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 2: A Daydream Away (All Time Low)

"It doesn't matter when we get back to doing what we do,

because right now could last forever

just as long as I'm with you."

She got first place in her division. As shocked as I was, I congratulated her and let my ego take a blow. Sure, I had gotten first place too, as did Kelvin. But still. Little Annie Cresta? It's crazy. The way she moved in the water looked so natural, so flawless, so perfect. She didn't even resemble the poor girl I had saved just a few days before. I was beginning to like her though; I never know what to expect when she's around. Maybe that's why when I saw her the next day sitting alone on the beach did I decide to go sit by her.

"Cresta." She looked up at me, her ocean eyes turned upwards by her smile.

"Odair." An equally friendly greeting.

"It's 2 pm on a weekend. What are you doing alone on the beach?" I looked at her curiously. Annie has friends. Why is she alone?

"Emerald spends weekends with her mom in the hospital, and Cora helps around her family's bakery." Those names sounded familiar—I think they're the ones that are always with Annie during school, and I'm pretty sure Emerald's mom is one of the District's best healers as well. But if they didn't hang out with her on the weekends, who did?

I guess I was quiet for a bit, because suddenly she said, "Stephen used to go swimming with me. Even after he began spending more time with dad and Kelvin, he always made time for me. Lately, he hasn't though." She looked down, playing with the sand. Suddenly, I felt guilty. They were training for the Games, while she's so lonely. That's when I realized I wanted to be her friend.

"I'll play with you! After all, that first place has deemed yourself worthy of the fantastic Finnick Odair!" I gave her a smug look before we both started laughing.

"The fantastic Finnick Odair? Your arrogance level has increased even more, if that's even possible!" She broke into another fit of giggles. I glared at her before chuckling too. As she began toying with a rope, she managed to stop laughing.

The currents were calm today, and a quick swim to the Cove seemed fun. The Cove is a mini cave surrounded by sand and a few palm trees, jutted into the underside of a cliff. My dad had taken me there before, and I'm sure Annie has been there too.

"Would you like to swim to the Cove?" I challenged her.

"I'll race you!" And with that, the two of us flowed with the waves and made our way towards our own paradise.

Climbing onto the shore, I realized we had tied. Annie was indeed a fast swimmer. "I must say, Annie, I'm quite impressed by your swimming." I didn't even realize I was panting.

Out of breath, Annie managed out, "You too!"

That day, we snacked on some seaweed, talked about life, and had a few water fights. It was the first time I ever went to the Cove with a friend, and I liked it. Annie was good company. She listened, understood, and gave truthful advice and opinions. When the sun began to set and we could see smoke from both of our chimneys, we both knew we had to go home. Reluctantly, we swam back to shore together, then hugged goodbye. That was our first ever hug. I think I was blushing, because when I changed into dry clothes and sat down at the dinner table, the first thing my mom said was, "I like her."

From that day on, we were inseparable. Obviously we couldn't be together during school, but I spent all my free time with her. It was a bit difficult finding time, since I practiced spearing fish with Clyde and occasionally went with my father on his fish hunts. No matter what though, I always met up with Annie at the beach by 4 pm. Then, we'd burn daylight together. There in the comforts of the Cove, Annie and I opened up. We were able to be goofy, vent our problems, and just be ourselves. It was a nice breath of refreshing air with Annie. Together, our problems melted away.

Our developing friendship brought our two families even closer together. Occasionally, we'd have dinner together—our fathers talking about the market, our mothers gossiping, our brothers cracking jokes, and little Jeanie making us all smile. Days passed, and I eventually grew closer to her friends, and she to mine. I'd walk to school with her everyday, and we'd run into Emerald Flynn and Cora Burke on the way. The two of them ogled me at first, but everyone did initially. I'm not even trying to sound cocky—it's just a known fact that I, Finnick Odair, have the heart of every citizen of District 4. I was a friend to everyone.

My circle of friends initially thought it was odd when I brought little Annie to our table at lunch. However, most of them think she's very pretty and sweet, so she was easily welcomed. Plus, Clyde had a not-so-subtle crush on her. Everyone got along well, and eventually Cora and Emerald were welcomed too. It was nice to have more friends I could trust, and I could tell that everyone really liked having them around—even if they're two years younger than us.

As fun as school is, my favorite part of the day is always spending a few hours alone with Annie at the Cove. Annie is, after all, my best friend...of the female gender.

"Finn," she murmured, the two of us lying down on the sand, separated by the driftwood fire.

"Yes, Annie?" I opened my eyes to peek at her. Her eyes are closed. She looks very peaceful today.

"I think River likes Emerald."

I shot up quickly and looked at her. "River and Emerald?" I fake gagged. River's a good guy, but Emerald's way out of his league. Emerald is just about the pickiest girl I know; River should know not to get his hopes up.

"I think they'd make a cute couple."

"Annie, we're kids." I raised my eyebrows, and she grinned.

"So?"

"Annie Cresta. You never cease to amuse me." I laughed at her reaction—a glare, then a pout. The pout is what got to me. "Fine. If you really want to know, I'll ask River for you!"

The look in her eyes was adorable. "Really?"

"Of course."

Throughout the few weeks of our friendship, little miss Annie Cresta had begun to change me. It was subtle, but she made me happy. She gave me hope.

Like always, we had to swim back home and part our ways. Once again, my mom gave me that sly look as I walked through the front door. I never understood her. Annie and I are just friends.

I'd like to think that we always will be. Nothing more; nothing less. As I looked out the window into the setting sun onto the horizon, I thought about her. Friends forever—we had to be. I'm already this attached.

"And I'll keep you a daydream away.

Just watch from a safe place,

so I never have to lose."

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: Okay, so this is definitely a short chapter, but I'm still building the FF up. Hopefully I'm not boring you! I want to stick to the plotline where Finnick's love for Annie develops gradually. By the way, you don't have to listen to the song of the chapter, but do read the lyrics included, as they're meant to add more meaning and depth to the chapter. Thank you! Happy reading.