CJuneK, I just wanted to thank you so much for reviewing. I am kind of new to this whole writing thing, and to see you are interested in the story makes me happy! And I know, I wish he would tell her too.
Thanks once again!
I sat there looking blankly out into the sky at the lake side. Although this time -for the first time - I was alone. I kept constantly looked to my right side, expecting to see someone that I used to know sitting there. Of course nobody ever was. Finnick and I hadn't spoken for three weeks since the argument, though it seemed like eternity. I missed him, and I was quite ashamed to say so. I threw a little pebble into the lake unexpectedly, just as Finn used to. There was only one fisherman left standing in the lake, his trident and net in hand.
"Still at it Pellic?" I asked him with a grin, Pellic was my father's life long best friend. When they were little they were inseparable, like twin brothers.
"Sure am, my designated time ended a while ago. But I haven't been catching the required numbers of fish lately." Pellic grumbled, "So the Mayor isn't particularly happy with me."
"But you always work so hard out there." I frowned, he had always put everything into his fishing. It was what put food on the table.
"I know, but you try telling Mayor Willow that." Pellic complained as he walked out of the water.
"I would if I could." I replied honestly.
"I know, I know. Oh well, enjoy the sunset Annie." Pellic said kindly before disappearing off to town.
I felt the light, cool breeze on my skin. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths and relaxed. I could enjoy being alone tonight. I was keen to enjoy the sun, the sand, one last time before my potential reaping. Tomorrow morning one male and one female tribute will be chosen to compete in the 68th Annual Hunger Games. I liked to enjoy the little things in life before the big day, in fear my name would be called out.
"Annie?" I heard a familiar voice call out my name. I grunted, couldn't I just have some peace and quiet?
"Yeah?" I turned around to see who it was. "Oh, shit." I murmured under my breath.
"What are you doing here?" Finnick asked, brushing his hand through his hair. It was so sexy when he did that, why did he have to do it when he was with me?
"Enjoying the sunset. I haven't been here since we had that little fight." I announced.
"I know." He replied, he sat down next to me on my right hand side.
"How would you know?" I retorted.
"Because I have been down here every evening waiting for you."
"Well tonight is your lucky night isn't it?" I scowled in his direction.
"Annie I'm sorry, I truly am." Finnick's eyes wandered.
"If you were sorry, you'd look me in the eye." I started to get up, ready to leave before he grabbed my arm.
"Annie, you don't understand." I paused and gazed at him.
"Then help me understand Finn." I insisted.
"I can't!" He replied I frustration.
"Why not?" I demanded. We started to argue, going back and forth. I wanted to know answers and he simply wouldn't give them to me.
"Well Finn, I really wish you could tell me so everything would be sorted out. I really do, but I guess that is not how it's going to be." I snapped at him.
His eyes dropped to the ground, he tried to reply but nothing would come out. He would choke on his own words. Finn's voice became shaky and eventually, he broke down. He started to cry, this was something I hadn't seen him do since he arrived as victor from the games.
"Finn?" I called out his name gently.
How could I do this to him, drive him to feel so low and hurt after all he has been through? Tomorrow morning he was going to have to be a mentor and go through the pain all over again.
"Finn, I am so sorry. I am sorry about what you have had to go through. I am sorry you are going to become a mentor tomorrow, and I am sorry that I won't be there to support you along the way." I apologised. "But until you can be honest with me, I don't see how I can be there for you again."
I took a deep breath before leaning in a lightly kissing him on the cheek, I whispered him a goodbye.
The next morning I waited impatiently in line with all the other children. My mother had neatly styled my hair into a pretty, side plait. I even added a cute bow in for affect. I stood to attention when Mayor Willow, our district escort; Minnie, and the Finnick O'dair appeared on the stage. Minnie wore a rather puffy, shimmering, emerald green dress. Every piece of jewellery she wore was covered in diamonds and her eyelids were drowned in glitter.
"Welcome everyone. Today we will pick two –"After that her voice faded away as I struggled to pay attention. My eyes were glued on Finnick, he looked as handsome as he had ever looked. He wore a striking, blue tuxedo. There was just something about him today, maybe it was the way he conducted himself which made him somewhat irresistible. I really couldn't blame any of the girls for throwing themselves at him.
His sea green eyes found mine in the large crowd. I immediately began to blush, I felt the heat on my cheeks. I dropped my eyes to the ground, looking back up quickly to a smirk dancing on his lips. He gave me a subtle wink before concentrating on what Minnie was saying. I couldn't care less about her speech about the Capitol and how lucky we are to have them look after us, blah, blah, blah.
I snapped into reality fearing I would miss the tributes names being called.
"Now may I introduce who we have here joining us this morning? The Mayor of this lovely District, Mr. John Willow." She announced, her arm pointed in his direction. The crowd politely applauded and Mayor Willow waved and smiled in return.
"And how could I forget the handsome, most wanted man in all of Panem! Oh," She placed her hand up to her lips cheekily and giggled, "That rhymed. Sir. Finnick O'dair!" Her arm stretched out confidently as he grinned from ear to ear.
The males in the crowd applauded politely were as all the young women went wild. I heard cheers and screams from all directions from where I was standing. I rolled my eyes, how pathetic.
Finnick seductively smiled and winked at the crowd, I gasped. I thought I was special because I was winked at. My hatred towards him deepened, however once the cheers had drawn to a close his mask fell apart. His true emotions were showing, he was so nervous and agitated. He didn't want to be up there, he didn't want to go through it all again. I then began to feel sympathy for him.
You really have to sort your feelings out Annie Cresta! I thought to myself.
After the brief introductions Minnie carried out what she was assigned to do. She pulled out two names from two separate reaping bowls.
"Prepeen Dales." Was the first name Minnie so cheerfully called out, her Captiol accent strong and overpowering.
"Levi Fitzgerald." This name was the second. My jaw dropped and my eyes began to fill with tears. Levi? That was Pellic's only child, at thirteen years old I couldn't believe he had been chosen. Instantaneously after I heard these two names I felt remorse for their families, I felt sorry for both of the new tributes to represent our district. I prayed that for their sake, at least one of them would come home safe.
Once the reaping was over all the children around me ran up to their parents and held them in a tight embrace. Instead I ran up to Finnick.
"Finnick! Finnick!" I cried, I was being held back by two Peacekeepers. "No, let me see him. I am his friend! Finnick!" I began to yell frantically.
"Yeah, yeah. That's what they all say." One of the Peacekeepers revealed.
Finnick turned around at the sound of my voice and came running to my aid.
"Annie!"
"Finnick, you have to train Levi. Don't let him die in that arena, please. Pellic won't be able to handle it. Please!" I begged him as I was being taken away from Finn.
I eventually found my parents I immediately ran up to my father and held him in my arms.
"Don't worry your precious little mind." I chuckled, trying to keep my voice strong and confident. "Levi will be perfectly fine."
My Father nodded his head expressionlessly. I heard my mother begin to cry.
"What about Pellic?" My mother wailed.
"Hush, hush. Don't worry, everything will be okay." I assured them both as we made our way back home. We passed Finnick's house, I caught sight of his parents.
"Hello Mr and Mrs O'dair!" I greeted with a faint grin.
The held each other's hands for what seemed like dear life. They looked terrified.
"Excuse me mom, I have to speak to them quickly. I'll meet you inside."
I trotted over to the pair quietly, being sure to look warm and welcoming. I embraced them both, and without warning they began to sob. Penny, Finnick's mother cried into my shoulder. It was at that moment I truly realised how much hurt the games brought. They brought a lot more sadness to the people of Panem than happiness.
"Finnick will cope just fine. He is so strong and brave, he will be the perfect mentor and I promise you when he gets home he will be the same Finnick he was when he left.
"Why do you say that like you mean it?" Penny asked puzzled.
"Well, because I do." I pointed out.
"But –" She began to object before I silenced her.
"I know Finnick like the back of my hand and I wouldn't say this if it wasn't true."
"We just don't want to lose him again." Caldwell, Finnick's father replied.
"Well, you won't." I repeated once more before wishing them both well.
I travelled back home, the stars shimmering above me. I looked up at the night sky and found the largest, brightest star out of them all.
"And I shall call you Finnick." I pointed to the star and declared to the world it's new name. Looking at the stars reminded me of him, so the whole way home, they never left my sight.
For the next week I sat at home with my parents and helped to create various nets. It helped get my kind off of things and keep me focused. Every night I was forced to turn on the TV to view the lead up to the games after countless arguments with my parents.
"I can't be a part of their little game anymore, mom!" I notified them both.
"I know Annie, neither do we, but this is compulsory viewing. We don't have a choice in the matter!" My mother yelled back. In the end they always won, explaining how devastating it would be to be punished for not watching a stupid show. But by remark silenced them all.
"It is not just a 'stupid show'. Children have to sacrifice their lives for the viewing pleasure for the Captiol. And if don't think that that is a serious issue, I don't know what is." I roared.
I reluctantly turned on the large, flat screen TV we had recently purchased and sat down on the couch. Peacekeepers came to our door every night to make sure we were watching.
Every night we would smile and insist that this was the most entertaining batch of tributes they had had in years. Every moment of the pre-games shows, I kept an eye out for Levi and Finnick. Other than that, everything else made me want to throw my television violently out my window.
Levi had received a not so impressive score of six out of twelve. That was the night I began to worry, then when he was interviewed by the dazzling Ceaser Flickerman I had been given hope. The sweet innocent little boy was able to win over the crowd to some degree, and Finnick would easily be able to persuade many sponsors.
The next day I sat by the lake side for hours. I watched people fish non-stop. I think I had studied their movements long enough, I could've strolled into the water and had a go at catching a fish myself. I waited and waited and waited, my patience was running dry. Then Pellic finally appeared.
"A little late are we?" I laughed.
"Sorry," He said emotionlessly. "I haven't been able to sleep, let alone think straight." He held his trident weakly and missed every single fish he tried to capture.
"No, Pellic, I was only kidding." I managed to tell him kindly.
Silence soon followed, I continued to sit there and keep him some form of company. He then dropped to his knees and began to sob. He yelled up at the sky, at God, someone who I knew wasn't about to start listening. He then began to insult the Capitol and its people. I stood up and ran over to him.
"Quiet, don't say those things. People may be able to hear you!" I kneeled in the water beside him, my dress drenched with water.
"I don't care anymore Annie. My little Levi is gone and he won't be coming back."
"Oh, don't say that." I shook my head, trying to pull him back into a calm state.
"It's true. Isn't it?"
"Pellic, don't, please don't. Come on let's get you home."
I had the smallest bit of hope left in me that Levi would be safe and would come home to Pellic's welcoming arms. But hope was worthless in these situations. Levi never came home. It's hard for me even to talk about what I witnessed. I sat on my couch nervously as the countdown began. They had a brief close up of every single tribute. When they reached Levi he was calm, serene. But he still looked like he was deciding something in his mind. The arena was a large ghost town and the Cornucopia was positioned in the town's centre. As soon as the sound of the gong rang out through the air for everyone to hear, Levi ran towards the Cornucopia. He wasn't running towards anything in particular though, it didn't look like he had a purpose for venturing out into the bloodbath. Then it hit me, he gave up. He had given up before he tried. I knew what was going to happen before it did, but I couldn't take my eyes away from the screen. I felt butterflies in my stomach as I still clung onto that tiny bit of hope I had left. Levi stood a metre away from the bloodbath, he waited for a second or two before a large male tribute from District 11 showed up, I believe his name was Rolt.
"What are you doing little man? You have to go! Run!" He yelled. Levi shook his head peacefully. That's when the tears began.
"No. I whispered to myself. "Don't do it."
"No, I can't win this. I won't be able to. Please kill me now. Do it quickly, before a Career finds me." Levi begged.
Rolt nodded before quickly stabbing him through the temple with his knife. Although he was the one that killed Levi, he did it respectfully. I was quite upset when he had gotten killed too. The remaining Careers had found him and slit his throat. Why was it that whenever I wanted a particular person to win the games they always died. Why did these innocent children have to die? There was no fucking point, it was all so ridiculous.
After the damage was done, all I could think about was Finnick. Was he okay? Was the coping? I began to cry myself to sleep because of how worried I became. It was at that point when I realised how important he was to me, he was my best friend.
I grudgingly watched the last day of the Hunger Games, the Peacekeepers showing up, right on cue. One thing they said really pissed me off.
"I have loved how gruesome these games were, I hope it ends tonight, it is beginning to bore us. No one has died in the past 24 hours." They complained.
I grit my teeth and held back my extremely rude insults. They were bored because no one had died while there are kids who have died in the apparent 'name of the Capitol'. Isn't it sad how they are never remembered by the names, isn't it pathetic how they aren't even remembered. They are only remembered if the way in which they died was memorable.
"Well thanks for the splendid visit. Goodbye." I slammed the door in their faces with a subtle smirk.
I remember the moment when Viola Hayes had become a successful victor by feeding someone nightlock in their sleep. I guess it would've been a nice way to die, sleeping. So I guess Viola was in my good books, she was kind. Even though she murdered someone... When it comes to the Hunger Games nothing is really complicated. It is lie, or be lied to. Betray or be betrayed. Most importantly kill or be killed.