Chapter 25
"What's with you?" Lana asks.
"What?" I say with a smile.
"You ...that giddy look. You look very happy."
"Well sorry." I say.
She rolls her eyes. "What is it?" She asks
"Finnick and I kissed." I say.
"Finally, I thought that was never going happen. Jason was getting weary too he thought Finnick was either to stupid or too afraid."
"That's nice Lana." I say and roll my eyes.
"His words not mine. So, did he kiss you or did you kiss him?" She asks.
"Does that matter?"
"I want to know the story." She smiles.
"Well I kissed him but, then he kissed me."
"Was it nice?" She asks.
"It was." I say and can feel myself blushing.
"Good, I'm glad. You deserve to be happy especially with everything that has happened but, I never thought it would be the great Finnick Odair who would put that big smile on your face." She says.
"I know but, who knew how nice he was. I guess we should stop judging people before we meet them."
"Well, Annie with him it wasn't that big of an accusation, I mean he is even like that in District Four."
"That's because he thinks that is what people want."
She scoffs.
"Trust me Annie no one here wants that." She says
"I know."
"Well, why isn't he that way for you?"
"I told him not to besides I don't think he wants to be that narcissistic person when he is with me."
"Well, that's good."
"How are you though?"
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"You know with... Jason."
"Oh, that's good got nice plans tonight."
"Really."
"Really, it's very secretive though." She smiles."
"You have always liked that." I smile.
"Yes I have. Didn't we always say we wanted to date brothers when we were younger." She says
"Yes, so we could have a double wedding in our backyard and we would know they would get along."
"Exactly but now don't you think it is weird?"
"No, it's only weird if you make it weird." I smile.
"True." She says. "Well, I have to go." She stands up and pulls me up with her.
"Okay, well have fun doing whatever it is you're doing."
She rolls her eyes.
"I'm going to see my brother and his wife."
"Oh, well have fun with that."
"I'm sure I will." She smiles.
She heads into town to see her brother and I head back to Victors Village. I can see Finnick sitting on his porch outside, he seems to be thinking deeply about something. I head over to his house and sit next to him and he jumps. I don't think he noticed I was so close to him.
"Were you waiting for me?" I ask.
He rolls his eyes.
"You're not that important Cresta." He smiles and grabs my hand and laces my fingers with his. He seems far away, he seems distracted.
"Finnick, what's wrong?" I ask.
"Nothing." He says and looks at me.
"Something is bothering you, what is it?" I ask concerned.
He shrugs.
"It's just this..." He says and motions towards are interlocked hands.
"What about it? Are you changing your mind already Finnick?" I say slightly annoyed.
"No." He laughs "It's just you could do better."
I start laughing.
"You think this is funny Annie?" He asks angry
"Why would you say that?" I ask still.
"Because I go to the Capitol to do things and it isn't-
I kiss him to get him to stop talking. His body relaxes and he puts his hands on my cheeks.
"That's why you're already good enough." I say.
"What?" He asks confused.
"You think you're not good enough and you worry about me."
"Well, yes I love you Annie and I never want to be the person who hurts you."
I smile.
"Finnick Odair, you could never hurt me." I say.
"Never say never." He grumbles.
"You're an idiot." I say.
"But Annie I-
I kiss him again and his body relaxes.
"You're the best person for me Finnick Odair and like you said I'm stuck with you for life."
"I did say that didn't I." He smiles and kisses me again.
"So don't ever ever think that again. Do better than the great Finnick Odair that is ludicrous."
"Yes the Finnick Odair." He says and rolls his eyes.
"Well, I didn't fall in love with that Finnick the one who is still in love with himself."
"I don't like that Finnick either." He mumbles.
"Well, maybe you could start with not having a double life anymore." I say.
"It isn't that easy Annie."
"Well, why is it when you are with me?" I ask.
"Because I don't want to be that other person when I'm with you, and you make it so easy."
"Well, I'm glad."
He leans in and kisses me.
"I love you." He tells me.
"I'm glad. You have no idea how long I wanted to hear you say that." I say.
"I know but, I didn't think I should've told you."
"Well, maybe you should've." I tease.
"It doesn't matter now." He says and kisses me again.
'When's the next time you leave?" I ask.
"Sunday." He says.
"It will be okay." I say.
"I know that will be fine it's just I don't want to argue with him anymore." He says.
"You mean Michael."
"Michael, Devil whatever you want to call him." He says.
"Finnick I don't think he is as bad as the devil."
"You don't know him well enough, you've only seen the tip of the iceberg."
"What made him hate you so much."
"Well weren't you listening to him. I ruined his sisters life... I'm a mistake."
"Finnick, you're not a mistake."
"Okay." He says and rolls his eyes.
"Finnick, how many times has he told you this."
"I don't know for the majority of my life. You think you would get used it but..." He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter at least he is telling me the truth."
"Finnick Odair don't let your terrible uncle make you think these things. Would your parents ever say this to you?"
He sighs.
"No, my mother didn't like it when he said it before. He would only do it indirectly and never said it to my face but, as I got older he did. I actually stopped seeing him after I won the games. I finally saw him again when my parents died but, it had been years and I think that was the the only reason I did see him again. Then he appointed himself legal guardian." He rolls his eyes.
"That means Marci doesn't know him very well." I say surprised.
"No, she doesn't but to be far I don't think any of us really do. I don't think she has any prior memories of him. It isn't right but, what can you do." He shrugs.
"Why does he just think you fool around when you go to the Capitol especially when he knows."
"Like you said he is a terrible person. I'm tired of having the same run around with him though, I just wish he would stop."
"Why don't you just not see him?"
"Because Marci always comes here before I go to the Capitol and Michael drops her off just so he can yell at me." He shakes his head.
"Well, maybe this time he won't."
"Oh no." He says and motions his head towards the exit of Victors Village and sure enough there he is with Marci.
Marci runs over towards Finnick.
"Hi Finnick, Hi Annie" She says.
"Marci." He says.
"You're going tomorrow right." She whispers.
He nods.
"Are you leaving?" Marci asks me.
I shake my head.
"No."
She nods and looks unhappy.
"C'mon Marci let's go inside." Finnick tells her and then it is just myself and Michael outside.
He smiles at me.
"Hello Annie."
"Yeah whatever." I mumble.
"Something wrong?"
"Yes, you."
"What have I ever done to you?" He says confused.
"Nothing directly I just don't understand how you can be so cruel to members of your family."
"You mean my mother?"
"Well, fine let's start there."
"She wouldn't have been able to take care of them I was doing her favor."
"Do you want to know why I think you did it?"
"Pray tell Annie why do you think I did it."
"Because I think you wanted to be able to torment Finnick for the rest of his life."
"And what makes you say that." He says defensively.
"According to him he didn't see you for years and then when his parents die you just magically appear again. You make it seem like you and your sister were so close but, I don't think that is the case. I think she wanted you to stay away from him because you were so terrible."
"How was I terrible Annie by telling him the truth?"
"That's just what you think but, his parents clearly didn't think this or else they wouldn't have had to die for you to see him again." I say.
"Do you want me to say it Annie, that I don't like him, that I think he is a waste of space, or that I think he is a living breathing mistake. All are things I have said to him before you can take your pick which you prefer. Personally I wasn't that devastated when his name was drawn from that bowl I think it would've been better if he didn't come back. Then he could no longer be a burden to anyone ever again."
"Oh my god." I say in disbelief. "You are a terrible excuse for a human being, you don't deserve everything you have and just for the record that mistake in there is saving your life every time he goes to the Capitol. He isn't high on your list but, I get the feeling he just wouldn't let Snow kill you. Unfortunately I don't think I can see the same for you." I say and then the door clatters open.
"Annie come on, I want to talk to you." Marci says and grabs my hand.
"You can leave Uncle Michael, Finnick promises to take me back before dusk." She smiles.
"I..." He trails off.
"Is something wrong?" Marci asks him looking slightly alarmed.
"No, Marci it is nothing. I will see you later then." He says and leaves. He has a strange expression on his face.
Finnick comes outside and looks around.
"Where did he go?" He asks sounding relieved.
"I took care of it." I say.
He looks at me strangely.
"It doesn't matter Finnick let's just go inside." I tell him.
"What did you do?" He asks me sounding worried.
"Something he needed to hear."
"It won't last." He says.
"Well, then savor this moment." I say and he kisses me on the cheek.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome." I say and kiss him.
I have a feeling he is right but, sometimes you just have to savor the little things and the small victories because ultimately those are the things that get you through the day.
A/N: Hello everyone I just wanted to let you know that I probably won't be posting chapters this weekend because I have been feeling sick recently but, don't worry after that it will be back to the normal schedule. As always thanks for reading and reviewing!