend, suspiciously. Surely, Jade couldn't have been shhhesting that Cassia attempt to start a relationship with someone from the districts, especially with her views of them, "what have you got to lose? Besides, the Victors are the more.... You know, of the districts... still district but better" Cassia rolled her eyes, she understood that she was supposed to view the districts as less but the more time she spent with Finnick Odair made her question this more than ever before. She'd started believing the Victor ideology after befriending Cashmere, Gloss and Enobaria, but Finnick was making her rethink everything.
"Yeah sure" she scoffed, Jade laughed and the two rejoined the larger conversation that was taking place.
"So I'm just saying, if Prince would so let him hit it!" Both Cassia and Jade felt their eyes widen and they laughed in confusion, seconds later the rest of their friends joined in their laughter, it infected them as if it were a disease.
Before long, their lunch was over and Cassia and Jade were exploring the shopping centre.
"Oh! You'll never guess what" Cassia smiled, Jade looked up from the rack of heels she'd been examining, like a predator looking for prey. "Grandpa is sending me on a tour of the districts" Jade's eyes widened in horror, "it's for my state shelter scheme...." Jade sighed, a smile escaping onto her lips.
"Well that's good... say, if you happen to run into any hot victors like you know Jasper, or Thompson..." Thompson was a district two victor, he won the sixty seventh Hunger Games. He had deep brown hair and bright blue eyes, he was a Capitol Favourite. He'd brutally slaughtered nearly half of his fellow tributes. "Just put in a good word for me" Jade smiled sweetly, Cassia laughed and nodded.
"For sure" she was hoping she'd get to spend a few extra days in district four. And a few extra days with Finnick.
The day went by quickly and before Cassia knew it, her and Jade were preparing to give their presentation.
They both raced over notes in hushed tones as they were given some last minute practise time, but no matter how much Cassia tried, she couldn't get Finnick Odair out of her mind.
"I don't have all day girls" Gaul snarled, they turned to face him, the classroom was empty besides the man sitting in front of them. He looked exceptionally delighted to be there, not.
"Sorry" Jade chimed, they stood next to one another, he was lazily flicking through the report they'd written.
"Yes well this work seems decent, now present" Cassia coughed slightly,
"The tenth Hunger Games marked the turning point for what would become a celebration that this year celebrates its seventieth year" Cassia started, Jade got ready to continue,
"So, why did this turning point happen, well up until this point. The games were disliked by many, no one found an interest and no one wanted to watch them" Jade explained, allowing Cassie to take over.
"So many new initiatives were introduced, like the mentorship programme, sponsors, tribute interviews. And then after these games, even more came about. Thr victory tour, rewards for the winning district"
"That's when the games became a celebration, when the districts were given something to root for" he stated at them, small smile attempting to swarm his face.
"I hate to say you've done well, so I won't. I shall see you tomorrow Miss Dovecote, Miss Snow, take care on your trip" they thanked him before hurrying off, the two girls hugged one another once they'd left the room, Cassia didn't particularly enjoy public speaking, but she could do it quite well. Relief washed over her and she could see it in Jade's eyes too, they'd made it through their project. They'd survived, now Cassia had a whole new adventure to look forward to.