The classroom was boarding smoldering from the heat of both bodies and the sun. District 4 never had a cold day and in the birth of summer everyone was anxious to run out of class and into the cool serenity of the ocean. Finnick couldn't stop fidgeting in his seat, tapping the end of the pencil on his desk as he watched the clock above the teacher's head, whispering sweet promises to the minute hand if it would just move faster.

Finnick looked away from the clock just long enough to look out the window and stare out at the ocean, the white crested waves rolling into the sandy shore and receding back into the sparkling depths. He could almost feel the cool salt water rushing over him; see the multicolored fish darting around like spears to avoid his shadow fearing a shark or whale. He sighed, wanting nothing more than to run out and dive off the docks right into that big blue.

"Is there something more interesting than my lesson," the teacher started and Finnick tense thinking he had been caught until he continued with, "Ms. Cove?" Everyone turned their head to look to the center back row. Marina Cove, the daughter of a meager net-mender who had never really spoken a word throughout the year. Finnick had even forgotten she was in his class at all, he knew more about her father than he did her. She was a very plain looking girl, dark unbrushed hair wind-blown around her face and yet to be rearranged and large dark eyes that were only vaguely visible from behind the mass of hair on her head. She peeked over the edge of her book, glancing at all the eyes on her as she shifted in her seat.

"Uh," she replied sitting up a bit more and waving a hand through her hair tousling it even more. She wore a loose tank that revealed the strings of her bathing suit and long shorts, more cloth than some of the other female students wore and worn and tattered sneaker that squeaked when she moved her feet. "I mean, you're really interesting and all I just, uh, I like know this already so I thought um I could just," she shrugged, "read."

"Oh, oh you know all this? And how would you know it if I hadn't taught it?" The students looked from the teacher to the squeamish girl who looked extremely awkward wiggling in her seat in clothes that were too big and a mouth that couldn't seem to work right. She looked around nervously, glancing at all the students watching her and then up to the front of the room where the teacher stood with arms crossed over his chest. Marina pointed confusedly to the board behind the teacher, her head tilted as she dumbly responded,

"You- You just taught it." Finnick grinned and covered his mouth from laughing with the rest of the class. The teacher's arms fell to his side, spluttering over a response that would recover him from the blunder but the bell rang and everyone shot out of their seats like bullets, darting quickly for the door as the teacher called over their head an assignment he wanted after the Reaping. School would be out tomorrow, the Reaping always allowed school to be cancelled because everyone had to be in the Square for the drawing. Finnick grabbed his bag and looked over his shoulder to talk to Marina, the girl who silenced the teacher, but she was already gone. He frowned a bit and caught her just sneaking out of the classroom. He quickly pushed himself from the desk and hurried out after her, but somewhere between watching her walk out the door and him getting to the door, she had disappeared.

"Finnick! Hey Finnick we're going spear fishing, you in?" Titus called waving a hand over his head to get Finnick's attention. Finnick looked at the other teen boy then down either side of the hallway trying to find Marina, but he gave up quickly at the promise of spear fishing and hurried out to his friends. After all, he was young and he was in a prominent and gorgeous District. What did he have to be worried about?

"Meet your Tributes!" his voice was thunder in the microphone, the smile on his face echoed in his colored accented voice. His blue lips forming the names easily and the girl smiling proudly beside him, ready to face the world of an arena no matter the cost. A stunning and strong sixteen years old with hair of golden sand and eyes of stormy grey, she stood a great chance at winning.

"And Finnick Odair!" All eyes were on him, the fourteen year-old boy trying to hide his trembling hands and look as brave as the girl beside him. Finnick scanned the crowd seeing the smiles on his friends' faces. It was a great privilege to be chosen for the Games, but he didn't find any comfort in the smiling face and cheerful clapping of his friends. He found worry in his mother's eyes and heartache in his father's frown. Finnick gulped as he glanced to the women's side of Tributes and for a secret moment his eyes met Marina's dark eyes. She looked up from her feet, her dark hair blowing freely in the wind, across her young face and she smiled at him. He felt a laugh bubble in his chest when she quickly, awkwardly smiled and held up two thumbs up to him. He only found comfort in that simple gesture from a girl he didn't even know, because she seemed to be the only one that knew what he needed: luck.