I have only been back from the games for a few weeks, yet everyone knows who I am. Girls and women alike giggle every time I walk by, or make pitiful flirting attempts I have to politely brush off. Due to this take refuge now on the quiet beach by my new house in the Victor's village.
I walk along the beach, thinking, my bare feet sinking in the sand slightly with each step. I stare out to sea. I wish. I wish I could return to the time before the Games, before the Reaping, when I was just 'the Odair boy.' When I was nobody special. When my hands where clean, my life was mine. When-
My thoughts are cut off when I crash into something. Not something actually, someone. I look down and my eyes meet hers for the first time, stormy sea meeting stormy sea.
"I'm sorry." We both say at the same time. And then I laugh, the first real laugh since before my name was called. She laughs with me, her dark hair blowing in the sea breeze. She must be at least a year younger than my 14, but she looks older than her time for some reason; maybe it was her deep eyes. She's beautiful.
Then she smiles and turns back, beginning to walk away. I stare after her in shock.
''Wait!'' I call to her. She turns back and stares at me expectantly. What should I say, I suddenly think ludicrously. Why are you not at my feet worshipping me? Why are you treating me like the old me, not who I'm supposed to be now?
''I… I don't know your name,'' is the best I can come up with. She looks amused by the question.
''My names Annie Cresta, Finnick.''
''So you do know my name.'' I grin, unable to stop myself. She shakes her head, the sound of her laugh carried away by the wind.
''It would be hard not to.'' She turns away again, but again I stop her.
''Annie!'' She raises her eyebrow at me. I pause for a few moments. ''Thank you.'' Is all I say. She looks at me, a quizzical expression passing her face. But she doesn't question what I'm thanking her for. She smiles again then continues on her way down the beach, her bare feet, like mine, sinking in the sand.