DISCLAINER: I DO NOT OWN THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY
IT BELONGS TO SUZANNE COLLINS
Annie
Two
Dear Diary,
He carried my books for me today. I was in the hall, in front of my locker. I knew he'd pass through this hall after second period because we both had third period Reading together. He's a few years older than me but he got held back because of poor marks so I've had the pleasure of sharing a classroom with him. I hauled my books out from my locker as slow as I can so that timing would be perfect. As I was pushing my locker door closed with my right foot, he finally passed by.
"Hey, Finnick!" I clutched onto my books and smiled as he took a step back and turned to my direction. He looked tired. His blond hair was matted and uncombed. He had dark circles under his eyes but when he looked at me and smiled, he looked almost genuinely happy. I hoped he was.
"Hey…" He paused and fiddled with his piece of rope. I've seen him play with that piece of rope over and over in class. His eyes fluttered from mine.
"Annie." I said, reminding him. He looked back at me and grinned nervously.
"Right. Annie, hi." He tied the rope swiftly around his ankle and extended his hand. "Let me help you with those."
"Thanks!" I smiled and tried to keep the butterflies in my stomach under control. He took most of my books from me but I kept two for myself.
"Where to?" He turned his head to me as we walked and shook his head slightly to move his hair from his face.
"We have Reading together." I almost laughed.
"We do?!" I smiled, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Annie. I don't really pay attention in school very much."
"It's alright." I nudged him with my elbow. "And I expect you forgot we are to discuss Rowling today?"
"I haven't really been present in school in general." He said. We turned the corner and he let me through the door first.
"Is everything okay? I know Vince was your friend from the orphanage…" I set my books down on my usual seat and I noticed he set his backpack down on the chair next to mine.
"Vince and I knew each other since we were kids." Finnick sighed as he took his seat. He reached down to his ankle and untied the knot.
"I know how you feel." I sat down as well. "The Jensons are a family friend."
"It's just the way life is." He shrugged and began turning the rope in his hands.
"The Games are only temporary. Once we get older we won't be part of the Reaping anymore." I tried to reason but we all knew luck was luxury that even the richest in Four could not secure. I waited to see if he would say something else but he made himself busy with his piece of rope again. I wondered where he goes when he's practicing his knots. I hoped it made him stronger.
When class ended, he jumped out from his seat without even saying goodbye. As I gathered my books, I noticed a small piece of paper under his desk. I picked it up and saw his messy notes of Rowling and how he only copied until the history part of the lecture. At the end of the page were notes entirely unrelated to the discussion.
Train harder. Volunteer. Win. Pay for medication.
It won't be that easy, Finnick.
Do it for Mr. Ross.
Do it for Mr. Ross.
Do it for Mr. Ross.
Who's Mr. Ross and why was Finnick going to risk his life for him? Medication for what exactly? Training?!
I folded the piece of paper and tucked it into my pocket. I've stapled it on the page after this entry so I won't lose it. Looking at it now, there can only be one course of action: I've got to tell his mother about his plans. It would be difficult for Mrs. Trevor but she has to know her son has just signed on for death row.