Chapter 25: Intermission

Disclaimer: I don't own THG.

Annie:

April was not Annie's favorite month. Not since three years ago. That day of the accident that took away those she loved most, it was engraved into her mind. Over time, she had gotten better at handling the anniversary of their said time healed all wounds, that was crap.

She wasn't supposed to be home in her room. It was the opening night of Tangled at Panem Theater and her friends would be going to support Finch. Finnick was going, Annie told him to go ahead. She didn't want to be a burden.

"How are you doing today, Annie?" Her grandmother must have noticed her absence from the living room.

Annie was back to April 17th. The day had been perfect for some sailing. Her mother had prepared for a great day out at sea. There was a grill and premium patties for the most incredible burgers the world had ever seen. Freshly squeezed lemonade and red velvet cupcakes that she would steal before lunch. Annie's little brother was ready with his swim trunks and favorite floaters. Her dad had been meticulous about preparing the boat. Always careful, because safety came first. Annie guessed that with all that preparation, they had missed the weather report. A storm would hit that day. Sometimes, Annie thought that if she had been smarter, she would have known to check.

"Annie?" Mags pulled her away from the memory.

"I'm fine, Grandma."

Mags offered her a hug and stroked her hair. Her grandmother, her protector.

"I know its hard, Annie. It was so hard for me to accept. I loved you mom, she was my little girl. Your dad, I could not have asked for a better son-in-law. Leo, he was lovely and smart. But, honey, everything happens for a reason. And you're here with me today so I'm not alone. I'm grateful for that."

Annie started to cry. She missed them all very much. Her mom's laugh, her dad's bad jokes, her brother's childish pranks.

What I wouldn't give for a chance to go back to that day. To do something right.

"I should have checked!" Annie sobbed. "I should have flipped open my phone and checked the weather. Turned on the radio, the TV. Anything. I could have stopped us from going and none of this wouldn't have happened!"

"No, Annie, no. You were fifteen." Mags soothed. "Fifteen year old girls don't expect these sort of tragedies to happen. Why, Annie, should you have worried about that? Don't think you could have done anything. It was never about you. Mistakes are made, but its not healthy to think they could have been avoided."

"I want to believe that. But I feel so terrible. I want to go back. I want to be with them." Annie tightened her arms around her grandmother. It had been a long time since she had an episode like this. It was a tower of emotion, piled high and finally tumbling down.

"They don't want that for you, Annie. Your mom, dad, and Leo, they're happy that you're here, alive and well."

It wasn't fair. That she be there and her family gone. What was she there for? Her grandma insisted that she was there for a reason. Annie couldn't come up with anything.

"Let me go get that." Mags released her and went downstairs. There was someone at the door. Annie settled on her bed, ready for another empty April 17th.

"Annie."

"Finn? What are you doing here?" She had talked to him, told him to go and be with his friends. She explained she wasn't feeling well, but it would pass.

"You told me about this. I know what today means to you. I don't want you to be alone." He made room for himself next to her in bed.

She threw her arms around him and he engulfed her in the warmest hug she'd ever received. She was safe, protected in his embrace. And she cried.

"It's okay, Annie." Finnick said. "I've got you."

He remembered what she said. Every bit if it. And he was with her, helping her with her grief.

"I love you, Finn. I love you so much." She said through her tears.

He held her closer. "I love you, too, Annie. And I'm right here, just like I promised."

Her grandmother's words made more sense now. For everything a reason and Annie's was Finnick.

Johanna:

"Finn's not coming. Annie's sick." Johanna put away her phone as she told the others.

"Aw, I hope she gets better." Finch said. "They can come to one of the other shows."

Johanna, Gale, Kantiss, and Clove were backstage visiting Finch before the play began.

"Nice wig." Johanna said. Finch was pulling off the blonde braid. Weird.

"I know. Jealous?" The girl flipped the braid over her shoulder.

"Totally."

"You're gonna kill it out there, Finch!" Katniss said happily.

Finch smiled. "I know I am. But I'm still a little worried about the guy playing Flynn. Did I tell you who it was? It's-"

"Finch. Let's talk for a sec." Clove pulled her away to a corner. She was talking and Finch was shaking her head. From afar, the scene looked entirely ridiculous.

"What is she yelling at her for?" Katniss wondered.

Gale shrugged. "No idea."

Eventually, Clove returned to talk to the group.

"You guys are going to love this." She said.

"Why?" Johanna asked. "It's a musical, I've never really liked those. I'm only here because Finch is in it. Actually, I think that's why any of us are bothering with this."

"Not true, I happen to like musicals." Katniss said proudly.

"Good for you, Kat. Jo, you'll see, it's gonna be marvelous." Clove had a secret sort of smile. She knew something.

"Okay." Gale said unsure of what was happening. "Let's go find some seats before the best ones are taken."

Johanna led the way in the dark theater. She picked out the best row of seats, the one right in the middle. Did she have to push away some people? Perhaps, but she did so kindly. And yes, that was possible.

"Do they have snacks?" Katniss whispered.

She couldn't have asked earlier? We were out in the lobby for almost half an hour!

"Kat, really?"

"Sorry." She replied moodily. "I got hungry. Human beings need food, Jo."

Johanna sighed heavily and turned to Gale. "Would you mind getting us some food?"

"What? You couldn't have done that earlier, the show's gonna start."

"It's not me, it's Katniss."

"And she can't go buy snacks, why?"

Johanna narrowed her eyes in the darkness. "Gale, you're closer to the end of the row, go and get some snacks." She returned to Kantiss. "What do you want?"

Kantiss grinned happily. "Some popcorn and a water bottle." The grey eyed girl got Clove's attention. "Food?"

"Oh, yeah. Some red vines."

Johanna finally turned back to Gale. "Popcorn, water bottle, red vines and a box Milk Duds."

"Kat's gonna eat all that?" He asked surprised.

"No, it's for all of us. Get what you want." He went without another complaint. Luckily, the line was nothing and Gale returned with time to spare.

Panem Academy's drama teacher, Caesar Flickerman, was in charge of the production. Naturally, he made it his mission to give the most dramatic welcome to the audience. Johanna cringed when she saw what he was wearing. A sparkly blue suit and a wig to match. Still, it was better than what he had worn the year before.

"I'm gonna get a suit just like that for prom." Gale whispered.

Johanan groaned. "That's not funny. If that's what you're wearing, you're gonna need to find another date."

Gale chuckled and returned his attention to the show. The curtains were drawn and the show began with some slightly off pitch music. And then...

"Oh my god." Jo gasped. "Is that-"

"Marvel? Yes it is. And it gets better. This is a musical, remember?" Clove said.

The singing! I have to get this on camera!

Why didn't she say anything earlier? Johanna would have gotten closer seats. It would make a great YouTube video. Good thing Johanna had her phone, she pulled it out and managed to get some of the musical numbers on video.

Over all,the play was quite entertaining. Between laughing at Marvel and embarrassing Finch with unnecessarily loud cheering, Jo had a good time. And they were only threatened with being kicked out a total of three times, which was a lot less than expected. At the end of the play, the cast came up to take their bows.

"Well, let's go." Gale stood first.

"Wait, sit!" Clove insisted.

On stage, Marvel was asking for a microphone.

"Okay, everyone! I'm Marvel and yeah, that's my name. Tonight I want to ask someone a very important question." Someone from the audience handed him a bouquet of roses. "Finch Blackburn, will you got to prom with me?"

The crowd yelled for her to say yes. She did.

"You knew about this, Clove?" Kantiss asked.

"Yeah. Why else would I be excited over a musical?"

"Well, now even Finch has a date. Waiting on you, Kat." Johanna laughed.

"Not nice, Jo." Katniss replied.

"Now it all makes sense." Gale mused.

"What make sense?" Jo asked.

"He skipped practice. Do you have any idea what Brutus is like when he's in a mood? It was hell."

Katniss laughed. "Aw, poor Gale. I bet it was all to impress her."

"He could have just asked her, but hey, I got some great video out of this. No complaints." Jo held up the camera.

"He did try asking her to dinner once, but you know Finch. She didn't get that it was a date. Smart people, they trade a chunk of common sense for brains!" Clove joked.

"Not all of us, some us can keep both." Katniss was giving Clove a pointed look.

Johanna ignored the exchange. The group went backstage to congratulate Finch, on both the play and her newly acquired prom date.

A Finnick/Annie moment and the opening night of the play. I didn't really describe the play, sorry that was kinda boring, but I wanted to wrap up the Finch/Marvel thing. Next chapter, shopping for prom dresses and another Everlark! :)

Guest: nvwnvklnwvkn'vm. I can't imagine anyone talking about my fic with other people! Thank you!