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"Is it really impressive to watch someone throw an axe a few meters?" Matt questioned finding the whole thing quite humorous, Opal was going to answer his question but realised how hungry she was so instead she decided to cut off a small piece of pork and began to eat. After dinner, everyone headed to the small sitting area to watch the scores be announced on television. First, they show a picture of the tribute, then flash their score and name below it. Opal sits there and begins to bite her lip anxiously, blood once again fills her mouth but she ignores it as the first male tribute pops up on the screen 'Liam Anderson, score nine' the next tribute that catches Opal's attention is Sophie who scores a clear seven, she can't help but feel happy for the girl. Matt pulls an easy nine which took the girl by surprise, yes she knew the boy was strong but she wondered what other talents he could be hiding from her. Elizabeth lets out a squeal at the boy's score and begins to cheer and congratulate him.

The brunette-haired girl digs her fingernails into her palms as her image pops up the number four soon flashing onto the screen, Fergus looks at her with sympathy clear on his face as he gave her a reassuring rub on the arm. Opal soon returned to her chambers fitting snuggly under the covers the number four still flashing in her mind, she found it funny how it was so easy to fool the game makers. She soon drifts off feeling reprieved and relieved.

As dawn approached Opal lay in bed for a while, watching the orange sun rise above the tall buildings of the Capitol her mind couldn't help but wander back home. She wondered if Pearl was waiting at her doorstep confused about where her owner was, it saddened her to think of the hound but the dog could hunt for itself. Opal usually reserved Sundays for fishing and gathering plants it was easier that way, meaning she could spend most of the week trading at the hall or rooting through bins. She wondered if anyone back at the trading hall had missed trading for her fish, the woman who sold clothes would often trade the girl a new top for a few fish and a lure.

"Tomorrow is a big, big day!" Elizabeth calls out knocking on the teen's door with some force, Opal leans her head back against the headboard in defeat her eyes finding the ceiling. She soon gets up and takes a quick shower, then braids her hair into two piggy tails that sit neatly against her back. Matt keeps a fixed eye on Opal and the girl wants to ask why but soon hunger takes over curiosity, she sits down grabbing a bowl of stew. The stew had been made with chunks of lamb and dried plums, it wasn't exactly her favourite but the girl didn't mind finishing off the bowl. She then takes a big gulp of orange juice wiping her face.

"So what's going on today? are you coaching us for our interviews?" Opal questions earning a polite nod from Elizabeth.

Finnick sets aside his bowl showing that he is done "Each of you will have four hours with Elizabeth and then Matt will have four hours with Mags and you will have four hours with me." he says turning his attention to Opal for the last part. The brunette felt herself sink into her seat hearing that she would have to spend four hours with Elizabeth, what could the woman possibly have to tell her that would take four whole hours she would rather poke her eyes out with forks than have to listen to someone with a Capitol accent for that long "You will start with Elizabeth Opal."

The pair soon make their way to Opal's room and the woman quickly puts the girl in a full-length gown and high-heeled shoes, not the ones that she would be wearing for the actual interview, she began to instruct the girl on walking. The shoes almost cause Opal to cripple over, they are the most uncomfortable things she had ever worn they were worse to wear than her mother's old flats. The dress had been another entirely different problem for her it kept tangling around her shoes, so using some common sense she decides to hitch it up but like a vulture, Elizabeth swoops in swatting Opal's hands away "Not above the ankle!" she scolds. After an hour or so she finally gets the hang of it however Elizabeth decides that Opal's posture could use some serious work, as the girl often tended to hunch her back slightly and dip her head while walking "Smile more!" she commands making the unimpressed teen repeat hundreds of phrases starting with a smile.

By lunchtime Opal's legs were numb and tingly while her cheeks hurt from overuse "Well Opal that's the best I can do," Elizabeth sighs dramatically almost making the girl burst out into a fit of laughter "Just remember, Opal, you want the audience to like you."

"And do you think they will?" she questioned.

"Not if you eat like an animal and walk like a bear they won't. Think of them all as friends." Elizabeth said.

Opal shook her head not amused "They are betting on how long I will live! They are nowhere close to being my friends."

"Well, just try to pretend!" She snaps before composting herself her expression turns back into a gleaming one "See, like this. I am smiling at you even though you're being very aggravating."

"Yes, it's very convincing." Opal hissed kicking the heels off her feet not caring where they land, she hitches the skirt above her ankles stomping her way into the sitting area. Finnick turns and frowns at her confused, she now realises they are the only ones in the room.

"What's wrong?" he questions concerned, he had never seen the girl this firey since her outburst on the train. Opal remained silent taking the seat opposite Finnick, she clasped her hands to her face. The boy quickly moved seats to be next to her resting his hand softly against her back pulling her smaller frame close to him.

Her breathing became shaky like she was trying to fight back a breakdown "I'm so confused" she finally admitted, "I'm selfish, I want to go home so desperately that I am willing to put people and their families through unspeakable pain."

Finnick paused unsure of what to say, he was in the same situation as her just two years ago a part of him wished he could help Opal in more ways but he couldn't "I was going to give you this just before the games began," he began to speak his voice going quieter "but I think you need this now" Opal lifted her head from her palms only to see a necklace, it was completely silver apart from a chunk of opal that lay in the centre.

"Finnick, I-" she was lost for words, a part of her wondered how much he had paid for something like this, opal was far more expensive than diamonds. Words couldn't describe the overwhelming feeling building in her chest at the very sight of it "I don't know what to say..thank you."

He watched her facial expression soften as the last tear ran down her face "turn around." he spoke softly, the girl hesitated for a second before following his instructions, she pulled her hair to the side trying to hide the knot of excitement that was forming in her stomach, along with the goosebumps that ran up her pale arms. Finnicks hands found her neck, his warm fingers traced along her collarbone making the girl inhale sharply, although Opal couldn't see he grinned at her reaction fastening the clip. He placed his hands softly back onto her shoulders spinning the girl around to face him "It looks beautiful on you. I was told that Opal means hope, purity and truth your name fits you perfectly."

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The opal necklace 🥲❤️

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