CHAPTER 20
A FLAW IN THE SYSTEM

THE horses stopped short in the same order they came in. Waiting at their spot was the District Seven team, all clapping their hands on a job well done. Nico jumped from the chariot first before helping Bex down, which then turned into everyone helping her due to the constriction of Iliana's chosen outfit. "If you can't move in it, then it's high fashion," Iliana said when Bex complained.

"Maybe I'm just not equipped for high fashion then," she replied once her feet were on the ground, earning a cackle from Nico.

"I beg to differ," the stylist argued, waving a paper fan in Bex's direction. "You two just ruled that parade! I'm so proud of both of you. That'll show the Capitol that Cinna isn't the only stylist that can make things happen." She added with a snooty huff.

Nico pointed to the chariot with his thumb. "Did you guys plan for that to happen? With the moving flowers?"

"Making the paper flowers blossom was easy," Phoenix explained. "Sprinkling in a little Capitol magic here and there can create wondrous things. The real roses, however, were flown in from an experimental farm in District Eleven, specializing in flowers made for Capitol events. These were all made just for you."

Bex lifted a brow. They had really gone above and beyond. Ever since Cinna and the District Twelve team made a statement in last year's Games, everyone was working their hardest to one-up them, including hers. Bex never would've thought in all her years that other Districts would try to compete with Twelve.

But Katniss Everdeen had sent out quite a spark, enough to have them all rattling.

"You guys did great," Johanna replied honestly before shooting a glare in Iliana's direction. "Much better than what I was forced to wear in my parade."

Iliana rolled her eyes. "We didn't have as much stiff competition then."

"Uh-huh." The mentor turned back to the older tributes before her, crossing her arms over her chest. "We should leave now and talk about the first training session tomorrow. Lots of sleep is needed."

Phoenix typed something into his touch-screen watch and faced his team. "We need to take the elevator in the Parade Center up a few flights to get to the garage. There's a private car waiting there to take us back to our living quarters."

"Great," Iliana clapped, placing a hand on Nico's back and guiding him forward.

Striding up to one of the horses, Bex said towards the rest of her team, "I'm going to stay behind for a minute. Gather my bearings. I'll meet you guys there."

They all nodded, but Bex couldn't help but notice the worried glance Johanna cast in her direction. It only lasted for a mere second, and her mentor reverted back to her usual scowl, sauntering to the elevator with Phoenix. Bex exhaled softly and turned to one of the Clydesdale horses. Its mane was pure black, while the rest of its fur was a rich, dark brown. The horse's eyes were distant, even as Bex brushed her hands over its long nose.

"Are you the same horse I had years ago?" She whispered, stroking softly. It was hard to tell. All of the horses looked the same every year. Bex viewed up at the animal and bit her lip hard, wonder if the Capitol killed off the horses every year too, just like their tributes.

She pursed her lips. "You deserve to be free. We all do."

The horse didn't reply. Bex gave it one last pat before venturing towards the elevator. As she struggled to make the short walk in her heels, she looked to the side and saw Finnick and Mags surrounded by their team. Instead of paying attention, Finnick's eyes were pinned on her, and he didn't dare to break contact once she saw him. Bex swallowed hard and began to hustle towards the elevator, eager to escape him.

He might try to talk to her if they ever got alone, and that was the last thing they should be doing in the Capitol. She couldn't talk to him – not now, maybe not ever – in fear that she would say too much, or she would miss his laugh all over again.

Bex punched the button to go up and the elevator doors opened immediately. She picked up her dress, walked inside, and pressed the button to the top floor. A breath of relief escaped her lips as she leaned back against the crystalline walls of the elevator. The doors inched closed.

But then a hand stopped them, pushing the doors open so he could shove himself in.

Bex refused to look at Finnick as she pressed herself against the wall. The elevator surprisingly felt smaller with only them inside. Finnick looked to his feet as he stood beside her, elbow brushing against hers. He pressed the button for the top floor again and the doors sealed shut.

They didn't utter a word to each other. The elevator seemed to move slower than usual.

Bex gripped the railing behind her, panic imploding in her stomach. She felt his stare burning into her, and she cursed herself for letting her own curiosity get the best of her. Bex's dark gaze met his sea-green irises, and she was done for. Completely done for.

"Bex," he began, voice as soft as silk.

She tried not to let temptation control her, but it was almost too enticing to look him down. No, she had to keep focus. Temptation would ruin her. And yet ... she couldn't help but breathe in his citrus scent, luring her back in.

"I'm sorry you're here," Finnick continued, causing Bex to blink and bring herself back. "I saw that you volunteered for Johanna. And I know you're scared about your brother and all –"

"Finnick, this is awkward enough," she sighed, watching the numbers on the screen go up and up.

His eyes narrowed. "I just want you to talk to me."

"Well, we can't exactly do that," she retorted. "Especially, not here."

"Fine," he muttered, an edge to his tone.

The doors opened, revealing the open parking garage. A line of cars were parked near the exit, and Bex eyed the sleek black one her team was currently cramming themselves into. She picked up her dress once again and walked out. But temptation always won her over, and she found herself looking over her shoulder at Finnick as he walked to his own car.

"See you tomorrow, Flower Girl," he smirked. "Meet you at the fishhook station."

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Bex grimaced as soon as she and Nico arrived for training the next day. The male from District Six, one of the Morphlings, was puking all over the first platform at the Gauntlets course. The large gymnasium already reeked of sweat, and now drug-induced vomit. Bex frowned and took a few steps into the Training Center with Nico. A couple of tributes were eyeing them maliciously.

Gloss from District One glared in her direction. Bex had hardly spoken a word to him, but the first time she met him, Gloss made quite a spectacle over her being friendly with his sister. He told Cashmere that they didn't associate with people from Seven, and considering the deadly scowl he was giving her right now, Bex could only assume he still thought that way.

Today was about making allies, even though some tributes didn't even bother to show up. Victors were cocky human beings. They probably thought training was a nuisance because they were already winners, but they would get a rude awakening once they entered the arena. Bex and Nico discussed all the tributes with their team last night. It seemed that a majority of the Victors Johanna said not to worry about were the exact same people that weren't present.

Bex blew out a sigh. "Remember: show your skills as much as you can. Talk around. But don't associate with One and Two. They're probably planning our deaths as we speak."

"I know, I know, Bex," Nico said while rolling his eyes. "I am older than you."

She chuckled and walked away from him. As she neared the shelter-making course, Bex tossed her head and said to Nico, "But who's smarter?"

Venturing further into the gym, Bex eyed the idle trainers lingering by each course. Their stares were cool and withdrawn, as if they were programmed robots. She wouldn't be surprised if that was true. There were fewer trainers than usual, most being replaced by holographic targets at each course. Looking up, Bex watched the Gamemakers eat and chat from their apartment above. They laughed heartily, acting like nothing was going on down below. Except for Plutarch Heavensbee, of course, who peered down at the tributes circling around the gymnasium. His eyes locked with Bex's and he smiled. She didn't return it.

Bex scanned the room and observed the other tributes. Enobaria was competing with her District Two partner, Brutus, at the spear station. They were trying to see how many targets they could hit with one spear. Peeta Mellark hesitantly watched from behind, waiting his turn. Nico headed for the camouflage station, where the two District Six tributes were now painting rock disguises on their skin. The male looked a bit shaken with sickness, but he still regarded Nico as if they were friends. Chaff and Seeder of District Eleven were calmly building together at the hammock-making section. Cecelia was currently trying to make a snare at the knot-tying station, while Cashmere and Gloss dominated the knife-wielding course.

As Cashmere balanced the point of a knife on her palm, she looked over her shoulder at Bex. She sent her a sad smile before turning back to her brother and propelling the knife forward. Her weapon hit multiple moving targets.

Bex turned around and walked in the opposite direction. Up ahead, she noticed Beetee and Wiress at the fire-starting station, struggling to break a long, thick stick of wood. Despite being the two smartest tribute in the Quell, they looked terribly perplexed. Bex exhaled softly and walked over to them, reaching out a hand. "Would you two like some help?"

The District Three tributes viewed up, but neither of them responded. Beetee pushed his black-rimmed glasses higher on his nose. He hesitated before handing Bex the stick. She smiled – and it was friendly, something she had always been told she struggled with at Capitol galas. Placing the stick on her knee, Bex pushed down and split the piece in two, handing Beetee the shorter stick. She tossed the other piece to the side and knelt down.

Today was about creating alliances, but she wasn't sure if Johanna would approve of the one she was currently trying to make.

"I've been splitting wood for years," Bex muttered, kneeling beside Wiress.

"Then perhaps you could teach us how to start a decent fire with matches," Beetee replied coolly. He stabbed the stick into a wooden log.

She shrugged. "I'm not used to igniting a fire like this. Sorry if I'm not a lot of help."

Wiress giggled, "You breaking the piece was help enough, dear."

"We just need to think of it this way." Beetee twisted the stick and rubbed his hands up and down, trying to create friction between the two pieces of wood. Smoke emerged, but not enough. "Friction generates heat. Heat generates fire. In theory, that is."

"You should move your hands downward."

The three tributes looked up and saw Katniss Everdeen standing above them. None of them moved or said a word. Sensing the awkwardness, Katniss motioned with her hands what Beetee should be doing. "And faster too," she added, sitting next to Bex.

Beetee arched a brow, but still followed her directions. He moved his hands down while pummeling the stick into the log. His action were faster, and more smoke materialized until a tiny flame grew before them.

Wiress gasped, "A little brute force –"

"– Is always helpful," Beetee finished before turning to Katniss. "Thanks for the tip."

Katniss bowed her head. She got to her knees, trying to stand, but Wiress pushed down on her shoulder. "By the corner of the table," she whispered, viewing up.

The other tributes followed her line of vision. She was staring at the Gamemakers watching them. Plutarch examined the gym while the rest of his friends continued with their party.

"Plutarch?" Bex asked. "He's Head Gamemaker."

"No, next to him," Wiress said, rubbing at her already-red nose.

Beetee lifted his glasses and squinted. A smile pulled at the edges of his cracked lips. "Ah, force field."

Katniss' expression twisted. She studied the Gamemakers' apartment further. "How do you know?"

"The shimmering," Beetee answered. "Top left-hand side. Look. There."

Beetee tilted Katniss' head as Wiress did the same for Bex. After narrowing her eyes, she was able to see it: the shimmering. It looked like glass if you kept staring. Bex couldn't stop. Plutarch's stare connected with hers again, causing her to blink and turn away immediately.

"You see it?" Beetee asked.

"Far too well," Bex replied. "But why?"

Wiress' voice turned grave. "To separate us and them."

"Probably my fault," Katniss huffed. "I shot an arrow at them last year."

Beetee continued to study the force field with precision. "Hmm ... electromagnetic. It's all electromagnetic."

Katniss cocked her head. "How can you tell?" The two District Three tributes shared a look and began to laugh. Bex's mouth went dry. "Is it obvious or something?"

Wiress giggled along, "They might as well have a sign."

"Look around you," Beetee instructed, and Bex casually turned her head around the room. "All the holograms, the lights – every now and then they flicker. Why?"

Bex eyed every station. Beetee was right. The holographic targets fizzled out every now and then. The lights flickered two at a time. But each instance only lasted for a second, not long enough for the untrained eye to notice.

"The force field is taking up too much energy," Katniss realized.

Beetee was grinning at both of them when Bex spun back to face him. "There's always a flaw in the system." He viewed between the two young Victors. "Thank you both for the help."

Bex simply nodded before getting to her feet and waving goodbye. She turned and walked forward, finding Nico with Peeta at the axe station. It looked like he was trying to teach him, but Nico had hardly lifted an axe in years. She wouldn't get in his way, though. Bex could wait and train there tomorrow.

But then, Katniss was in front of her, hands laced behind her back. Bex lifted a brow. Katniss spoke up before she could say anything, "I heard you're good with an axe."

Bex crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm okay."

"Haymitch says otherwise," she replied quickly. "He says you're good. Really good."

Her mentor – Haymitch Abernathy. Bex had never spoken to him, but he'd certainly educated his tributes well.

"Well, Haymitch ­–" Bex paused, finding Mags and Finnick where he said they'd be today: the fishhook station. She licked her lips and faced Katniss. "– Needs to mind his own business."

She tried to move past Katniss, but the Girl on Fire was persistent. It was a little confusing. Bex assumed she wouldn't want allies, but Katniss still grabbed her arm. "Can you teach me?" She asked, more politely. Bex didn't expect that tone from her. "Or at least show me the ropes. I can help you in return."

Bex met Finnick's eyes from across the room. He smiled.

"Maybe," she finally replied. Picking allies was very similar to attracting someone's attention at a Capitol party. You always had to keep them wanting more. Bex stepped around her. "I'll think about it. Find me tomorrow."

Katniss nodded. Bex hesitantly stepped towards the fishhook station. Her palms became sweaty all of a sudden. It wasn't smart to talk to him – especially with all the Gamemakers watching, especially with Plutarch's keen eyes. But she did it anyway. Her conscious was belligerent. She ignored it and continued to walk over. This was to help her in the Games, not for Finnick.

She wanted to scoff at her own lies.

Bex laid her hands flat on the steel table and smiled down at Mags while she worked. "I heard someone here could teach me a mean fishhook."

Mags lifted her head, eyeing Bex with confusion. She looked to Finnick and mumbled something under her breath. Bex heard she didn't talk very much, and when she did, it was usually a series of whispers. Probably due to a medical condition, like a past stroke.

Finnick grinned from ear-to-ear and laid a gentle hand on Mags' shoulder. He gestured to Bex. "Mags, I'd like to introduce you to Bex Nassar from District Seven. She's a ..."

"Good friend," Bex finished, one side of her mouth curling. Finnick rolled his eyes. "We're pretty good friends. It's nice to meet you, Mags. You're incredibly brave for what you did at the Reaping."

Mags smiled softly. She lifted a small hand and urged her to come over. Bex obliged, running to the elderly woman's side. She was already twisting together an intricate fishhook. It looked like art, like it belonged in a museum. Mags was known to make a fishhook out of anything, but Bex didn't expect them to be so pretty.

She felt Finnick's eyes on her back and glanced at him from over her shoulder. With a furrowed brow, he mouthed, Are we okay?

Bex didn't know how to respond to that. The Gamemakers' deadly glares were pinned on all of them. So she stayed quiet, but still offered Finnick a kind smile.

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A/N: we're in the thick of it now, guys! more bex and finnick tension is coming because I looooove to write tension lmao. sorry if you guys are getting sick of it, but it's important for the slowburn!