Disclaimer: I own nothing but some clothes, so don't sue me.

A/N: Ginormous thank you to Odestalovebaby this chapter wouldn't have happened without her help!

Chapter 4:

Annie POV:

I wake up the next morning with my body aching and my head throbbing. I stretched and my arm hit something, I opened my eyes to see my mother standing over me. Her reddish brown hair was nicely brushed in a bun and her usually stormy brown eyes were soft, that only meant one thing my dad was home. He must have came home early from his business. I looked at her expectantly, mentally bracing myself for her final lashing before transforming into the perfect wife and mother that caused everyone to flock to her leading to endless parties and events at our home in district seven.

Surprisingly, this morning she did nothing and just looked at me, "The school called and said that since the other girl initiated the fight you only get a day, so you go back today," she told me flatly. Just as I sat up in bed I saw my dad's brown hair appear over my mom's head, "Yeah, sweetie I called and spoke to Mrs. Applewood and convinced her that it wasn't completely your fault, so they lifted your suspension, he smiled brightly. I returned his smile with ease, the faster I got back to school the faster I got away from my mother.

Plus once I got back to school I could see Finnick, my only friend. "Go ahead and get ready, I'm taking you today." I was happy that my dad would be taking me to school that meant that I wouldn't be accumulating any more bruises within the next hour. Upon my parents leaving I got ready for school and let my mother brush my hair into a neat bun and my got in the car with my dad.

The ride to school was quiet I was simply relishing in the comfort and safety of my father's presence. My dad parked and we got out of the car. I held my father's hand tightly never wanting t let go as we up the school. "I love you daddy," I mumbled into his hand for no reason. "I love you too, munchkin," he responded patting my bun, careful not to mess it up.

We arrived at my classroom quickly and said our goodbyes with him promising to pick me up later. The day had been rather boring the work was really easy and Fiona and her followers sat on the other side of the room. I wasn't exactly jumping for joy when it was time for recess because that meant that I may have to deal with Fiona again, but today was just my luck because today the fourth and graders had recess together.

Apparently every friday that's some type of reward for good behavior. So once we were released to play I looked scanned the playground hoping to see Finnick, just as I was about to give up hope I felt a poke at my side which sent a shooting pain down my side causing me to suck in a breath sharply and wince before turning around. "Hey Annie-"

" Finnick cut himself off and his look of excitement fell, "Hey are you okay,I didn't think I poked you that hard." Obviously I didn't do a very good job at hiding my pain, "Yeah im fine Finnick you just scared me that's all," I attempted to chuckle but that was futile as Finnick didn't join in,giving me a questioning look. "What I'm fine Finnick," I swore.

"Are you sure Annie," you don't look so good," he looked me over with concern. I suddenly felt like he knew my dirty little secret and tugged at my sleeves and the hem of my shirt making sure that my bruises were fully covered.

"I saw the way your mom was looking at you the other day at the beach, like she wanted to hurt you," he continued to scan me over with his striking eyes, "Did she hurt you Annie?" I let my eyes examine the suddenly interesting concrete, "No I'm fine. I swear."

"Then what is this," he questioned accusingly, his green eyes seared holes into my a bruise on my arm as he gently raised my sleeve. His tones suddenly went soft , "You can tell me Annie, you can trust me. I won't do anything to you. I'm your friend," he encouraged soothingly causing me to look up and meet his eyes.

"She beats me, Finnick," I barely whisper, "She beats me because she says I'm bad and I'm the reason my dad doesn't love her anymore. But that's not true he does love her, he just loves me too," I find myself wiping my eyes as tears start to fall, I never told anyone what my mom did to me, not even Johanna. "I don't do anything wrong Finnick, I listen to her I do my chores I'm a good daughter. My dad is hardly around his always on business and there's nothing I can do. Why does this happen to me Finnick," I ask rhetorically, finally looking up at him to see his green eyes glistening.

"I'm so sorry, Annie," he pulled me into a comforting hug, " you should tell your dad I know that he wouldn't let your mom keep hurting you. You're not a bad daughter or a bad person don't listen to her when she says those hurtful things to you. Who knows, maybe your dad and my dad'll become friends and he'll let you stay at my house when he's not around."

"I don't know Finnick, what if he doesn't believe me, I'll just end up in more trouble and then she will really hurt me," fear running through me at the thought of her abuse getting worse than it already was. Shivering as I recalled the time she wouldn't let me eat dinner until I held my hand in a pot of boiling water for 10 seconds, I didn't eat that night.

"You're dad will believe you. I saw him walk you to class today and he cares about you a lot I could tell, I'm glad you trusting me, I won't tell anyone as long as you promise to tell your dad within the week," his face laced with seriousness.

"I will Finnick, I promise," Something told me that if I didn't tell my dad, he would. Just as we finished our emotional conversation the teachers blew the whistle to signal that recess was over. We rose from our sitting position, which I didn't realize that we had sat down in the midst of our talking.

"Bye Annie."

"Bye Finnick, thanks for listening."

"That's what friends are for."

As we went our separate ways with our classes I couldn't stop thinking of how I was going to tell my father about my mother's abuse. I decided that I would tell him on the way home from school. I spent the rest of the time in school mentally bracing myself for the worst as I secretly hoped for the best.

A/N: So in the next chapter Annie will tell her dad and then some time will be skipped. As always reviews are great. :-) xoxox