Chapter 10
ANNIE POV
"Annie." Zapp says to her as he enters the village.
"Zapp." She says and walks over to him.
She hugs him and he picks her up and kisses her on the cheek.
"So how was the Capitol?" He asks and sits her down.
She's been home for three days and still hasn't sorted everything out yet. She is almost waiting for her phone to ring. She wonders if Snow will call her telling her great job or you did terrible it's time to die.
"It was interesting." Annie says. That's the only word she can think of to describe it without lying.
"So what exactly did you do there?" He asks taking her hand.
She promised he could take her sailing this afternoon. He doesn't own a boat, but can check one out a small one from the arena if he says it's for school. Most students don't do this, but by the year is up he will actually start to rent boats from the boating marina.
"Oh, well we went to a party." Annie says.
"Like your Victory Tour." He asks.
He has been noticing that she doesn't share her victor life with him at all. She won't tell him about her Victory Tour and she doesn't tell him about the nightmares that he knows she has. He wants her to talk about that stuff to him, but he doesn't want to force her either.
She shakes her head.
"There were more people and it was… uh more festive." Annie says.
She doesn't want to tell him she danced around like a stripper and that Finnick kissed her. She has pushed the memory of that kiss deep down because she doesn't want to think about it. He was just helping and it meant nothing.
He kisses people all the time that mean nothing to him. She has thought over and over again.
"Cool, so will you have to leave for the Capitol a lot, like Finnick and Lena do?" He asks.
Annie shrugs.
"I don't know." Annie says truthfully.
"Hi Annie." Finnick says walking past them.
"Hi Finnick." Annie says and waves as he walks past them.
"Are you and Finnick good friends?" Zapp asks. He isn't jealous just curious about her life in Victors' Village.
"Yeah I guess, he does live across from me and I make him desserts sometimes."
"Bake him desserts?" Zapp asks with a smirk.
"He doesn't know how to and he wants to get better at it." Annie says. It isn't a total lie she is making desserts for him.
"I see." He says.
"I could make you something, oh maybe for graduation." Annie says with an excited smile.
The school graduation is coming up and Annie has been thinking about it for awhile. She was supposed to graduate this year. Some students get drafted by peacekeepers to become fishermen, but not Zapp even though he is good at sailing. She knows that is what he will probably become, either that or work at the sailing school.
He shrugs.
"Maybe, I was thinking of skipping the ceremony."
"What?" Annie says a little offended.
"It will just be people making speeches, I could be doing something more exciting than listening to the teachers and training center instructors give false praise." He says.
"I think you should go. I want you to go." Annie says with a smile.
He rolls his eyes.
"I'll think it over, but I make no promises." He says and kisses her cheek.
Annie rolls her eyes. She's known Zapp her whole life so she can tell by his tone that he has no intention of changing his mind. She wants him to do it selfishly so she can live through him. She wants to hold onto her old life.
They get to the boat and she watches him take them out to sea. She likes looking at the sun glisten off the water.
They talk and eat the food Zapp brought with him. When they get back she sees that one of the big fishermen boats has returned.
She tries to see the number on her side to see if it is the one her Father was on.
"Annie!" She hears in the distance.
Dad. She thinks to herself.
She can tell by the deep voice that it is him. She hasn't seen him in months, the voyage took longer than expected. It always takes longer than expected and it isn't because of the weather it's because the Capitol always ups the quota.
Annie wishes her Father would stop working and just take her money.
"Annie." He says again and hugs her this time. He smells like fish and iron, but she doesn't mind she's missed him so much.
He lets go of her.
He towers over her making Annie look like a small child. He has a tiny scars on his hands from working on the boats so long. He has the same blonde hair Marina has, but has brown eyes like Dawson has.
"Zapp." He says and clasps him on the back.
"Hello, Frank." Zapp says with a smile.
"Didn't expect to see you in town Annie, you should come home with me. If that's alright Zapp?" He asks.
"Yeah, go." Zapp says and lets go of her hand. "I'll see you in later Annie." He says with a smile.
"Yeah." Annie says.
"So are you and Zapp-"
"Dad." Annie says a little annoyed.
"Just thought I would ask. I've been gone for awhile that I don't know what's going on in your life." Her Dad says.
"I know Dad." She says softly.
"Don't worry though there won't be anymore jobs until after the reaping."
"That's great." Annie says with a smile and hugs him tightly.
"So how have you been?" He asks.
"I'm alright." She says softly.
"I should visit your house." He says. She didn't have it before he left.
"Okay." Annie says as they near the front door to the family house.
"Maria." He says loudly so her Mother will hear.
"Dad's back." Dawson says coming from the living room.
"No that's a hallucination." Annie says sarcastically.
He shoves his sister playfully.
"He was supposed to be here a month ago, this is big and since the reaping will be soon he should be home for awhile."
"Oh right you were a fishermen." Annie says. It seems like it's been a life time since she won the games and it hasn't even been a full year.
The way her Mother reacts to seeing her Father again, you would think he was back from the dead. It's like this everytime he returns, it was worse when it was both Dawson and her Father.
It isn't unheard of ships sinking especially since peacekeepers make them go out even when a bad storm is coming in. They don't care if a ship sinks, there are plenty of others and they can find more fishermen at the high school.
"Daddy." Annie hears Marina say. Her sister acts like her Mother, she is already crying.
"We should all have dinner together, Annie don't leave." Her Mother says wiping her tears from her cheeks.
"Of course I won't leave." Annie says.
Her Mother makes a fish fry and green beans.
"It's so nice for everyone to eat like a family again." Her Mother says.
She isn't trying to make Annie feel guilty, but she does. Annie doesn't remember the last time she ate dinner with her family. She has a standing friday night dinner with Finnick and Mags, but nothing with her actual family.
They eat, her Father talks about the journey and her Mother fills him in on what has been happening around the house. Annie doesn't talk much, she tells him that she started seeing Zapp, but still doesn't refer to him as her boyfriend. She also tells him she was just in the Capitol for victor duties. She knows her Father can tell she is lying, but doesn't pursue it. A part of him doesn't want to know the answers she will give.
"Annie we should celebrate your birthday." Her Mother says with a smile.
"Mom, my birthday was months ago." Annie says confused. She turned eighteen a few months before her Victory Tour.
"I know, but-"
Oh. Annie thinks to herself.
Her Dad loves celebrating holidays and since he missed her birthday, her mother wants to celebrate it again. For her real birthday they didn't do anything fancy, Annie just visited her family and had dinner with them. Her Mother did keep saying I wish your Father was here.
The way her Mother talks about her Father sometimes makes you think he was dead. He's just not around that often.
"I think that would be a great idea Mom." Marina says.
Dawson looks at his sister with a look that says shut up and just do it.
"Sounds nice Mom." Annie says.
Dawson smiles.
She wasn't going to say no. She couldn't to her Father, but she hates celebrations. Especially for something so small, it's not like she accomplished anything on this day she was just born. The real birthday party should be for her Mother, she's the one who did the real work.
"That's very sweet of you Annie." Her Father says.
"I think I can get everything ready in a few days. Oh this is so exciting." Her Mother says with a smile.
Her Mother can't stop talking about it the whole night.
FINNICK POV
Finnick opens the drawer again. He's been avoiding cleaning out this drawer in his house. He knows the bottom drawer was where his sister put her school supplies and the top drawer was where his Mother kept important things.
There was a key for the drawer that got lost or rather his Mother hid it so no one could open it. She put important items in it, he's always wondered why she would hold important items is something right next to the front door.
Even though it is in Finnick's house it was never his, his Mother kept it in her room back at the old house. She used it as a jewelry chest she didn't have much jewelry, but liked keeping it there. His whole family moved to Victors' Village after he won, he didn't want to live alone and was only fourteen.
He started to move the furniture around the other day. He kept running into the chest next to his back porch door and never moved it. He never found it important enough to move but after hitting the corner and cutting his leg he thought it was time.
When he moved it he found the key taped to the bottom of the chest. He gave up looking for that key years ago. He opened the drawer and was a little disappointed of the contents. He didn't know what to expect to be in there, but didn't expect it to be just a necklace. There was a picture in there too of his Mother and Father, but nothing else.
He didn't want the necklace to sit in that drawer forever so he tried to give it to Mags but her neck was too wide for the chain. So there it is sitting in his his drawer collecting dust, the necklace is only supposed to be worn by an Odair woman just like the cookbook. However, he doesn't plan on getting married and everyone other Odair is dead.
He could give it to Lena because he knows she would enjoy it, but the thought of her wearing his Mother's necklace makes him angry. He can't give it to just anyone.
Finnick goes outside. He wants to go to the beach and watch the sun go down. He can't get a very good view from his front porch. Annie's house is in the way and there is something about it going into the water that makes it better.
When he starts walking Annie's front door opens. There is also someone a strong armed man with her who is smiling.
It takes Finnick a minute to realize it is her Father. He saw him exactly once when he went to visit Annie after she came home. He knows her Father is a fisherman and isn't surprised that he was gone so often. Finnick's Father was too, but after Finnick won his Father didn't have to be any longer.
"Finnick." The man says walking closer to him.
"Hi, Mr. Cresta." Finnick says and shakes his hand.
"Frank, please." He says with a kind smile.
Finnick nods and Annie comes closer to them.
"Are you celebrating something?" Finnick asks noticing the things in Annie's hands are decorations.
"Annie's birthday of course. You didn't tell him." Her Father says surprised.
Was she supposed to invite me? Finnick thinks to himself.
"I'm not a child. I don't run around telling the whole block it is my birthday anymore." Annie says.
"You should come Finnick we would all enjoy seeing you, Mags as well." Her Father says.
Finnick looks at Annie and wonders if her Father is including her as everyone.
Annie is his friend, but he doesn't know if she wants him to be around her whole family. Finnick can tell she doesn't just let anyone into her family house. She didn't even let Finnick in there for the longest time. He doesn't even know her sister is blind.
"Mags won't be able to attend, she doesn't like walking that far into town. However, I could stop by if it alright with Annie." Finnick says.
"Oh yes it is Annie's party." He says looking towards his daughter.
"Sure Finnick, you can come." Annie says trying to sound polite.
"It's settled then." He says and clasps Finnick on the back. "See you tomorrow then." He says.
"Yeah, bye Finnick." Annie says and follows her Father out of the village.
A few hours later he hears a knock at his door.
He isn't that surprised to see Annie. He had a feeling she only invited him because her Father was standing right there.
"You don't have to come if you don't want to." Annie says.
"You don't want me there." Finnick says.
Annie rubs the back of her neck.
"I don't know." Annie says.
"I won't come if you don't want me too." He says.
"It's just my family." Annie says and rubs the back of her neck again.
"I've met your family Annie." Finnick says.
Except her mysterious sister Finnick thinks to himself.
"I won't judge your family Annie. I've already been to your house after all." Finnick says.
"I know, you should come then" She says.
"Okay, so do you want me to bring anything then."
"No, but leave the sarcasm at home." Annie says.
"Mmh that might be pretty hard." He says.
Annie rolls her eyes.
"Bye Finnick." She says.
"Bye Annie." He says and shuts his door.
He looks to the drawer holding the necklace.
Does she need a birthday present? Finnick thinks to himself.
ANNIE POV
"Anything else then?" Annie's mother asks to make sure everyone who wanted to give Annie a present got the chance.
Her brother and sister gave her colorful rope so she could start making rope bracelets again and her Mother and Father bought one of the fancy cakes in town and a cherry pastry to eat for breakfast tomorrow.
"Actually Mrs. Cresta I got something for Annie as well." Finnic says.
"That's very nice Finnick." She says with a smile.
Annie's cheeks turn pink from embarrassment. A boy has never gotten her a present before.
"You got me a birthday present?" Annie says surprised.
Finnick nods and pulls out a long skinny box wrapped in purple paper with a blue ribbon.
"Nice wrapping." Annie says.
"Well purple and blue are your colors." Finnick says.
Annie smiles and pulls on the bow carefully and unwraps it.
It's a small velvet box. Annie knows this probably means jewelry.
"Finnick-" She starts. Shs can't believe he would buy jewelry for her. She doesn't even wear jewelry that often.
"Just open it." Finnick says with that smile that annoys her and makes her happy at the same time.
"What's wrong?" Marina says softly.
"Looks like a jewelry box." Annie's Mother says.
She opens it and indeed it is. It's a necklace with a gold chain that has a single pink pearl hanging on it.
"Oh my god." Annie can't help but say. Jewelry like this is expensive because pink pearls are rare.
"Don't freak out I didn't spend any money." Finnick says before she can start.
"What is it?" Marina asks.
"A pink pearl necklace." Annie says.
"No it's a single pink pearl on a chain." Finnick corrects. Having a necklace made up of only pink pearls would be a great feat to see.
"A gold chain." Annie clarifies.
"Sounds expensive. Marina says.
"Yes it does." Annie says a little annoyed.
"He said he didn't spend any money." Her Father says.
They all look at him waiting for an explanation. He didn't think he would have to explain why he is giving Annie a necklace.
"It was my Grandmother's necklace. I was cleaning my house the other day and found it. I was going to give it to Mags but her neck is too wide. So I thought you might enjoy it." Finnick says.
Annie thinks there is more to this story. She knows he loves his family more than anything so he wouldn't just give this away to anyone.
"It's very nice Finnick." Annie's Mother says.
"Put it on her." Marina says.
"Oh yes it would look much better on Annie than in the box." Her Mother says.
Annie nods. Finnick helps her with the clasp.
"Oh it's lovely." She says.
"Its beautiful Finnick." Annie says but feels guilty.
After this they cut the cake and eat it. Shortly afterwards Annie insists she has to leave because it will be getting dark soon.
"Okay Happy Birthday." Her Father says and hugs her tightly. Almost too tight. "Tomorrow I will come over to see your house."
Annie nods.
"Of course Dad." She says.
He kisses the top of her head.
Finnick declared that he must walk her back to protect her. They all knew he was kidding but it still annoyed Annie.
"So what's the story with this necklace?" Annie asks as they walk back to the village.
"I told you-"
"I know you left something out, something you didn't want my family to know."
"I think your Dad figured it out when I said it was my Grandmother's necklace." Finnick says.
Annie did notice he looked worried.
"What then." She says.
"Like panda lilies pink pearls were used to express love. My Grandfather gave it to my Grandmother the day they were married. Once Grandma died it was given to my Mother. Once Mom died it was given to my sister or it was supposed to be." Finnick says.
"You can't just hand this over can you?" Annie asks.
"Has to be given at a holiday or a festival."
Finnick's sister died before she got the chance for it to be given. Annie thinks to herself.
"So this is like a family heirloom." Annie says.
"Some could say that." Finnick says.
"That's why you lied, you knew they wouldn't let me take it." Annie says.
In the Cresta house you don't give away heirlooms. When they were low on money Annie's Mother wanted to pawn her wedding ring but her Father would've never forgiven her if she did. You can't replace family treasures with anything he would say.
Finnick nods.
"Did you really intend to give this to Mags then?" Annie asks remembering he said it had to be given on a holiday.
"I didn't find it a few days ago. I found it right before the flower festival." Finnick says.
"Oh." Annie says.
"So did your boyfriend get you anything." Finnick teases.
"Zapp is not my boyfriend." Annie says annoyed by his joke. Although Zapp isn't just a friend anymore.
"Well, he got you that panda lilly." Finnick says with a smile.
"He's just... " Annie says not knowing his fo finish.
"The person you went to the flower festival with." Finnick says.
Annie sighs.
"I'm only teasing." Finnick says.
"I know, but he really does like me and I really like him." Annie says.
"Well, that's not a crime." Finnick says.
"So Finnick…"
"Yes?" He asks.
"I… uh-" She doesn't even know what she wanted to say. "Thanks for the birthday present." Annie says instead.
"It was nothing." Finnick says with a smile. "You know maybe your not boyfriend could join Mags and myself for dinner sometime." Finnick says.
"Are you joking I can't tell." Annie says.
"I'm not. Mags likes seeing the people in your life. She wouldn't mind seeing your brother again either.
"Oh so Mags wants to see him." Annie says with a smile.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"That seems like something only a boyfriend would do anyway." Annie says.
"Well I guess." Finnick says and they reach the fountain in Victors' Village, the spot right between Annie and Finnick's houses. "Listen, I'm going to be in the Capitol in a few days-"
"We just got back here." Annie says.
"I know but President Snow wants to talk to me." Finnick says.
"About me?" Annie asks.
Finnick shakes his head.
"I guess in the normal world you would call it a performance review."
"Yuck." Annie says.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"Not about that about the people who saw me. President Snow doesn't like when I see a person more than once." Finnick says.
"I've heard your reputation." Annie says sadly.
"Yeah and he wants it to stay that way. Different people from different cliques and social statues. He's hoping the clients never bump into one another but they always do. I don't understand why he tries so hard." Finnick says.
"Who knows."Annie whispers. "Uh Finnick while you're there can you ask something for me?" She says.
"What?" He asks but has a sneaking suspicion what it will be.
"Ask President Snow if I did alright. I want to know, I need to know." Annie says softly.
"Okay but I don't know if it will do any good." Finnick says.
Annie nods.
"Finnick I-" Annie starts but Zapp starts to shout her name in the distance.
"Annie!" He says and they both turn towards him.
Annie didn't notice that she stepped closer to Finnick or that she grabbed his hand.
She lets go of him and steps back, she hopes Zapp didn't notice. They were close enough that he could easily kiss her.
"Hi Annie." Zapp says with a smile. "Hi Finnick." He says with the same smile.
Zapp is probably one of the few people who wouldn't get jealous that she hangs around Finnick Odair. Zapp knows Finnick can help her in ways he can't because he doesn't understand.
Annie notices he is carrying a pink sparkly bag with white tissue paper sticking out.
"That for me." Annie says with a smile.
"Had to get something for your birthday celebration." He adds celebration because he knows today isn't Annie's real birthday.
"You didn't need to." Annie says.
"I know, I wanted to." Zapp says.
Annie takes his hand.
"Bye Finnick." Annie says. Zapp gives him a nod and they walk off to her porch.
They sit on the steps of her porch.
"That's pretty." He says touching the pink pearl.
"Birthday present." Annie says a little self conscious for some reason.
He nods. He isn't going to ask who gave it to her.
"Speaking of." Zapp says and hands her the bag.
"You didn't have to. I mean, it isn't even my birthday." Annie says taking the bag.
"I know but it is nothing Annie." He says.
They sit on her porch and she opens the bag.
"Oh my gosh." Annie says and pulls out the picture frame. "You kept this?" She asks looking down at a drawing she made years ago. He told her he would get it framed for her one day but he never gave it back. Annie thought he lost it or forgot but clearly he didn't.
"Sorry it took so long." He says.
He leans in and kisses her.
"Thank you, you can help me pick a spot to hang it." Annie says and they stand up.
She takes his hand and they go inside.
She decides to put it on a wall in her bedroom. She can see it every day then. She put it on the wall across from her bed so if she has a nightmare it is one of the first things she will see when she wakes up.
"Dawson I need your help." Annie says still looking at the ceiling. He came over to check on her house, they both want it to look perfect for when their Father comes by.
"With what?" He asks.
He lifts her legs up so he can sit down next to her on the sofa. He places them on his lap when he is situated.
"Do you think Zapp is my boyfriend?" Annie asks.
He shrugs.
"I don't know you do like him though, right?" Dawson asks.
Annie nods.
"Of course I like him." Annie says.
"I meant romantically." He says.
"I like hanging out with him and he is a good kisser."
"I didn't need to know that last bit." Dawson says a little annoyed.
"Sorry, it's just I don't know if I like him as much as he likes me." Annie says.
"So, you don't have too and it's not like he is hounding you to be called your boyfriend." Dawson says.
"Then what is he to me, the guy I hang out with and kiss occasionally." Annie says and sits up so she can see her brother's face.
Dawson doesn't answer her for awhile.
"Annie, whoever you end up with will know you're stubborn and have a hard time making decisions." Dawson says.
"This isn't a hard decision though, it's not supposed to be anyway."
"You make things so overdramatic Annie."
"I do not." Annie says slightly offended.
"On things like this you do."
"I've never come to you with boy troubles."
"I'm grateful for that, what I'm saying is you make mountains out of molehills all the time."
Annie sighs
"If you want Zapp to be your boyfriend than tell him. If you just want to keep doing whatever, then don't bring it up." He says and looks towards her. He notices she's playing with the necklace Finnick gave her.
"You probably shouldn't play with such an expensive present." Dawson says.
"I can't help it." Annie says.
"You know that's a nice present." Dawson says.
"Like he said, he didn't buy it." Annie says.
"Yes, Father and I figured where he got it pretty quickly."
"You mean in the back of his drawer." Annie says. She knows they probably figured out it was a family heirloom.
Dawson rolls his eyes.
"I'm just saying he wouldn't give that necklace to anyone. His first instinct was to give it to Mags whom he is very close too."
"I'm just the only girl he knows."
"He knows Lena and longer too. He isn't going to give that away to just anyone Annie."
"I'm his friend Dawson don't go thinking things like that."
"I'm just saying he could be sweet on you." Dawson says with a smile.
"He's not. He's just my friend." Annie says.
Dawson smiles.
"I know sweet sister." He teases and kisses her cheek.
The clock rings signaling ten at night.
"We should go to bed. You can have whichever guest room you wish." Annie says but instead of going to the stairs she goes to the kitchen.
"Planning on sleeping in there." He teases.
"No I'm just going to make some tea."
"You drink tea." He says, almost laughs.
"If I drink camomile tea I sometimes sleep better at night. I don't want to wake you up if I have a nightmare." Annie says and puts the kettle on.
"You don't really enjoy tea though, where did you figure this little trick out."
"Finnick told me on the Victory Tour." Annie says.
"Interesting." Dawson says with a smile. "He's nicer than I give him credit for." He says.
Annie rolls her eyes.
"Goodnight Annie." He says with a smile and heads for the stairs.
"Goodnight." Annie says as the kettle starts to whistle.