I Found You After - A Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta FanFiction
I Can Write The Saddest Lines Tonight
Finnick would've found it funny if his father entered his room and sniggers over the fact that he was going back to school. He was already eighteen years old and the backpack that slung over his shoulders could've made his dad roar with laughter. He remembered clearly that Frank would've wanted him to work in Brueler's Dock like he did and eventually own a fishing business that would give Mr. Brueler a run for his money.
But of course, that was easily forgotten. Circumstances and fate didn't let the Odair household ever plan of building their own shack near the beach, nor even think of a better name than Brueler's Dock.
Although unlike his father, Natalia Odair would've appreciated the fact that he woke up at five thirty in the morning to prepare for his first day in class again. She would've woken up at five a.m. and see him off for his morning run and by the time he returns, a hot bowl of porridge would be there waiting for him on the dining table while he could hear her humming in the bathroom preparing his bath.
Finnick could also easily picture Dylan, his fourteen year-old brother, running down in the now grand staircase of their home just to impress him, and that even though not allowed to drink coffee, his adrenaline rush always left their parents in a slight disbelief.
"I'll race you to the gate, Fin!" Dylan would always say. He also took a liking in reminding Finnick of how many times he had beaten him. Forty two, to be exact. But of course Finnick would retaliate by saying that he was not even wearing his shoes yet when he sped off and announce the start of the race.
Finnick wondered why it was all so easy to remember every detail as if it all happened just yesterday if not a few minutes ago. He straightened out his blue shirt and looked back at his reflection in the mirror. Already, Finnick could see the lines of weariness drawing on his face. These were the moments he was thankful for a Capitol makeover. He combed his hair, put on his sneakers—with Dylan's laughter running through his brains—and finally took a deep breath. There was a first time for everything, he realized.
So, as he strode past the long corridor of his home in the Victor's Village, forgetting the memories haunting him day and night and unconsciously running his hand through his hair, he couldn't quite believe what his life had came out to be.
He was a Victor. He survived the Games.
And yet as he stepped outside to the sea breeze of District Four, he had never imagined someone as vulnerable as him at the moment.
Annie didn't know what was happening with all of the students of the Government School. It was a Wednesday. And Wednesdays were the days they usually serve Tuesday's leftovers and the seniors had History classes. Nothing whatsoever was great about a Wednesday—except maybe if their teacher, Mr. Grover, stopped threatening them with fish liver.
But of course, sending this kind of euphoria in the boring District Four Government School was not Mr. Grover and fish livers. As she looked from her locker to the oncoming person walking in the corridor, understanding caught up on her. She didn't look surprised nor even felt surprised. She knew this day was coming and that really, the emotion that overwhelmed her was doubt. She cannot understand why this had to happen. He didn't belong here. Not anymore, at least. Annie didn't know what good this setting could give to their school and to their District. It had been four years since he won and Annie was so sure that he would clearly prefer the Capitol life.
It had been four years since he won and not once after it was he able to bring home a new Victor for Four. Eight kids died in his hands because of his lack of self-discipline. He was better off from their District.
Silently, holding his head high, as if his popularity amongst the whole of Panem was not enough to prove his worth, he walked past Annie and her still opened locker. She was not sure as the other students were making unnecessary giggling and noises, but he greeted her with a small "hello" and nodded in her direction. Annie looked away, undermining the fact that her eyes had made contact to those same shade of green he possessed. She eliminated the little thoughts that crossed her mind for a few seconds about them reconciling their friendship. Again, it had been years. A lot of things had happened.
Closing her locker, with her best friend Linda Simmons, giving her a small smile, Annie walked in the opposite direction Finnick Odair was roving, wondering in her head how in the world someone could emit such amount of what only seem to be the stench of the Capitol.
"How's your first day?" A smirking Danny Cross clapped Finnick's shoulder as he made his way towards him from the small shack at Brueler's Dock. Danny's been working on the docks for years and from observing him hauling and tying, Finnick could not even think of anyone who could do a better job than Danny. Not even his father, Frank, could compete.
"That bad, Fin?" He continued as Finnick didn't respond and instead sat on the washed-out bench, removing his backback. "It would get better, don't worry."
"I highly doubt it."
"Oh, c'mon, Fin. How bad could it get? You are Finnick Odair!" Danny sat down beside him and laughed. "You of all people should know that. You are the star of the Capitol."
Finnick scowled and jokingly punched him. "That's the point, Danny. I cannot walk around the school without everyone gaping at me. It didn't help that Johnny couldn't keep his mouth shut."
"He loves basking in your glory."
"Unfortunately..."
Danny stared at the distance, the sky tainted with pink and orange hues. This time of the day, Elizabeth would be on her way from the market to bring him a tall bottle of milk from her dairy shop at the Wet Market and a small bundle of sea weed bread. What he would give to spend his lifetime with her...
"How's Liz?" Finnick asked, as if reading his mind.
Ever since Finnick's return from the Capitol a few days ago, he took the liberty of looking after him. Finnick, Danny had to admit, didn't seem like himself anymore ever since he started going to the Capitol for a few months in a year. He didn't know why Finnick had to go back, but it all seemed like some sort of a privilege. Anyhow, it's as if Finnick would prefer coming home in the Victor's Village knowing that only an empty house would welcome him.
"She's probably on her way now to deliver some snacks. I forgot to tell that you're here so might as well we share whatever she's brought."
"Nah, don't bother. I'm also on my way home. I just wanted to drop by."
Danny hesitated as he watched Finnick stand up and slung the straps of his bag on his shoulders. The young boy had always been like a younger brother to him. And he knew Lizzie, despite her small knowledge of Finnick's past, wouldn't mind having him on the house even just for a few days until Finnick can hold himself together again. Danny knew he couldn't heavily rely on Mags as she needed to rest, that old age of hers. But really, it was not a big deal to him. It was Finnick who made a big deal out of things.
"Finnick—"
"I know what you're going to say, Dan. Don't say it. I'll be fine, I promise."
Danny was not surprised. How many times did Finnick defer his help? How many times did he deny that he needed a hand? But then again, he was Finnick Odair. It even came from his own lips that Finnick Odair cannot show any signs of weakness, any signs of helplessness.
"Of course," Danny reluctantly agreed. "As always."
Finnick grinned at him and started to wave. As he did though, and as if right on cue, Elizabeth Fisher came running down from the other side of the docks and held Finnick in an embrace.
"So Danny wasn't lying! You are back!" She exhaled as they let go.
"Hello, Liz." Finnick chuckled.
"Well? How are you?" Elizabeth pulled off his backpack—Finnick complained but Elizabeth ignored him (to Danny' amusement)—and pulled him back to sit again with her and Danny on the bench.
"I'm... well, I'm okay, Liz."
"What did the Capitol want? Can't get enough of you, yeah?" She started pulling out the snacks from her linen bag and each gave Finnick and Danny bottles of milk and bundles of bread each.
"I heard from Linda Simmons that you were really at the school so I packed quite a lot. She dropped by at the store with Annie and—"
"Lizzie..." Danny murmured beside her.
"Oh, Fin. I'm so sorry."
Finnick chuckled lightly as he took a bite on his first bread. He shrugged and looked back at the couple. "'S okay, I saw her at school today."
"And?" Elizabeth inquired, receiving another look from Danny.
"Well," Finnick gulped the bread he was chewing. "She didn't glare at me. At least."
"Well, what did I tell you? She'll get over it somehow." Elizabeth replied happily and clapped her hands together.
"Not soon enough." Finnick replied.
Elizabeth bit her lip as he stared down at him. She looked back at Danny and he offered her a warning look: Don't push it, Lizzie.
She took a deep breath and sighed. "It would get better, don't worry."
Finnick slightly cringed as he heard her. He wondered for how many times did he have to hear it before it would finally sink in.
Linda Simmons tried her might to be the best friend for Annie. She was aware at how popular and beautiful Annie Cresta was and that no matter how much the latter tried to be modest about it, it cannot cover up the fact that Linda Simmons would always come in second. Of course, she didn't mind. She didn't want to be in Annie's position anyway.
It didn't come as a surprise to her that Finnick took a second look at her best friend when they were seven years old. Quite the pair they were, Linda recalled. But as she thought about it again, they never really became a couple. Yet.
Ever since Finnick won the Hunger Games, Annie started to drift away from him. Like being associated with Finnick Odair was the last thing Annie wanted. And being the best friend that she was, Linda Simmons supported Annie on her silent yet obvious hate on Finnick. But seeing Finnick Odair today at the Government School made Linda think twice about Annie's reluctance to the Victor. He was handsome, obviously, but that was not the point. Linda couldn't help but wonder why can't Annie see his efforts?
"You coming, Linds?" she heard Annie not far from her. After getting their milk rations from Elizabeth, that beautiful red-haired girl in the market, they decided to drop by at the West Beach where Annie usually spends time before her father docks at Brueler's. "It's almost night time, let's get going. My father might already be there."
"Of course." Linda shook her skirt to remove the beach sands and followed Annie to the shack not far away. They were silent, unusual for this routine of theirs, but Linda knew that Finnick's return to District Four bothered Annie a lot and she knew better than to distress her even more.
But of course, Linda thought as they got nearer to the shack, fate wouldn't take a lying down on Annie. Or Finnick for that matter.
"Oh, there you are, sweetheart." Willard Cresta bellowed at his daughter, while still clasping on the shoulder of a slightly nervous looking Finnick. "Look who I found here with Danny and Liz! Didn't mention he was coming back, did you?"
"Hello, daddy." Annie whispered silently. She nodded towards Elizabeth and Danny while casting Finnick a millisecond's worth of eye contact.
Linda wanted to roll her eyes and shake Annie to wake her senses.
But then again, she was Linda Simmons.
She was Annie Cresta's best friend. She supported the latter's silent yet obvious hate.
AN: Reviews are love. They keep writers going and well, er, writing! :)