CHAPTER FIVE ; PROMISE ME
"be tough minded but tenderhearted."
— h. jackson brown jr
IT WAS INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT DAY. juniper was nervous — she didn't know what she would perform for the game makers. she changed into a similar outfit as the day before, deciding on pulling her own hair back and into a bun. after tying her shoes, she exited her temporary bedroom and entered the dining area once again.
juniper stared blankly at the wooden table after she sat down in her seat, her fingers beginning to scratch at her wrist. she felt as if she was going to throw up. soon enough, it was time for the individual assessments.
after entering the waiting area, juniper sat beside maddox. she rested her elbows on her knees, placing her chin in her hands. she glanced over at alice, giving the young girl a small smile. alice smiled back. as time passed on, tributes entered the secluded room to present themselves for the game makers.
"district eight. maddox klimt. report for individual assessment." the intercom stated, juniper looked over at maddox as he stood up and slowly walked through the opening gates. they shut behind him. looking down at her shoes, juniper's nerves skyrocketed. she was next, and she still had no idea on what to do.
the intercom broke her train of thought. "district eight. juniper rose. report for individual assessment." she stood on shaky legs, clenching her jaw as she passed through the gates and into the assessment room.
an assortment of weapons were laid across one of the tables, dummies positioned a great distance away. on a different table was rope and a few other survival tools. there was a plant recognizing machine beside the table, juniper unsure of what to do. hesitantly, she glanced up at the game makers. "you may begin, juniper." she let out a shaky breath, eyes meeting seneca crane's.
slowly, juniper walked away from the blades. she approached the assortment of ropes, grabbing a few different colors and sizes. she slowly and absentmindedly weaved a net, doing an average job. she needed to throw off her opponents. getting a low score would do just that. looking up at the game makers, she realized that no one was watching her. soon, she was finished. after curtsying, she left the room and went for the elevator.
juniper traveled to her floor, going straight into her bedroom. she changed out of the training outfit and entered the bathroom. she was met with the grand shower and tub, stepping inside the glass walls. she stared at the control panel, pressing the temperature button. scalding hot water sprayed onto her body, her muscles tensing before relaxing.
finnick found himself pressing the elevator button for district eight, trying to put his conversation with cashmere, the female victor from district one, out of his mind. "this isn't right, finnick. she isn't your tribute."
finnick cleared the interaction from his mind once the elevator doors opened, his feet carrying him inside. finnick crossed his arms over his chest, walking over to cecelia who was positioned on the couch. sitting beside her, he let out a small sigh. finnick put his face in his hands, rubbing his eyes with his fingers. "where is she?" he quietly asked cecelia. the older woman motioned to juniper's bedroom with her head, finnick immediately standing up.
before he could walk away, cecelia grabbed his hand. finnick abruptly turned his head and looked down at her, eyebrows furrowed. "be careful, finnick. she might not come back." with that, finnick pulled his hand away without a word and advanced towards juniper's bedroom. knocking softly before opening the door, he entered.
juniper had just finished up in the shower, the bathroom door shielding her bare body from finnick. he shut the bedroom door behind him, leaning against the wall as he waited for her to exit the bathroom. the door opened, and juniper nearly screamed at the sight of someone in her bedroom. "jeez, finnick!"
she clutched her chest, holding the fluffy towel tight against her body. "you nearly gave me a heart attack." her cheeks turned pink from his burning gaze. juniper bit her lip, awkwardly clearing her throat. "give me just a second." she whispered, heading into the large closet full of clothes for her to wear.
finnick watched the girl with a small smirk, but turned around to give her even more privacy as she changed into appropriate clothing. he faced her once again after he heard her footsteps, taking in her appearance as she dried her hair with the towel. dressed in simple shorts and a sweater, he thought she looked beautiful. juniper glanced up at him, another blush returning to her cheeks. "what're you doing here?" she asked softly, setting the towel into the hamper beside her bathroom door. she sat on the edge of her bed, looking up at him. finnick walked over, sitting beside her. "i wanted to ask about the individual assessment." that wasn't the only reason.
juniper scoffed staring at her feet. she played with her fingers in her lap, taking a deep breath. "i tried to make a net — it ended up looking really horrible." she laughed softly, her eyes finally meeting his green iris stare. finnick couldn't help but smile, reaching in his pocket. he pulled out the chunk of rope he always found himself tying when he was nervous. "here, let me show you some knots."
juniper watched as his fingers nimbly and expertly moved, forming an assortment of knots. he tied and untied them with ease, handing the rope to juniper once finished. she attempted the first knot he showed, creating a sloppy tangle of rope that barely resembled his own. finnick chuckled, scooting back on the bed. juniper gave him a questioning gaze before she was pulled to sit between his legs, back pressed against his chest. his chin rested beside her ear, his arms wrapping around her waist.
finnick grabbed the rope from her hands, demonstrating how to tie the knot once again. however, once it was juniper's turned, he placed his hands on her own, helping guide her fingers to shape the rope into the correct position. they repeated the process for multiple knots, juniper watching finnick's hands. he couldn't help but stare at her with a smile.
juniper's hand movements faltered, the girl letting out a shaky breath. "can you promise me something, finnick?" she whispered quietly, turning her head to stare up at him. his eyebrows furrowed as he nodded his head, biting his lip with his gorgeous teeth. "what is it?" he asked, one of his hands reaching up to caress the side of her face. juniper grasped his other hand tightly, inhaling sharply and shakily.
"if i die in that arena — when i die . . . i need you to promise me that someone will watch over my grandmother. i'm her only living relative, finnick." juniper's eyes glossed over. "promise me, finnick." she whispered, her gaze locking with his own. finnick nodded, letting out a strangled sigh. he brushed back her wet hair with his fingers, swallowing the forming lump in his throat. "i promise."
finnick offered her a sad smile, watching as her body visibly relaxed in relief. her grip on his hand tightened, lips pursing as her gaze dropped to their conjoined fingers. "thank you." she breathed out, leaning into the touch of his hand on her cheek. finnick cleared his throat. "you need to be strong, juniper." he whispered, leaning forwards to press his lips against her hairline. "don't make me fulfill that promise. watch over her yourself — once you win."
juniper shut her eyes tightly, one of her hands moving up his forearm to grip his bicep. "you're too optimistic." she whispered, laughing dryly. finnick joined in on the distraught laughter, pulling away from her forehead to stare down at her facial features. "c'mon, let's keep working on these knots."
—
an hour or so later, after small fits of laughter and longing gazes between the victor and the tribute, it was time for the assessment results.
juniper stood in her bedroom, finnick in front of her. he let out a sigh, grasping one of her hands and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "everything will work out, okay?" he whispered, licking his lips. juniper slowly met his gaze, releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding. "i think i threw them off, finnick." she whispered, causing him to quirk his head to the side in confusion. "what do you mean?" his fingertips brushed a piece of hair from her eyes.
"if i get a low score, they won't view me as a threat — right?" she whispered, biting her lip. finnick couldn't help the smile that graced his features. "you're a clever one, aren't you?" juniper couldn't help but smile at his words, giving him a small nod. "i guess i am." he squeezed her hip before leading her towards the door. "i'll see you soon, okay?" he stated, juniper nodding. "see you soon." with that, finnick left her room and went straight to the elevator. juniper watched him, finnick sending her a wink just before the elevator doors closed.
juniper walked to the couch, sitting beside maddox as they watched the capitol seal appear on the screen. juniper pulled her knees to her chest, staring intently at the screen.
i. district one female — eight. district one male — ten. ii. district two female — six. district two male — eight. iii. district three female — nine. district three male — eight. iv. district four female — six. district four male — five. v. district five female — four. district five male — nine. vi. district six female — seven. district six male — six. vii. district seven female — five. district seven male — six. viii. district eight female — five. district eight male — four. ix. district nine female — five. district nine male — eight. x. district ten female — nine. district ten male — nine. xi. district eleven female — six. district eleven male — four. xii. district twelve female — four. district twelve male — seven.
maddox received a score of four. alice received a score of four. juniper received a score of five. she was beyond pleased.
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fifth chapter ; completed & edited!
word count ; 1,734
i hope you all enjoyed this chapter! i wanted some more fluff between juniper and finnick before she has to leave for the games! please vote, comment, and share — it would be much appreciated!
xx — criesinlahey