I am so sorry it took me long to update. This chapter took me so long to write. I finished all my exams for this year! Last week I was lucky enough to be able to see John Green, Ansel Elgort, Shailene Woodley, and Nat Wolff in the Demand our Stars tour! I love John Green and TFIOS so much. It was REALLY hot and people were fainting. They had to cut the event short because people were pushing and people's health was put at risk. But, at least I got to see them. Anyway, I really like this chapter I hope you do too. Thank you guys for the favorites, the follows, and the reviews! You're all amazing! Happy reading!
Chapter 7
Annie dreamed of one number. Six, her training score. When she had fallen asleep in Finnick's arms, he woke her up about three hours later. Everyone raved about having a six. They'd expected a much lower number. She woke up, replaying that moment in her head but, with the longing feeling of wanting to be with Finnick. This time she slept in her own bed.
She missed breakfast, too anxious to eat. Downstairs everything was silent. She lay on her bed and stared at the pale ceiling. The games were tomorrow. This would be the last day of a regular life. What regular life? The last normal day was the day before the reaping. Her life changed right before her eyes the second Grier called her name with that childish voice. Worst of all, she was prepared to die. She would die to save a boy, she barely knew. But the world didn't need her. What could she do? She snapped out of her trance when the door creaked open letting Finnick inside.
"Hey, are you okay"?
"No"
"I know"
"The realization of having to go through the games didn't hit me until now. It's the only thing I can think of".
"The same happened to me during my games. And I was 14. Just a kid. We have mentoring time now until you have to get ready for the interview".
"Yippe"
She sat up on her bed resting her back against a pillow and Finnick in front of her.
"First thing, don't get near the inside of the cornucopia, if you can grab something around it you grab it. Then, find water. We don't know what the arena will be like, so try hard and find freshwater. If you get stabbed, keep the knife in there. It's what's going to keep you from bleeding to death. Keep it there until either Mags or I can send you something. If the knife is bothering you or it's too painful, make a tourniquet out of anything and make sure it's putting pressure on the wound. On the contrary, if you stab someone, take out the knife so they bleed. When you fight use your body. Remember you're weak and skinny. Make traps with some knots and fish hooks. I know you don't know how to make a trap, but you're smart you can figure it out"
Finnick spent hours talking about plants and which were healthy or poisonous. His eyes were stern, trying to reach the ambition of a tribute becoming a victor.
"You really want me to win".
"Annie, you are the only good thing in my life. I hate myself so much for what I do. I need something real".
He took her hands and kissed them like they were a treasure. But Annie really was his treasure and his gold.
Annie realized, that Finnick was her lighthouse. Every time she was in the dark, it was Finnick who lighted her way to safety. Especially on those nights when her dad would start screaming and throwing things around the house. She loved him for that. She needed him more than she thought.
They stared at each other in silence for a long time, until Finnick hugged her tight and broke the silence.
" I love you Annie. I love you so much"
Annie didn't know what to say. Besides her mom, no one had told her that they loved her. Annie was truly surprised. She replied:
"Thank you Finnick. I love you too. I mean it"
Mags opened the door and announced it was time for Annie to get ready.
"So soon"?
"You need to get the capitol glamour dear".
"Ugh"
"Come on. Lets go you don't want to keep Grier waiting"
"I'll see you later" she said planting a kiss on finnicks lip
"Me too, after the interview I want to talk to you"
"Okay"
Mags lead Annie to a separate room in the suite where there's a long mirror surrounding a small circular platform and five dresses hidden in ghostly white bags. To a corner of a room there was a mirror and a chair with many hair products that Annie could have sworn would rip her hair out. She remembered this room from the Tributes Parade. Grier welcomed them in along with the styling team and their glitter filled dresses and shoes. Annie thought this was all ridiculous. So much glamor just to possibly die. But of course, the media cares about the entertainment, who's going to wear who, when in the Districts people are starving and dying every day. It's sick.
"First thing's first. Fitting" Said Maryna, her stylist, who was a bigger pain than Grier, but yet a lot nicer.
After what seemed like infinite years, they finally decided on a turquoise dress that was high in the front and low in the back and it shined like stars. They dressed was matched with six-inch silver, shining stilettos which were gonna kill Annie before she even got to the Arena. Her makeup was light, which she was thankful for, and her hair was put into a side braid. After four hours of constant beauty products, Annie stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. She felt beautiful, radiant like the reflection of the moon on the cold, still, dark ocean, on a clear night sky. Everyone clapped their hands and different shouts of compliments flooded the room.
Annie stepped out and Corbin was waiting outside with a suit of the same color as Annie's dress. Annie noticed that Mags had accents on her outfit that were turquoise.
"You look stunning" Annie told Corbin
"Thank you. You look elegant"
"Thank you" A door closed somewhere in the distance and Finnick was coming from Annie's right. His suit was white and the tie was, of course, turquoise. Finnick stopped in his tracks and was going to hug Annie, but he noticed the people there and kept walking toward them. He complimented both Annie and Corbin at the same time. Every one walked together to the theatre, where the interviews were going to be taking place. Annie walked in back of the crowd with Finnick. She held on to his arm for mental support and help walking with the shoes. They had to take a car that took them to the theatre in fifteen minutes. People were starting to go in and they made their way to enter through the back so they wouldn't be noticed. Finnick and Mags dropped them off at the line of the other tributes according to district. Finnick made eye contact with Annie before leaving with Mags to the mentor's rooms where they would be watching the interviews.
It seemed ages before the boy from District Three finally went for his interview. Annie's turn was next.
"You're going to do fine. Just be you" Corbin whispered in her ear.
"I have nothing interesting to mention. At least you can mention Lilly. That's going to get you a lot of sponsors. I've got nothing"
"You have personality. That is vital in things like these"
"Annie Cresta" A man called. It was time.
"You're going to do fine" Annie didn't say anything in return. Too anxious to speak. She was lead to the back of the stage, where she heard Caesar Flickerman's voice introducing her.
"She is from the prestige fishing district. Everyone please welcome Annie Cresta"
The applause from the crowd was loud and rang in her ears. She stepped out and the audience was like little ants surrounding a pile of food. Annie was the food.
"Thank you Caesar" She said shaking his hand and giving him two kisses one on each side of his cheeks. He smiled his ghostly white teeth and his blue hair shined against the lights. His suit matched the frosty blue hair. She took a seat and Caesar waited for the crowd to die down.
"Annie, you look gorgeous" The audience cheered in agreement.
"Well, there's only one person to thank. Maryana my stylist"
"You did a good job Maryana"! He laughed the kind of laugh that could be clearly be heard in your worst nightmares.
"So, tell me Annie, is there anyone special back home"
"Oh no. There's no one"
"Aw come on, who's the special guy? With a girl as pretty as you, you must have a special friend"
"No there's no one. Not even my family is special. Well, what's left of it"
"What do you mean? We don't get it"
"Umm… My mom died of an illness when I was six. And my dad lost control of his life and doesn't even know I exist. Why would a man want a girl whose life was chewed up and spat out in front of her. I want to win this just to show people that I am stronger than what I seem. I'm not a damaged girl. I'm a determined woman"
The audience erupts into applauses and Caesar grabs her hand making her get up and she takes a bow.
"Annie Cresta everybody! Thank you darling, you look beautiful"! She didn't know where she headed but she noticed where she was when Finnick said "Short and sweet. Perfect"
All she could get out of her mouth was "I…need… to… sit down" Finnick settled her on the floor and Mags watched Corbin's interview on the giant TV.
"Baby, are you okay" Finnick was pertubed.
She leaned her head against the wall and whispered "Water" Finnick obeyed and he worried even more.
"Annie, what's wrong" She gulped down the water and settled the glass cup on the floor.
"It was such a rush. There were so many people. What did I even say"?
"It was shorter than most but, you seemed determined. You won a lot of people's hearts in that short time. It was perfect"
"God I could use a drink"
"What"! Mags head whipped around so fast, Finnick wondered how her neck didn't snap.
"Everyone needs a drink now and then" Finnick replied. He poured Annie a clear yellow liquid into a glass with ice. The Capitol really had everything for the tributes and their teams.
"What is it"?
"whisky"
Annie took a sip making a sour face as it went down her throat with a burning sensation.
"I like it. I feel much better" she poured the rest into her mouth. "Help me up"
Finnick did and Corbin stepped into the room. They were ready to go back and get some rest. Annie felt dizzy as soon as she stood up. She took one step and almost toppled onto the table filled with liquor.
"Maybe I shouldn't drink" she said laughing.
"My god Annie it was just one drink" Finnick grabbed her arm and passed it around his neck supporting her. Good thing he was strong. And good thing she wasn't completely drunk. That would have been a mission.
When they got to the suite it was trouble to get Annie up the stairs but he managed with Corbin's help. Corbin then went to his room and Finnick settled Annie on her bed.
"Thank you Finnick. I was seeing stars. Maybe that whisky was too strong or I was just seeing stars since the interview ended"
"Are you still dizzy"?
"A little"
Finnick took off her shoes, makeup, hair, and dress. She managed to put her pajama on.
"Get sleep, Ann. Tomorrow's the day".
"Finnick, stay with me. I can't sleep unless it's with you"
"Anything for you, Ann" he stripped to his underwear and cuddled against Annie"
"I love you" but she was already drifting off. And fell asleep before she could reply.
