"I thought you said she was okay," Madge scolds Gale.

"I've only met her like once. She seemed okay."

"She's not normally that bad," Johanna says.

"She was only really bad with that last remark," Peeta says.

"She was kind of flaunting her relationship in everyone's faces," Katniss says.

Madge gets up and gets some water. "Drink this. Stay hydrated. We ate all the pizza but we can get more. Or we can walk to Chipotle and you can stay here."

Annie perks up and wipes away some of her tears. "Chipotle sounds good."

"Chipotle saves lives," Madge says laughing. "You can stay here tonight."

"I'll think about it. It's still early."

"Guys, Chipotle closes in like ten minutes. You better go," Johanna says.

"Who's going?" Madge asks. Everyone decides to go except Annie and Johanna.

"What do you want, Jo?" Peeta asks.

"Nothing," she says. "I don't really like Chipotle."

"You're crazy," Madge yells before running out the door. "We'll be back!"

There's a long silence when they all leave, and it's not comfortable like the ones she usually has with Finnick. "You might want to lay on the couch instead of the floor," Johanna tells her.

She doesn't say anything and goes to lay on the couch. "You probably shouldn't have had alcohol."

"I'm an adult and none of you stopped me so."

"I know, it's just you don't drink and eight shots is a lot."

"I'm fine."

"Listen, Cresta. I'm trying to be nice and help you so don't be fucking snotty to me."

"Sorry," she mumbles.

There's a long silence and then Johanna speaks again. "Listen, you deserve way better than Finnick. He's an asshole."

"You guys were just saying tonight that we were going to date."

"We're your friends. It's our job to protect you. When he's nice we like him, and when he's mean we hate him."

"So then how do I know if you actually like Finnick or not?"

"Finnick is like my little brother. He annoys the shit out of me, but at the end of the day, I love him. But I still don't know if you and him dating would be such a good idea. We joke with you because you both seemed to connect, but you're also both really different. I don't want him to treat you like shit."

"But him dating Angie is bad because I like with him and…" She trails off and starts crying. "I feel like he's just trying to flaunt it in my face."

"Please don't cry," she says. "I'm not good at this. Wait for Madge. I'm really not good at this." She takes a swig from her jug. "They should be back soon and you can cry on her."

As if on cue, they burst through the door. "Almost got kicked out for being intoxicated, but we got the burritos," Madge slurs.

"Fuck, I didn't realize how drunk you guys were," Johanna says. "Sit down, children. I guess I'm baby sitting."

Madge throws Annie her burrito, but it misses Annie by a few inches and hits Johanna. Annie sits up and Johanna tosses her the burrito. "Are we still going to the party tomorrow?" Madge asks, opening her burrito and biting into it.

"I want to," Katniss says.

"Are you coming with us, Annie?" Madge asks.

"Maybe."

"Are you sleeping here?"

"Yeah, it still freaks me out to be alone in that apartment, and I'm kind of afraid Angie and Finnick are going to be there even though they said they weren't going to be but they're mean and so maybe-"

Johanna cuts her off. "Just eat your burrito. You're drunk." She takes another swig from her jug. "You guys are horrible drunks. Maybe we shouldn't go to this party tomorrow."

"We took straight shots tonight," Gale says. "Tomorrow it's just beer and jungle juice."

"True."

Annie finishes her burrito and lays face down on the couch trying not to think about Finnick and Angie and how upset she is about Finnick just waltzing in and flaunting her in front of his face. "Hey, Ann," Madge says. "You may want to lay a different way so if you puke you don't choke and die."

Annie turns onto her back and pulls her hair over her face. "Good to know," she mumbles. "Why do bad things always happen when I drink? I shouldn't drink."

"Then why did you?" Madge asks.

"Because it blurs things out and it makes things feel better and he came here with her and I couldn't deal with that so I caved and I drank, but now I feel so so bad and it reminds me of my dad and I get so afraid that I'm going to end up just like him."

"Don't be ridiculous, Annie. You're not going to end up like him from getting drunk twice. Trust me, you're far from him. Don't worry."

"Do I have to drink at the party tomorrow?"

"Not if you don't want to. You don't have to go if you don't want to either. No one is forcing you to go to the party."

"I want to. I'm a junior and I haven't been to a real party. Maybe Angie's right. It is pretty pathetic."

"Don't listen to her. She stooped too low and she's a bitch. If you don't want to go to a party you don't have to. If you want to go and only because you want to go, then that's a different story."

"Okay," Annie says, her head drooping. "I'm tired. Bed now."

"Why would you say that to her?" Finnic asks Angie as they begin the walk back to her apartment.

"Oh, open your eyes, Finnick. She's a junior in college. She barely drinks, she doesn't curse, and she's never been to a college party. Doesn't that just scream old spinster cat lady?"

"I don't like the way you're being lately. Someone like you is just as likely to end up alone as someone like her. And if you continue on with your attitude you're probably more likely to end up alone than she is. Stop being so rude and hating on my friends. It's not cool."

"She's nothing like any of your friends. You're probably just taking pity on her."

"She's my roommate, but she's also way nicer than you're being right now."

They get to Angie's apartment and she takes out her keys and unlocks it. "Whatever. Are you coming in?"

Finnick looks at her. He can't be in a relationship. Even if he and Annie don't end up together, it's way better than staying in this relationship with Angie. They've been together for less than a day and he's already miserable. He can try with Annie and if it's meant to work out it will. "No."

"What the fuck do you mean no?"

"I mean no. Which is what I should have said when you said you wanted to start dating. We don't work, Angie. There's a reason we never do anything more than fucking."

"Whatever," she says. "Fuck you."

"You're not a nice person, Angie. I don't know what happened to you."

"Those new friends of yours made you soft."

"Then maybe it's for the best."

She goes into her apartment and he feels a huge weight being lifted from his shoulders. Now I need to go back to the apartment and make sure Annie's okay. He checks his phone to see if maybe she texted him. Of course not. She probably hates you. Halfway to his apartment he realizes she might still be at the gang's apartment. He texts Johanna and she calls him. "You better not come here."

"Why?"

"She's sleeping and she kind of hates you right now."

"Fuck. Really?"

"Well, your asshole girlfriend-"

He interrupts her. "Ex-girlfriend."

"Well, that's the smartest thing you've done all day."

"It was an escape mechanism."

"Figured. What now?"

"Just a whole bunch of stuff. Tell her I'm sorry, okay?"

"Maybe you should tell her yourself."

"Alright. I have work tomorrow, but I might go to the party for a bit so I'll tell her."

"Be safe, you had a lot to drink."

"You too."

Finnick hangs out and then texts Annie just in case. I know you're sleeping, but I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry. Angie and I broke up. I was a jerk and I'm really sorry.

"What are you going to wear to the party?" Madge asks Annie.

"I don't know. I've never been to a party. What am I supposed to wear?"

"Something pretty that gets you drinks and dances, but not too revealing or you'll get raped," Johanna says.

"Johanna!" Madge scolds.

"What? You know it's true."

"You might want to wear spandex or tight shorts underneath your dress if you decide to wear one," Madge says. "So if it flies up you're covered and it's harder for boys to feel you up."

"You're not making me very excited to go to this party."

"We're just preparing you for the worst. Stay with us and you'll be fine."

Annie gets her phone from where she had it charges and opens it to see two missed calls and six messages from Finnick.

I know you're sleeping, but I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry.

Angie and I broke up. I was a jerk and I'm really sorry.

If you don't want to talk to me, I understand.

I hope you'll sleep in the apartment tomorrow. It's empty without you.

I'm sorry.

One more before I go to bed. I feel horrible and I'm really sorry.

Annie smiles at her phone. "Finnick and Angie broke up," she says.

"Hallelujah!" Madge cheers.

"Madge, you're Jewish," Gale laughs.

"That goes to show you how happy I am about this."

"Yeah, he called me last night," Johanna says. "He was really upset about it."

"I know. He texted me six times."

"At least he realizes the mistake he made and dumped that Cruella de Vil before she got really destructive."

"What time's the party? I'm going to go back to the apartment and see him and do some work and then get ready for the party. I'll meet you guys here."

"Meet us here at five," Johanna says.

"Doesn't it start at five?" Madge asks.

"Yeah, but no one cool ever gets to a party on time."

Annie gets up and her head starts pounding. "I'm going to need Advil before I go."

Annie opens the door and finds her heart pounding in her chest. She opens the door to see Finnick laying on the kitchen counter. Her heart drops and her mind starts racing. Is he okay? Is he dead? She moves closer to him and he shoots up. "Annie," he breathes out, when he sees it's her. He puts his head back down.

"Why are you on the counter?"

"I was worried about you, so I decided to stay up but I got tired and fell asleep."

"I know, but I was just making sure."

"You're crazy."

"I'm sorry," he says.

"I know, Finn. It's okay. I forgive you."

"Good. Are you still going to the party tonight?"

"Yeah, I have to figure out what to wear."

"I can help you if you want. I had seven sisters. I'm no stranger to picking out party clothes." He grins.

"Can we eat first?"

"Yeah, I'm starving."

"Let's make pancakes," she said, getting a bowl out of the cabinet.

"Fine with me," he said, opening another cabinet and taking out the pancake mix.

"Please never lay on the counter like that again," she says. "I was terrified that you died or something."

"You have to make it an official house rule."

She groans. "Are you kidding me?"

"Yup, or it doesn't count."

"Thou Shalt Not Lay on the Counter."

"Good, let's make pancakes."

"Are you ready to go, Annie?" Finnick calls from the other room.

Annie smooths her dress and looks into the mirror to make sure her hair isn't messy. She takes a deep breath when she's Finnick. He's wearing a red and black plaid flannel that only has a few buttons buttoned, so the top of his tan chest is showing, black skinny jeans, and black converse. "I like the converse with the dress look," he says. "It suits you."

"Thanks," she says.

"You nervous?"

"Terrified." He takes a hold of her hand and she hopes he can't see her blushing.

They get to the gang's apartment and they're all waiting outside. "Look what the cat dragged in," Johanna says looking at Finnick. "You actually look really nice too."

Annie realizes she and Finnick are still holding hands and she lets go before anyone can see. Peeta smiles at them and she can tell he saw, but he doesn't say anything. It's not like there is anything going on between them. It's just a friendly thing. At least, she thinks it's just a friendly thing.

"Hey, Cutie!" Madge greets. She's wearing black high waisted jeans, a red crop top, and bright red lipstick. Her blonde hair is pulled back in a high ponytail. Annie is wearing a blue dress, her blue converse, some natural makeup and she curled her red-brown hair. Katniss is wearing red skinny jeans, a black flannel with a gray tank underneath, and a bright red beanie. Her brown hair is pulled into a braid. Peeta is wearing a green button down and blue jeans. His blonde hair is slicked to the side and Annie likes the way the green brings out the blue in his eyes. Gale is wearing grey skinny jeans, Vans, and a green flannel. Johanna is wearing grey skinny jeans, a black button down, and a grey beanie. "Are you going to be okay? You won't get too cold will you?"

Annie shakes her head. She always wears dresses and converse. It's kind of her style. They start walking and she and Finnick end up at the back of the pack. When no one is looking, Finnick takes her hand again and smiles at her. They don't let go the entire way there.

Annie stays with Finnick most of the night. She watches him play beer pong, which he's very good at. About two hours in, Finnick tells her he has to go or he'll be there all night. "You can come with me if you want."

"I'll be okay."

He hugs her. "I'll see you later, okay? Stay safe."

She looks around and weaves through the crowds of people to find someone she knows. She suddenly regrets not sticking with any of them because now she can't find them. She calls Madge but she doesn't answer. Neither does Gale or Peeta. She tries everyone but none of them answers. Maybe they left me, she thinks. Her chest starts to get tight. Not here. Please don't panic here. But telling herself not to panic just makes it worse. She blinks hard to keep herself from crying. She feels like she can't breathe. They left me. I'm going to die. I'm going to die. They left me. They said they wouldn't leave me but they left me.

She sees the bathroom, runs in, and locks the door. She sits on the floor against the door and puts her forehead against her legs. It's okay. You're not dying. She calls Madge again. No answer. Finally, she calls Finnick. She's not even sure she's going to be able to speak to him, she just knows she needs to hear his voice. "Annie?"

"Finn," she chokes out.

"What's wrong?" She can hear the concern in his voice. She hates hearing him sad. She hates it hates it hates it. She needs to see his eyes. They're green. They're so green and she's so scared.

"I'm dying," she chokes out. She starts crying.

"You're panicking, Annie. Where's everyone else?"

"I don't know, Finn. I'm so scared," she whispers.

"I'm coming to get you. Do you want me to stay on the phone?"

"Yes, please."

"Where are you?"

"Upstairs bathroom."

"Good. Stay there. Listen, Annie. You're okay. You're not dying. You're so strong and you're going to be okay. Just listen to my voice and you'll be okay. You're okay. Unlock the door and wait for me and I'll be there."

Finnick can't get there fast enough. Just hearing her voice, breaks him. He's so angry at himself for leaving her before she found Madge or someone else. "I'll be there, Annie." His chest hurts knowing that she's locked in a at a party and she's absolutely terrified and he's not there to help her.

He gets to the party and runs up the stairs. He opens the door and she's curled up against the bathtub. "Do you want me to carry you or is that too embarrassing?"

"I can walk," she says. He takes her hand and helps her up. Then he puts his arm around her and they walk out of the party.

Annie's phone starts ringing and Finnick takes it. It's Madge. "Annie? Where are you?"

"She's with me," he says. "She called me because she had a panic attack and none of you were answering your phones."

"Oh thank God. Thank you."

"I'm taking her home."

"Thank you. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay." But he's kind of angry at her for not being there. She's supposed to be her best friend.

"Can you carry me?" she asks. She sounds tired, like a small child after a long day. He picks her up in his arms like grooms pick up their brides."Thank you for coming back for me."

"I will always come back for you, Annie."