Hey guys so here is chapter number eight.

In this chapter you guys well finally see Annie at the age of 17. So that means that six years have passed since and Mom died and Finnick and Annie got in a huge fight. In this chapter you'll see that Annie still hasn't forgiven Finnick and you guys will even see Annie with a boyfriend.

PS. I forgot to add in the last chapter that the Victors had dinner rooms and library in there houses (when Annie was explaining how the Victors houses looked like) but I went back and added that in.(Just saying this because in some parts of this chapter Annie goes into a dinner room and in a library.)

And by the way thanks to everyone who reviewed and is reading this story. It means a lot to me.

Disclaimer: I don't own the hunger games or Kelly Clarkson What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger).

Annie Belle (Annie) Point of view:


(Six Years Later)

As I look out to the stunning ocean in front of me I can't help but feel at peace, safe, and at home but I knew what I'm feeling right now won't last forever as I know that reaping was only two days away.

Reaping, just thinking about the word brought goose bumps up my arm. To me the word meant pain, hurt, and lost but most of all it meant monster because only a monster could make such a horrible thing in life and feel no remorse.

Reaping day was meant to show everyone that we should never rebel against the Capitol because if they can do this to us they can do so much more. It was also to show us how it feels to lose someone that means the world to you. They don't care if the person your sister, brother, classmate, neighbor, or even your friend to them there were just a doll, and if the doll just happens to break, they can always find a new one to replace the old one in no time.

I have lost so many people because of reaping day and the hunger games. First I lost my big sister Pia, the person who used to be there for me, every time I need her to be. Then I lost Finnick, the person that said that he would always be there for me but instead left me all alone.

Finnick and I used to be friends, we were never very close but we still friends. He used to be my rock when I had nothing to hold me together. He used to be the person I thought I could say what I was feeling and would understand me with only, very little words said. I thought he would always be there for me like he told me he would but I guess I was mistaken.

After that night in his bedroom six years ago, things change between the two of us, I started hating him and hating him even more when he start to ignore me at first. He didn't even come up to me and say can we still be friends or Annie, can we just forget that we even had that stupid little fight; all he did was act like I meant nothing to him. And to be truthful it hurt me more then I let show. I always thought that he thought of me as one of his friends but I guess I was mistaken again.

After a year or so went by from our fight and us not talking to each other, he finally started talking to me again. It was nothing big it was mostly just a hi, how was school, or how's Eva and Mason but it never went further than that and it sure didn't make me hate him less, I think it made me hate him more because if he could say to me every time he saw me hi why could he just say sorry to me like he really means it.

As I sit here in the sand, I think about those days when he and I used to play on this beach with our families. As I think about those times, I can feel a smile come on my face. It was before Pia had gone off to the games or before Finnick turned bitter and mean. It was a time before the darkness, a time that I wish I had back but never will.

As I sit there lost in my own mind I can feel two strong arms go around my waist and lips go to my neck. As I feel kisses go up my neck, I can't help but feel my smile on my face grow bigger.

"Garrett, how many times have I told you not to creep up on me like that?" I say as I turn around to face Garrett.

Garrett had grown up a lot in the last six years and in a good way if you know what I mean. He wasn't that 12 year old boy anymore; he had grown into a young man now. And as he got older the hotter he got. He wasn't drop dead gorgeous like Finnick but he was handsome looking and as time went by a lot of people started to notice this too.

I never notice Garrett was turning into such a fine-looking guy till about a year ago when he started talking to me more and when he started to call me at night to see how my day went. I never really thought about Garrett being more than a friend to me but after a while things started to heat up between us and then after he kissed me, we can't keep on denying are feeling for each other anymore.

We feared that Eva would be mad at us so we told nobody that we were seeing each other at first but once we finally told Eva that we were seeing each other, she started jumping up and down and yelling on the top of her lungs how she was going to design our wedding for us.

It been a year now that we been together and I couldn't say I wasn't happy with Garrett because he did make me happy but somehow it felt so wrong being with him, like my heart is telling me that he's not the one for me. That he's still out there looking for me but the problem is will I ever meet him or have I already meet him?

"Sweetheart, you can tell me a million times but we both know that I'm still going to do it." He says with a smile on his face.

I roll my eyes at him then ask him "What are you doing here? I thought, I told you that I couldn't make plans today that Mags was planning a dinner for tonight and that I had to be there." I say.

"Yeah, I know I just wanted to see your beautiful face one more time before I head off to pick up Eva from swim practice." He says.

"Didn't she finish practice 10 minutes ago" I say as I look at his watch on his arm.

"Oh crap, I better get going. She's going to kill me." He says as he gets up from the sand.

"Before she kills you tell her to call me in the morning okay." I say as I laugh.

"Yeah, I tell her. See you tomorrow okay." He says.

I nod my head as he bends over and kiss me softly on the lips. Then he walks over to his truck that is only across the street from the beach and drives away.

After watching him leave, I start getting up from the sand and walk up the street to Mags's house. I stay at Mags's house more then I stay at my own house. For some reason Mags's house makes me feel happy and safe. At my house all I feel is hurt and pain everywhere I go. Everything in that house makes me think about my Mother or Pia and every time I think about them I always even up crying myself to sleep. I still go to visit Jason and my Father everyday but I find it so hard to walk into that house knowing that I won't ever walk in to see my Mother making dinner for us anymore or Pia picking out my outfits for school the next morning.

As I reach the front door of Mags's house. I take a deep breath knowing that tonight was going to be a long night. As I walk thru the door, the smell of food hits me like a bullet. I have always loved Mags cooking. She once tried teaching me how to cook but the only thing I cooked was a huge mess.

I go to the kitchen, to find Mags, my Father, and Jason trying to cook the fish that Jason had caught this morning. Once they see me, they all smile at me before Mags says to me "Annie Belle, go upstairs and change before everyone gets here."

"Okay but do you guys need help with anything. I could make the cupcakes if you guys want." I ask.

Jason laughs as he hears this then says "Annie Belle, we would let you help but we don't want are dessert to be burnt cupcakes."

"JASON" My Father yells.

"Dad, we all know it true. Annie Belle couldn't cook even if it could save her life." Jason says as he walks over to me and pulls me into a hug "But that's what we love the most about you little sis."

I can't help but smile at this because I know that they really do love me and that even if I wanted them to stop, they never will. Once Jason breaks our hug I say "So I guess that's a no then."

"Oh…That was more than a no that was a hell no." Jason says while laughing. I roll my eyes at him as I leave the kitchen and go upstairs to my bedroom. Once in my bedroom I take off my sandals and walk over to my bathroom and take off all my clothes then put them in the hamper as I jump into the shower.

After taking a long shower I walk out of the bathroom and into my bedroom and go straight to my closet and pick out a nice white dress then I pick my black flats to go with them. Then I let my hair down to complete the outfit.

Once I'm finally done I go downstairs to the living room to find Taylor there with Jason talking on the couch. I walk over to them and say hi to Taylor, who I grown to see as a good friend of mine. Taylor, who is in his mid thirties, became close to me after Finnick and I stop being friends. We became close after I heard him singing on his piano one day as I walked by his house. He's voice is incredible, when he sings all you want to do and stop and listen. He was the one that showed me how to play the piano and flute in just three weeks.

I was just about to start a conversation with them when I hear the door bell. Knowing that Mags is busy cooking I yell out "I'll get it" then walk to the front door and open it, only to see Finnick standing there looking like a God.

Finnick hadn't changed much in the last six year. All that change was that he had gotten a lot taller and had gotten a lot more muscles. He looked a lot like his older brother Matt, if I did know any better I would think they were both twins. He was wearing a blue shirt with black jeans with a black leather jacket. In his hands I could see that he brought his and Mags's favorite snack, sugar cubes.

I look in back of him to see him all alone, I thought that Matt would come too but then again he had just gotten married and had just moved into his new house with his wife so I don't think he had the time to come over.

"Hey" Finnick says to me with no emotion.

"Hi" I say coldly as I move aside so he can come in. He comes in and without saying anther word to me, goes to the kitchen to find Mags. I watch him go and all I can feel is anger. All he said to me was "Hey", not even a "How you been Annie" or an "Annie, you look nice", just "Hey".

Is that what he says to all his stupid Capitols whores? I don't even know what they see in him, all he does to them is sleep with them then leave them in the morning. It makes me sick just thinking about it but that still doesn't stop me from wondering if he has a kid out there somewhere.

I shake the thought quickly out of my head as I think, I didn't care if he sleeps with all the women in the world or if he has a billion of kids out there, he left me when I need him the most. He lied to me, told me that he would always be there for me but never was. I don't need Finnick anymore I have Garrett now, and he's everything I need.

As I say this in my head to myself, I can help but feel like I'm lying to myself. I do need Finnick more then I like to say, I do. He was the only one who fully understands me. He's the only one, I really did need but I would never say that out load because he left me all alone and I'm to fright that if I do let him in again he'll just leave again. So it's better for me to hate him so that I never let him back in.

I was still lost in thought that I didn't hear Jason calling my name to eat till he came over to me and started shaking me.

"Okay, Jason I'm going, can you stop shaking me now." I ask with a smile on my face. He finally stop but then looks at me and says "What were you thinking about that made you so lost in thought" Jason ask with a serious face.

"Reaping, Pia, Mom…same old stuff."I lie.

"I know it hard this time of year, but you always have me here for anything you need" Jason says.

"I know." I say to him as I pull him into a hug. We don't let go of each other till Mags calls for us to go to the dining room to eat. We walk into the dining room to find everyone talking and sitting. We quietly walk over to are sits that are next to each other. As I sit down I look out of the corner of my eyes to find Finnick staring at me. He was next to Mags and my Father all the way at the end of the table. I wonder why he was staring at me but then quickly push it a side as we all started eating.

Once where all done eating, I help Mags with the dishes in the kitchen as the boys go into the living room to talk about men stuff. Once Mags and I finish we go out to the living room to find the boys drinking beer and talking about how they all should go fishing together. Mags goes sit near Finnick while I sit next to Jason.

The boys keep talking but I pay no attention to them till I start looking around the room to see that Taylor wasn't in the room. Knowing Taylor, I get up and walk over to Mags's library were she keeps her huge white piano. I find him there sitting on the bench of the piano, just looking at the piano. I walk over to him and sit next to him and ask "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just keep on thinking where the time went. I remember you being a little girl run to my house just so we could sing together." Taylor says with a smile on his face.

I smile as I hear this because growing up I always loved running straight over to his house to learn more about music. He was my teacher to music and for that he will always be special to me.

"You know I never thought my life would turn out this way you know. I always thought that by this age I would be married with at less two kids. I never thought that I would be lonely and a slave to the Capitol." Taylor says to me, grimly.

I stare at him as he says this to me, "What did he mean slave of the Capitol." He was free of them. All the victors were or at less I hoped.

I was just about to opening my mouth to ask him, when I hear someone in back of us yell "Taylor". As I turn around I could see Finnick behind us, and from the look in his eyes I could see he was angry and my guess is that he heard Taylor and I conversion and something had upset him but what.

"Annie go to the living room, I need to talk to Taylor for a minute." Finnick orders me, coldly, as he looks at Taylor.

I look at him in shock; he has no right to order me around. I wasn't five and even if I was he still had no right. He lost all his rights to me the moment he left me all alone.

Without thinking I stand up and put my hands on my hips and say "What the hell give you the right to order me around. The last time I check, you didn't even have the guts to have a full conversation with me. So please tell me what gives you the right to order me around, like I'm your pet."

"Annie, calm down and please give Finnick and I a minute." Taylor asks me as he stands up and puts his hand on my back. I try to calm myself down but I don't want to, all I want to do is blow up in Finnick face for everything he's done to me.

Taylor saw me wanting to yell at Finnick so says in a serious voice "Annie Belle, please calm down". After taking a few deep breaths, I finally calm myself down a bit and find the strength in me to storm pass Finnick and out of the room.

I slam the door behind me as I walk out of the room, and once I do, I can hear Finnick raising his voice at Taylor as he say "What were you thinking? Annie doesn't know anything about the whole Capitol thing. We all have tried are best to keep her. We don't need you to be going around with your big mouth, telling her these things."

I press my ear next to the door to hear better, only to hear Taylor say "Maybe it time one of us finally told her the truth. I tried of hiding all these secrets from her. You can't stop her from finding out, she will and when she does find out, she going to hate us all." Taylor yells back to Finnick.

I was just about to hear Finnick's response when I hear someone say "Annie Belle" in back of me. I turn around to find Mags in back of me with her cane.

"What were you doing standing there?" Mags ask.

"I…I thought I hear someone yelling so I was just about to make sure everything was alright in there." I lie.

Mags, gives me the "I know you're lying" look but doesn't say anything about it and says "Okay, do you want to come to living room with me. I just baked some cookies and thought we all can have some while having a little discussion."

"Oh...I'm still super full from dinner so I think I'll pass this time and go upstairs to my bedroom and get some sleep." I say.

"Oh…well goodnight and see you in the morning" Mags says as she walks over to me and gives me a kiss on the top of my head.

I smile at her and say "Goodnight" then rushed upstairs to my bedroom. Once I'm inside my bedroom I fell on my bed thinking about what Taylor and Finnick had said.

I didn't understand anything that happened tonight. Why did Taylor say that he was the Capitol slave and why did Finnick get so mad at him for telling me this? And why did Taylor say I would hate them all when I found out the truth? And what was the truth?

My head was spinning with all these questions but no answers. I wanted answers; I wanted to know what everyone was hiding from me. I wanted them to stop treating me like a baby. I'm seventeen years old, I wasn't a baby anymore. They need to start trusting me or Taylor was right:

I just might, start hating them all.

(The Next Day)

I sit on my bed as the same thoughts go around in my head. I haven't left my bedroom since last night and to honest I really didn't want to. I know I should be spending all the time I can with my family and friends as I know that reaping is tomorrow morning but I can't find the strength to face everyone.

I know Mags is get worry as she keeps knocking on my door and asking me if I'm okay but I don't answer her and after a while she finally get the message and leaves. I know she has called Eva, Mason, and even Garrett because all three of them haven't stop texting or calling me all day but I don't answer them either.

I knew that I couldn't stay up here forever but if I could, I would. My life was just a plain mess and nothing I do can help me cleaning it up, People have tried to clean it up but once they do it just gets mess up again.

I remember when my life wasn't such a mess, when the only thing that was a mess was my bedroom. I remember waking up with a smile on my face every day but now I only wake up with a frown on my face because I know things will never be the same in my life.

As I think of my life before I hear my cell phone go off next to me again. I guess its anther message from Eva or Mason telling me to text them back. I was about not to look at the new message, when I thought about how it might be something important so I grab my cell phone and look at the text that Eva just sent me.

Once I open the text message, I wish I never given out my number to Eva.

In the message she writes:

Annie Belle, you better get your ass moving and get change, we're all coming to get you in 30 minutes to go to the bonfire. And don't you dare try to act all sick and stuff to not go because I will drag you out of that house kicking and screaming.

I groan as I know that if Eva wanted something she always finds a way of getting it. And knowing her she would drag me out of the house kicking and screaming. I knew that there was no way out of this so I text her back saying:

Okay you win; I'm going to start getting ready right now.

Once I text her I get up from my bed and throw my cell phone on the bed as I walk over to my bathroom. Once in the bathroom I take off all my clothes off and throw them in the hamper like I always do and jump into the shower.

Once I'm done with my shower I walk over to my closet and pick out a nice blue and grayish dress that has a handkerchief hemline at the bottom. Then I pick out my white heels to go with the dress and curl my hair and leave it down.

Once I'm done I go over to my jewelry box that is on my white makeup table and take out Pia's locket and put it around my neck. I rarely take the locket off but for some reason I always take it off when I can't stand to thinking about her anymore. It gets harder for me to think about her when reaping comes around but the locket was the only thing I had left to keep her memory a live to me and I wasn't going to let the Capitol take that away from me too.

As I take one finally glance at myself in the mirror, I hear the door bell ring. I take a deep breath as I know that tonight might be the last night I spent with one of my friends. Anyone of us can become a tribute tomorrow and if that happens we might never see that person again.

I walk out of my bedroom and downstairs to the living room to find Eva, Mason, Garrett and Mags waiting for me. As they see me come in I can see all the smiles on their face. I guess they were all happy that I finally came out of my bedroom.

"I'm ready, so let's go before we the last once there."I say to them. They nod their heads and start walking to the door but before we can all get of the house Mags stop us and asks us to let her take a picture with her camera. We all say yes and we all join together as she takes a picture of us.

Once she's done she smiles at us and tells us to have a good time. I smile at her then walk over to her and hug her and kiss her on her check and say "I'll be back before midnight."

She looks at me and says "Make that 1:00, and in joy yourself for once."

I nod my head then turn around and walk over to my friends and boyfriend. We all smile at each other as we leave the house and walk over to Garrett's truck that is right outside Mags's house. As Eva and Mason climb into the back of the truck, I open the door of the next to the diver seat and was about to climb in when Garret grabs my hand softly and spins me around to face him. Before I even know what's going on he press his lips to mine and kiss me passionately.

Once we separate from our kiss, he looks at me in the eyes and says "You look beautiful in that dress." I smile at him and say "Thanks but your just saying that because I'm your girlfriend."

"Trust me, even if you weren't my girlfriend I still tell you how beautiful you look to night." He says to me.

I can feel the smile on my face grow bigger as he says this to me. He was such a great guy and he really did make a smile appear on my face everyday but no matter how may time I try, I didn't ever think I'll love him.

We were both so lost in the moment that we forgot that Eva and Mason were in the back of the truck till Eva rolls down the window of the truck and yells out "Okay, I know I said I was totally okay with you two being together but I never said you two could make out in front of me. So get both of your asses in this truck right now and let get going."

I roll my eyes at her then walk over to the truck and sit down just as Garrett closes the door for me. As soon as my door is close Garrett goes over to his seat and sits down and starts driving over to the bonfire.

After driving for at less ten minutes we finally reach the beach were the bonfire was held each year, we park the truck then we all start walk over to are other friends.

After a while of talking, we all start dancing but it doesn't last long as a Mayor comes over to where Garrett and I were dancing and taps me from behind.

I turn around to face the Mayor and right away I know what he wants. After Eva and Mason dragged me up on stage six years ago, the Mayor has always wanted me to sing on special occasion. At first I was scared to death but after a while I got used to being in front of crowds and learned how to act calm in front of them.

Before the Mayor can even open his mouth, I hold up my hand and say "You don't even need to say it."

He smile at me then says "I'm so excited to hear your beautiful voice again. I can't wait!" And with that said he walks away.

I turn back to Garrett and right away he knows I got to go, so he bends down and kisses me softly then says in my ear "Blow this place away, sweetheart."

I smile at him then walk over to the stage to where the band is. I walk over to Romeo, the drummer of the band, then whisper in his ear the song. He smile at me then tells the rest of the band as I walk over to the microphone as the band starts to play the song.

(Kelly Clarkson - What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me
Think you had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on over you

You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You tried to break me, but you see

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not a broken hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking about me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Once I finish the song, like always everyone cheers like wild animals but I'm so used it that I block out all the people cheering and look around and find Garrett smiling and clapping.

I smile at him then get off stage and walk over to him and kiss him on the lips hard. Once we break from the kiss he smiles at me and says "You were wonderful up there."

"Thanks" I say as I grab his hand and lead him to where everyone is dancing.

After a while of dancing and laughing around we all get tired so we all go to where we parked Garrett's truck and get in. We start talking and laughing but stop shortly as we get to Mason's house.

"Well, see you all tomorrow. And don't forget to wear something pretty girls." Masons says as he gets out of the truck. We watch him go in his house then drive off to Eva's and Garrett's house.

"We are you driving here we still need to drop Annie off." Eva says to Garrett.

"I do, you don't." Garrett says to her.

"Oh...I get it you want to spend some extra time with Annie and don't want me to ruin it. Okay you two win, but just remember reaping tomorrow and we need to get up early." Eva says with a wink as she gets out the truck.

We wait till she's safely inside before we drive off to Victor's village. Once in front of Mags's house, Garrett turns the truck off before jumping out of his seat and walking over to my door and opening it for me.

I smile at him then say "Thanks" as he grabs my hand and walks me to the door of the house.

I stop and turn around to him and ask "Are you scared about tomorrow?"

He nods he head before saying "Yea, I think everyone is. Aren't you?"

"Of course I'm but I'm mostly scared of losing someone I love. I don't think I can take it if someone I live dies on me again. I think I'll lose my sanity." I say to him.

"I promise you no one's going to die on you. The reaping going to pass like a blur and all of us will be safe. Okay." He says.

I nod my head then kiss him before saying "You better start going, it really late and we need to be up early."

He nods he's head the kisses me one more time before saying "Goodbye". Then he walks over to his truck and gets in and waits till I'm in the house to drive off.

Once I shut the front door close, I silently make my way upstairs to my bedroom. Once inside my bedroom, I change out of my dress before getting into bed.

Once in bed, I wait for sleep to come but it never does. The thoughts from this morning come but this time they come with more question.

The questions don't finally stop till sleep finally hits me and everything goes black.


AN:

Hope you guys don't hate me for giving Annie a boyfriend that wasn't Finnick. I never wanted to give her a boyfriend that wasn't Finnick but I thought it would be so stupid if Annie never had a boyfriend till Finnick came along. And to be honest I don't really like Garrett that much, and the funny thing is I was the one that made him up, I guess that I just love Annie and Finnick together to much to see her with anyone but just so you guys know Garrett and Annie won't be together for too long, because I really hate writing scenes with Annie and Garret together!

And another thing, what do you guys think that Finnick and the rest of the victors are hiding from Annie? We all know that the Capitol make Victors sleep around with people but is there something more that there hiding from her? Well, I can tell you guys right now that you guys will find out in the next couple of chapters.


Spoilers:

In the next chapter you guys will finally see the reaping for Annie's games. And you guys will even see a lot more Finnick in the next chapter. And there will even be a heart to heart talk with Annie and Finnick.


You guys can find Annie's outfits on my profile and how the victor's houses look like ;)