MISTER FINNICK ODAIR
The weather today is calm with a slight breeze in the air. I'm spending my afternoon today along the pier. Tonight's the annual yacht club party but I'm not too enthusiastic about it. It's going to be like every year like a party with food, music, and dancing but at least there's a firework display and yachting at the end. Tonight, it's held at my grandfather, Haymitch's house. I don't hate parties and I don't dislike it either. I just feel out of place especially when you have three siblings who are just so naturally good with strangers. I have Marvel the one who is naturally friendly, Rory who doesn't seem to fail at making people laugh, Gloss who's so naturally flirtatious with the ladies and there's me who is socially awkward and can't even seem to make a conversation with a stranger which is not awkward. However, no one in Starcreek is a stranger because everyone here knows everyone and everyone knows everything that happens. People here know each other which means knowing almost every fact about another person. News here travels in less than twenty-four hours flat which can be another way of saying once people know about your secret or a recent juicy gossip, there's no use of you or anyone covering it up because everyone here is bound to know in a day's time.
Anyway, just a fact before you meet my grandfather Haymitch; he likes to drink a lot. When I mean a lot, it means until he's drunk. So, tonight is going to be a rough night because there's going to be many types of alcoholic drinks tonight and Haymitch is bound to get drunk. However, Gloss placed a bet with my brothers and I that if Haymitch doesn't get drunk, we have to help him woo this girl he likes whose name is apparently Cashmere. If Haymitch does, he will have to straighten out the whole house. Gloss sounds really desperate because straightening out the house is like a death sentence. Haymitch has never cleaned the house since we were away for the summer and not to mention, the house is something like what you would see in a vampire movie just that you could picture it mashed up with a beach house. I know it's not exactly the nicest dream house but it's home. To be honest, I don't see why Gloss needs help from my brothers and I because he's the more likely to get a relationship easier than any of us. Though, Marvel does have this 'thing' going with this girl called Glimmer who's actually quite nice unlike the stories I've heard about her. Not every blonde girl with the almost perfect everything is a bitch even though they say she acts like one. Marvel says there's a difference between someone who is a bitch and someone who acts like one.
The evening of the party starts by Madame Sae arriving with all the food and Chaff who is Haymitch's close friend arriving with the drinks- yes, the alcoholic drinks as well because both of them tend to drink themselves silly most of the time. By half past six, the whole house is packed with people. I'm in one of moments when you are feeling alone in a crowded room. I don't have many friends and most of them are only hi and bye friends. They just don't understand who I am and I don't have anyone to talk to. My brothers don't really talk to me about these types of things however, Marvel understands me the most but he's slowly moving away from the family and by then, I won't have anyone to talk to. You would probably tell me to go out and be more sociable but people find me odd. The whole town does as well but I'm alright with it. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves right now with the loud country music and the food. I peer around from where I am standing and notice Haymitch taking a swig of whiskey while playing poker on the coffee table with his elderly friends, Marvel laughing with his girlfriend, Glimmer and a few of his buddies, Rory plotting another prank after putting a spider in Aunt Enoboria's hair, Gloss awkwardly standing close to where Cashmere and her friends are chatting, and someone who keeps watching me from across the room. Okay, maybe not watching but constantly glancing over at me. He has bronze coloured hair and tan skin which is something all the girls here in Starcreek likes (It's a proven fact by Gloss). From what I see, even if this stranger were pale, girls will still swoon. I accidentally make eye contact with him and he grins. I manage a little smile and a nod before quickly looking away. Mr Undersee who is our town mayor claps his hands and gets everyone's attention and announces that the dancing will be starting soon and asks everyone to find a partner. People start getting up from their chairs, making it very crowded. At this moment, I feel faint and feel a lack of oxygen so I literally push myself through the crowd to the door that leads out to the pier. I take a deep breath before leaning forward against the rail of the pier and admiring the deep sunset.
"Hey."
I turn around and notice it's the guy who was looking at me. "Um, hi."
"Claustrophobia?"
"I guess you can put it that way. I'm not a crowd person." I say.
He grins. "I haven't… seen you around here…before."
His words have pauses in between like the way some men talk in movies when they're trying to flirt. "Really? I've literally grew up here. I think that is something I should be saying to you."
"Well, I've been here since mid-June." He says while running a hand through his hair which looks more golden under the light of the sunset.
I smile before turning back to face the sunset; guessing he would probably return indoors because of my awkward conversation.
"I'm Finnick, by the way. Finnick Odair. What's yours?"
"Mine? Oh, I'm Annie. Cresta. Annie Cresta." I say while twirling my hair my finger. I guess I'm a little shy because no one really bothers to make a conversation with me besides my family and my handful of friends. Plus, Finnick is…somewhat handsome. I notice his incredible green eyes as he takes a few steps forward toward the railing.
"Wait, does that mean you're…the granddaughter of… Haymitch Abernathy?"
"Um, yes. He's…unusual, I know." I say uncomfortably. I don't really like talking about my grandfather to other people because I don't like the insults they make and I hate the way they judge him.
"No, I think he's alright. Haymitch is an interesting man. People with…alcohol problems have a…past that not many know." Finnick says.
I'm stunned. "No one has ever not judged him before."
"Really? That's…"
"Let's drop this subject." I say. I'm surprised at myself of being so angry about how people judge Haymitch because usually I don't have a say in anything.
"Sorry."
"Don't be, I'm just…I don't like talking about Haymitch and the way people judge him because it's just…never mind."
"Don't you ever feel so eased by just looking at the setting of the sun?" He asks. It's an odd question but I answer anyway.
"Most of the time."
We don't speak for a while and the silence was interrupted by loud cheers and louder country music coming from indoors. I look at Finnick who I presume was staring at me asks. "Do you like dancing?"
"Uh, I don't dance."
"Come on, I'm sure you do. You know, when your favourite song is playing and you suddenly start twirling around your room, now that can be called dancing."
"Well, I haven't exactly…tried." I say while staring at the wood panels of the floors.
"Really? Well, now's the perfect opportunity! Would you care to dance with me?"
"Me…? You- I-I don't know." I start to panic.
He looks at me and smiles. "Come on, I won't take no for an answer. Besides, dancing is just like walking. In fact, it's fancy walking."
"I…" Finnick takes my hand before I can even respond and we return indoors.
He should consider himself lucky because they're just beginning to start line-dancing again.
"I really don't know if I can…dance." I say.
"Don't worry. I'll help you out. It's simple. Just remember its fancy walking especially line-dancing. Here first three steps forward…" He goes on explaining throughout the dance and surprisingly I've enjoyed myself.
"So… Miss Cresta. Do you like dancing?"
I shrug. "It's bearable."
"Bearable? After being taught by a guy with good looks…and incredible dancing skills?"
"Oh, please, good looks…dancing skills? You're funny." I say.
"Thank you."
"You're most welcome."
The fireworks start going off and I look at Finnick. "Care to watch the firework display? They're quite terrific."
"Sure."
Everyone watches as the fireworks go off and when the yachters go yachting into the moonlight. I'd say it's a great way of celebrating a new year even though it's currently mid-December. It's like that here in Starcreek. We don't celebrate it in January itself because they founded this town in mid-December and I think it is pretty neat. I can't say if tonight was pretty neat.
"Anyway, it was an absolute pleasure spending my evening with you, Miss Annie Cresta." Finnick says and kisses the top of my hand.
My cheeks feel hot and I pull my hand away quickly. "You too um…Finnick."
He grins. "So, I'll be seeing you around, won't I?"
"If you can find me." I say.
"Alright then. Goodnight, Miss Cresta."
