Hi everyone. This is chapter four I decided to change the point of view and as always all Hunger Games material belongs to Suzanne Collins. I know their relationship goes from fast to slow but in my experience that's how a lot of college relationships are until the couple finds a rhythm and some stability. The other characters are not as present in this one as I felt Annie and Finnick need some time to themselves. I hope this isn't too terrible again I writing this on a whim and still trying to teak the story. Anyway enough of this useless chatter, here's the story.

Chapter Four

Finnick's P.O.V

It's Monday morning and my head is fucking killing me. The party this weekend was crazy but when it's an Iota Lambda Psi party when is it not? Between the chicks and the booze I think I went a bit too hard. This weekend was so good I don't even remember Saturday. Sunday I was just knocked out cold all day but so was the rest Lam-Psi. Now that I'm past my freshman status I can truly enjoy the benefits of my frat. Virtually all the Lax guys pledged Lam-Psi. Of course there's non-athletes who are just a crazy as us like Marvel. He co-runs the frat house with Thresh but he's always seems a bit off. From day one he never really liked me and will only refer to me as 'the pretty boy'. I don't mind because hey, it's a compliment but I'm not sure why he holds it over my head. Luckily he doesn't play sports but he's a rich entitled kid who swears he knows everything.

His ex-girlfriend Glimmer is almost just as bad. I look across the lacrosse field to the cheerleaders. Glimmer is there with her uncomfortably perfect smile. She maybe far from us but I can feel her craziness from here. Her sliver dyed hair stands out in the sun as she counts the different steps. She and Marvel had so many fights most us still shiver about the ones we witnessed in the house. When two fabulously wealthy, spoiled psychos date the results are cringe worthy. Despite it we still helped Marvel when Glimmer tried to burn the house down after he broke up with her. God I'm glad those days are over… Even so, these are memories that my brothers and I will always have. These guys are family to me. Dysfunctional as hell, but family.

Too bad we have these 5 am practices, they really aren't helping the situation. I'm hungover as fuck but I see that my teammates aren't doing much better. It's already in the 80's and humid from the rain last night. It's muggy, almost sticky, and with this added sun beaming on us I'm not feeling it today. It's only about 30 minutes into practices and I'm sweating buckets. In fact Thresh seems to be the only the one in good spirits but that's why he's the captain. Haymitch isn't cutting us any slack today either.

Effie must've pissed him off again. After finishing several suicides across the field I see Madge heading over with several bags. The short southern blonde had always brought treats and snacks for the team. All of us call her Mrs. Captain since Madge is always looking out for us. I can see why Thresh likes her.

"Alright guys take 10 but after we're running some offensive drills, be ready!" Thresh runs over to Madge, kissing her before taking the bags. Waves of auburn hair catch me eye just as I'm about to turn and stretch. When I see those soft green eyes I know its Annie. She smiles at Thresh but as usual looks timid and awkward. For some with a lot of sass she certainly puts on one hell of a front.

I debate walking over but as soon she gets a glimpse of me Annie turns and leaves. It's not the first time she's ignored me but for some reason this doesn't feel quite right. I notice a heavy gloved hand on my shoulder and turn around to see Thom.

"Hey man, you alright?"

"Yean, I just…" I find my eyes wandering to Annie's retreating frame. What's up with her?

"Woah! A girl making Finnick speechless what's that about?" Thom snickers at me, I just roll my eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"You were staring pretty hard at Annie."

"I'm just tired Thom it's not like that."

"I know. That's why you need to stop." I freeze and look at him questioningly. "Listen Rue has told me a little bit about Annie she doesn't need people playing with her."

I not sure why but his tone is starting to irritate me. "You can't tell me you actually care about my personal affairs?"

"Honestly I don't, but I care about Rue and inadvertently I care about her friends. If something happens to them because of my friends I have an issue with that. Plus, I hate seeing Rue upset."

"That sounds like a you problem." I start to walk back towards the center of the field for drills.

"Finnick!" I stop sighing. I know I shouldn't be annoyed with Thom but I am. I'm not a predator for messing around with this weird girl. Yeah I bugged her to get a reaction but I'm not really trying to fuck her. All my friends tied down by these girls is getting old fast. Not to mention Annie's pretty cool, she's a bit of spaz around me but it's entertaining. She's amusing and she's not as weak as everyone thinks. "Please hear me out man, there's tons of girls to mess with on campus just leave her alone. After what happened Friday night-"

I snap my head towards him "What happened Friday night?"

Thom's eyes stare intensely at me. "Shit…you don't remember?"

"What did I do? Is that why you're on my ass today?"

"Finnick, man you have got to talk to Annie. If you really don't remember then-"

"Fuck, Thom just tell me what happened!"

"Listen I don't even know Rue was just ranting about you pushing yourself on her or something…dude I don't even fucking know just talk to her, okay?"

I'm about to prod further but Thresh is already back on the field and Haymitch keeps blowing his whistle. For the rest of practice I'm a bit distant trying to rack my brain and figure out what happened. I'm not going to lie Annie looked hot that night. Her body isn't half bad for a girl that self-conscious. I know she got dejected because of Peeta and his Katniss bullshit, it was obvious her confidence just plummeted. I didn't want one of my douchebag brothers to try messing with her so I followed her out. We talked for a bit but that's it …isn't it?

Finally it was time for my oceanography class, the only place I know Annie wouldn't be able to avoid me. By the time I get there Annie is already at her desk. Her hair is now up in a messy bun. She's dressed in an O U sweatshirt and pants. I guess we've both had a rough weekend. I take my seat next to her and she nearly recoils. We only had ten minutes before class starts so I face her to try to get to the bottom of this.

"Annie?" She jumps and slowly shifts her eyes towards me. "What happened between us this weekend?"

A couple of emotions flash across her face but the main one is annoyance.

"I knew you were too drunk."

I run my hands through my hair. "C'mon can you just tell me if need to apologize or not?"

Annie continues to stare at me but her eyes look as though they are searching for something in my face before looking away.

"Apologize."

"I'm sorry." My quick response cause her to turn her head towards me.

Annie looks at me for a couple of seconds as though she's deciding on something. I sincerely mean my apology and I hope I didn't do anything too fucked up. I'm pulled out of my thoughts when Annie leans in, almost unsure of what she's doing, before she puts a hand on cheek. I'm surprised but I don't move.

"Does this bring back anything?"

I look down trying to focus.

Flashback

Saturday Morning 1:45am

I'm in a pretty drunken haze but Annie's hand is really warm. Her lips are pretty…does she know that? I'm losing it. I'm not sure what's come over me but it needs to stop before I get into trouble. It wouldn't hurt just to taste right? Before I realize what I'm doing, I give Annie a sloppy kiss. Most girls at this point push me off or return it just as sloppily as me. Instead Annie laughs. Not just laughs but giggles. I pull away staring in mild awe. Suddenly she became really beautiful. Something about her laugh gets to me. I'm probably just thinking with my dick again…

"Why are you laughing? That's not nice you know."

She keeps laughing. "Your face is so red right now."

"How do you know that?" I pout.

"You have a cute side." She says this as she runs a hand through my hair.

Between the way she's looking at me and her hands in my hair we might be getting into trouble.

Too late

Gently I pull her head to me and kiss her again, this time she responds back. The taste of alcohol, evident on both our lips, adds a fire to the kiss. Usually it takes a minute to get in sync but Annie and I just click from the start. Before I know it we are completely making out. Her hands are tugging on my hair while mine pull her to straddle my lap. One of her hands rubs my jaw as our tongues dance together. I think I just found a new turn on. Our kiss is sensual but equal. Typically it's a battle to control this kiss isn't like that. It's curious with the pure desire to figure each other out.

She pulls away, staring. Her eyes seem confused but intrigued.

"I think I need another drink." Annie tries to get off me but I gently grab her hand to keep her in place.

"Wait." Pausing, to figure out the lease creepy way to ask this. "Why don't we go together? I mean, we can chill at my place... it's not too far from campus… my Aunt Mags lives there and will gladly beat the shit out of me if I try anything. But only if you want to that is…" All of a sudden I feel awkward and hesitant. I've never invited a girl to my house before. Normally, they just show up and stalk the place before Mags calls the cops. Annie suppresses a laugh looking me over for a minute.

"Okay but… why? You could always go back inside." Annie looks away biting her lip uneasily. After that make out she really thinks I don't want her company? What the hell…?

"I don't know…I guess… I just want to know you." I flash her a smile and lead the way.

I have no idea how but Annie and I manage to walk down to my beach house on the shore. We laughed the whole way and even ended up sharing random information. I commit these all to memory (as much as I can this intoxicated) knowing full well when she's sober I will be completely shut out. Annie's favorite colors are olive green and cerulean. Her favorite ice cream flavors are pistachio, cherry and mint. Ugh she would like those flavors. She has a younger brother and sister who live in Montana with her parents. She's lived four other places before settling in Montana. Her dad works in the Military and her mom runs a flower shop. She loves sunsets because she can't get up for sunrises.

Surprisingly I tell her about me as well. It's the first time in a while some one has asked what I like and it not involving hooking up. I sneak her in back to the pool bar pulling out some brandy and Bacardi since neither of us like beer. I surprised that she goes for the brandy right away. You're always full of surprises aren't you? Soon we're pouring shots for each other which eventually turns into a sticky mess because we can't stop cracking up. I guess we're happy drunks together. Being the idiot I am, I turn on music causing Mags to come out the house. Since it's like 2 in the morning she's pissed but amused as this has never happened. However, Mags seems to like Annie since she smiles and goes back inside warning us that she'll be checking in.

The shots kick in and Annie challenges me to a dance battle. I'm surprised by her boldness but am pleasantly surprised at how rhythmic she is. We continue dancing like idiots but since it's still hot out we decide to stop to take a dip in the pool. Neither us take off our clothes and just get in. The water cool and refreshing, causing both of us to sigh. We talk lazily and I learn that both of us were swimmers in school.

"I know how to surf too."

"Really! You have to teach me some time?" Both of our words are slurred, we probably look ridiculous to our neighbors.

I take my shirt and pants off because of the added weight they give in the water. Annie's dress is too tight for her take off but I tell her to keep it on.

"Mags might get upset." Truthfully it was for my sake as well.

"Never knew you were one to stop a girl from stripping." I know she's sarcastic but this doesn't sit well with me. Sure I have a reputation but I'm not out here harassing girls.

"I would never do that, I understand limits." Annie looks at me unconvinced.

"Right, you know I heard you and jock friends in class right? If you're douchebag don't be sensitive about it, just do you. Clearly that's something you have no problem with."

"First of all, do I joke and talk with my bros? Yeah, I do but that doesn't automatically make me an asshole. Second, you don't know me well enough to assess that."

"How? Last time I checked treating women like conquests is something assholes do."

"Dammit Annie, not everything you see is what it is. Everyone puts on a front for certain people-"

"I don't" Her cheeks are rose from the both alcohol and anger now.

"Oh so this pitiful, people don't fucking like me attitude isn't a front?"

"No it's not I don't need to fake my life."

"Jesus, Annie can you do no wrong? You judge people all the fucking time yet have the nerve to ask why people don't like you?"

Annie steps back in the pool and I see the hurt in her eyes. Shit.

"If I'm that fake then I can just leave."

"Annie wait! Look, I know you aren't fake that's why I keep hanging around you. You are way more interesting than you give yourself credit for. But Annie, you have to stop doubting yourself and the people around. Do you think so little of Rue, Clove and Madge that they would hang with you out of pity? You bring something to table Annie and I wish you could see that." Both she and I are surprised at my words, I'm not sure where they came from to be honest. But they're the truth.

Annie is silent for a moment. She runs a hand through her wet hair and sighs. "Finnick, I…I don't know how to act around you. During my time in Montana lived in fear of the people around me. One of my best friends from high school became my enemies and made my life hell. Every day I would come home with bruises and ripped clothes. It wasn't until she tried to drown me in the school toilet and the district did nothing. She only got a detention and when she saw me again she beat me to pulp. I was already shy and timid so it only made things worse. I graduated early to escape but her boyfriend went to the same college. Within days I was out casted due to nasty rumors. I dropped out after my first semester. The next one I did was online while I battled PTSD, anxiety, depression and panic attacks. I'm trying to heal but it's hard and things have been so bad I don't know when they're good.

And you…I don't know what to do about you. I like Peeta he's everything I could want in guy but I can't get close to him because of you. You make it so uncomfortable. I know I'm awkward but I'm trying. Not everyone wants a pretty boy like you. Besides I could never be pretty enough for you so stop using me to make the other girls jealous, I'm tired of it. Be sincere about something dammit! Ugh, I'm drunk as fuck so please don't throw this in my face later. I beg you…" My arms wrap around her, I'm not sure why but my heart aches seeing her tears.

I don't even think she's realized she's been crying. Her pain is real and I feel like a dick for bothering her this whole time but I'm glad I can understand her a little better.

"What a bitch why would she…" I silently slapping my head for thing aloud.

"She thought I leaked a naked picture of her and her previous boyfriend on purpose… I didn't and when I tried to tell her it was the guy she liked at the time, all hell broke loose. I just…don't want that again…" Eventually Annie's sniffles stop and she holds on to me tightly.

I move my hand to her head to pull her closer. Mags comes out the house and stares at us confused. I hide Annie's reddened face and give her nod that I would explain later. I gently pull Annie into one of the big lounge chairs and wrap her in a towel. I grab a towel to dry my own hair when I feel her soft palm on my chin. I turn as she leans towards me with her hand now on my cheek. The gesture is so intimate and I feel my eyes soften. We just stare at one another lost in haze of drunkenness and understanding. I move forward and rest my forehead on hers.

"I want to be sincere with you, Annie…will you let me?" She closes her eyes and sighs.

"Yes…" I move her hair behind her ear before planting a light kiss on her forehead. The last thing I remember is us taking one last shot before falling asleep. When I woke up Thom and Thresh were at the house with all the frat bros where we drank from noon to Sunday morning. All of Sunday was spent with the whole team snoozing.

I look back at Annie slightly baffled and annoyed with myself knowing she was probably hurt by my lack of memory.

"Why did you leave before I woke up?" I say it softly so no one over hears.

Annie moves away and slumps in her seat.

"Madge called me, she wanted to celebrate my first Oceana party with another one I guess. I didn't want to wake you and I was still a bit hazy so I knew you probably forgot."

"Why avoid me? Why not just…you know talk to me like a normal person?"

She sighs again looking at me. "You're Finnick Odair, the popular lacrosse star and frat guy why would you care about remembering or not?"

"Because maybe I care about you."

"Alright class turn to chapter two and let's get started." Annie and I turn to face the professor but stayed quiet for the rest of class.

Where do we go from here?