A/N: This story is in both Annie's and Finnick's POV. I know this is a sequel to A Train Ride to Nowhere but if you didn't read that this should still be pretty easy to follow along.
Chapter One
ANNIE POV
"This one is your house Victor Annie." A peacekeeper says as they walk towards a generous sized house I'm Victors' Village.
She's been home for a month but they didn't have her house ready yet. They never explained why, but Annie got the gist it was because they didn't think she was going to win and they had every right to believe that. She didn't really mind but knows it is harder for her family when Annie is there. She wakes up screaming every night and her mother is uncomfortable when she just sits and stares all day. Her daughter was full of life before, but now she is like a broken shell.
Living in Victors' Village is supposed to be a reward for winning, but Annie has been dreading it for days. It's not because it's a reminder of winning, but because it feels like an island. The village is a forty minute walk to any other place in 4. All the shops, schools, and marinas are in town. The village does have a private beach and private marina, but there is no bait shop if you need fishing supplies or food shacks if you get hungry. Even if you lived in the outskirts of District 4 it wouldn't be a forty minute walk. It's almost as if they want the victors and normal citizens separated from each other.
"Don't you like it Victor Annie?" The peacekeeper repeats. She forgot someone else was here.
"The kitchen, yes it's lovely." Annie says not caring.
"Yes, like I said all new appliances and some of the other victors don't even have this equipment. The granite countertops are all new you're the first victor here to have them. Now, let's look at the common room, the fireplace is amazing and remember if there is something you want moved please don't hesitate to ask."
The kitchen has more cabinets than she will ever need and a fridge that she could never fill. The granite countertops and breakfast bar are too shiny for her liking. The place feels more like a museum than a house, everything is too perfect.
This house is too big just for one person, yes she isn't being forced to live alone but that is what's going to happen. She doesn't want to keep waking her family every night just because she has nightmares.
She knows it frightens them more than annoys them. She also knows their worries won't go away by her leaving but they can't make her stay either. This is her life now she has the life of a victor.
Annie remembers how quickly things changed when she came home. It wasn't the nightmares or flashbacks that got to her everything changed, even her daily routine.
Annie used to work in one of the popular ice cream stores in town. She didn't particularly like the job, but was just looking forward to some normalcy However, that didn't happen. She can still remember what the ice cream shop owner, Marco, said to her.
"Oh Miss. Annie what can I do for you today?" Marco says as she walks through the door.
She actually missed working here. She figures once she gets back to her old routine everything would feel at the very least okay.
"I wanted to see the schedule." Annie says slightly confused.
"Oh Miss. Annie you cannot work anymore." He says.
"Why not?" She asks annoyed.
She's heard him call every victor who comes in Miss. or Mr. she thought it was annoying then and it's even worse when he does it for her. The night before she left for the games he was scolding her for putting a flavor on the wrong shelf in the freezer and now he is almost kissing her ass just because she has a title.
"It is unsuitable for you, besides people would whisper that I am working you to death." He chuckles at this statement. "Now you are only a customer. I will give you something though it's a new flavor we are testing." Marco says and runs to the back. When he comes back out he is holding a pint and a spoon with ice cream on it.
Annie puts the spoon in her mouth.
"Banana." Annie says trying to hold her disgust. She has never liked bananas but she knows her brother would enjoy this.
"Is it to your liking?" Marco asks.
"It's very nice and creamy."
"Excellent, be sure to mention that to the other victors!" He says.
"Yeah I'll pass it along." Annie says and takes the pint.
She leaves the store feeling disappointed
The same thing happened when she showed up for the first day of school. The teachers told her she should be focusing on her talent because that is what victors do. They did say they would be more than happy to have her talk with students when they were discussing the Hunger Games.
So now her old life of working at the ice cream shop and going to school are over. She doesn't even know what she was going to do after school was over. Most of the boys are fishermen but the girls could have multiple jobs from sailing to waitressing. She had doors open to her but now there is only one door and she is being shoved through it.
"Just feel this rug Victor Annie-"
"Just call me Annie." Annie says and touches the rug. "Yes it's very soft." Annie says truthfully
"Now, I know it doesn't get very cold here but the fireplace can be nice for a quiet evening and is a tad romantic."
"Oh yes romance." Annie says not interested in that any longer. It would be hard for her to explain to someone why she acts the way she does. The only people who do are victors and she can't see having a romantic relationship with any of them. Annie thinks that is the reason the victors are all alone.
"Many people want to be with you Annie."
"Yes I've been told." Annie says unamused.
Which is the truth, secret love confessions from people she barely new have being coming up. It seemed like they didn't stop for weeks after she came back. She never thought one word could change how people view her so much. She was considered plain and too ordinary before. Now people think she is fabulous and interesting just because she went to the Capitol, just because she killed people.
"Here's the dining room, the table seats twelve-"
"Sorry I have business I need to attend to everything looks wonderful." Annie says wanting to be alone.
"Oh, I see well I'll give you your keys then." He says slightly disappointed that he didn't get to show her upstairs.
She nods.
"I just have one question." Annie says.
"What is it Annie?"
"What if I want furniture from my old house here."
"But this is the best that is offered right now-" He says baffled.
"I have sentimental ties to it." Annie says annoyed.
"Well that's okay I guess... you'll need to find someone to bring it here. I suggest you do it when you bring over everything else. It is rather far though-"
"Yes, I'm aware everything is far away from this place."
"There's a private beach-"
"I like the noise of others, but the sound of the waves is always the same wherever you are."
"Excellent well here are your keys." He says and hands them to her. "And congratulations."
She smiles fakely.
"Thank you."
He nods then leaves her new house.
She goes out to the deck to get a view of the ocean. This is one thing she does like, she didn't have an oceanfront house before.
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath of the salty air.
"This is perfect." Annie whispers.
The only thing she enjoys about her new house is the beachfront view.
"You're just paranoid, we put a lot of distance between the canyon and ourselves. Besides, I don't think the girl from 7-"
Aden's head topples to the ground and his body falls on top of hers. The hot blood spills all over Annie and-
Annie bolts awake and touches her chest to make sure there is no blood. It is just sweat instead.
Annie has been over this before but she always wonders what the whole sentence was going to be.
I don't think the girl from 7 is following us.
I don't think the girl from 7 came this way.
I don't think the girl from 7 is strong enough to take me down.
I don't think the girl from 7 is stupid enough to follow.
Annie lies back down and breathes in and out deeply.
"You'll never know what he was going to say." She says allowed.
That fact has plagued her almost every night. She's never going to know the answer either. No one can help her with this because only Aden-her district partner- knew. He died mid thought. in the blink of an eye it happened.
Annie tries to fall back asleep but it is useless.
The bed feels too soft and the covers too fluffy. She misses her slightly hard bed. She can get her pillow and covers from the house but she can't bring her bed.
She doesn't like the quiet either. She lived close to the docks so she could always hear boats coming in or leaving the marina. She could hear the bustling of people outside. She could hear her brother's snores through the thin walls. She misses the sound.
Here she can't hear anything no boats in the marina, no people outside, or her brother's annoying snores. She feels lonely without the sound. She feels alienated and cut off from everyone else, like her own private island. She's never liked islands and hates her house just the same.
Annie gets out of bed and opens all the windows in her room just trying to bring in some noise. The sound of the sea helps, but the wind is making it a chilly night. She suddenly likes that the covers are so fluffy, they will keep her warm from the chill.
I hate it here. She thinks to herself.
"Hello?! Little sister?! Do I have the right house!" A loud voice shouts.
Annie hears her brother shout from downstairs.
"Dawson." Annie says loudly so he doesn't wander off.
She goes to the stairwell and sees her brother standing at the bottom.
"This is a big house." He says with a smile.
Her brother is tall at 6'1 and has a muscular build from being a fishermen. He has brown hair like his sister and rough hands from tying knots all day.
She runs downstairs and hugs him tightly resting her head on his shoulder.
"How was last night?" He asks.
"It's too quiet here Dawson." She says and lets go of him.
"Well it's out in the middle of nowhere." Dawson says.
"I know, but sound helps. It makes it easier to block out the memories, block out the guilt."
"I-"
"You don't have to say anything." Annie says walking to her new kitchen knowing her brother is at a loss for words. You can't help someone if you don't fully understand and no matter how much she loves her brother he can never understand.
"Okay." He says and follows her to the kitchen. "Granite tabletops." Dawson says and runs his fingers on the counter.
"Yeah, apparently I'm the only victor in 4 to have them." Annie says and gets a glass of water.
She notices the large black chest in her foyer.
"That my stuff?" Annie asks and motions towards it.
"All I could take this time."
"I said I would help you."
"It's not everything Annie just the things I thought you would need the most."
"You bring my pillow?" She asks.
He smiles.
"And the teal blanket. I know they make you feel better." Dawson says.
Annie smiles not caring about having a security blanket at 18. She needs them now more than ever.
"I didn't know which clothes you wanted so Marina helped pick them out." Dawson says.
"I'm sure it's mostly sundresses." Annie says. Marina, their sister, loves sundresses. If she could that would be the only thing she would wear.
"She knows you don't like them as much so there are shorts. She picked out a swimsuit."
"I hope it's the one piece."
"It was green I think." Dawson says. "Once you eat breakfast we could go to the beach. I brought your skimboard."
A skimboard is a board used to glide across the water's surface to meet an incoming breaking wave, and ride it back to shore. It can also be used on the wash of waves without catching shore breaks.
Annie prefers the latter.
"Mine… that is all of ours." Annie says confused.
"You liked it the most."
Annie smiles.
"Maybe." Annie says.
"So you eat breakfast and we go to the beach."
Annie smiles
"Man, you're eager today." Annie says.
"We don't have to go to the beach." Dawson says but she can tell he is disappointed.
Annie smiles.
"You're just bored because you don't have to work any longer." Annie says.
No one in her family needs to work any longer. However, her Father is a proud man and won't accept a cent of her wages so he is still a fishermen. Her Mother, who worked at the bait shop quit and her brother who was a fishermen also quit. Annie predicted her Father wouldn't take her money so she wasn't offended. Marina still has school but she doesn't have to work a day in her life.
"I just wanted to see where my sister is going to be living now. I expect a house tour as well." He smiles. "Now, eat something." He says.
"I don't even have food here Dawson." Annie says.
"Your fridge is stocked I checked it earlier." He says.
"So you're a fridge snooper now." Annie teases and goes to open the fridge.
When she does it is fully stocked, stocked with more food than she will be able to eat before it goes bad. She doesn't even know how to cook everything in her fridge she lives off of fish and sometimes poultry. She has no idea what to do with beef or pork.
"Looks like they gave me everything." Annie says.
"Wonder who did the setup." Dawson says.
"I don't like thinking about stuff like that." Annie says.
He nods.
"You have eggs and fish. I could make you something and you could get dressed." He says.
Annie looks down noticing she is still in her nightgown.
"What's the point if we're just going to go to the beach."
"That's true." He says. "Then sit and watch me cook for you." Dawson says with a smile.
He works around her kitchen as if he's done it all his life. Even though he only briefly looked around. Dawson likes to cook and enjoys doing it for other people.
"Here." He says and places the fish and eggs in front of her.
"Thanks it's really good." Annie says after taking a bite.
"It was my pleasure."
"So what are you gonna do now that you don't have to work?" Annie asks.
"Right now I just want to relax, but I'm sure I'll come up with something."
"If you need money for something then let me know." Annie says.
"You never did tell us how much you won." Dawson says.
"I know." She says and he doesn't push it. "It's enough to last a lifetime." Annie says.
He nods.
After breakfast they get ready to go to the beach Annie's sister did pick out the green one piece for her, she didn't want to wear the purple two piece.
"Hey don't forget the sunscreen." Dawson says and throws some at her.
She notices the design and bottle. It's the same kind she got in the arena, the exact same kind. She always thought it was from the Capitol, but it was from here.
"Ann, you okay?" He asks because it looks like she is about to cry.
"I had this kind of sunscreen in the arena." Annie says.
"It's sold at almost every bait shop, any one of them could've sent it to you. Best bet would be the one Mom worked at." Dawson says and takes it from her. "You're home now."
"I know." Annie says. She opens the bottle and puts the lotion on. "Let's go." Annie says when she is ready.
Dawson takes the skimboard and Annie brings down a bag with towels and sunscreen.
They sit and Annie watches her brother on the skimboard. He glides through the water like a pro, just because Annie likes it more doesn't mean she is better.
She walks down to the water and stops her brother.
"My turn." Annie says and picks it up.
Annie falls twice before her brother bursts out laughing.
"So ungraceful." He booms and helps her up.
"Just because I liked it the best doesn't mean I was the best." Annie says and the board washes down the beach.
She notices someone chasing after it who is further down the beach.
"That Finnick?" He asks.
"God I hope so. I don't want to see Zayden in a bathing suit." Annie says referring to another victor.
She sits in the sand letting the water wash on her.
"Zayden looks pretty fit." Dawson points out.
Zayden is in his late forties but likes to live out the glory days. He stays in shape so he can keep up the image of still being a young man.
"He's in his late forties and I just don't want to talk with him, he's too serious."
"Never really talked to Zayden or some of the others."
Annie shrugs
When the person comes closer it is obvious that it's Finnick. He was clearly just swimming because the water is still sparkling on his skin.
Finnick gets on the board and skims down to them.
"Lose something." Finnick says and gets off the board.
"Hi Finnick." Annie says annoyed at his grin.
"Saw you fall down a couple times, wanted to make sure you weren't hurt." He teases.
"You and my brother." She mutters.
"Hey Finnick." Dawson says.
"Dawson good to see you." Finnick says.
"Be careful when you go to that side of the beach." He points behind him. "There are some turtle nests. We try and put markers like on the public beaches but we don't always find them."
"Turtles come on this beach." Annie says happily.
"Yeah, why wouldn't they?" Finnick says confused.
"She likes turtles, we once sat out all night during nesting season to try and catch a glimpse. We never saw a turtle laying her eggs but we have seen plenty of eggs hatch." Dawson says.
"A sea turtle stole my hat once." Finnick says.
Annie rolls her eyes.
"I'm going in the water to wash off." Annie says.
Her brother helps her up and watches her swim into the ocean.
She doesn't need to hear what they are saying to know what they are talking about. The only thing they have in common is her and they aren't exactly hiding the glimpses they keep giving her.
When Finnick walks away her brother comes into the water to join her.
"Talking about me?" She asks.
"Why, do you ask when you already know the answer." Dawson says.
"Was it anything bad?" She asks.
"No, he wanted to know about your house."
"My house?" She asks confused.
"I think he wants to check it out." Dawson says.
"Maybe he will one day." Annie says.
"I also thanked him for visiting you while you were at home. I could tell it helped you and I know you won't admit that but sometimes you wouldn't wake up screaming after he visited. I think it's because he's a victor." Dawson says.
After she came home he would visit her once or twice a week at her family's house. He didn't need too and her family's house isn't exactly close by. She doesn't view Finnick as the vain arrogant ass like she did before but is still surprised he came to check on her. None of the other victors did. Although she can't blame Mags and Finnick would pass on messages from her to Annie.
She sighs.
"We should go inside." Annie says and heads for the beach.
"Alright then." Dawson says knowing to drop the subject.
Annie knows her brother is right on some level but she doesn't know how to say it to Finnick.
FINNICK POV
"So Finnick how is that new victor of yours?" A woman holding a glass of champagne says. She's about thirty and is uncomfortably skinny. If Finnick didn't know any better he would think she has starving. He's seen tributes from the outer districts look this thin. He doesn't want to know or care why she is. Her purple hair and silvery nail polish is bad enough.
She wanted to be seen with Finnick at new restaurant that just opened. The restaurant is very expensive and fancy it has a nine course meal with custom menus each day. In this meal you can find something from every District.
"She enjoys the life but is still adjusting." Finnick says.
Lie. Finnick thinks to himself. Sometimes he likes to keep count of how many times he lies. The appetizers haven't even come out yet and he is up to ten.
Annie is still adjusting but hates it and like the others is traumatized. She isn't as kind as she was before the arena.
Lena, another victor, insists it's because they didn't know her well enough but Finnick believes that is not the case.
"That's lovely, maybe I should eat with her here." She says.
"This is more for romance though."
Lie.
This place is for anyone who can pay the ridiculous amount of money. Finnick knows this woman isn't paying for the meal but his time is probably twice the amount of this meal.
"I guess, I'm sure she would enjoy shopping with me." She says.
"Probably." Finnick says but has no idea what Annie enjoys.
"It would be fun. I bet I could talk to someone about it." She says.
"Yeah maybe." Finnick says and clears his throat.
The thought of Annie being sold like a slave makes him uneasy. He doesn't think a girl like her could handle it.
"Good." The woman says.
"Sir, madam your appetizers." The waiter says and places two small plates on the table. He takes off the lid. "Boiled balut with a chili garlic sauce."
Finnick crinkles his nose. He's heard of this stuff before but has never eaten it. Balut is a duck embryo and is supposed to be eaten from the shell but considering this is a fancy restaurant they put it in a fancy bowl smothered in sauce. It still looks unappealing though.
"You've eaten this before?" Finnick asks her.
"Once, it's all about the sauce though."
"I see." Finnick says staring at the thing.
"Don't be afraid, after all it's dead."
"I think I see feathers." He says.
She smiles.
"Just eat it… for me." She says with a sultry smile.
"Of course" Finnick says.
The taste isn't as terrible as he thought it would be. He was more worried about the texture. But the thought of eating a duck embryo makes his stomach crawl.
She smiles when Finnick is done
"See not so bad."
"Yeah I guess." Finnick coughs and drinks from his champagne glass.
"I'm sure it wasn't as bad as the bugs you had to eat in the arena."
"You got me there." Finnick says.
He doesn't consider it a lie because eating a duck embryo in a fancy restaurant compared to bugs in a death arena is better.
The rest of the dishes come out, some exotic and some standard. When the fish dish came out he was displeased. The snapper not only was flooded with too much sauce but had that freezer taste. Even though it was defined as fresh every citizen in District 4 would be able to tell it was frozen.
"So what did you like best?" She asks as the chocolate mousse comes out. It's topped with fresh raspberries.
"Well-"
"Wait let me guess, the fish right."
"No because I have fish all the time. If I had to choose it would be the prime rib or this dessert." Finnick says.
"The prime rib was my favorite too." She says with a smile.
He can't tell if she is lying, but wouldn't be surprised if she was.
Minutes after the dessert course is over she leaves the restaurant. Her car is waiting out front but she declines.
"Finnick and I will be going for a walk. Wait for my call to pick me up." She says to her driver.
"Yes Ma'am." The driver says with a smile.
"Where are we going?" Finnick asks nicely.
"I just want to get my picture taken with you a few times. I called the paparazzi and everything."
"I see." Finnick says this has happened before.
"Hold my hand." She says and laces her fingers with his. "Put your arm around my waist." She says and Finnick complies it's not like he has a choice.
She wants the perfect couple photo. He thinks to himself.
He wouldn't be surprised if he told her to kiss him in a minute. He wishes she wouldn't walk so fast, while the portion sizes of each course were small he is still feeling stuffed.
Finnick starts to notice the photographers.
"When we get to the street corner I want you to kiss me." She says softly.
"Of course." Finnick says.
They make it to the corner and he makes sure the kiss looks like something out of a romance novel to ensure it will get printed.
She smiles and kisses him on the cheek.
"Okay you can go home now." She says and pulls out her phone to call her driver.
"Bye." Finnick says.
She waves him away clearly no longer interested. She just wanted some time in the limelight.
Finnick heads to the subway to go back to his apartment. It wasn't a bad visit at all ,listening to her shallow gossip is better than pleasing someone.
He gets on the train and is hidden in the crowd of people. He would call everyone on the train a normal citizen. Even though they have strange colored skin and body enhancements these are the working people of the Capitol, not the elite. He's positive they get paid more than anyone in District 4, but it is probably a meager salary here.
Once he gets to his apartment he throws the keys on the counter and his jacket to the floor.
He lies down on the couch in his living room and soon falls asleep.
After a few days back from the Capitol he figures he should visit Annie. He has been visiting Annie since she came back. He was worried about her, even more so when she didn't get her house right away. He later found out it was just because she needed the newest kitchen appliances.
He still wanted to check on her though, she acted strange on the train ride home. She also said she wanted a victor to talk to and he said he would listen to her if she needed it. So far she hasn't needed it but she might one day.
The walk is a little long and the closer he gets to her house the smaller they get. Annie's family lives right near the docks. Her Father is a fishmern so it makes complete sense, everyone in Annie's neighborhood is a fishermen.
The smell of fish is probably the strongest in this part of the District. Finnick doesn't mind it even the rotting fish, he is probably one of the view people who likes the smell of fish.
Finnick knocks on the door.
It takes awhile before someone answers the door. He's been inside the house before and will admit it is cluttered.
When the door is opened he finds it to be Annie's Mother. Annie's mother is a small woman with brown hair that is starting to gray. She has smile lines on her face and Finnick can tell she is a loving Mother.
"Hi, is Annie here?" Finnick asks.
"Oh Finnick I'm sorry no her house is finally ready." She says with a smile.
"Okay sorry for bothering you." Finnick says.
"It's no bother. " She says. Finnick starts to walk away. "Finnick." She says loudly to make sure he heard her.
"Yes?" He asks walking back to her.
"Please check up on her. I'm worried about her and I don't always know how to help her. She slept better at night when you visited." She says.
Finnick smiles.
"I'll look out for her, she does live across the street now so it will be easier."
"Thank you." She says.
"My pleasure." He says and walks away.
Since he is already in town he figures he will go shopping. He needs new rope for his boat anyway, there is a private marina in the village but he likes keeping his boat in town.
"You got any of the fifty feet rope?" Finnick asks the stock boy because he can't find it.
"Sorry victor Finnick, we are all out but we have the hundred feet available."
"Nah I need the fifty." He says.
"Can I get you anything else then?" He asks.
"Is the owner here I want to thank him. He was a sponsor this year."
"Oh yes he liked victor Annie. Sam isn't here now, but I can pass along your thanks."
"Very good, thank you." Finnick says. He puts money in the tip jar even though he didn't buy anything. Usually after the games he goes around to all the businesses that gave money and thanks the owners but he hasn't gotten around to it yet. It's been almost a month so he feels guilty but half the sponsors he's never visited. The Victor's split up before the games and try to sell the tributes to shops they frequently visit. Lena goes to all the high end shopping centers which Finnick has never been in nor has the desire too.
He leaves the store and decides to go to the ice cream shop Annie used to work for. Her previous employer send a decent chunk of money to Annie. The owner didn't give any money to the male tribute, he only cared about Annie.
"Finnick." The girl behind the counter says.
He looks at her name tag and it says Luna. She was on the short list for people who where going to volunteer. Annie told Finnick that she convinced her friend Luna to not volunteer. This led to Annie going into the arena instead.
"Hey Luna." He says.
"Sir, what can I get for you?" She asks and is blushing.
"Sea salt ice cream, a pint." Finnick says.
"Right away sir." She says a little too happily.
A small fat man comes out from the back..
"Victor Finnick!" The owner, Marco, says.
"Hello Marco." Finnick says.
"What can I do for you today?" He asks.
"I'm just getting some ice cream."
"Good that's very good."
"I also wanted to thank you for giving Annie some money while she was in the games."
"Of course it was nothing, Annie is such a sweet girl and a hard worker. She deserves to be a victor."
"Why did you fire her then?" Finnick asks.
"A victor can't work with the common people Finnick you know that. I assumed she only asked because she just got back and wasn't used to the spoils of a victor. However she hasn't come in here since that day."
"Well-"
"I know, I'll give you a pint of double chocolate free of charge to give to Annie. That is her favorite flavor. I don't want her to think I stopped caring for her." Marco says.
"Okay, I'll pass the message along." Finnick says.
"Thank you. I just don't want any of the victors to be upset because of me." He says.
Luna walks out with Finnick's ice cream.
"Get a pint of double chocolate, it's for Annie." He says hurriedly to Luna.
"Okay." She says confused.
Marco rings him up and Finnick pays.
"Here you go." Lena says and puts the ice cream in a bag.
"Thank you victor Finnick." Marco says and goes to the back room.
"So you talk to Annie?" Luna asks.
"Sometimes." Finnick says.
"Tell her I say hi, tell her I miss her." Luna says.
"I'll pass it along." Finnick says and leaves the shop.
Later in the day Finnick notices Annie's brother dragging a black chest into Annie's house.
Finnick is glad she is getting settled and hopefully she will grow to like or at least tolerable living in the village.
Finnick looks to the clock and sees it is noon. It is a beautiful day today and figures he should go to the beach. He likes taking jogs early in the morning and sometimes a swim during the evening. Today he wants to just relax in the sun.
He goes in the water as soon as he gets to the beach. When he gets out of the water he notices a skimboard coming right towards his feet.
Finnick looks down the beach and sees two people a guy and a girl. If Finnick had to guess it would be Annie and her brother. Finnick is surprised she still enjoys to swim considering she drowned someone in the arena.
He decides to take it back to them.
He hasn't used a skimboard since he was fifteen. He kind of lost interest in playing games on the beach after he won. The desire of playing with childish things somehow seemed wrong.
He skims down towards them and splashes Annie a little.
"Lose something." Finnick says and gets off the board.
He smiles at her.
"Hi Finnick." Annie says.
"Saw you fall down a couple times wanted to make sure you weren't hurt." He teases.
"You and my brother." She mutters.
"Hey Finnick." Dawson says.
"Dawson good to see you." Finnick says.
Finnick appreciates Annie's brother. He is the kind of brother Finnick was, protecting his sister was his job and Finnick suspects Dawson is the same way.
Finnick smiles and remembers something about this beach.
"Be careful when you go to that side of the beach." Finnick points behind him. "There are some turtle nests. We try and put markers like on the public beaches but we don't always find them."
"Turtles come on this beach." Annie says happily.
"Yeah, why wouldn't they?" Finnick says confused. Turtles come to lay eggs on all the beaches in 4.
"She likes turtles, we once sat out all night during nesting season to try and catch a glimpse. We never saw a turtle laying her eggs but we have seen plenty of eggs hatch." Dawson says.
Finnick looks at Annie and can tell she is embarrassed.
"A sea turtle stole my hat once." Finnick notes.
The turtle just came out of nowhere and took his hat from the beach. When he tells the story to others he embellishes and adds drama, but a sea turtle did swim away with his hat.
Annie rolls her eyes not believing him.
"I'm going in the water to wash off." Annie says.
"Okay." Dawson says and watches her leave.
"Do you like living here?" Dawson asks him.
"Not at first mostly because it is far away from everything, but you get used to it."
Dawson nods.
"I'm worried about her being all alone out here. I'd offer to move in with her, but I know she will say no. She thinks our Father is proud for not taking any of her winnings but sometimes Annie is too. She doesn't want to admit when she needs help." Dawson says.
"Maybe she thinks she is being a burden." Finnick says.
"I would normally think that too but this time I think it's because we can't help her. She says things sometimes that I can't relate to at all."
"The arena, killing people."
"She doesn't talk about the people she killed, but I think that is what she dreams about." Dawson says.
"Well, don't worry I'll check on your sister from time to time."
"Thanks." Dawson says.
"Yup." Finnick says and leaves the beach.
When it turns to dusk Finnick figures he should visit Annie, her brother left a few hours ago. Besides, he wants to hear from her how the first night was.
He knocks on the door gently.
She opens it rather quickly startling him.
"Hi Finnick." Annie says. He isn't sure but thinks he can hear disappointment in her voice.
"Can I come in, i want to see what you did with your house."
"I guess." Annie says and lets him through. "I haven't really done anything though."
Finnick can tell by how bare the place is that she hasn't done anything with it. He wonders if all her stuff is here or if she just hasn't unpacked everything.
"So, how was the first night in the village?" Finnick asks.
"Quiet. I like noise. I like knowing other people exist out here. Why are victors so cut off from everyone else, do they want us to feel lonely?"
"I think it's more of a class thing. The rich and famous should only stay together." Finnick says.
The only other reason Finnick could think of was that this is the only place the houses could fit,but he has a feeling the rich and famous thing is a part as well.
"I don't like it. I want to go home." Annie says softly.
"You'll get used to it." Finnick says. He remembers he thought the same thing when he first came here. The difference is his family moved with him. He wasn't all alone like Annie is.
"I'm curious, what would happen if I didn't live here? Would I get punished somehow, or is it just another don't offended people from the Capitol thing." Annie says angrily.
"You would be offending the President." Finnick says.
Capitol citizen wouldn't know if she lived in the house but Snow would. Finnick doesn't think offended is the right word but will work for this purpose. Snow wants victors to stay in line and act the part. Annie doesn't know all of his tricks and demands yet but she will shortly.
"So?" Annie says confused.
"He's not a man you want to offend. "
"Why does he care where I live?"
"Because you're a victor, you represent 4 now."
"I always have, I'm not from anywhere else." Annie says confused.
"It's hard to explain, when you meet him on your Victory Tour you will probably understand."
She nods still confused.
"I hate it here." Annie says.
Finnick looks around and notices there are no personal touches.
"Well, you haven't really decorated. It still looks like a boring model home."
"I don't like knick knacks, it makes it harder to clean."
"Hire someone to clean then." Finnick says surprised she hasn't thought of this.
"Finnick." Annie says kind of annoyed.
"You have money and people who need money will come running."
Annie sighs
"I don't think I own any personal touches."
"Photographs?" He asks.
"The only one I have will be on my bedside table." Annie says.
"Well that's something." Finnick looks around. "This can't be all your stuff."
"My brother is coming by tomorrow with some of it."
"I'm sure you could fill up some of the bookshelves with something." Finnick says.
"Yeah I guess." Annie says. "If I ask you something will you get mad?" Annie asks.
"Depends on the question." Finnick says.
"Why do you keep checking in on me?" She asks.
He doesn't want to tell her it's because her family has asked, but he has his own reasons for visiting Annie.
"I was worried about you. During your last days in the Capitol and on the train ride home you seemed a little off. So I wanted to check on you to make sure you were okay. You seem a bit better now."
"Maybe a little."
"I told you, home would make you feel better." Finnick says.
"I guess." Annie says and Finnick smiles.
"Well, at least I don't have to walk across town to visit you now." Finnick says.
"Which house is yours?" Annie asks. She only knows that Lena is her next door neighbor.
"The one across the street." He says with a smile.
"Well if I ever need help I know who to run to." She says sarcastically.
"Like I said I'm here if you need someone to listen." Finnick says.
A/N: Okay, I've written Finnick and Annie stories before but this one will be a little different in regards to them falling for each other. Also expect the chapters to be longer than my usual length. Each of their POVs will probably be the usual length of a 'normal' chapter. See you next chapter have a good day!