Chapter 2
"I'm so sorry I'm late sir!" said Annie apologetically.
"It's fine, you must be the new girl. Annie, isn't it?" Mr Undersee said, smiling politely.
"Yes, sir, I still haven't got to know all the rooms" she explained quietly.
"It's okay Miss Cresta, take a seat, class is just about to begin" he informed, motioning for her to find a place to sit and he returned to his desk to pick up some papers.
Annie's eyes swept the room, looking for an empty seat. As she did, her eyes met mine. This contact alone made my breath quicken and my heart pound. Uhh, okay. That's odd, I've never felt that just from simple eye contact. Before I had much time to think it over, she sat down in a seat near the front of the class, on the table where nobody sits because it's right at the front.
"So Finn, what do you think of her? I saw that reaction, what was that about?" Gale whispered as Mr Undersee drowned on about something to do with oceans. Something in the way Gale sounded made me feel the need to defend my unusual behaviour and before I could control my words, they came out of my mouth.
"Shut it Gale!" I snapped. I gave him a glare and looked to the back of Annie's head where her wavy hair reached about halfway down her back, the sun bouncing off it, showing the red tint in the brown which was usually unnoticeable. Then I had the strangest sensation in my stomach, remembering how innocent she looked when apologising earlier. I see her shift in her seat and I wonder if she chews her pen. Again I wave the strange feeling away.
"Woah bro, what's gotten into you?' Gale said looking at me, mystified.
"Umm.. " I blinked "Sorry man, I'm not feeling to great today, I didn't mean to-"
"Mr Odair, would you like to share with the class what is so important about your conversation that it is disturbing my lesson, or may I continue?" Mr Undersee was standing at the front of the class with his arms folded, everyone's eyes trained on me.
"No sir" I said, giving him a cheeky grin "I feel it would be inappropriate to share with the class, surely this is wasting even more valuable lesson time, discussing my personal life. You may continue with this fascinating class" I said turning and giving Annie a wink. She gave me a disgusted look and turned back to face the front. Ouch.
"Thank you Mr Odair. But I'll see you after class." Mr Undersee growled, clearly not impressed with my brush off attitude. I look at Gale and we try not to laugh at each other. After the class has settled back down, I spend the rest of the lesson staring out the window and rolling my pen around in my fingers. Counting down the minutes. Gale talks to Katniss for the rest of the lesson, but Mr Undersee doesn't bother telling them off. No, it's always Finnick that gets picked on. Typical.
Well, maybe that's because they talk about the lesson, but still. It's not fair.
My thoughts are interrupted by the bell. Thank god. I gather up my things, and Gale waves a goodbye. I take a lecture from Mr Undersee about classroom etiquette, I nod and give an apology then leave for gym class.
I've just started changing when Peeta Mellark walks into the locker room. He spots me and walks over, narrowly missing an off course football on route for his head, and places his stuff on the bench next to me.
"Hey Bread Boy!" I smirked.
There are a few things you should know about Peeta. Number 1, he's a saint. Seriously, he's stupidly nice and sometimes it's a little sickening. Number 2, he's Katniss's boyfriend. A lot of girls are jealous for that very reason. What with a boyfriend sweeter than the sugar he puts in his families' bakery cakes and a best friend as attractive as Gale, who wouldn't be a little jealous. Hell, if I was a girl, I probably would be too.
"Hey Finn, how was Panem History?" Peeta asked, trying to hide a smile and removing his shirt.
"If you know me as well as I think you do then I don't really need dignify that question with an answer" I replied, removing my trousers and replacing them with my gym shorts.
"Boring as always then I take it?" Peeta glanced at me before he finished changing.
"Ding ding, we have a winner" I grinned. Peeta laughed and shook his head, blonde hair swaying with the movement. Peeta's had to put up with me for almost as long as Gale has. Poor kid.
"Ready to head out?" Peeta turned to face me, grabbing his water bottle and smiling. Most of the other guys had already left.
Another thing about Peeta, you feel like you can ask him anything and he'll answer honestly.
"Um, actually Peeta can I... ask you something?" I fidgeted, feeling a slight heat rise to my cheeks. Hopefully he wouldn't notice.
"Sure Finn, what is it?" Peeta said, intrigued, an easy smile slipping onto his face.
Wait... What am I thinking, I can't ask Peeta about this! I doubt he would tell anyone but... I sighed. I'll give this new feeling for Annie a few days before asking Peeta. I have a feeling that if I ask now I won't be prepared for the answer.
"Uh, never mind. It doesn't matter. We better get going before we get yelled out for taking as long as Delly does to get changed" I joked, quickly trying to avoid any on coming questions. Peeta gave me a face that said 'I know you're hiding something' but said nothing, only nodding and heading for the door.
I sighed and followed. The prospect of playing some sport usually puts a spring in my step but I've been off all day. Maybe I'm coming down with something. I put on my best smile and slung my arm over Peeta's shoulders.
"Seriously Peeta, I'm fine, I can see you're trying to figure something out!" I grinned as we exited the locker room.
"Alright, alright fine" Peeta sighed, accepting defeat. Only for now anyway, if the smile that graced his face was any indication.
We walked into the gym and split into teams for basketball. My team, Peeta included, won all our games. After working out all the frustration I had directed towards myself, I surprisingly felt a lot better. Finally. I don't know why I was bothered by this feeling.
Annie was just another girl. Sure, maybe a little prettier than the others, and seemingly not affected by my charm. I doubt she would even take the time to know the Finnick Odair that not everyone knows. The one who is afraid of the future, despite the promising skills he has in business and sport. The one who would never let anyone know he has a slight inferiority complex when it comes to his father and older brother. Who knows if she will ever see me as my close friends do, the easy going, joking Finnick, rather than the flirt everyone else sees. The Finnick who wants to do nothing but walk along the beach with a sunset backdrop with the girl he knows he will spend forever with.
Little did I know at the time, but Annie would turn out to be just that girl.
A.N. Hi! so uhh. I suck at writing. Oops. Oh well, the only way to get better is to practice right? I haven't really said how old they are in this, and they are all around the age of 17. I apologise for any mistakes.