Hey, guys! So this is Annie's last training day, and it also is her Private Training day! Seriously, the night before this day was the worst time to get drunk. Honestly, what was she thinking?!
Except, not! Haha I got you for a second! Probably not, but... Okay, so I watched Catching Fire and it was AMAZING. It is by far my favorite book AND movie. Finnick wasn't as flirtatious as I thought he would be, but you know... :(
Annie's POV
I woke up to a pounding head ache that made me want to literally just have a shark eat me instead of live with the pain. It was bad. Well, that's what I get for drinking last night, I guess. I mentally scolded myself – harshly.
I sighed and got out of bed, showered and got dressed. I braided my hair into a 4-strand as I went out to the dining room. The first thing that I heard was Lexi's chirpy, high-pitched voice. I gave her the best glare I could make and Finn, Mags and Jase laughed.
"I'm taking it, you told him?" I said grumpily, plating myself with some toast and fruit. He nodded.
"Annie, it really wasn't a good night for you to get drunk." Jase said, smirking at me. I made a face at him and then ate a piece of cantaloupe.
"But seriously, that was probably the worst night that you could possibly choose to get drunk. I mean, you must have a terrible headache. And Private Training is happening today." he continued. I glared at him and he shut up.
"Well," Finn spoke up. "Good thing we are in the Capital." He then handed me two pills. I looked down at them and wrinkled my nose. "Go on. It'll stop the headache right away."
I sighed, but swallowed them down with some water. I then continued to eat, the headache leaving immediately. "Thank you." I mumbled. He gave me an ever-so-popular 'Finnick Odair smile'.
"You are very welcome." he said flirtatiously, eating a sugar cube. I laughed and rolled my eyes, unable to stop myself from doing both.
"You're so full of yourself."
"Oh, trust me, Annie. I know." he said, still smirking.
"Eat your food." I said.
"What's wrong with a little conversation with my, rather attractive, tribute?" he asked, now eating another cube of sugar. I rolled my eyes again.
"You know, my hangover might be gone, but I'm still not a morning person."
"Annie, you're no fun." Finnick said, pouting. Then he changed his voice into the Capital accent, mocking it. "You should lighten up a bit. After all, it's going to be a big, big, big day!"
"If you want to be forced, then you leave me no choice." I said. Then, I got up and leaned down so that my face was close to his. "Finn, could you please shut up and eat your food?" I said in a seductive voice. My mouth was right next to his ear and I breathed on his neck. I felt him shiver.
"Miss Cresta, I still am wondering about your health. Maybe you should just take the day off and skip Private Training." he said, in the same voice I was using.
"Oh, I'm not sure I could accept," I said. "No one would want me being the very first person to get a 0 in my score. Isn't that right?"
"Oh, no, Miss Cresta. I-"
"Okay, guys. You can stop now." Jase said, eying us. I just sighed. Finn did the same.
"Whatever you say, boss." he said, saluting him.
I got up and went back to my seat. After that, there was an awkward silence, so I started to laugh uncontrollably. Mags didn't seem to notice, though, because she just kept on eating and mumbling to herself about how to tie different knots and smiling after she remembered. I reminded myself to take deep breaths, just like how my mom taught me, before I broke the silence (except for my laughing) with a question.
"Hey, Mags." I said, smiling at her. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, honey. I'm just a crazy, old lady who's lived too long. Almost everything I say doesn't make any sense." she said, teasing herself. I chuckled.
"Mags, do you have any advice for what we should do for Private Sessions?" I asked. She replied with a mumble that said something along the lines of 'Just do your best and make them remember you.' I nodded and smiled.
"Alright, well." I said, standing up. "Jase, are you ready?"
"Yeah, I think I am." he said. "Let's go."
He stood up and grabbed my hand. For some reason, it didn't feel the way it used to. It didn't feel right. Before, it was as if our hands fit like puzzle pieces, but right now... something was wrong. Like I was betraying someone by doing it. Oh, no.
When we got to training, I practiced with the knife a little more, still acting like I'm terrible with it so that I could surprise the Gamemakers later. I also practiced with the Capital's spears, just so that I could get used to their weight and feel. Right when I was sure I've mastered what not to do with both of them, I went to the survival stations so that I wouldn't die for a stupid reason like thirst or something.
Finally, after lunch, the Gamemakers pulled us into a waiting room where we would sit until they called us for Private Training. I always thought about how lucky I was, being from District 4, so I wouldn't have to wait long if I ever was in the Hunger Games. I still had 25 minutes to decide and think through on what to do for it, plus the amount of time that it took for the Gamemakers to pick up each of the tribute's work.
Of course I was going to do something with both knives and spears, maybe adding in some knots somewhere. My main goal was 7 or 8. I want to be in the middle. People won't think too much about me, but I can still get sponsors. Especially with Finnick's help, which I denied, but he's still probably out, having extra 'assignments' to help me.
"Annie Cresta."
I stood up quickly and looked back at Jase.
"Good luck, Ann." he said, smiling at me.
"Yeah, you too." I smiled back.
Then, I walked through the doors, going straight to the dummies and rope. My legs seemed to know exactly what to do before my brain did, because I already had a knot tied before I even realized what I was doing. After throwing the dummy into my trap, I got out a belt of knives and climbed up a rope, getting to the top before throwing the knives at every dummy I could find. I hit most of them, and about a fourth of the Gamemakers seemed impressed, and pointed at some parts of the training center, commenting on things.
I climbed down the rope and put the empty belt back to where I found it.
The Head Gamemaker, Luparn, excused me and I walked out of the room as soon as possible without running. I went into the elevator and it rose up to our floor in a matter of seconds.
I was in such a hurry to get as far away from the Gamemakers as I could, that I bumped into Finnick on the way to my room. I gasped.
"Oh!" I said. "Oh, sorry. Hey, Finn."
"Hi, Annie." he said, still surprised. "How was your Private Session?"
"Um... I think it went really well. Which I am really worried about." I said, trying to avoid all eye contact. He didn't seem to notice.
"Why would you be worried? That's great!" he said, completely confused on how I could think of something like that, probably. I shook my head.
"Finn, you don't get it. I'm small. Like a twig. Not only physically, either." I said. "Finnick, I'm not you. I'm not ridiculously attractive, and I won't be able to use that to my advantage, because you won't let me and you know what will happen, even if you did. I want to be in the middle. Average. Non-important, so that I don't really cross people's minds too much."
He frowned for a second.
"You're right. As you always are..." he said, shaking his head at me. I smirked.
"Of course, I'm right. I'm always right, Finnick." I said. "Haven't you learned that by now?"
"I guess that I just can't seem to get the picture, do I?" he said, smirking right back. I laughed and took his hand, pulling him up to the roof.
"Annie, what are you doing?" he asked, frowning, but smiling at the same time. I mentally shook my head, knowing that he was the only person in all of Panem that could accomplish that.
"Oh, I just feel like I need some quality Finnick Odair time." I said, smiling at him. "You know. The usual. Walking around the roof of the Training Center, trying to talk about anything but the Hunger Games and the terrible mess that we've all gotten ourselves into as the human race."
"Oh, yeah. That is something that everyone needs in their life at some point." Finn said. I laughed. "I mean,, whether it's on the television, or face-to-face, it's a very important part in life. Some even say that it's fatal if you don't see me within a two-month period."
We just went back and forth like that until we reached the top. Both of us making cheeky comments to each other, and the other shooting back in less than half a second.
When we did reach the top, we both stopped talking when we heard a huge crowd, screaming and roaring in excitement. My head shot up and over to where the noise was coming from and scowled when I saw that it was from the Capital. They're excited. They're excited for 24 children to kill each other. And they don't even care.
Finn looked down at me. "You know, that look doesn't suit you." he said, smirking. I glared at him. "Neither does that one. I mean, you're gorgeous either way, but I think that you look more natural when you're happy." he saved.
"Well, Finnick, it's hard to look happy when there's nothing to be happy about." I said, pouting and crossing my arms across my chest. He did the same way with a sarcastic pout on his face.
"Oh, I'm Annie." he said, teasing me in a falsetto voice that sounds nothing like my own. I almost choked on the air I was breathing in when he did. "I can't see anything that's good about being in the Capital with the amazingly gorgeous Finnick Odair, drooling over me! Even though I just got my best friend back, I still find no reason to be happy and so I'm just going to be mad and grumpy all day!"
I laughed. And. I. Couldn't. Stop. Laughing. I felt my cheeks burning and turning red as I could barely hold my self up from the stupid voice that Finn just used. I kept on laughing until Finnick started chuckling and he picked me up and sat me down on a bench. There, I was finally able to catch my breath.
"There." he said, smiling in approval. "That's much better."
Then, just to make him annoyed, I glared at him, for real.
Okay, guys! I'm not sure why, but I had trouble writing that one... :/ Something's up and it's not the ceiling or the sky... Weird. But anyway, reviews are always appreciated and very helpful! I love you guys! :D