Pray Tell: Anberlin
I saw him everywhere after that. In the market, in the halls at school or the lunchroom. He's older than I am by a year, and was the talk of the town even at the age of fourteen. I didn't hate him, but I didn't adore him either. District Four was a fairly large district and I was willing to avoid him, no matter the cost. 'How could I face the enemy who saved his enemy?' I would think, but two weeks later I was asked to go back to the nets and he was there. I meant to just finish my task and run back home but he took notice of me. "Will you need my help today or can you manage?" He asked as I pulled out the net. I would have been furious if the net hadn't been littered with squirming fish. A smile crept across my lips.
"I think I can manage," I shouted back, taking in the full net and tossing the fish in pail by the bay. "Will you?" I laughed.
He looked alarmed, "Go ahead Cresta…gloat," He threw me a mean look and kept spearing at the waves. "…Coming from the girl who can't swim."
I laughed at Finnick's throw. "Oh? Is the boy with the weak arm and poor spearing jealous of the Cresta netting?" I smirked, pushing my hair back. "Besides, I'm the best swimmer in the district," I flaunted.
He smiled a crooked grin, the same smile he uses to win the girls at school, "Oh, you think so, do you?" He asked me coyly, as he watched me through squinting eyes; the sun evaporated the last of the morning clouds.
His banter gave me incredible confidence. "I know so."
He let out a hearty laugh, or as hearty as a laugh could be for a fourteen-year-old boy, "You can beat me?" He shook his head, nearing me.
"Of course I can," I squeaked proudly with crossed arms.
He grinned at my weak voice, "Challenge accepted."
I stood up straight, trying to be as official as I could. "Alright, state your bet. If I win…?"
It was obvious he liked being able to set the terms. He circled me a bit and then stroked his chin mockingly. "I'll talk my family into staying away from your netting territory. But if I win…I want you to teach me how to net." He smiled watching me closely.
A frown spread across my face as I gritted my teeth. "So you can take over my mother's trade as well?"
Finnick didn't like my assumptions. That, I'll forever remember his look of distaste at the idea. I was only ever given that look a handful of times. He shook his head immediately. "No. Training Cresta…for training," He sighed pushing back his auburn hair. My heart curiously leapt at the simple movement.
Although my heart was racing, and I somehow knew the answer, the frown never left, "What would you need training for Finnick?" the question spilled out past my grinding teeth.
"The games." My stomach sank. He was training for the games. The terrifying Hunger Games. This was the second year I put my name in to be a tribute. It was natural for most children twelve to eighteen to train in District Four. It saved us from starvation and the Capitol's harsh hand. Victors were the pets of the Capitol, taken care of, given eternal glory and riches…oh the riches. I can only imagine why Finnick would train as hard as he disclosed he had been. His family, although not sinking in poverty, had faced hard times lately. They needed the money. I didn't like Finnick but it unraveled me to think that he would ever be in the games. I didn't want to see his face over the televisions around the District, fighting for his life, killing other children, and ultimately dying. I should have been training too…but my mother won't allow it. The thought of me fighting to the death for survival tortured her. "Annie, you'll only put your name in as is mandatory each year, no more than that." She reminded me. But even once was enough for some people. There was no escaping the Capitol and no one was truly free of the games.
I wanted to say something reassuring to him, but what? I knew I could have possibly been that year's tribute. Or we could have both fought each other…either way…there was nothing to say. "So when do you think I'll be winning this bet?" He asked haughtily, but even with a grimace, I was thankful he broke the silence.
I looked over the sea, it seemed quiet…it was the calmest it had been that entire week. "Why put it off? I don't mind beating you today." I said, equally arrogant.
He laughed, "Ok, where do we swim to?"
A small sand bank jutted out past the netting pool. It seemed close enough to ensure our safety, but far enough to assure a good race. "Out to that little island," I said, stretching my arm out to show him.
Finnick nodded, "There and back?"
I shook my head, it seemed too far to double back, "No. Why waste my breath…I know who's going to win." I said boldly.
He grinned, "Oh, Annie Cresta, the ocean's calm today, you might have a chance." He told me with a wink.
I bit my lip and smirked. "I was talking about me Finnick." We readied ourselves on the edge of the bank, ready to dive in.
"Alright, on your mark …Go!" Finnick shouted in, immediately pushing off. He was right, the waves were fairly calm, but it was a longer distance than I had anticipated. I was the fastest at first, but I wore out. He was much taller than I was and eventually passed me by an inch, but I kept swimming. I finally caught up and seemed to have passed him.
My feet had just hit the edge of the bank, and he zipped past me. I sped up my pace, running on the sand. Swimming was my forte, running was not. "Who won?" I asked, breathless.
He laughed, equally out of wind, "I won." He announced.
I became instantly defensive. "You did not," I snapped.
Finnick smirked and stretched out on the sand. His shorts were covered in sand that immediately stuck to him, but he didn't mind. "Of course I did, I was here first." He said, propping his head on his folded arms and staring at the bright blue clouds. The sun was shining and for once, the heat wasn't devastatingly overbearing.
I watched him, angrily. "I was. I reached the bank before you."
"Yeah but I made it on land first." He said calmly.
I shook my head, finally sitting down and allowing my body to relax. "No, I won."
Finnick shrugged. "Fine, it's a tie," He suggested.
I frowned as I eventually sank down beside him. "But a tie doesn't win a bet." I said, stretching out like him.
He chuckled in true Finnick fashion, "Then I won." He was arrogant.
And I was tired. I knew it wasn't well mannered for a thirteen-year-old girl to be fighting with boys anyways, especially placing bets on said fights. And I knew my mother would have been appalled at the brute force I had shown with my words that day. "Fine, you won."
Finnick sat up, watching me, dismayed, "You're going to give up just like that?"
I sighed. "You wanted to win."
"Well, yeah but not like that," He said irritated. "Race back?" He asked, as if winning hadn't been enough.
I frowned when I could feel the sun's full heat and didn't truly appreciate it as I was drying out too quickly, "No, I'm tired. You won," I said begrudgingly.
"So you're going to teach me to tie knots?" He asked, finally after only seconds of silence.
I rolled my eyes, "Yes, Finnick, I'll teach you to tie knots! You're clearly the better swimmer…" I growled, trying to enjoy my moments of relaxation before I had to go off and finish my chores.
Finnick leaned down beside me, "I am superior."
