Hi! This is my first FanFic...I welcome all criticism, ideas, and comments. Please review and give me eveything you think, positive and negative. Thank you so much. I also plan on updating AT LEAST once to twice a week if not more.

Chapter 1

I look at her small picture over the fire. I look at what she has left me, the tarnished pin resting in my hand. I don't care what people say, I look nothing like her, I am nothing like her. She would be disgusted by what I am, and what I will become. She was strong, I am weak, she was brave, I am a coward; she was inspirational, I move no one. She was the 'Girl on Fire.' I am me.

My mother rests her hand on my shoulder and kisses my cheek. "Come on, supper is on the table." I shove the pin in my pocket and sit down next to my father and Finnick Odair who seems to be at supper every night. I stare at my plate, but I have no want to eat. If anything I want to go to my room and pretend like I was born into a different family. One where I can be Athena, not Athena Mellark. I stare at my plate a moment longer and excuse myself from supper. I run up the stairs and turn to my room; Odair's footsteps follow behind me.

"Athena, I brought your plate...We can eat in your room." Like always Finnick's smile made me feel better. He hands me my plate of food and sits down on my bed, but his eye catches on what has been passed down to me, generation after generation. The letter that sits on my desk, yellow and weathered, next to the bow. Suddenly the pin in my pocket weighs much more than it should. I reach into my pocket and set it on the envelope.

"Aren't you going to open it?" I stare at the letter, no I tell myself, not today. I would rather not read the letter that will confirm my fears, knowing I would be a disappointment. I know she would write about being brave and courageous the very things I am not. I shake my head at Finnick and sit on the other end of my bed. Finnick smiles at me, as much as he tries to understand he doesn't. Finnick lives up to the name he was given, if his great-grandfather were to see him, he would be proud. They are almost identical from all of the pictures; the only difference is their eyes. Instead of his great-grandfather's sea-green, his eyes are a piercing dark blue almost black if you don't pay attention.

"Odair?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"Finnick, should I learn how to use the bow?" Whenever I say his first name he knows I'm serious. He sets his plate down and looks at the bow for a while.

"I think you should. Athena, you look so much like her, and she passed that bow and pin down to you. You owe her that much, to try and keep her legacy." I nod my head slightly, and set my plate down. I swallow the lump in my throat, "Finnick, will you help me?"

His smile widens, and the dimples in his cheeks make me feel warm. This is why he is my best friend, he knows me. He knows how to make all the insecurities go away. "Of course I will help you. I got the trident a few days ago. Maybe we can learn together."

"When do we start?"

"How about after dessert?

"You look like you're in love."

"Really? Why is that?"

"I swear your eyes are twinkling and your mouth is watering." I say.

"What can I say? I have a weakness for beautiful things."

"It's cake, Finnick." He laughs and cuts a large piece carefully setting it on his plate. I grab us each fork and sit on the counter.

"Your parents leave for the bakery?"

I shrug, "I think so. So do you know how to use a bow?"

"No. But I'm sure we will figure it out."

"I think I'm going to go home with you tonight. Your closer to school and my parents are gone by the time I wake up." Finnick nods and stuffs himself with cake.

"You're going to love my trident Athena. I have to show you the fish I caught with it. Every time I hold it, I can feel his power, you know." I nod and look toward the stairs, where her bow and quiver sits on my desk. Maybe this will make me strong, make me brave, make me inspirational, make me a girl on fire. Finnick bites his lip and slides off the counter, "we should head to my house and practice there.''

Finnick's house is nothing like anyone would expect. The first time I remember going to his house I assumed that his parents would be uptight and that they only had one or two children who kept their rooms immaculate and worked hard in school. I was very wrong. Finnick's mother, Curry, is one of the most loving, relaxed people I have ever met. She always smiles and adores all six of her children. Finnick's father, who I just call Sir, always smiles. That is more than I can say for my own stoic parents that only have supper with me twice a week. Whenever my own home is cold and lonely, I find a warm and lively home at the Odairs.

I step inside and warmth and love envelop me. Make- up is spread across the chairs, lipstick smeared on the dolls strewn across the floor, and small flour footprints are scattered across the floor. Curry's head pops out a doorway with flour in her hair and streamed across her face. "Hello Athena! Excuse the mess the girls and I were playing salon and we wanted some cookies so...that explains the flour everywhere."

"Hey Curry." I say extra cheery. She walks toward me and hugs me as tight as she can. "Oh are you having a sleep over?" I open my mouth to respond, but as usual Curry beats me to it. "Of course you are. The cookies should be finished soon if you would like some. Girls, Athena is here!"

Finnick's sisters see me and scream. I prepare for the hugs that I get from five little girls. They hit one by one hugging me tightly and kissing my cheek. Once I have been thoroughly hugged, I escape before the girls decide it's time to play salon with my hair and face and not the dolls.

I run up the stairs and turn sharply into Sir.

"Sorry, Sir."

He smiles and ruffles my hair, "don't worry kid. Make sure you two get to bed at a descent hour, can't have you slacking in school." My head bobbles a yes and I sprint into Finnick's door.

"Oh, that hurt." I gingerly rub my head.

"Looks like it." Finnick chuckles under his breath. I scowl at him. He brushes my cheek, surveys my head and smiles "Your head is fine."

I open the door and see it. The trident glistens in the light, the pointed edges capture my eyes as if demanding my attention, Finnick was right it's powerful.

"She is beautiful isn't she?"

"Amazing. Finnick, it's beautiful." He takes the trident and swings in the air, "I look good, huh?" I set my things down and carefully slip the bow out the bag. I pick it up and fit my fingers to the grooves created from years of use. My other hand slips along the string; I take a deep breath and pull back. I feel her, her power, her bravery, her courage. Another breath. I release the bow and look to Finnick.

"You haven't ever tried that before?"

"No, why?" I look at the bow in my hands.

"Because it looked like you use it all the time."

"Beginner's luck."

"No you're just like her." He smiles at me.

"No I'm not." I sound firm and serious.

"Yes. You are. You are the Girl on Fire." I know he says it to make me feel better, but pride surges through me. Maybe, just maybe, I am not a failure.