𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 | Hunger Games

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"THOSE WEREN'T MY TERMS." Aella whispered harshly, dipping her chin, while clutching the plastic cup of water in her hand. Rage flowed from every inch of her body. It had been a long while since she'd been so thoroughly wound up. Her companions had almost forgotten what it looked like when she reached her boiling point.

Her fingers itched to feel something sharp against them. She missed the sharp edge of a blade, missed the way it hurt when her skin split under the pressure. For years that had been her coping mechanism... pain. Physical, metaphorical, mental. It didn't matter what. Pain sated her anger, nothing else. All she had around her was a plastic cup and her finger nails.

At that thought her hands fisted into balls. She dug her nails into her palms as hard as she could while closing her eyes as the pain seared through her body.

"Aella." Clio hissed deeply, pulling her back to the surface, "Stop talking before you get yourself into trouble."

"I don't care." She snapped lowly. Their conversation was still contained between she, Clio, Finnick and Daniel around the dining table but the rage that rolled of the woman's shoulders was very much evident. People passed with caution. Some didn't dare look over, "Let her hear me. Maybe then she'll rethink her words."

"You can't threaten a president, Aella." Daniel warned her, forking whatever beige food was on his plate.

Slamming the cup on the table she locked eyes with him and growled, "Watch me."

The sound of the cup hitting the table echoed through the cafeteria though it wasn't loud enough to divert everyone's attention to her. Those on the surrounding tables peered over with curious eyes. Many looked away immediately when they saw the cold fury dancing in her icy blue irises.

"Alright, Ella," Finnick intervened dismissively. He picked up her cup after the water sloshed on the table, moved it away and leaned in, "It's just a negotiation."

Aella turned her head to the man who kept her level headed. Finnick saw the wild anger swimming in her eyes and he kept his face hard as stone. Aella wasn't one that was easily pacified. Usually it took the same level of fire to put her out.

"I didn't agree to a negotiation." She whispered harshly as she leaned toward him, "It's not fair, Finnick—"

"I didn't say it was." He interrupted her, "But right now your hands are tied," She scoffed bitterly and he shook his head, "Aella, you might think you can fix this but we're guests here. You need to remind yourself of that. They didn't have to rescue us after the Games but they did."

Aella's jaw set harshly, "I refuse to let her manipulate me into slaving away for her like he did."

Clio slipped her nimble fingers over Aella's shoulder and pulled back gently. Her eyes were soft and caring like they always were and she shook her head gently, "She's not trying to manipulate you, Aella." She reassured her, "It's okay."

"It's not okay!" Aella snapped loudly. Eyes turned to them again and this time she noticed them. She released a heavy breath and ran her fingers through her shorter hair before repeating in a quieter tone, "It's not okay."

"You can let your guard down here, Aella." Clio informed her, "They won't hurt you."

Claustrophobia hit Aella like a tidal wave and a heavy weight sat on her shoulders. She shrugged Clio's hand from her shoulder and sat back. Crowded. No air. Could she breathe? Yes. It just wasn't as clear as before. How long had it been different? She'd never noticed the difference in the air underground compared to what it was like overground. She'd never had to fight for it underground though. That's why it was suddenly different to her.. harder than usual.