Disclaimer: I'm afraid I'm not Suzanne yet.
Chapter 4 - The Truth.
Luckily, after the angst that was surrounding my house after mine and my mothers conflict, my father decided that a break would be good, so they have gone away on his boat for a week. Leaving me at home free to do whatever I wish. So I stay up all night drawing, and stay in bed as long as I can before the hunger is unavoidable so I proceed to stuff my face with food. This is the life I think to myself. I dance around my house freely and I have no one to tell me I can't. Although, with the Reaping approaching I fast, I try and make the most of my days, because if my name gets chosen out of that glass dome, then I know I won't be the one to go home.
On the second day of my freedom, Finnick let's himself into the house and wakes me up, stroking my hair gently. I panic at first, thinking a stranger has got into my house, but when I see Finnicks soft, caring gaze I relax and let him stroke my hair. I scoot to the other end of my bed, allowing Finnick to join me, and he accepts with a grin. He wraps his arms around my body and we lay in silence, the warmth of him radiating onto my body. We stare at each other, and I stare into his eyes, trying to discover what he is feeling. But his expression is so hard to identify I soon give up and tuck my head into his chest, and its the first time I've felt safe since I was little. His body makes me feel safe, curved around me and I've noticed how perfectly I fit in, we are made for each other. I rest my eyes and soon enter a dreamless sleep, no nightmares, just peace. When I finally wake up, Finn is still there, cradling me and playing with my hair gently. The sun is setting, which means I have slept the day away. But I needed it, I hardly ever sleep peacefully so this was bliss.
When Finnick notices that I have woken up he smiles down at me "Good morning, sleeping beauty" he says jokingly. I laugh, I'm far from a sleeping beauty, that's for sure. He then picks me up from my bed and kisses me on my cheek before carrying me downstairs like some princess, I mean, is this really necessary? I consider laughing, but that would just make Finnick worried so I smile up at him which makes him nearly miss a step and then I regret it "Oh, I'm sorry" I laugh, I cant help it. He's going to get us both injured. He places me on the sofa gently and then I begin with the questioning
"What is wrong with you today, Odair? You're being unusually nice" I smirk at him knowing he will get annoyed by my comment because he's always sweet to me "Watch it, Annie. I still need to get you back" he says warningly before he winks. I smirk at him, and he returns with a mug of hot chocolate each. He reaches across and turns on the small TV me and my family own, only for when the important Panem messages come on. We watch some sadistic Capitol movie, which I'm sure is supposed to be romantic but I can't help but laugh. There voices entertain me enough. "Why is the Capitol accent so amusing?" I manage before I break into fits of laughter, and if I'm honest I can't control it. I can hear Finnick laughing to, but I really doubt that its about the Capitol accents. Its not very often when I find something so amusing so I make the most of it and my ribs are aching by the time I have stopped and Finnick is sitting next to me, amusement etched on his face as I take control over myself. "What was all that about?" he's trying to control his laughter but I know he will end up chuckling too. "I just find the Capitol accent amusing" I cross my arms and huff in an act of annoyance. He watches me for a while, like he was taking in every single feature of my face. "Annie, calm down. I think it was cute" Finnick replies, cautiously. This is the first time I've herd Finnick reply so uncertain and this makes me drop my act, "I'm joking, Finn. Stop taking me so seriously" I joke, pecking him on the cheek gently. "You cant resist me, can you?" he replies raising his eyebrows teasingly "Now, now Finnick. Don't get too big headed, I might just have to shrink it for you" I reply, trying to make myself sound flirtatious like how Finnick does, he makes it so easy. The words just fall from his mouth, but with me, its hard. He must see my struggle and decides to tease me further "You're doing it so wrong-" he whispers seductively "Your supposed to do it like this" he adds equally as seductive. I laugh at his comment "Finnick Odair, you really do know how to make me laugh" I say back.
"I fail at being seductive, okay?" I add with a hint of annoyance. Finnick considers this for a moment "Your seductive to me, though" He whispers and I smirk. Finnick Odair, charmed by the mental, lonely Annie Cresta.
I sit in Finnicks lap for what seems like hours, we continue watching the ridiculous Capitol programmes and stuff our faces with cookies. It might not seem like much, but I'm enjoying myself. "Today's been perfect" I murmur and Finnick smiles to himself "Whenever with you, its perfect" back to his unpredictable self I see. "Thank you, Finn" I reply smiling.
"Annie, what if- what if you get Reaped this year?" I see the sadness in his eyes, and I know this must be annoying him. I consider this for a moment, my life seems so happy, and its my fifth Reaping this year, so out of the thousands of names, I know 'Annie Cresta' will be on some of them, written neatly. I never think about the Reaping until the day, knowing my nerves will get the better of me. "Finn, I don't know. I'll have to go and then you'll have to get new girlfriend and hope I don't die too brutally" I sigh, the thought of going into the Games finally overcomes me, and suddenly I'm terrified. "Oh no, what if I am Reaped, Finnick?" the urgency and panic clear in my croaky voice. Finnick takes a while to reply, and when he turns to look into my eye I can see my scared ones reflecting off his "Annie, you wont get Reaped. But if you do, you better train hard and make sure you come home to me, I'll never be able to replace you, princess" I blush, the tears are rushing too my eyes and are threatening to release themselves,
"I don't want to ever leave your side" I whisper and his arms wrap around mine
"You never will, because I'll make sure of it" he replies, wrapping his arms around me and rocking me gently.
