Happy Independence Day America! I've been waiting until today to publish this chapter. I've been so excited to write it and I hope you all enjoy! I don't know when I will next be able to update, hopefully tomorrow, but I am at my lakehouse with my family until Sunday, living like Annie, so yeah... Hopefully tomorrow :D
Mikey Jacquez: I felt so bad for her :( I didn't know how else to write her dads death though.
MeaganOneDirection: I'm glad that helped! I'm glad you liked the story as well! :D
MahoganyMagic12: Her mother only got to see her. The fate of Annie will be decided in a few chapters. I'm glad you don't think that is short! :)
TARDISRose: Well, we will just have to see. I hope there are no others as well.
Catching Fireflies: I'm glad you liked it! It was hard, but fun to write. :)
axes tridents and snares: I will keep that in mind for upcoming chapters :) Thanks
MiaBelles: They all get cookies. I feel so bad for them all.
TheWomanWhoCodesAndWrites: I think you are right! I didn't even think of that... That is so unfair! That gave me some inspiration as well. Thanks!
Addicted2-Your-Story: Lol glad you liked! It was a good tie in, I thought at least. I thought Hanna just sounded girly when I wrote it the first time, them when I was writing that chapter I suddenly remembered that.
Alexandra Jackson rocks Hades: Hey Lexi! I was actually talking to my little sister who is the same age as Prim (I am Katniss' age) so this really hit home for me as well, except my parents are awesome and still alive. Yes I have, actually! Fang and Iggy are my favorites :3
pumpkinking5: Yeah, I'm glad Katniss is there for Prim. She needs it. I thought similarly with Toby and Jo. I'm glad you liked it!
TurtleThompson: I hated that man so much! The man is horrible. I was inspired by the song, The Dark I Know Well, from Spring Awakening for that section.
MewWinx96: I will keep that in mind as I continue writing. Thanks:D
UntilTheCannonSounds: Thanks! I'm glad you like it! Happy 4th of July to you too!
FallenPetals712: K-I-L-L-I-N-G lol jk ;)
FallenPetals712: Sorry mini... :/
FallenPetals712: Hey, he's mine ;)
FallenPetals712: Hope you can! Good luck!
Y.O.L.O So do it right: I'm glad you liked it! :D
Chapter 13- Under the Fireworks *dedicated to whoever came up with the aquarium idea (I'm so sorry! I looked through all my reviews and couldn't find that idea. Just tell me who are are this chapter and I will dedicate the next chapter to you, because I loved your ieda)*
Annie
The visit from my mom was horrible and she'll be back later with a social worker to see if she is worthy to take me to her house. I refuse to call it home. It was never my home.
Today at school, it was just as awful as days of the past. People stared at me, looking me down, head to toe. I feel every single gaze look at me with a fiery intensity that can only be judging.
Then there are the looks Finnick gives me. His sea green eyes are big, warm and welcoming. Each time he holds my books that won't fit into my bag, along with his stuff, and intertwines his fingers with mine, my heart becomes an ocean shore, with waves crashing among it. My stomach becomes a coral reef and everything is just swimming. My fingers and toes become cold because I am nervous. At the same time, I'm never nervous around him. He is just too perfect for me. He knows everything about me, my dreams, my nightmares, and the way to calm me down. He knows everything and announces to the world I am his girlfriend. He told me he loves me. He tells me that every night when I go to bed, as if that will help chase away the nightmares. It seldom does, and when I scream, he is still there. I've known him for years. He is my best friend and I love him too.
"Annie?" We are in the middle of sixth period Physics, doing a lab that requires an extreme amount of concentrating. Too bad we are only focused on one another.
"Yes Finnick?" My heart is like an ocean tide once more. I can feel every wave crash to the shore.
He takes my hand in his and kisses the top of it. "We are long overdue for a date. Will you go out on one with me?" When he lets go of my hand, he runs it through his bronze colored hair, spiking it up in a different way.
I can feel a rose colored blush scatter across my face. "I would love to Finnick."
He leans in to give me a quick peck on my lips when the experiment we were supposed to be watching does a reaction we were not expecting. My surprised squeak makes Finnick jump, knocking the beaker over, setting the contents of our table on fire. Someone runs out of the room to pull the fire alarm and the entire school shuffles out of class, unaware of their reasons to leave class is because of two love struck teenagers.
By the end of the day, I am so nervous; I cannot decide what to think about anything. Katniss and Johanna heard about Finnick asking me out and come into my bedroom, being the best girlfriends I know.
I am looking around for everything like a mad person when Johanna walks to my closet and pulls out a tan lacey dress with a baby blue collar and tie around the middle. I always forget about that dress, even though it apparently looks lovely on me. Finnick seldom sees me wear it, so it'll be a good date dress. "Wear this, Annie!" Jo is holding it up and looking at it approvingly.
"Alright." I change out of my jeans and blouse in front of them, long since caring if they see me naked, and slip on the dress. Katniss pulls out a pair of dark brown and dark red ankle high cowgirl boots.
"These will go nicely with the dress." I nod and slip on the boots, letting myself grow two inches. "Can I help you with your hair, Annie?"
I smile. "Yes please, Katniss." She has always been amazing at doing hair.
She pulls out a curling wand and lets my usually straight hair get pulled into tight looking, yet soft curls that barely shorten my hair length. Johanna has out my makeup and puts my basics on my, as well as a bit of green eye shadow that make my eyes pop, some black eyeliner to put along the bottom of my eye and some sparkly eye liner to put along the top. She then applies a thick coat of black mascara, making my eyes look even bigger and peach blush to my cheekbones. She then puts a cherry flavored, slightly red tinted lip gloss on my lips. I haven't been allowed to look in a mirror, but when I do see my reflection, I am shocked.
The girl in the mirror is beautiful, wearing a short and flirty, yet somehow modest dress and the curls frame her face perfectly, her bangs pulled out of the way with a beautiful twist and pinned with bobby pins and a flower clip. She looks innocent and beautiful. Even though she isn't a size zero, one can see all her curves and how good they look on her. "Wow." My breath is taken away. "You guys are amazing."
Johanna pulls me in for a hug. "We wanted our Little Mermaid to look perfect so her Prince would be sure to kiss her." She adds a wink at the end and I roll my eyes.
"You really do look lovely Annie. You are like my sister. I would help Prim get ready for a date; no way was I going to miss out." I get an unexpected hug from Katniss which I gratefully return.
"Thank you guys so much." I say with a genuine smile.
Jo goes and sits on the extra bed in my room where no one sleeps. "No problem, Annie. You would do the same for us. Now, this may sound a little cliché, but when you get back we better hear all the details. Also, Katniss and I have been preparing to kick your butt in a battle, and then would be the perfect time for you to tell us."
I roll my eyes. "Whatever Jo. I'm still undefeated. Good luck."
We jump when we hear the knock on our door and Katniss motions for me to answer it. When I do, Finnick is standing there in jeans, nice tennis shoes and a red collared shirt that looks nice on him and brings out the green in his eyes. In his hand is a bouquet of white roses and blue Forget Me Nots, my favorite flowers. When he got the flowers, I have no idea. Probably while I was getting ready. I hear him take in a sharp breath when he sees me. I become nervous again until he says, "Wow, Annie. You look beautiful."
I feel the blush consume me and I take the flowers from him, put them on my bed, where Katniss and Johanna will be sure to put them in water, grab my little purse, and head out the door, when he kisses me just as my bedroom door closes.
Finnick
Annie is getting ready and my heart is hammering against my chest. What if I do something wrong? What if this night isn't perfect? I've been saving money for this for awhile and Haymitch gave me even more money ti use so I can make this perfect for her. Peeta and Gale see me pacing nervously around the living room. "Dude, calm down." Gale says with a slight chuckle. He thinks it's amusing to see me like this, I'll bet.
"What if I screw this up? What if this night isn't perfect for Annie? She deserves a perfect night, since her mother came this week." I sound stressed and nervous too. I'll bet. Only Annie can make me nervous. I'm never nervous.
"Well, why don't you get her some flowers? Her favorite colors are Forget Me Nots and she likes roses as well. What if you get her some white roses and Forget Me Nots while she is getting ready?" Peeta the genius strikes again.
"Alright! You two are coming with me though." I demand and I push the down the stairs with my nervous energy. When we go to the floor below us, Prim and Rue are staring curiously and Eloise and Daisy are giggling.
"Go get her, Finn!" The twins call and I roll my eyes and continue pushing my floormates down the stairs.
We grab the keys to a van, hop in, and drive to the nearest flower shop, which, fortunately, is only a five minute drive. We go in, grab the flowers, pay and get out, ignoring the bouquets that Annie wouldn't like at all.
When we get back, it should be about time to go. I take a breath, smooth down my shirt and head to the room where Annie is getting ready, probably being assisted by Johanna and Katniss. Gale and Peeta give me reassuring smiles and pats on the back when I walk past them.
I knock on the door and my breath is caught when I see the sight of the angel before me. A blush comes over her and I give her the flowers. When I am able to catch my breath I sputter out, "Wow, Annie. You look beautiful."
A deeper blush consumes her face and we walk downstairs. Haymitch is allowing me to use his car for this date, since it is a special occasion. He very seldom lets us use his car, so I know he approves me dating Annie.
"Where are we going?" She asks.
I give her my most charming smile and let mystery surround me. "You'll see."
It is five thirty when we arrive at the aquarium. The colorful tropical fish are a beautiful sight to see. Annie loves it. She loves the sea turtles and sharks, the fish that look like they belong in Finding Nemo, she loves it all. Her breath is taken the most away when she sees the beautiful dolphins, flipping and performing, just for her. "Look at them, Finnick!"
Annie loves dolphins. She acts so similarly to them, as well. In a class we took as sophomores, our teacher had this thing where we found our spirit animals. Annie was a dolphin. It fits her perfectly as well.
In this aquarium, there is a restaurant where one can dine, surrounded by fish. We go there and I pull out the chair for her before taking my own. "What can I get you two this evening?" A perky waitress with long raven hair comes up to us.
I see Annie is about to speak, but I decide to do so for her. "I'll have a Dr. Pepper and my date would love a cherry lemonade." Annie smiles and blushes when I call her my date. It just makes her look even more beautiful.
"Do you know what you would like to eat?" The waitress asks.
"Yes, actually. A crab bucket for us to share?" I smile.
The waitress write down our order and heads over to the kitchen. "Finnick, you didn't have to do that. You really cannot afford crab."
I smile and kiss her cheek from across the table. "I can afford anything for you. Besides, I know crab is your favorite."
The food gets here surprisingly quick, or it may just be because I was so amused talking to Annie. We eat our meal, laughing at whenever a crab leg will not break. When we finish, I leave the cash and a good tip for our waitress and we walk out of the aquarium. "Well, this was an amazing date." She smiles.
"It's not over yet, Annie." I take her hand in mine and we walk to the boardwalk not too far away.
The sun is low in the sky, starting to set. I find one of those carnival games where you have to win by shooting a water gun at a target forever. I wait until the booth becomes full so I can win her the prize I want to get her, a big, soft looking, stuffed dolphin. By some miracle, I actually manage to win, letting the game and winning for Annie, be my only focus. "What prize would you like?" The kind game manager asks me.
I smile. "I would love the stuffed dolphin you have." The man passes me the dolphin and I give it to Annie, letting the smile on her face fill my vision.
"You didn't have to do that." She says blissfully.
"I wanted to." We get some ice cream, a large mint chocolate chip cone for me and a small chocolate one for her, and we sit on the edge of the dock letting our feet hang over the edge. "I had a great time with you tonight, Annie."
She smiles. "I did too." We lean in to kiss when we hear a whizzing and popping sound. I didn't know there would be fireworks tonight. I lean in and kiss her on the lips with the lights exploding behind us. It is the perfect way to end the perfect night.
Thanks to: MeaganOneDirection, MiaBelles, Mikey Jacquez, Natura Nature, SecretsandSugarCubes, SibunaChika1227, StarBright18, StayAlways, axes tridents and snares, Anarchy Girl, Catching Fireflies, TARDISRose, Alexandra Jackson rocks Hades, Kyranoel, Fire Kitty 12, MewWinx96, babymcflurry, ThaliaFairbain, cutegirlems, Y.O.L.O So do it right, lole12312, Cinna's Bird, MahoganyMagic12, Random person in wonderland, RiderArya103, SparksFly'SkyHigh, Addicted2-Your-Story, AnotherDawnLikeOurFlag, TurtleThompson, messygreenroom, PerfectionIsFlawed, come burn with me, hyllia14, Lizzie6410, Steven Garrett, Kirihito Mai, RunnergirlI, hungergamesgirl999, UntilTheCannonSounds and Yasie for adding this to their favorites! You are all amazing!
Thanks to my 52 followers as well! We also hit 200 reviews! Yay! That is completely amazing!
Happy 4th of July!
-Juliet