Finnick understood me in a way no one else did. He knew when I needed space, and he knew when I needed a hug. He treated me like I was a queen, and I was on a cloud when I was with him. When I wasn't with him, I wished I was.

One day, I was sitting down on the beach, my head in Finnick's lap. Finnick was playing with my hair, which was now to my waist. I needed to get it cut, desperately, but Finnick insisted that I keep it long, because he loves to play with it.

"Is it hard to sleep?" I look up to Finnick, my eyes squinting in the bright sunlight.

"Sometimes," he admits. "During the day, it's not too bad. It's at night when it's the worst."

"I'm sorry," I tell him, reaching up for his cheek with my hand that isn't entwined with his.

He leans down, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"I love you Annie," he smiles. "I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"And I, you."

He kisses my right cheek, my nose, and then I crane back, so his lips touch mine. It was a sweet kiss, but it was certain, as well. It had been a year since Finnick and I declared our feelings for each other. Finnick still has to leave for the capital every other week or so. He has to go mentor in the games every year, which makes it that much harder for him.

Another week passed, and with that, Finnick was off to the Capitol for yet another party, but he promised to be back before sunrise. He also promised to come to my house as soon as he returned.

He kissed me goodbye, with a look of despair in his eyes.

"I'll see you later," he promised.

I just nodded, giving a faint smile. I wasn't happy with this situation, but I did my best not to make him feel guilty about it.

It felt like ages before he finally came back, and when he did, something wasn't right. I could smell perfume on him, and in the faint streetlights, I could tell that he had tears in his eyes, and his hair was flying all over the place.

"Finnick. What is going on?" It less of a question, but I'm demanding an answer.

"I've been trying to tell you," he whimpers, backing up from his leaning position on the door frame.

"Tell me what?" My lip is trembling, and I feel like someone just twisted my insides in a complete knot.

His breaths are short, and I he's shaking with tears. I force myself to take a breath. There's no way Finnick's cheating on me. We've been through too much.

"It's okay. You can tell me," I said, grabbing his hand reassuringly.

"Can we go outside, I don't want to wake your family."

He dragged me outside, holding my hand so tight, it makes my fingers throb. He pulls me into the mass of palm trees behind my house. The oceans right down the meadow, and even from here, I can hear the waves crashing.

"Fin, what's going on?" I asked.

"President Snow...he threatened me. Told me he would kill my family if I didn't do as he asked. He would kill you, too."

"What did he ask you to do?" I'm getting nervous now.

"He sells me..." he looks down at his bare feet, "to women in the Capitol."

For a minute, I sit in silence. My shaky breaths fill the air, and I close my eyes. I look at the sand between my feet, and then look up at Finnick's face—hurt and confused. Sometimes I forget he's only 17—between his strength, and even his facial features—but in times like this, it's easier for me to tell.

"Nothing you just said to me," I decided, "makes me love you any less. I love you more than I did yesterday, actually. And I will love you more tomorrow, and the day after that." I then reach up to Finnick's face, and he pulls me up into a deep kiss, that lasts almost as long as the night, and leaves me craving more.