7/29/14

Hi again! Is it sad that I wrote this chapter on Sunday, but didn't post it because I didn't want to update the same fic twice in a row? Yeah, true story -_-

Has anyone seen the new Mockingjay trailer? Oh my gosh, I'm Fangirling so much right now! I mean, it didn't have any Finnick or Annie, but at least it was something! Seriously, I've been waiting for that trailer since like April!

Thank you HoneyBadger22 for the review (I'm glad you think so :) ) and following & faving, kittykat477 for following, and marisolnail for following.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or anything else I may mention.

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Chapter 2: The Plan

When Triton is done instructing us on volunteering etiquette he finally lets us go. Marina and I silently walk to the elevator and I push the down button. The elevator button quickly lights up, and the door opens. Marina steps inside and waits for me to join her.

"Well, this sucks," I sigh as I step inside.

"Tell me about it, you're practically my brother. I can't kill you!" Marina sighs.

"I don't think either of us are going to kill each other," I say reassuringly, even though I'm not sure of it myself.

"You never know," Marina sighs. "Just… are you sure about this?"

"Positive. Things will work out," I say, feeling sick. I push the feeling away as the elevator dings, signaling the end of our ride. I get off without saying another word to Marina. I just can't bring myself to do it.

I go to my locker and grab my bag of stuff for what I now know will be the last time. It feels bittersweet, actually. I didn't think I'd be doing this until I was 18. I shove everything in my locker inside my bag and shut the locker. I sling the bag over my shoulders and enter the lobby.

The lobby is just a big room with a registration desk that nobody ever uses. The only reason trainees ever go in there is because it contains the only door that leads outside. I swing the door open and slowly walk outside. It's getting pretty late. The sun is starting to set.

I start on the path to Attina's house, the same path that I've taken many times but may never take again. I still don't know why she wants us to go to her house, but it can't be good. I'm kind of hoping it isn't actually. I need something to get my mind off the Games. I take my time getting there, enjoying the scenery and watching the sunset. I've always envied Attina, living outside of town and all. Even though it takes such a long time to get to her house, she doesn't have any nosy neighbors like I do.

When I finally get to her house, the sun has all but set over the seashore. I kick some sand off the top of my shoes and climb up the steps to her house. I knock on the door and wait for someone to answer.

"Hello Finnick," the grey haired man who answers says.

"Hey Mr. Cresta," I say nervously. When Attina was about 7 or so, her family died in a boating accident, so Reef Cresta, one of the most well-known citizens of District 4 (mostly because his now-deceased daughter Marissa was a victor) adopted her. "Are Attina and Caspian still here?"

"Yes, they're in Attina's room. Make yourself at home," he says.

"Thanks Reef," I say as I walk inside.

Attina's house is pretty basic. When you walk in you're in the living room, with the bathroom behind it. The stairs divide the two halves of the house, and on the other half is the kitchen with Reef's room behind it. When you climb the stairs you're lead to two doors. The one on the left is Attina's room, while the room on the right belongs to Annie, Marissa's adopted daughter. Legally she's Attina's niece, but Attina considers her a sister.

I climb up the stairs and knock on Attina's door. "Come in!"

I open the door and walk in. "Hey Finnick," Caspian says. Attina just waves and the two of them get back to playing cards.

"Finnick!" Annie squeals, quite literally tackling me in a hug.

"You're squishing me Ann," I cough.

"Oops, sorry," she says, "I just haven't seen you all week!"

"Try seeing him every day. Then you'd want a break," Attina teases me.

"Hey!" I say, pretending to act hurt.

"Come on Finn, we'll start the game over," Caspian says, gesturing to a spot on the bed. I climb onto the bed next to Attina. Annie sits between me and Caspian. Attina leans her back against the wall and starts shuffling the cards.

"So, what are we playing? Go fish? Play nine? Crazy 8's?" I ask.

"Old maid," Attina says, handing me a pile of cards. She has a guilty look on her face, so I'm certain that she's up to something. I glance at my pile and take out my two matching cards. By the look on Annie's face, I can tell she has the old maid. Fortunately, Caspian's the one who's at risk.

"So what's the plan Tina?" I whisper when I'm certain Annie isn't paying attention.

"Reef has a business meeting at 7. We sneak out then." Sneak out? Well, this is Attina Sands we're talking about. I just hope I won't get in too much trouble.

Which is about as likely as Caspian tricking Attina into taking the old maid. It's just not going to happen.

...

If everything goes according to plan, we'll have a couple of filler chapters before we get to the reaping. Until then, however, we'll see just how much trouble Finnick can get into before he leaves his friends. ;)

Does anyone like how I included Annie in their little group? She's my favorite character, so I just had to put her somewhere in the fic.

Quote of the day!

"Kittens are adorable! Let's go find some!" –Fairly Odd Parents, Timmy's mom

May the odds be ever in your favor,

Spectrobes Princess