This is my first attempt at a story on here, so reviews are welcome! I'll try update as much as I can. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: All work here is based off The Hunger Games trilogy, I have used characters on here and put into my own tale.
The streets of Panem had always lured Annie Cresta. The happy faces, the small stalls and stores alike that lined the streets, along with the breeze that everyone recognised with the city: the familiar humid air to be only washed away in the evening by the rain, thus clearing the humidity and leaving crisp air for the following day. But she had never wanted to move here. District Four was her home, the gentle sea breeze that caused her skin to tan, freckles being brought out during the summer months and appearing across her cheeks and nose as if they'd been sprinkled there. The fish mongers, the fishermen, the children who helped there father's fish and their mothers weave nets - never a bad word spoken about anyone: everybody knew everyone and Annie treasured her old home with her heart. But times changed, her hair no longer free and plaited into two plaits, her love of the ocean gradually fading and being replaced by a city life. Her father, a very wealthy businessmen, had been persuaded by head office to move here to extend his markets - thus bringing his family with him to their reluctance. It was change Annie was unsure she would cope with, her eyes scanning the streets as they passed through them in their car; a group of teenagers huddled together, a girl with dark long hair with a taller boy of similar age having his arm slung across her shoulders, another blonde by his side and a taller boy with golden hair. The scene caught her eyes but soon they had passed them, driving towards their new home.
'It has a lovely pool'
'It's a beautiful location'
'You'll love it, dear'.
But she wasn't easily convinced. Her friends back home meant the world to her, they were a close knit group - Jasmine, Tommy, Isobel and Jackson, all of them barely leaving each other's sides. This place would be different, the times were changing and she hadn't grown up with any of the other inhabitants here - a 'newbie' to the social circle. It didn't help matters that she was overly quiet and shy, the apples on her cheeks blushing red whenever a question was asked by someone whom she didn't know, so she tended to stay close to the ones she knew. It was then when she was pulled from her train of thought, the gentle tone of her mother's voice pulling her from thoughts.
"Annie, love, you'll be alright here, you know? I phoned the school before we left and they have a system where they get existing pupils to help the-" Annie groaned in response, putting her head into her hands. Now she really would stand out like a sore thumb.
"You didn't have to, mum. I would of been fine without help." She retorted, annoyed but not angry. Her mother had only tried to help her settle in after all - she couldn't fault her there.
"Apparently you'v got a rather lovely boy helping you look around; with the best of manners and ever-so-" Her voice faded as Annie returned to her thoughts. A boy? Oh god. She wasn't exactly the most comfortable around those of the opposite gender, too self conscious and nervous to often even speak to them. Obviously with the exception of Tommy and Jackson, but they were practically brothers to her. Swallowing, she just nodded to her mother's words, not really focussing as she drifted in and out of thought. She wasn't confident, or one to really make conversation unless she knew them, often being awkward and blushing and talking about something pointless which she would only embarrass herself more about. Yet of course, now she had the dread of knowing that she would be encountering one of them - even though she didn't want to cause an argument, there were tensions lingering in the air, all stressed and tired from the seven hour trip South from District Four to Panem. It was beautiful in District Four - the buildings were made of wood, gardens planted full with bright flowers, with picket fences and lakes and obviously the ocean. The coast there was stunning. Every night the sun lit the sky into a thousand colours, ranging from soft pinks to deep oranges, painting the sky in a range of colours which you would only imagine in films, or in books - painting pictures in the mind, she thought.
"Thanks, mum…" She then mumbled in response once she had finished. Oh how she wished to be home.
Hide your face. Don't bring attention to yourself. Stay calm. Try to make some impression on someone who you could count as a friend. Annie repeated these words before she entered the main office, a grey rucksack slung across one shoulder and her hair down, curled slightly and her outfit consisting of a pair of denim dungarees with a black and white striped t-shirt underneath, paired with her scruffy pair of white converse. The office was empty apart from the women at the desk, her head down as she typed something onto the screen before her. She lingered, should she interrupt her? Of course she should. It was then when the door opened again behind her, a tall, muscular figure of a boy of the same age appearing besides her. He had golden blonde hair with piercing green eyes, standing tall as he simply cleared his throat.
"Ms Appleby, I'm here for the new girl?" He queried, watching as the women lifted her head. Oh god. No. No. Anyone but him. Was all her thoughts came too, she recognised him, he was the taller boy she had seen hanging around with his friends the night before. So she swallowed, taking in a deep breath.
"Ahh, that's me. I think." Annie spoke up.
"Annie Cresta, from District Four? Living at…" The women behind the desk quickly searched something up, "Living at 45 Berol Avenue am I right?"
"That's me, it's nice to-" She was bluntly cut off.
"You're with him, off you go now."
Annie frowned in confusion, had she been rude? Surely not. But a blush crept to her cheeks nevertheless. The boy turned his head to look at the girl, taking her in with his bright eyes, Annie then awkwardly meeting his gaze in which she smiled at, before shrugging.
"Um… This wasn't my idea. My mum made me-"
The boy smiled boyishly, revealing his pearly white teeth. "Don't look so scared, I won't bite. You look like an elephant caught in headlights or something like that, whatever the saying is." He waved his hand in dismissal
"Elephant?" She asked, amused and this showing on her features, "Deer, you mean deer."
He could only smile brighter, "Similar, I was close. Both live outdoors and make noise - practically the same thing," he grinned. "But don't worry, it's not like I was made to do this…" This only unnerved Annie more, maybe she hated the idea of this place even more even though, admittedly, she did like the relaxed attitude this guy had. "I'm only joking. Come, now. You have…" He reached for the timetable Ms Appleby had printed out and left on the desk, his eyes looking over it briefly before he handed it to her, her hands shaking slightly as she accepted it with a quiet 'thank you'. "You have Chemistry first with Mr Crane. With one of my friends, too, lucky thing." He smiled. "You'll know who I mean when you see her, quite small, dark hair, freckles, don't say that I called her small though, she'd-" He ran his finger across his throat.
She smiled at this, he was friendly, after all. "What's her name?"
"Clove. She's lovely when you get to know her. Now, come on, we really have to get going." He told her, opening the door and letting her pass through and waving his free hand to Ms Appleby before he began to lead her through the vast expanses of Panem Community School. "Now, I'll leave you there and I'll come collect you five minutes before the end," he took in a deep breath, "Which means that we share a free period, which is great - me and you can get to know each other a little." He winked.
Her blush returned, but she raised a brow, "I don't even know you…"
"Exactly! That's the point!" He grinned before motioning towards one of the classrooms, "And here we are, I'll see you soon, Miss Annie Cresta."
"Er… Thank you…" She didn't know his name and as if reading her thoughts he bowed his head slightly.
"Finnick. Finnick Odair at your service." He purred. Maybe she would like this place, after all.
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