A/N - this is a re-upload of last chapter witch I wrote while half asleep. Thanks to cookievb123 I remembered me writing while tired results in crummy chapters. I am sorry for that. Here it is again, better than the last time... I hope.
"Annie," Boomed a distant yet all too distinct voice of Trent from his sanctuary inside of the fishing boat that bobbed over Annie's head. His normally sarcastic and exuberant tone becoming hallowed and apathetic as he pleaded with the now seventeen year old Annie to stop avoiding the district in her underwater haven and come back to shore with him. Trent was a bit of a worry wart. But after Ronan turned eighteen and worked with the fishermen preparing for the rest of his natural born life he was as good of a choice as any. Being in her year made the once strictly business friendship had become fairly plutonic.
The two were thought to be even closer than Annie and Finnick where as children. Seeing as Trent was the one who assisted the girl threw many frail and augean times in her life. Times like two years ago when her uncles' boat never reached shore and instead of having a body to burry Annie and her mother had to burry belongings. Or when Annie's mother slipped away from all reality and left a fifteen year old to be self-sufficient. Instances when Annie would pass Finnick in town and would be reminded of his abrupt termination of their friendship with no explanation other than the Games change you. Trent had peeled away Annie's protective layers and had become her strength, her sanity to be truthful.
"Annie," He called again his light green eyes scanning the ocean around him waiting for the glyimce of knotted brown hair that would signal his friends return to the surface.
"Annie come on," He pleaded desperately his hands resting against the ragged edge of the wooden boat as he tapped impatiently. Moments later Annie popped from the calm vast ocean and paddled her way to the boat fish loaded heavily in her net. Trent smiled and reached his hand over to first take the net and then to help Annie on to the boat.
"There was a lot of them today." Annie commented as she and Trent began to paddle their way back to shore. "I wonder why more weren't out today." She pondered innocently, Trent sent his friend a disheartened gaze.
"Ann, you know why no one is out today well all do, it is…." The boy began.
"Don't please Trent, please don't. I heard somewhere that ignorance is bliss. Therefore let me have this moment of bliss away from the rest of Panem. Humor me with witty banter like every other day. Please," She begged her green eyes glossing over creating a doe from and her lip protruding in a face that Trent could not deprive.
"Fine Annie, But it won't change anything," The rational boy murmured more for his own sake than for Annie's.
"Please for me." Annie pleaded her face melting form its forced sorrow to a look of deflation. Taking pity on the teen Trent sighed.
"I don't know why more aren't out today. But you know what they say, don't look a gift horse in the mouth." He grunted the last part and Annie shot the boy a halfhearted smile.
"You are a despicable actor Trent Really." Annie acknowledged as the boat drew closer to the shore line.
"I am not as practiced as you." He retorted with an eye roll not catching the accusing tone in his voice before it was too late. A glance at Annie told him that his last sentence had struck a nerve. The rest of the ride was in silence before Annie took a small bag of fish that was for herself and her mother and left abruptly leaving a bewildered Trent.
"Today will be a great reaping day." The boy moaned as he pulled the boat ashore and to the old ratted shed before lugging the fish back home in silence.
"Annie Dear is that you." Annie's mother's forced voice carried from where the woman slept in the small houses small bedroom as Annie entered the living room. She saw a pillow on the couch indicating that she had not been fully awake when she left this morning or else she would have cleaned her own bed properly.
"Yes Ma, I have fish for us today, fresh I just caught it this morning. I also have seaweed to make bread and Trent's mother sent some seawater taffy with him this morning and I have a few extra pieces we can have later." Annie explained slipping off her sandals and placing them in the handmade wicker shoe basket before moving her bag to the kitchen and laying it in the sink. She then made her way back to the foyer of the house and over to the one bathroom that sat adjacent from the door leading into the bed room.
"Oh Annie dear, why so fancy, we don't need fish. You could probably get a good penny for these beauties." Annie's mother concurred while Annie slipped into the rest room and changed from her soaking bathing suit into a pair of pale blue pokadotted pajama shorts and a pink camisole. She sent the comb threw her long hair and hung her bathing suit over the towel rack to dry and used a hand towel to dab her hair while she walked back into the kitchen area.
"Ma it was a good day, I got four net-fulls and Trent got a few with the spear. We got more than enough to sell later today." Annie explained as she two entered the kitchen and jumped onto the counter next to the sink. Her mother stood at the counter gutting the small fish with expert permission. After she had finished the fish she was working on Annie's mother handed Annie the fish and knife and went to making the bread.
"Oh so you had a good day, I am surprised you all never do that well, with all of the other fishermen and things." Annie's mother droned on her ignorance like that Annie had tried to keep on the boat yet she was not lieing. The truthfulness of the comment made Annie drop the knife and jump from her previous position causing the fish to fall to the floor. After making sure the knife didn't impale her Annie picked up the knife and washed it before continuing to cut the fish.
"No one else was out ma." Annie said simply.
"That's rare, oh dear its today isn't Annie. What kind of mother am I to forget what day it is?" Annie's mother scolded herself.
"Its fine ma, I wish I could forget to." Annie said.
"Oh I know hunny it's hard to get through days like this. But I tell you what. I am almost certain that somewhere in that mess of a closet I have my old blue dress. You know the calf length one. I am certain it would fit you, and we will do your hair all nice," She said and Annie stopped gutting the fish. The blue dress was her mother's most prized possession. It was the dress she was wearing when she met Annie's father at one of her own reaping's. "After we eat of course," her mother added pointing to the fish. Annie giggled and continued to gut the fish.
"You have a lovely laugh Annalise. I miss hearing it every day." Annie's mother said with a slight smile on her face.
"Me to Ma, me to," Annie said deflation dripping from her tone. The Cresta women cooked the fish and eat in silence sitting at their small table. When they Finished Annie's mother shoed her daughter to the bathroom as she proceed to clean the kitchen, Annie fallowed the woman's instructions with a grunt.
Entering the bathroom Annie picked up the small brush once again and dug her small frame to the counter where she began to comb out her long dark hair in a continuous almost calming manor. She combed each section thoroughly. Annie's mother then appeared in the door way and took her daughters hand in her own.
She led Annie to the bedroom where the blue dress that she had mentioned earlier lay out. That is what was done first. The blue material was draped over Annie's now bear shoulders and sipped up. The faded cobalt blue fabric complementing Annie's sun kissed skin and dark features. After the dress was on Annie's mother flipped Annie's hair so she could reach the zipper. For a few moments it seemed as if the dress was too tight around Annie's small yet defined stomach before it passed the small section and slid the rest of the way with ease. The dress had a v shaped neckline with inch wide shoulders. Under her bust line the dress pulled in to a tightly fitted midsection then fell away in a free manner falling inches below Annie's knees.
Annie ran her calloused fingers against the soft fabric softly. She felt as if everyone who she had lost was a part of this dress. It was her mothers, her father had always loved it, and her uncle was there when her mother dug it out of the closet and chose it for her first date. Finnick, well Finnick just always liked the color blue.
"Annie you look," She heard the strained voice of Trent "stunning." He said and Annie turned realizing she was no longer admiring her dress at the comfort of her home rather the admiring had taken place hours ago and now they were at the reaping's. Trent wore a black suit with a sea green button down shirt that was undone at the top and his messy brown hair fell into his eyes. Trent was in all sense of the word a nerd, but nerds where frowned upon in district four so over time the boy had grown exceptionally strong.
"Thank you Trent, you look nice as well. " Annie said softly her gaze falling on a frantic looking Finnick and a frail Mags. It was common knowledge in the district Mags had recently fallen victim to violent seize attacks and the way Finnick was hovering around her you would think she was having one then or was about to.
"Good Morning District Four," Yule Herringbone said like always. "Happy Hunger Games," He added flipping his arms around in flair. Ever since Finnick had won his games five years ago eyes had fallen on district four as they awaited there next Victor. For the past few years however, the district did not more than disappoint. The girl last year Hannah Gingrich made it to the top two, but Johanna Mason and her multiple personality axe wielding manner sliced the girl practically in half.
"Ladies First," Yule chirped as his now pale green hand slipped into the large bowl and swished the pieces of paper until his Fingers closed on one. He held it up adjusted his head high and cleared his throat.
"Annalise Cresta!" he screamed in childish joy as Annie froze. It was not until she was pushed into the center of the roped off children that her feet closed the small gap between where she stood and the stage. Her face was ghost white as she tried to fight back tears. She was dead; Yule Herringbone just signed her death wish. In the eighteen year old section she saw Ronan fighting his way to the front his gaze was dancing between Annie and Finnick, as tears filled his own eyes. His bottom lip became raw under his bite.
"And now for the male tribute" He said, Annie didn't have time to wish for Ronan's and Trent's safety before Yule continued. "Trent Winters" He said and as Trent staked to the stage Annie felt her whole world crash around her As Trent shook her hand his eyes warned Annie to wait, Annie knew what he meant he wanted her not to break until they got to the train, until he could piece her back together.
"I'll try" Annie mouthed in response and Trent squeezed her hand with a nod of his head before they were ushered into the justice building and slit into their respective rooms. Annie sat silently as she awaited her mother's arrival.
However her mother did not come in first, instead it was Ronan. Once he passed the door way he opened his arms and like so many times before Annie threw herself into them. He silently stroked her hair while they wounded who would be the first to break the silence.
"Annie," He said softly pulling back the visibly breaking girl. He rubbed his hands down her arms and grabbed her hands bringing them out in front of her.
"I am not going to say you're going to win because I know you won't believe me. But for me promise you will give it your all. We will be supporting you back here," He said and Annie nodded. "Also please listen to Finnick," He said and Annie began to lightly pull away from his grasp. "Please Annie; he knows what he is doing. I know that what he did was wrong and I am not condoning it but there are two sides to every story, at least hear him out. He made it home; he can help you get home to." Ronan pleaded and Annie nodded.
"I know that you can't do much, but please take care of my mother. She needs someone. I have enough money saved up in case of something like this." Annie said softly and Ronan nodded kissing the crown of her head before the peace keeper made him leave. Trent's mother was next as she walked through the door with tears filling her light blue eyes.
"Annie Hunny your mother, she would have come but, she was not doing well." She stammered out. Annie nodded, not doing well meant she went crazy and was murmuring incoherent sentences like she usually did. Annie looked up at the weeping woman and wondered why she came to see her. Sure Annie had met the woman a few times but she looked devastated her son was being sent in the arena why was she worried about Annie.
"Oh it's alright Mrs. Winters, I understand. Thank you for telling me. I am sorry Trent was reaped Mrs. Winters, I really truly am." Annie said softly.
"Annie dear I am too. I am sorry both of you were. Before they come to get me dear take this. Try to wear it as your district token, if you are allowed that is. I know that it's going to be hard Annie but try, both of you. Maybe one of you can come back to us." The woman said placing a small shell necklace in Annie's hand Annie just nodded. Before she left the woman placed the necklace on Annie's neck and kissed the girls forehead wishing her luck.
Finnick enters the room next his green eyes holding unwept tears. Annie doesn't look at him though instead she stares at the floor. He will not just waltz back into her life like nothing had happened. She wouldn't let him. She was stronger than the twelve year old girl who believed that he would come back and things would be like they used to.
"Anns." He began softly as he began to make his way over to her. He took her hands in his and rubbed his thumb over her dorsum of her hand. Annie looked away and tried to count floor tiles. Finnick had always been her week point, and she wouldn't let him get the best of her now. She was mad at him, right.
"Anns, I am so sorry, I tried I really did. I…" He began now not holding back his tears as he raised her palms to touch his forehead. Annie was now livid. Tried, tried. Finnick Odair decided he was no longer her friend two days after he came home. Did he constitute that as an attempt?
"No Finnick you didn't." She said pulling her hands from his and standing up creating space between her and the bronzed hair boy.
"You went and came home but you never came back to me. You changed and you know it. I needed you Finnick, do not sit here and tell me that you did something that you didn't. Don't lie Finnick, I don't need to hear more lies." She said pacing around the room forcing tears from her eyes. Another few minutes, she told herself, break when you are in the train. Break when Trent is there to put you back together she began to rub her neck willing herself not to cry.
"Annie," Finnick said spinning the girl to face him there faces inches from each other forcing her gaze to meet his. "I couldn't come back." He said softly. Annie almost felt safe in his arms until she remembered she hated him, she had to hate him. She pulled away and to the door.
"I said don't lie Finnick, I don't want to talk please just," She stopped her breath escaping her. "Can't we just go to the train now?" She said wrapping her hands around her midsection.
"Annie, please just here me out." He said, she really wanted to say no to scream and throw a fit, and break his arm like she had when he made the entire fourth grade call her Anna Banana. However she couldn't throw a fit she didn't want to lose the ounce of sanity left in her at the moment. And Finnick was much larger than he was back then so she doubted the same flip of the wrist would break his arm. Ronan's voice popped into her head. 'Also please listen to Finnick , Annie there are two sides to every story.' She gulped and nodded Finnick held a soft smile. You are doing this for Ronan, she reminded herself.
"Tribute," Came the harsh voice of the peacekeeper before Finnick could explain and Annie breathed better it had worked now all she had to do was not trip on her way to the train and she would be home free.
She didn't trip on her way to the train, though the presence of Finnick and Trent holding each of her arms may have helped that fact. As soon as they were on the train Trent's arm lingered as Finnick tried to pull her away. Annie sent Trent an apologetic gaze to witch he nodded. The unspoken conversation went something like this. 'I will be close if you need me, when you need me' he had said but his hand still lingered. Annie nodded this time and Trent let go disappearing with Mags to his room on the train.
Finnick 's grip tightened on Annie's arm he pulled her quickly down the hall like he was scared someone would hear them. But who would he be scared of, maybe the capitol, but this was there train they were everywhere. Mags, no she is the closest thing to family Finnick allows in. Annie's head hurt too much to continue but she dug her nails into her palm to keep composure. Finnick opened the door to a room Annie hadn't seen before and motioned for her to sit at the large window seat. She smiled with a nod before sitting down. The seat was huge and allowed Annie to curl her knees to her side while she stared at her home disappearing for what she thought the last time.
"Annie, I, I don't know how to say this in a way that you will understand. But I was trying to help I really was. I was trying to protect you." He said simply sitting down next to her. She didn't believe.
"How Finnick, how exactly where you protecting me." She asked accusingly as a cold rush of air breathed on her neck making her shiver, seeing as her dress didn't cover her very well. Finnick had slipped his jacket off and pulled it over her shoulders before sighing and continuing.
"I was protecting you by hiding you. Annie, the capitol, they, they hurt people who are close to victors, they kill them mysteriously, or send the person themselves into the arena." He said and Annie silently scoffed. He couldn't think she would fall for that, sure she knew that the capitol hurt the families of victors and broke romantic relationships but she and Finnick where neither. They were friends and friends only right. I mean sure he was her first crush, but he was the first crush of every single girl in district four, and the rest of the districts for that matter.
"Annie, Mags told me that after the first night I was back. She told me if I wasn't careful they would hurt you. I know what I did was stupid Annie and you don't know how many days there are where I wish I could go back and not have to hurt you. How many days I would give anything to be sitting on our boat with Ronan laughing at his feeble attempts to catch the ten pounder that mocked him constantly. Days spent alone where I would have given anything just to hear your laugh, or see you dart past me in the ocean right when I thought I could beat you." He said and Annie wished he would stop talking, the memories he recalled where bad ones now. Ones she would rather not think of, she tried to stop the silent tear that fell from her cheek but couldn't and soon more fallowed.
"I couldn't let Snow hurt you; I couldn't live with myself if I was responsible for you going into the games, or if it was my fault that old boat didn't make it back to shore one day. Believe me when I say it was harder than the games itself. But I just couldn't let them know." He said sitting next to her hip his hand resting on her shoulder that was closest to the window.
"I guess your plan didn't work Finnick, I am here and we both know I won't come back." Annie cried softly trying to hide her face from her old best friend.
"Oh Annie you will come back, I will do everything in my power to make sure you do. You aren't helpless you know, you know how to swim, and to fish. You also know…" He began.
"Stop Finnick, you are giving yourself false hope. Sure I can swim, and I know what kind of fish to eat but if we are in a desert or frozen arena what good will that knowledge give me. Face it; I am the week link of the carriers, the one that stays back to guard the food, the one that gets killed off first. The sooner we accept it the easier It will be on us all." she said standing up and putting distance in-between her and the victor one again. His jacket laying where she once sat.
"If you don't want to mentor me Finnick I am okay with that really I am. Trent has a better shot at winning anyways. But I still want what I did back in four. I want us to be truthful about this. You are coming home in a few weeks Finnick, maybe with or maybe without a victor I don't know that part is up to you. But you are coming home without me." She said leaving the room and the boggled pretty boy in her dust as she beelined for the comfort of Trent's arms. She had held it together, like she promised. But now it was time to break.
