I do not own Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games characters.
Oh my gosh, I can't believe that I am already writing the tenth chapter of this fanfic. Thank you so much to everyone who has read this story. I have always been really shy about sharing my writing with people and seeing how many people have read this story has been a huge confidence booster for me, so thank you.
So now, without further ado,
Chapter 10:
Annie
As Finnick drives me home from our project work session, I feel an odd feeling in my stomach. I think it is called having butterflies in your stomach, but I have never felt it for a boy before. And I am pretty sure that it is about Finnick. The sun is sinking to the horizon and the dusk glow makes his copper curls look like fire. His eyes are on the road, but I know exactly what shade of green his eyes are. I realized last week that they aren't just sea green, they are actually more of jade green. He has such beautiful eyes.
Things have been different since I told him about IT. For one thing, though it took me a few days to notice, his chair is always closer to mine than it used to be. Not by much, but by enough that I noticed. In school, he walks me to as many classes and places as he can and I've noticed that he looks over to my table a lot during lunch. And we haven't been arguing nearly as much as we used to. He even walked up with me at the end of class to talk to Professor Latier about giving us an alternate assignment in place of our second presentation, which is supposed to be about how the worst event in my life has psychologically shaped the person that I am today. Professor Latier told us that instead, we could write an essay about PTSD, which we just finished.
When we pull into the driveway of my house, Finnick turns off the car and gets out. Before I can ask him what he is doing, he is opening my door and walking me to my door. I see my mother's face disappear from the living room window and the door opens just as we arrive. Finnick hands me my small bag and says goodnight. He gets back in his car but doesn't turn it back on until I step inside my house and my mom shuts the door.
"Well, that was nice of him, walking you to the door," mom says with a smile on her face and she walks into the kitchen. Now seems like the perfect time to ask her. I follow her into the kitchen and find her dicing up a carrot.
"I actually wanted to ask you something," I say.
"Hm, what is it, honey?" My mom asks.
Sarah walks into the kitchen and sits down at one of the stools on the counter. She pulls out her phone and I hear the clicking of keys as she texts one of the thousand new friends she has already made. I hate when she keeps the ringer on when she texts, though I don't say anything.
"Um, there is a get-together tomorrow, and I was wondering if I could go."
My mom immediately stops dicing and Sarah's head shoots up. Colin enters the kitchen and Sarah motions for him to sit next to her. In typical twin fashion, he follows and doesn't say a word, propping his head on his hands like Sarah is now doing.
"You want to go to a party?" My mom asks. I can tell she is internally panicking so I figure that now is the right time to mention who is hosting it.
"No, it is just a small thing with friends. Finnick is hosting."
Mom visibly relaxes. She begins to dice the carrot again and she smiles. "Sure you can go. Is it an overnight thing?"
"Yes."
"Alright, well just remember to bring an extra phone charger and your own pillow."
"Of course," I say, a wide smile on my face.
I walk around the island and hug her tightly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Thank you so much!" I say, before running up to my room.
I sit down on my bed and am practically bouncing as I type a message to Finnick.
my mom said i can come on friday!
Seriously? That's awesome.
My face hurts from smiling, but I can't seem to stop. My mom is letting me go to a sleepover! I can't believe it. Even when I went to the all-girls school she wouldn't let me go to sleepover parties. She was too worried that one of the girls was going to sneak boys in, which admittedly did happen more than once.
I was kind of worried she wouldn't let you go.
same, but she was totally cool once she found out you were hosting
Really?
yeah. i think my mom likes you
Well, that is a first.
what is
Parent's liking me.
oh.
I didn't mean it like that.
ok
I put my phone down. I am not smiling anymore. I remember what told and Johanna both told me a few days ago when the started noticing Finnick staring at our table.
"You don't want to get involved with him," Clove had said.
"Why?"
"Let's just say, Finnick is a real ladies man," Johanna said.
"In other words, Finnick really doesn't do relationships-" Clove started.
"Just hookups," finished Johanna.
I push the conversation out of my mind, and I text Madge, who gave me her number the first day we sat together at lunch.
hey, i'm coming to Finnick's tomorrow. what should i wear
Let me see your closet Madge types back. I quickly figured out that Madge is the best person when it comes to arranging. When Katniss, Johanna, Clove and I decided that we were going to go to homecoming, simply because it was our senior year and Madge was so ecstatic that she literally booked out a boutique for two weeks from now, so we "wouldn't have to fight over dresses". I don't know how she has shopped for dresses, but I have never once fought with another girl over a dress in my life.
I send Madge a picture of my closet and drawers and within five minutes she has picked out an outfit that goes together so well you would have thought it came straight from a magazine.
thank you!
Always happy to use my superpower
it's perfect I type back, and it is. Despite everything that Clove and Johanna have told me about his reputation, I can't wait for Finnick to see me in it tomorrow.
Sorry, this chapter was a bit shorter. I am really excited to write the next few chapters, which are all going to be Finnick's sleepover get-together, aka party because there will be a lot of big stuff happening for all of the characters then! What do you guys think is going to happen at Finnick's party? PM me if you want to make any predictions or suggestions for what you would like to see happening at his party.
Stay happy, healthy, and safe,
-Jewel.