'Go to the beach, Annie. I'm sure it'll do you good, take your mind off of it for a moment,' her dad had said earlier this morning.
Yeah, right.

Sure, the weather was nice. The water felt cool on her feet, and Annie actually calmed down a bit after sitting on the sand, enjoying the sunset.
But it couldn't take her mind off the reaping.

How was the beach going to help her take her mind someplace else? This hellhole of thoughts, created by the Capitol...
Twenty-four children were forced to murder each other, and each year, Annie had a higher chance of being reaped. It was her fourth year now. Four little white slips with the name Annie Cresta written on them. Unlike most of the other kids in District four, Annie didn't have any siblings or cousins who were willing to take her place if she was reaped. Unlike the other districts, in one, two and four, you had to be direct family to volunteer.
She was lucky, in a way. Lucky that her family was wealthy enough to avoid having to buy tessarae. Her dad was a fisherman, and her mom made bread with seaweed. When Annie didn't have to worry about the reaping or the Games, she would worry about her future.

She didn't like fishing, or making nets, or ships in general. It just never appealed to her at all. Then again, she was born and raised in the Fishing District. It was inevitable. She could always... become a canner, or something.

Footsteps behind her. Annie should have known the reason why her dad sent her to the beach, of all things. Everyone knew that Finnick Odair came here every morning to breathe in the salty air and make some knots. She tried not to sigh, but it didn't work. Annie didn't want to see Finnick right now. He would make this moment worse. After winning his Games, Finnick had become cocky and arrogant. Every single girl in this district (and probably all the other districts too) was willing to throw herself at his feet if he commanded so, and he knew it. Annie's parents would tease her about the fact that Finnick only smiled at her, but Annie knew better than that. That arrogant, self-loving idiot smiled at every girl, her parents just never paid attention when he did.

'Hey, Annie.'
And there was the fact that he knew her name. She closed her eyes and gave him a sarcastic smile. 'Hello, Finnick.' When she opened her eyes after a while, she almost jumped back. His face was right in front of her, that stupid grin of his still plastered onto it. 'What, no nickname? Isn't it a special day today?'
Annie grunted and stood up, wiping some sand off of her skirt and the seagreen blanket she'd brought with her. 'I'm not in the mood, Finn. Unlike you, some people still have to worry about being reaped. Good day.' She tucked the blanket under her arm and walked away from the beach.
'It's really sexy when you call me that, Annie!'
She waved at him, without turning around.

A few minutes later, she arrived back home. Her house wasn't big, but it was big enough for three. They had decent piping, and decent beds. Their lives were decent, and Annie couldn't wish for more. At the end of the hallway, there was their living room. Anniew knew her parents would be there. She could go to the left, to her bedroom instead, but that would just delay the inevitable encounter. Thus, she decided to just face her parents, and walked into the living room.
Her dad immediately greeted her with a big, goofy smile on his face. 'And? How was your trip? Did you-' Annie cut him off immediately. 'I know why you recommended that, but I don't need a boyfriend. Especially not now, and especially not Finnick Odair, of all people. So thanks, but no thanks.' She knew she was being a bit rude. Her mother did too.

'Annie. Don't be rude to your father, he just wants what's best for you. Finnick is wealthy, and loved in the Capitol. Some networking won't do anyone harm.'
'Finnick can get anyone he wants, mom. If he, and I put the emphasis on if, wanted a girlfriend, he'd go for some Capitol girl, because of the exact reasons you just mentioned. He doesn't need me, and I don't want him. How could you even suggest that, when the reaping is today?'

Annie could tell her mom knew she had a point. She was rewarded with a sigh, and permission to get ready for that afternoon. She curtsied when she left, a thing she'd often done as a child to impress her parents with her good manners. Now, it was just a habit that made her parents smile. She walked into her room, the only place where she truly felt comfortable. Annie loved her room, she'd got to design it when she was younger. She tried to get her dad to buy her fairy lights, but it was too expensive, so she settled for some candles. Now that she was older, she was glad she'd made that decision: the candles gave her room a simple, elegant touch that no one could take away from her. Except, of course, the Capitol, if she was reaped. Annie let out a heavy sigh and banned the thoughts from her head. She looked at her closet, and took out the one dress her mother would find acceptable for today. It was a light blue dress, which existed of two halves: the top half was crocheted, with small sleeves and a white collar; the bottom half was a simple, pleated skirt. When she was done, Annie walked downstairs again, to allow her mom to pick out her jewelry and do her hair.

Her mom had picked out a simple, braided bracelet Annie's neighbour, Eisley, had once made for her. It was white and blue, so it matched her outfit perfectly. Annie watched her mom put a simple, teardrop pendant necklace on her, and smiled when she was done. 'Thanks, mom.' Her mom nodded, and played with Annie's hair for a bit.
'I won't do anything with it. You have beautiful, red hair that needs to be seen. You'll look special.'

And that moment, the clock tower hit eleven o'clock, and Annie and her family walked towards the Justice Building.