Chapter 11- Goodbye isn't forever
I suddenly hate every single 16-18 year old boy in District 4. They didn't volunteer. One boy almost raised his hand, but his friend shot him down, "No, let pretty boy take care of this." He mumbled. All of his friends laughed and I glared.
I can't think straight. I watch Finnick slowly take his place on stage. His face is white pale, matching mine. My thoughts are a blur as he and Ero shake hands. I can't breathe…I can't breathe. This can't be happening. I am just in a nightmare. Suddenly, Asteria pulls them both into the Justice Building and I am forced to face the truth: The Capitol took him away from me.
I run towards the visiting rooms and probably push some people out of my way, but I don't know nor do I care. A trio of Peacekeepers block my way to his room.
"His family is already in there. You have to wait." They demand.
But I can't wait. I want Finnick. Though I don't have many options, seeming as how the Peacekeepers have guns, I sit down and wait.
Why didn't anyone volunteer? Someone volunteers every year! The boys are usually the most enthusiastic when it comes to volunteering though they let Finnick go. Let pretty boy take care of this. Pretty boy? Finnick? And finally I get it. Out of jealousy, no one came to Finnick's need. They made fun of him instead. They laughed at him as he walked to the trap of death. They didn't care.
I hear sobbing come from through the door as a Peacekeeper orders Finnick's family out of the room. Does he know that he is tearing apart a family that may never see each other again?
I find that the source of the sobbing is Finnick's mom as my eyes find hers.
"Go on," says Finnick's father. "He's waiting for you."
I push the Peacekeepers aside and force open the door that separates Finnick and I. I see him on the verge of tears, slumped down on a red velvet couch. He looks up to me and we both run towards each other and collapse in each other's arms. Words don't come for a while. There really isn't much to say.
"You have to try. Please," I say as he strokes my hair.
"Annie you know I will." He responds.
"They didn't volunteer." I whisper.
"They hate me. They wanted me to go in the Games this year."
I suddenly remember the necklace I made, "I made this for you. Maybe it can be your district token." He nods.
I hand him the necklace and he puts it on immediately.
"And this is for you," he says. He holds my wrist and ties something to it. I look down and see seashells knotted into string. Different shapes and colors of them now decorate my skin.
"Thank you Finnick."
"Annie, I wanted you to know that I fell in love with you the first time you smiled when we danced that night. I fell in love with you when Mags and my Mother finally met you. I fell in love with you when I taught you to swim. "
I understand what he is trying to say, "Don't you say goodbye Finnick! This is not goodbye! Because you're going to come home and everything is going to be the same! You're not going to say goodbye…please." I beg.
A tear falls on my forehead and I notice he is crying. Our eyes meet and I brush away his tears. He caresses my cheeks and kisses me. This kiss is different than all the rest. Instead of knowing that there is going to be another one, there is a possibility that this may be the last. No. I can't bare it.
As we pull away I speak in a fast pace. "Finnick grab a trident and you will be fine. Join the careers if you have to. Show them what you can do. I don't care if you flirt to get sponsors. Just do whatever you can to come home Finnick." Now tears pour out of my eyes.
"When you are watching Annie, know that it is all for you." He says.
Our time is ticking away by the minute.
"I love you Annie. From the first time you smiled. As soon as Mags told me that I should be careful not to loose you I knew…" he struggles to get out the words. "That I wanted to marry you someday."
"And I would've said yes."
He smiles. "You would've?"
"Of course Finnick."
A Peacekeeper intrudes, "One more minute." He says.
I grab onto Finnick. "Don't go! Just stay here please!"
"Annie you know I would stay!"
And then the sobs come.
"Please don't cry Annie. I'll come home…I promise. I owe you a dance rememeber?"
I nod and add, "You always keep your promises."
Then just like that, the Peacekeeper comes in and demands for me to leave Finnick.
I cry out in resistance and they literally pull us away from each other. I reach out my hand and he grasps it one last time. I mouth 'I love you' and he responds with another 'I love you'.
The next thing I know is that the Peacekeepers drop me out into the street. I curl up and just cry right there for everyone to see. Time for me to wake up! Come on I know this can't be happening! But it is. I look up one last time to see Finnick being forced onto the Capitol train. Our eyes meet one last time before he is pushed onto the vehicle and the door closes.
And just like that, the Capitol tore away the last thing I had: Love.
END OF BOOK 1