Hey Guys!

I've been wanting to do a fanfic about Annie and Finnick for the longest time and finally started it. They're my favorite characters in the story so believe me when I say I really don't want to mess up your guy's vision of how they fell in love.

Please Review and tell me what you think-but be nice :)

Obviously I don't own Annie or Finnick, but there are a few OC.

Thanks for reading and enjoy!

/Annie/

Seven years ago I watched Finnick Odair win the 65th annual Hunger Games. He was only fourteen, and was one of the youngest people to win. I remember seeing his gorgeous face lite up as they called his name, announcing he had just won. Relief fled over his face. Then remorse. My mother and sisters don't notice-they can't get past his fantastic looks. That look, showed me he was human. Most careers would scream and throw their fist into the air shouting in joy, but not Finnick. That expression on his face, despite heartbreaking, made me awed by Finnick. I think at that moment, my heart fell for him.

"Annie Cresta," Havel Finkle yells.

My heart sinks to my stomach.

I've dreamed this day thousands and thousands of times, but I never thought it would actually happen. I do what I've rehearsed in my head: wait for someone to volunteer for me. My heart pounds in my ears and I just count the number of them waiting for those words. The simple, "I volunteer myself!" Those simple words will make me more happy than anything.

One...Two...Three...

Nothing.

I'm only fifteen-there has to be someone else who wants to win. We are a career district-we almost always win along with one and two. Why aren't people volunteering for me? My mind starts to panic. You're going to die-or worse, you're going to kill other people! Just make an escape plan when you get there. Though that won't work the capital is stocked on guards.

"Annie Cresta, please come up to the podium." Havel snaps me out of my thoughts. Havel looks a bit dismayed as she calls my name again.

I shake my head, swallow the lump in my throat, and then put my head up high and then walk up to the podium. Each footstep seems like I'm walking to meet the grim reaper or something. Haven whispers congratulations, and offers me a hand shake but I pretend I don't see it. I don't want to be near her. This woman just took my life.

I gnaw at my cheek and dig my finger nails into my palms. Two obvious signs I was trying to contain my feelings.

What are my feelings? I list them. Hate, dismay, depression, horrified, angry, sad, mad, vengeful. Those feelings and more are all contained inside me, yet somehow I keep a straight face. There's no use in crying because no one here will pity you. There's no use scowling because people won't support you. The only thing you can do is face forward like nothings wrong.

Havel is still smiling, and pulls the next name. A boy named Cal, but he's only thirteen. So of course Cal gets a volunteer. Why did he get one and I didn't? The boy who volunteered for Cal is named Aindrias. His lips are in a grand smile as he walks up to the podium.

I know Aindrias, and he is going to win. He is seventeen years old, and finds the Hunger Games wildly entertaining. He is tall, incredibly strong from working on fishing all day, and training in secret. This is what he's always wanted, to be the victor. It is his dream, and purpose. He has blonde hair and tan skin. His eyes are electric blue and he always has a smirk on his face.

He walks up, of course shakes Havel's hand, and then stands next to me. I glance at him through the corner of my eye. He catches my glance, smiles, and then does this little nod. Then he turns forward and smiles, his eyes glistening.

Through the giant crowd I see Finnick. His face twisted into a smile, but his eyes are not convincing. He seems sad, and his eyes just seem weary. I watch him unintentionally, and snarl as the girls all stare at him. He is even more gorgeous than before. His skin is tan, and his hair tousled and bronze. His eyes are the most amazing thing though, they are sea green. Unlike anything anyone's seen. Finnick Odair was nothing less than gorgeous. Ever. All the girls are staring at him, and a couple attempt to flirt, but he is ignoring them. Then it strikes me. Finnick Odair is our mentor. He is my mentor. I'm training with Finnick Odair? For a split second I feel happy and excited. I get to spend the last few days of my life with one of the people I admire most! Then another thought dreads me. He's going to have a front row seat at watching me die.

Finnick walks up on the podium, shakes Aindrias' hand, and then turns to me. He shakes my hand, and I feel the warmth of his hand on mine. It immediately soothes me from my panic, flooding ease through my body. I stare at him in the eye and get nearly mesmerized.

"Hi Finnick," I manage.

"Hi Annie," He responds, seeming to stumble over my name.

He lets go and the panic rushes back again. He's still next to me, and if I need support I can simply wrap my hand in his. Though I don't. I don't want him to think I'm like the other girls. I will not get all smitten over him every time he walks past. I promise myself this. He is my mentor an nothing more.

Havel goes on for about something, but I'm not listening. As soon as we walk off I know it's time for the goodbyes, and I knew this is going to be the worst part. Not because I'll miss them, but because no one is coming. I'm not really friends with anyone, and I've always been disconnected from my family.

I am surprised when my mom walks through the door. Her long brown hair is down to her waist, and is stick straight. Her mouth is thin, and remains in a straight line. She is fit, unlike me, her abs are tight, and her upper body strength is appalling. No wonder I'm a disappointment.

"Hi darling," She is no sadness in her eyes, no fear. That's because she doesn't care. She doesn't care if I die.

"Where's everyone else?" I ask.

"Your sisters thought it would be better if they didn't come," She says, no emotion in her voice.

"That's nice," I murmur.

She sat in the chair and folded her hands on her lap. "Win for your father, he'll be rooting for you," She says.

I grimace. My father works at the capitol, and truly, he is an disappointment to me. He always supported the games and never visits us.

My mother waits for a conversation starter, but nothing comes up, so she says good luck and then leaves.

I beam at the chair for a while, feeling a tear go down my cheek. I twist a strand of my black wavy hair into a spiral, and then release it. I do it again, and again, as more tears flow.

Then the door opens. I stiffen up, whip my eyes, and see it's Finnick.

My heart sinks. "It's time to go?" I say, almost not a question.

Finnick surprises me when he shakes his head. "We still have five more minutes. I thought I'd come and make sure you were okay."

"Why is that?" I ask, seeing if was actually bold enough to really say the answer.

"You didn't have a lot of people come and visit," He says. "I know how that feels," He grabs my hand, a sign of sensitivity.

The relief drains me from all my trouble again.

"How?" I whisper, my voice cracking.

"I didn't have anyone either. Really, I'm not lying. I know how hard this is for you. I was a younger one too, and that makes us similar. I knew when I saw you that you aren't going to have an easy time with this-"

"I don't support the Hunger Games," I interrupt flatly.

Finnick nods. "Me neither. I just want you to know that I will do everything, and I mean everything to keep you alive."

What does he mean? Were mentors allowed to do this?

I stare at Finnick for a second, and see a different person than what everyone else sees. He's a human, he's got feelings. I feel connected to him. I only manage a nod.

I manage a nod. Finnick smiles, drops my hands and heads out to the door.

"Finnick!" I yell after him.

He pauses and then turns.

"I thought you weren't allowed to pick favorites." We both knew he didn't talk to Aindrias about this.

"I'm not. I'm not much of a person who follows the rules right?"

I nod but am still confused.

"But why?"

He smiles, winks at me opens the door and then before leaving says breezily, "Just be lucky you have a damn good mentor."

Okay, I hope you like it. Review so I know people are following it.

I really hope you like my interpretation and please, again, review.

Thanks :)

-New Lights