I took a deep breath and plunged under again. I was a profound swimmer and the cool ocean was nice on a hot Sunday like this. No school. No duties. Perfect. I swam back up for another breath of air when I saw him. A perfect figure just sitting in the sand staring at the waves.

He was our newest victor and since he had won quite a few years ago, it was saying something. He was now nineteen years old and barely ever in district four. Even if he was here no one talked to him. He was just another one if the Capitals' pawns. We all were.

I was sixteen two years from being "free" of the burden of the games. I didn't think I would escape them. Every year my family needed more and more tesserae. I shuddered to think of what would happen to us when I was no longer eligible for the grain.

Not that winning the games (hah, very funny. I was trained with a knife. A short-range weapon. The careers would gut me alive) was any better. Just look at the poor man sitting on the beach. Finnick Odair. His eyes were dull now. I remember passing him in town and seeing them completely full of life, trying to charm his way to free sweets. The Games had taken that boy and crushed him.

While my thoughts had been distracting me the current had pulled me out further to the sea. Suddenly, a wave pushed me under. I struggled to get up for breath. I barely managed. "Help!" I screamed before another wave dunked me under. I couldn't get back up. This was it I thought. The games didn't get me. The ocean did.

My life flashed through my eyes and I truly saw the shadow the games had cast on my life.

It was then I felt strong capable arms wrap around me roughly pulling me up to the surface. I coughed and hacked barely able to see. My savior brought me back to shore and started giving me CPR. My eyes fluttered open and where met by Finnick's sea green ones. They shown with something I couldn't quite place. His bronze hair glowing in the afternoon sun. The tribute's bare chest showed a very formed six-pack.

"Are you okay? What's your name?" He kindly asked me. His deep baritone seeped concern.

I coughed again weakly getting the last of the water from my lungs. "Need mouth-to-mouth reception?" Finnick smirked.

"Maybe" I replied my voice sounded like it had been melted.

Finnick chuckled. "What is your name?"

I cleared my throat and responded," Annabell. Annabell Brewers."

"Well, Annabell, I was getting very worried for a minute there. You see I always get worried about pretty girls I rescue from drowning."

I blushed making Finnick grin. "So there have been others?" I asked innocently, recovering.

"None of them were as pretty as you of course. And there was that odd fat man with an skyward t-shirt tan..." He rambled off.

I fake gasped," you just described my Uncle Tom perfectly!"

Finnick looked shocked, completely flabbergasted.

I laughed before adding," Just Kidding." The tribute sighed in relief and that set me off again. I couldn't stop laughing and I just started sobbing.

Finnick tucked me closer and I finally calmed down. He rested his chin on my shoulder. Finnick then whispered in my ear," I like you Annabell Brewers."

I turned my head to look at him and he grabbed my chin and kissed me! His lips were warm and soft. And there his lips pressed against mine, I truly felt at home.

"You know something, Annabell? I believe in love at first sight."

I cocked my head peering at him through loving eyes. "Yeah?"

"Yeah", the tribute said kissing me again. It was a good kiss and definitely not the last.

Happy Birthday, "Annabell" ;)

This is for my real life best friend. Weird right. Anyway, I posted it!

Odd style of writing for me…

-S/H