Sea Foam and Turquoise

Summary: In which Annie and Finnick get their happy ending. A tale of how two unlikely people fell in love and survived the hardships of the Hunger Games.

Chapter 1: Falling Slowly (Glen Hansard)

"I don't know you

but I want you

all the more for that."

"Mom! I'm going to go hang out with Kelvin for the afternoon!" My big brother, Stephen, called out as he ran out the kitchen door after patting me on the head. Stephen's 6 years older than me. At 14, he's already almost taller than my dad, and he's still growing. Lately, he's been spending a significantly increasing amount of time with Kelvin Odair. His family lives in the house next to ours—they're a fishermen family too, only they use tridents, and we use and make nets.

I heard my mom's sweet voice call out, "Just don't be out too late sweetheart, mmkay?" She sighed when he just waved his hands. Leave it to Stephen to stress out mama when she's already busy as it is. Wintertime is rolling around, so many of the nets of other fishermen are wearing out and ripping from the stronger currents. Our family proudly has the best nets in District 4—all made by my mom, and now me as well. Papa and Stephen were usually the two out on the boats actually fishing.

I put my rope down, as I had just finished mastering the last of the knots my mom taught me. "Is there anything I can do?"

Mama smiled at me from across the room. "Oh Annie. I can always count on you," she handed me a thick rope. "Would you mind untying the rope on your father's boat and retying this new one instead? You know which rope I'm talking about right? The one attaching it to the dock!"

I nodded at her—Papa had shown me which ropes were which on a boat ride a few days ago. Right now, he was probably selling at the market and shipping some fish off to the Capitol. He usually arrived home just in time for supper.

"Good girl. I know you're a strong swimmer, darling. The currents are getting stronger though, so please be careful. Yell for help if you're in trouble!" She looked at me, a serious expression in her eyes.

I smiled and grabbed the rope from her and made my way to the dock. Papa's boat was at the farthest end, where the water got a bit deeper. As I walked on, I saw the younger of the Odair boys treading in the water with a spear, trying to catch a fish. His name is Finnick Odair—he's the boy that all of my friends fawn at and giggle about. Honestly though, he never really made an impression on me. I just don't see what all the fuss is about!

As I dive into the water, I immediately get to work untying the knots attaching the boat to the dock. I see the word Melinda written in fancy red paint. Melinda is my mom's name, and the name of our family boat. I smile at it for a moment, letting myself think about how proud my father was when he finished making the boat. I quickly get back to my task however, as I notice the waves growing bigger and bigger. My fingers struggle to get a good hold of the rope as I successfully untie the previous one. The water and the current make it rather difficult. After a few moments of struggling, I manage to get the rope fastened tightly. I smiled at my handiwork. Good job, Annie Cresta! Mama and Papa will be so proud when they see it tomorrow morning! My father's fishing trips only go from 5 am to 12 pm, when the waves are a bit calmer. Right now, it's 4 in the afternoon, and the current is starting to pick up.

Instead of basking in the water like I really wanted to do, I decided against it. I had already taken long enough, so I'm sure Mama's already worried. As I began to swim away, I got pulled back roughly. Waves were pulling me in, and I had carelessly let a piece of my bathing suit get stuck in one of my crazy knots. Shoot. I guess I will get to bask in the water after all. I'm scared. I'd like to think I'm a good swimmer, but the waves are starting to scare me. Panicked, I tried to yell for help, only to take in a mouthful of seawater. I don't want to die yet. I can't die yet! No! No! No—my thoughts are disrupted as I feel a pair of strong arms hold me, and suddenly I was on the shore coughing violently. After a few moments, I opened my eyes and saw bronze hair and big green eyes. The shade of green was gorgeous—like the foam left on the shore after a big wave. My favorite shade of green. I blinked a few more times, and suddenly I realized it was Finnick Odair looking at me, concerned.

Goodness, I'm disoriented. "What just happened?"

"Well, Ms. Annie, you got caught in one of your knots, so I saved you. I had to use my spear to cut off part of a string on your bathing suit though. Sorry about that."

All I could process was, "You know my name?"

He laughed at me again; his laugh sounded nice. I liked it. "Yes I do, Annie. Our parents have been friends for years. It'd be ridiculous of me not to."

"But we've never talked."

"That doesn't mean I can't know your name." I stared at him for a moment. "Now can you walk to your house, or do I have to carry you?" His sarcasm irritated me a bit.

I stuck my tongue out at him and laughed at his face; he looked offended. Then all of a sudden, BAM! He was carrying me on his back, and we were laughing the whole time, acting as if we'd been best friends for years.

He walked me to my house and knocked on the door. Immediately, my mom opened it, saw both of us soaking wet, and ushered us inside quickly.

I changed into another set of clothes after I handed Finnick some of Stephen's. Gratefully, he walked into the bathroom and changed. Once he got out, Mama, him, and I talked for a bit while snacking on some seaweed bread—she had insisted on him staying for a bit after saving my life. "I'm returning the favor, that's all!" Mama had said as she winked at me. What could she possibly mean with a wink? During the time we talked, I found out he's 10 (only 2 years older than me!), loves swimming, wants to wield a trident someday, and loves the color turquoise.

Sooner than I would have liked, it was suppertime and Finnick had to leave. Kelvin and Stephen were walking towards our house just as Finnick was exiting, and the two older boys exchanged confused looks.

As soon as Stephen closed the door behind him, he looked at me slyly. "So my little sister has a new crush?"

I blushed and shook my head furiously, but it was too late. I heard footsteps walk into the kitchen.

"Which young boy has charmed my daughter? I'll kill him!"

I groaned. Oh, Papa and his sarcasm.

Annie Cresta. She's only two years younger than me, but of course I've noticed her. All of my friends have. I remember seeing her for the first time when I was younger, thinking, "She's going to grow up to be really, really pretty." And she is. Even though she's only 8 right now, I already think she's becoming pretty. She has long brown hair that's always in a braid or a ponytail, and her eyes are huge! Not in a weird way, but in a pretty one. They're turquoise, and they remind me of the sea.

The first time I ever really thought about her looks though, is when I was walking in the hallways of School with my best friend Clyde Lockhart. He's Annie's age, but my dad and his dad are best friends, so I go fishing with him a lot. He always talked about this girl with the pretty eyes and dark hair, and I never really realized it was Annie until now. I had seen her a few times at school in the hallways or during breaks, and when Mrs. Cresta would come over every afternoon for tea. Annie occasionally tagged along to play with Jeanie, my little sister. I never really said hi to her, but mom would always talk about how lovely she is and how much our little Jeanie loves her.

Occasionally, I'd see dad and Mr. Cresta arrive home from work together. We're neighbors, and they're very close friends as well. Sometimes, I see them with Stephen and Kelvin—teaching them the art of netting as well as how to use a trident. Although the Crestas don't even use tridents to fish. My mom never really told me why Stephen and Kelvin were always together training, but inside, I knew. They're old enough to be reaped into the Hunger Games. Kelvin is 15, and Stephen is 14. I'm only 10. When will father start training me? In a way, I think he's already started.

Every year, just as winter hits its peak, District 4 has this big swim competition. Girls and boys are divided into age groups; you can enter from the ages 8 to 19. Many parents train their children to win, even though there is no prize money. People simply join to win. To prove their strength. In most cases, it's an excuse to train their kids for the Hunger Games. Although we are a Career district, we don't nearly flaunt it as much as Districts 1 and 2. Most people in District 4 loath the games. We simply train to survive.

Today is the swimming tournament. I haven't gotten the chance to talk to Annie after I saved her. I haven't seen her lately, but that might be because I've been training. This is my third year in the competition, and I've got first place in my division every time. After all, we Odairs never back down to a challenge. Since Kelvin gets first in his age division, I'm expected to also. And I do, every year.

My thoughts are stopped as I hear a knock on my door. It's Kelvin. "Finn! Mom and dad are already at the watch area! Clyde and the Crestas are here; we're walking with them!" The Crestas? Usually only Stephen races. Then again, Annie's 8 now. She qualifies for the youngest age division. But can she swim? If something happens, I don't think I'll be able to save her this time!

As I exit my house, I'm greeted immediately by a slap on the back from Clyde. He's nervous, since it's his first year too. He's in my age class—being in B1: ages 8-10. I grin at him, and we begin talking as we walk the half-mile to the beach by Town Square.

The two older boys walked ahead, caught up in some heated debate over who'd win in their age division this year. Clyde looks like a lovesick puppy, blushing at anything Annie says. She honestly doesn't say much though; she's rather quiet. Maybe she's nervous too?

"Cresta! Are you nervous for your first competition?" I ask her, my eyebrows raised.

She stared at me for a moment, "Just a bit."

Before I could reply, Clyde immediately jumps in. "Are you kidding me? Annie's the best swimmer in our class!"

"Is that so?" After our little encounter, I found that hard to believe.

She blushed a bit, "Yes, Odair. I'm a swimmer."

"I find that hard to believe after I had to save you a few days ago!"

"Well it was an accident! I didn't mean to get stuck to the rope!"

Clyde was confused and asked us to explain.

Calmly, I said, "Well you see, I was just spearing some fish when I heard some screaming. Annie got caught in her knots while the current picked up. Being the awesome hero that I am, I saved poor Annie here from drowning." For extra emphasis, I tapped her head. She pushed my hands off with a scowl.

"No way? I bet that's just because she was stuck. She's really fast, Finnick! It's crazy!" Is Clyde really siding with her now? Really?

"Well Mr. Odair, I'm sure I can prove myself to you when I get a better time than you during the race." Feisty.

"Is that a challenge, Cresta?"

"Oh, it is, Odair." I looked into her eyes. They were so, so blue. I think I zoned out a bit before realizing what was going on. She coughed a bit, and I stopped zoning out.

Shoot. Now I need to make sure I get a good race time. As we arrived to the beach, we waved to our families. My parents were with Annie's, and Clyde's were there as well. Annie and I were standing next to each other, and I swear I saw my dad and Mr. Cresta give each other weird looks, then laugh while our mothers shook their heads at them. Nice to see that at least they're getting along. We parted ways, and my eyes met Annie's as I shook my hands with her, and then she gave Clyde a hug. He practically died on the spot. While waiting in the boys' area for our division to race, there was only one thing on my mind. Her eyes look like the ocean, and I swear I'm drowning in them.

"Words fall through me

and always fool me

and I can't react."

Please review if you'd like me to continue the story, or if you have any thoughts, comments, or opinions in general. Thank you!

A/N: Hi guys! This is my first real fanfiction, which I plan on making rather long, as it progresses from the start of their friendship, all the way up until the end of Mockingjay, WHICH WILL HAVE A HAPPY ENDING. The Odesta OTP is in desperate need of a happy ending. HELL, I'M IN DESPERATE NEED OF THEM HAVING A HAPPY ENDING. There will be lots of drama, and it will follow plotline closely, however. I know the first chapter was a little choppy, but I really needed to introduce everything first. It'll get better, I promise! OH, and Annie Cresta is not depicted as a helpess girl in this fanfiction. I feel like people never realize how strong she truly is. She's not going to be entirely mad, but obviously the games affect her in a few ways. I absolutely adore this couple, and I'm making Annie a bit stronger in this FF than a lot of people make her seem. So hopefully, you guys like this interpretation of Annie.