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 4: Eyes Open (Taylor Swift)
"The tricky thing is
yesterday we were just children
playing soldier."
"I volunteer! I volunteer! I volunteer!" Finnick and I looked at each other in shock. We watched the figure climb up the stage, the Peacekeepers holding Stephen back. Stephen was shouting, tears flooding down his face.
"You can't go! Don't put yourself through this! Please!" His voice was desperate. I watched helplessly as my brother was pushed back into the crowd. I turned to Finnick, who was frozen like a statue. His face paled.
The female tribute, Wendy Crawns, let out a horrified sob. "Don't do this. Please, you can't!"
"It can't be." Finnick whispered, his hands in fists. I realized I didn't even check who volunteered.
I paused as I watched him get on stage and stand next to the girl. It was all too familiar. His eyes, her eyes. The looks they exchanged, the way they stood together—oh God. Oh God.
"My, my! What a brave young man we have here! How old are you?" Mellifluous said, her annoying accent getting on my nerves.
"15." No, no, no.
"And your name?"
Here it was, the moment we all dreaded.
There was a pause. He gulped, managing to keep a straight face and a strong voice despite the tears that were flowing down his face—despite the tears going down her face.
It can't be, it can't be, it can't—
"Marcus Crawns." Cries erupted from the crowd. Siblings? In the games together? What kind of cruel person would allow that? The entire district seemed to be crying. Heck, I was crying! I looked at Finnick, a tear had already slipped down his cheek. I looked back at the stage, the siblings standing together, hands held. Twins? It was depressing. The two of them looked almost exactly alike. Just from the way they stood with each other, everyone could tell how close they were. It was so heartbreaking. At that moment, a new fire burned within me—my hatred for the games was growing.
The walk back home was terrible. Jeanie wouldn't stop crying, so mom and Mrs. Odair walked a bit ahead of us, trying to shush her to sleep. Finnick and I trailed after them, our fathers behind us, murmuring quietly. Stephen and Kelvin were saying their goodbyes to the twins—they said they'd be home a little late. Finnick and I didn't say a word the entire time we walked home. Once we reached our houses, we just nodded goodbye. Mom, dad, and I walked into our home in silence, and I replayed the entire situation in my head again.
Marcus and Wendy Crawns. Twins. In a few days' time, they'd be put in an arena expected to kill each other. I let out a choked sob. I felt so bad for them, but at the same time, I guiltily felt so relieved. My big brother didn't have to go to that arena to fight. He was safe for now. The fact that he was so close to being a tribute scared me though. What would I have done? For about an hour, I tied and untied more knots and let the sound of the waves lull me to sleep.
Sleep didn't make me feel any better though. As soon as I let myself drift into my dreams, images of my brother's terrified face flashed into my head. Then I saw the twins. Those poor, poor twins who could be dead in a matter of weeks.
Not long after, my parents woke me up for supper. My brother came home while I was still sleeping. We ate dinner in silence that night. I don't think anyone knew quite what to say. I wasn't hungry, so I went to go do the dishes. My parents whispered a few things to Stephen, and then they were off to bed. For a few minutes after that, I think Stephen just sat there. He sat there in silence. After washing all the dishes, I pulled him into his bedroom. He looked at me blankly—like a doll.
"Stephen. Stephen, say something!"
He let out a dry sob and his head hung low. "He's a Career, but his sister isn't. His sister," his voice trailed off for a second, "His sister wouldn't stand a chance in the arena."
"Then why'd he join, Stephen? Only one could live!" I didn't understand.
I jolted as he put both his hands on my shoulder sternly. "Annie, he did it to protect her. He didn't want to have to sit here and watch her die, while not being able to do anything about it."
Oh goodness, that just made the entire situation so much more depressing. He's going to give up his life to save his sister. His poor sister. While he grew up as a Career, she was helpless. And now all of his training was in vain, because in the end, we all know what's to come. He will face his inevitable end.
"Annie, I just want you to know that if we were in the same situation, I'd do the same thing, okay? I love you, Annie." He broke out into another fit of tears and shaky breaths, so I hugged him and patted his back. "God, Annie! I just don't know what I would've done if I was put in that arena. Not being able to come home to mom and dad…not being able to watch you grow up. I just," his voice trailed off, a distant look of horror in his eyes. "Annie! Promise me that if you ever get pulled into that arena, you'll come out alive, okay?"
I was at a loss for words at my brother's mental breakdown. I just patted his back and whispered soothing things into his ears as he slowly fell asleep. Once his sobs ceased, I brought out an extra blanket and fell asleep next to him—his slow breaths lulling me into my own dreamless sleep.
I woke up unusually early the next day. There was no school—school was always suspended for a month during the games. After yesterday's events, I had come to a resolution. Up until now, my parents never wanted to train me. "You're not going to be a killing machine, Annie. I refuse. We are going to raise you with a normal childhood. You are not going to be a tribute," my mom once said to me. The thing is, I might be reaped one day. And if I am, I refuse to be helpless. If they aren't going to train me, I'll find someone else to. I am never going to put my loved ones in a position where they'd have to volunteer as tribute to save me. I refuse.
I walked along the beach, looking for someone. The moment I spotted bronze hair on the sand, I knew I found him. And was that a trident in his hands? Just yesterday he had merely a spear. I ignored those thoughts, however, and went to him.
"Finnick!" I yelled, jumping onto the sand next to him. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"
A cocky smirk dawned his face, along with a wink, "Oh, have you now?"
Instinctively, I fought down a blush. "Don't get your hopes up, Odair. I need to ask you something."
He dropped his cool guy act, and then looked at me seriously. "What is it?"
I looked around nervously. It'd be bad if any of my family heard. "I think we should swim to the Cove first."
He raised his eyebrows at me, "That serious?"
"Yeah, and I might just miss you."
He grinned at me, "Annie Cresta, missing me? Tssk, tssk, we can't have that, now can we? Well, that can be fixed!" He ran his hand through his hair, pulled my hand, and then we were off.
As we arrived on the Cove, Finnick cut the small talk. "What do you need to ask me, Ms. Cresta?"
I smiled at the familiar nickname. "Promise me you won't freak out?"
"Pinky promise."
Satisfied by his answer, I looked at him in the eye—almost getting completely sidetracked at the beauty of the color. I coughed a bit before saying; "I want you to train me for the Hunger Games."
There was a silence before Finnick started chuckling. I was offended! Why was he mocking me? "Finn!" I threw my knotted rope at him, hitting him square on the head.
"Owe!" He gingerly rubbed his head, "I was just waiting for you to ask!"
Uhm, what. "Really?"
"Well, of course! You're Annie Cresta," he said slowly, emphasizing my name. "You can't just stay quiet and innocent forever, can you?"
I scoffed at him. "If you're just going to insult me, then I'll get going now," I said, pretending to move towards the water.
He grabbed my hand. Knew it. "Annie, don't go. I'll train you! I was just teasing. You're a fighter. I know you can do this."
"Really?" I looked at him hopefully.
"Yes ma'm." I grinned, elated at his response. "But only if you train me too."
"Finn, I honestly have nothing to train you with." Seriously, I'm pretty useless in the field. I wouldn't be of much help.
"Oh, you do!" He grinned at me, that sly glint in his eyes returning. I shot him a confused look. Then he held up my rope.
"You're a bit more talented than you let off, Ms. Cresta."
I looked at the rope, covered with knots, then back at him. "Let's get started, shall we?"
A few days after was Finnick's birthday. My gift to him is simple, handmade, and beautiful. I just hope he'll like it. I spent days making it perfect, and it was definitely a painful process. The outcome—the bracelet I made him, is beautiful though. I managed to find some extra pieces of the most expensive rope in our district—it's soft, but durable and has subtle pieces of gold thread woven in. Carefully, I used the prettiest knots I know to fashion him a lovely, thick, and durable bracelet.
Once the sun goes down, Finnick's family will be hosting a little bonfire at the beach outside our houses. Fin's going to be 11 now, and I'll be 9 not long after. It's weird to think we're slowly reaching what's known in District 4 as the "damned years." It's the time we're eligible for the Hunger Games. I fought back a shiver at the thought of it. Happy thoughts, Annie. Happy thoughts. It's Finn's birthday today.
I walked out of the empty house. Mr. Odair had begun training Finn with a trident, so he was busy for the time being. Mom was at the Odair's house, probably helping to prepare a mini feast for later tonight. Stephen, Kelvin, and dad were out at the market. I was alone for now. Bored, I sat down on my favorite spot at our beach and began making another net. I didn't get that far before I felt someone sit by me.
"Annie!" Emerald looked at me, her gorgeous green eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Hi, Emerald!" We did our secret handshake, let out a few giggles, and began talking. Although we were young, Emerald caught the eyes of many boys in our grade, and even a few grades above! Her eyes were true to her name—Emerald. Her pale skin was in direct contrast to her dark, onyx hair. She was pretty, petite, and had a lovely voice. I knew she'd be a heartbreaker when we grow up—she's practically the female version of Finnick.
We laid back into the sand and let ourselves let go a little. She talked to me about her latest muse, this boy Daniel. He's in our grade, and I think he's pretty cute. The thing is though, Emerald also has a thing for River, Finnick's friend—who I'm pretty sure is just as head-over-heels for her. They're both just too stubborn to realize it.
"Y'know, River's a heartbreaker too. I just don't know if he'd be into me. He's older than us! And then there's Daniel—sweetheart, he really is. But he's my best guy friend, y'know! I can't just fall for him, especially when River has grown on me so much."
I nodded slowly, the story sounding all too familiar in my ears. Goodness, Emerald could talk. As frustrating as it got, Emerald was still one of my very best friends. So, I sat here and endured it.
"Gosh, Annie. You're such a good friend. I feel horrible. Here I am talking about all of my boy problems, and you're giving me all this great advice," I really wasn't though. "Here, let's move onto you. What're you going to do about Clyde and Finnick?"
I paused. Surely I didn't like Finnick like that. Or Clyde, as matter of fact. "Em, I really don't know what you're talking about."
She raised an eyebrow at me. "Annie, you totally like Finnick. It's so obvious! You guys are always together, always sneaking glances at each other, and Annie, I know you. You might not know it yet, but I think you like him. Poor Clyde."
I groaned. Clyde. If I wasn't with Finnick while Cora and Emerald were busy, I was with Clyde. Clyde was fun to be around. He helped me with homework, Stephen helps him with swimming and fishing every now and then, and my parents love him. He was pretty good company when he wasn't blushing and stuttering at me.
"Seriously Annie. You underestimate yourself. You're beautiful and have a sensible personality. Chin up, my dear." This is why we're best friends. She helps me with self-confidence, and I zap her back to reality. Abruptly, she stood up and grinned down at me. "I'd better go home. Gotta get ready for tonight! You should do the same, y'know?" With a final wink, she was off.
Finnick appeared not long after. Drenched in sweat and salt water, he looked insane. "Annie!"
I ran into his outstretched arms, not caring about whether or not I'd get dirty. It was my best friend's birthday, after all. "Happy Birthday, Finn!" I felt him smile into my hair, something he often does when we hug.
"Thanks, Annie." We stayed like that for while. Looking out onto the horizon, I realized that it was almost time for his party! I saw our parents lighting lanterns already.
Reluctantly, I pulled away. Nervously, I toyed with the rope bracelet in my pocket. "I wanted to give you this at our spot in the Cove," I gave him my playful glare, "but we obviously don't have enough time."
I brought the bracelet out, and he stared at it, his eyes wide. He was rather speechless, so I just grabbed his hands, and enclosed them on top of mine, the bracelet in the middle. "Happy Birthday, Finn. Thanks for being the best friend I could ever ask for."
He smiled brightly at me, his straight teeth shining, his bronze hair looking gold, and his eyes as beautiful as can be. "Thank you, Annie. It's fantastic. I honestly don't think anyone can top this gift tonight." I blushed as I helped him put it on.
"You know you're welcome, Odair. Now, c'mon. We both have a party to get ready for!" I smiled at him.
"I'll walk you to your house first!"
"Nah, let's just race." And with that, I took off running; Finnick was laughing behind me. When we reached my front door, both of us were panting with silly grins on our faces.
We stood there for a while, laughing at each other. After a while though, he said, "Well, Ms. Cresta, I do think we didn't have time for our training session today. Don't go too crazy at the party tonight. We're going to have practice for 4 hours tomorrow, bright and early. 8 am sharp!"
Before I could even complain, he kissed me lightly on the forehead, and was gone. I was left with my eyes wide, my fingers touching the place on my forehead that still tingled, his laughter still ringing in the distance, and a rather strong blush slowly growing on my cheeks.
My, my, Finnick Odair. Maybe I am falling for you after all.
"Keep your feet ready;
Heartbeat steady.
Keep your eyes open."
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: That was a long chapter filled with emotional ups and downs! I'm so sorry! But yes, this is what triggers Annie to become stronger in preparation for the Games. I hope you enjoyed it! Please review for longer chapters and faster updates! HAPPY READING!
-Lauren