This is my first FanFic, so reviews are much appreciated :) let me know how you like it….and how to improve :)
"Marlhy, let's go! The reaping is in 2 hours, and we haven't even gotten in the water yet!" Annie, my best friend, is standing at the edge of the pier. I look over at her, with her long, dark brown hair, tan skin and sea green eyes. I have almost identical looks, the only difference being my long, wavy tresses having a golden blond color opposed to her layers of brown and auburn.
"Hold on a second! It's not like you'll never see the ocean again." I mean this as a joke, but as soon as I say it, I realize the mistake I've made; I can see it in her face, even if I am all the way at the end of the pier.
We go swimming every year before the reaping – Me, Annie, and Finnick. We have since we were 12. We always thought it was good luck. Until 3 years ago, the year we were all 14. It was a regular reaping day, the three of us at the beach. Finnick was more excited than usual to be there, and Annie said the exact same thing to him.
It's not like you'll ever see the ocean again, Finnick.
Then it happened. Finnick got reaped, at age 14, one of the youngest tributes that year. Annie and I were prepared to lose our best friend. Until that silver parachute arrived, containing a trident. 3 days later, we watched him be crowned victor.
"An, I-" I start on an apology, but Annie cuts me off before I can even begin.
"Mar, it's ok. Really." Annie gives me a sad smile. The Games were especially hard for her to watch. She's been in love with Finnick since we were 10. He never really showed any interest in anyone, but I always notice the look in his eye when he's with Annie. His already amazing sea-green eyes get a bit brighter, with a little twinkle you would be hard-pressed to find. I see it though. I can read him like a book. Really, I can read most people quite easily. I know they'll end up together one day. I can just tell.
"Alright I'll be there in one second. Finnick isn't even here yet. He's late. Again." I just have enough time to pull my white cover-up over my head before I hear his voice.
"And that's where you're wrong, Miss Marlhy Marin," Finnick smiles at me, calling me the stupid nickname he made up when we were in 5th grade. I don't respond, letting my over-exaggerated eye-roll do the talking. I tend to give Finnick a hard time for 2 reasons. First, he deserves if for being so conceited, even if he isn't serious about it. And second, Annie is too infatuated to be mean.
"Come on you two! I would love to get in the water before I'm as old as Mags!" Annie says this in the flirtiest voice she can, without being too obvious. She's amazing at this - flirting just enough, without being annoying about it.
"Relax, Cresta. We're coming. We always go before the reaping, and that isn't changing this year." Finnick still comes with us, even though he doesn't have to face the dreaded reaping every year. I think it's just because he wants to spend time with Annie, just in case. Either way, I'm glad he's here, even if I do give him a hard time.
"Whatever you say, Odair. But there's only so much time before it starts. None of us can afford to be late this year, especially you." Annie says, referring to the fact that this is Finnick's first year as a mentor. He'll be replacing Kai, the old mentor. It will be him and Mags this year.
I never understood why Mags mentored year after year. She's in hers seventies now, and has been mentoring every year since she was 20. She never married, choosing to live alone in her seaside mansion provided to her after becoming a victor. She's good at what she does, bringing home 3 winning tributes in the past 7 years. Including Finnick.
"Come on Finnick, let's go. An's growing impatient. And you know what happens next." As if right on cue, Annie's hands find her hips and her pink lips form a pout, perfected by years of practice.
"Alright," Finnick follows behind me, and we make our way down the pier. I've almost reached Annie when I feel myself being scooped off my feet.
"Finnick! Put me down! Finnick!" I punch his rock hard chest, doing no damage. Annie just stands there, bent over with laughter, as Finnick puts me over one shoulder like I'm 4 years old.
"Oh, Marlhy, you never learn, do you?" It's true. Every year he tosses either me or Annie in the water, and this year I guess it's my turn.
"Marls, you look ridiculous flopping around like-" Annie's words are cut off as Finnick picks her up as well. Now both of us are flailing around, even though we know it's pointless. Without warning, Finnick runs off the end of the pier into the cool blue ocean.
I love the feeling of being underwater. It's natural to me. My father always told me I was just like a mermaid when I was younger. That was before the accident.
I push the thought from my mind, and swim to the surface, where I come up just in time to see Annie splash Finnick. He has that twinkle in his eye, and she is beaming just staring at him. I almost feel like I'm intruding.
"Do you guys wanna just stay here or swim out deeper?" Annie is floating on her back now, letting the water lap up over her sea green bikini. She's had it for years, and says it's good luck. When I asked why, she said she was wearing it when she met Finnick.
"Let's just stay here. We don't have that much time anyway. Oh, and I promised Savannah I would curl her hair for the reaping, so I have to be back early." Savannah is my little sister. Well, she's not exactly little anymore. She just turned 14 last month. She knew my father even less than I did. She was only 3 at the time of the accident. I don't know if she even has any memories of him.
"Yeah, and I have to be there on time to. I'm a very important person these days." Finnick gives us that to-die-for smile, and without even looking I know that just made Annie's day.
We stay in the water for about 45 minutes before I realize I need to get home. Annie and Finnick say goodbye to me while I climb up onto the pier and make my way back to my bag sitting on the sand. The two of them don't need to leave yet, so they stay in the water.
I've just left the sand and stepped onto the sidewalk when I realize that I forgot to leave Annie and Finnick their reaping gifts. All I got them was some candy from the sweet shop, but I still want them to have it.
I make my way back to their stuff, but about half way there I stop. I smile, knowing how happy Annie is right now. 30 feet away from me standing on the pier are Annie and Finnick, wrapped in each other's arms, his lips on hers. She pulls away, leaning her forehead against his, and I know she's beaming. He kisses her again gently, and then grabs her hand.
I turn and walk away before they notice me. I can't bring myself to ruin this moment for them. All I know is that these next couple of weeks without Finnick will be torture for Annie.
Again, please review :) It's my first story and would love some feedback. Next Chapter will be up soon :)