Chapter 2: Laugh At This Clumsy Boy Who Loves You
There were a lot of rules to be followed in District Four. If it was for the Summer Haul, all families were required to participate in welcoming the fishermen back to shore. For the Annual Bonfire, the fisherman with the largest haul get to light the fire pit, an honor that should be distinguished by all District Four citizens. Then there's also the Les Larmes de Sirene where young girls were expected to perform basic chores at home before going to school and then wear dried sea weed on their hair as an accessory.
But the most basic rule of all, in which a certain District Four citizen had forgotten, was that a student should never be late for a class. Especially Mr. Grover's Fish Biology class. So as David Gray silently tried to enter the classroom, there was already a brewing fact in the back of his mind that he will get reprimanded for the tardiness he didn't even want to commit.
"I do not want your explanation, whether it is invalid or not, Mr. Gray. So sit down and see yourself in detention later." Mr. Grover spoke while writing notes on the blackboard which most of the class were already busy copying.
No one exactly knew how the teacher was able to see, as his back was turned from the class and to the door, but Mr. Grove did. As always. Not one late student ever escaped his sight.
"I'm still waiting Mr. Gray."
David rolled his eyes and slowly made his way towards the seat in the back of the class.
"And I saw that."
David ignored the latter comment and continued to walk. It wasn't his fault that he was late in the first place. He grumbled and finally sat behind his desk and tried to listen to the class. But of course, at age seventeen, turning eighteen in a few months, he had the same attention span like all the other seniors in the school.
Three seats from him, there was Johnny Pearson playing with his pen and most clearly ignoring the lessons. There was also Linda Simmons (to Pearson's left), blonde with big gray eyes, playing with her hair and even with her back turned to him, David knew she was also dead bored. Sitting in front of her was Finnick Odair, who had returned yesterday from the Capitol, looking very intently at Mr. Grover that David became unsure if he was actually listening or daydreaming. David then turned to look at the person to the victor's right. But he suddenly regretted the move as he landed his eyes on the figure he longed to avoid.
Annie Cresta. That Annie Cresta and her long brown hair and sea green eyes that cost him detention.
David had always had the composure of a gentleman. But when she was around, it was as if he wasn't himself. This morning, when she still seemed to be unhappy with Finnick's return, all David wanted to do was to help her again. But he just found himself sitting alone in the deserted school lawn, restraining to bang his head on the floor, and eventually becoming late to Mr. Grover's Fish Biology class, contemplating why she hated Finnick in the first place.
Yesterday, though, he tried to console her bad mood. Linda told him that Finnick's return caught Annie off guard and was menacingly irritable the whole day. He was patient with her but she was, well, irritable, that not even freshly cooked crab soup could brighten her day.
Okay, David had to admit, giving her crab soup was lame but he knew it was her favourite and was hoping it would work. But she remained silent and uncooperative the whole day. After classes, David offered to walk her home but she refused, stating that she wanted to be alone. Although when he met Danny Cross in the town square that night, he mentioned something about Annie and Finnick visiting Brueler's Dock.
So she lied to him?
David didn't know the specifics of why Annie loathed Finnick. He could clearly remember their more youthful days when he would see Finnick and Annie together. Not really the best of friends, but friends; civil, respectful, and comfortable.
The Finnick and Annie he saw now were disdainful and aloof. As if neither would want to admit they were friends. Especially Annie.
Now, this did not mean he didn't like it. Heck, it was working to his advantage. No one in District Four could deny the beauty that was Annie Cresta. She might not be as striking and provocative as the other senior, Cathryn Highburn, but Annie, with even all the expletives considered, was lovely and innocently beautiful. She didn't even need to try.
"Mr. Odair," Mr. Grover's low voice disrupted David's thoughts. "As this is your line of expertise, what do you call this knife?"
David turned his head to the bronzed hair.
"Uh..." Finnick scratched his head, clearly uncomfortable. "That's a hollow ground knife. One of the sharpest knives for fishing."
Mr. Grover nodded and continued his pace around the class.
David wanted to snort but he didn't. He was much better than all those men jealous of The Great Finnick Odair. Of course he was obviously a favourite. Everyone knew how harsh the Capitol would punish those who wrong Finnick, the teachers included. But as it wasn't in David's character to be judgemental, he will be giving Finnick Odair the benefit of the doubt. But giving him the benefit of the doubt wouldn't make Finnick less intolerable.
Because Finnick, for one, was hated by Annie. And David, ruffling his brown hair as he stared at Annie, wanted to know why.
THERE were a few guidelines (according to Linda) as to how one would treat the so many men asking you to be their date for the Annual Bonfire. It would be very understandable if they were asking a day before or a week before the celebrations. But as Annie tried to find her way towards her locker, she can't help but feel the wrath following her. Cathryn had been receiving the same attention but Annie knew how much she loved it.
But summer wouldn't be for two more months. Asking her, Annie, to the Bonfire two months before the event was unfathomable.
"Relax, Annie. What's new about some sophomores asking you to the Bonfire? As if that never happened before." Linda patted her shoulder as Annie switched her Fish Biology book with History of Panem.
"Then why couldn't they take a hint?" Annie huffed and slammed her locker door shut. "I've never been in the Bonfire with a date. And how could they think about the Bonfire when two weeks after that would be the reaping?"
Linda shrugged and led the way towards their classroom in the second floor. "Well, maybe that's the idea of the Bonfire, to keep the nerves all calmed before—"
"No, I beg to disagree. The Bonfire is the first stage for the offering."
"Annie..."
"It's true Linds. It's as if we are celebrating because two of the District's children will die in two weeks time."
"Don't say that. This year might be Four's year, you know."
"Yeah, like he ever did some work on that."
"Annie..."
"And it's not a simple competition between the Districts, Linda. It's mur—"
But someone grabbed her by the shoulder, spun her around and whispered, "Careful what you say in public."
Annie looked up and saw a dark look on Finnick Odair's face. For a second there, she thought he was going to smile, a twitch on his lips told her so. But instantly, he broke their eye contact and stepped back.
"And as to the tributes, I think I'll take my chances this year. Johnny had been reading a lot about medicinal plants that could help. Maybe I should ask him. What do you say Johnny? Mind helping me mentor this year?" Finnick turned towards the curly haired boy, slightly a few inches smaller than him.
Johnny rolled his eyes. "Don't mind him, Annie. He's been eating sea weed salad for the past days. He's lacking the nutrients to think straight."
"Apparently." Annie agreed. The bell rang twice, signalling the start of the next class.
"Shall we go?" Linda suggested to the three. They began to walk, with Linda and Finnick up front and Annie and Johnny following suit. "And don't just grab people like that, Finnick. It's rude."
"Well," Finnick chuckled. "I'm used to all the grabbing."
Johnny sniggered and wolf-whistled.
It was now Linda's turn to roll her eyes. "Boys."
"You have a lot of problems, Simmons." Johnny told her as they climbed up the stairs. "Just because you haven't yet received an invitation for the Bonfire, you can't just all be bitter about boys you know."
"Oh, please Johhny, as if you could get a girl for yourself."
"Who said about me asking? Girls will be the one to ask me."
"Are you sure Finnick's the one been eating too much sea weed? Or has your brain just turned to be the exact same green glob?"
"Feisty, I like that. We've got a winner, here, Fin."
Finnick chuckled lightly.
"Shut up. And I am not bitter. Just because Annie's got like, what, eleven invitations—"
"Eleven?" Finnick asked, looking at Annie now.
"Record breaker." Johnny agreed and patted Annie on the shoulder. "I heard Cathryn just got seven."
"And to think we still have two months." Linda added.
"Oh, it's not a competition." Annie slid past the three and made her way inside their classroom where few of their classmates were already seating. She chose the one in the farthest to avoid seating beside more people than she wanted. Linda took the left seat and Johnny the front. Finnick settled himself in the desk in front of Linda. Of course by more people, Annie meant people like Finnick.
"So Fin," Linda once again started the conversation. Annie busied herself and pulled out things from her bag. "How's the Capitol?"
If Johnny thought Linda was bitter, Annie could say her best friend's an idiot. Hadn't she remembered they hated Finnick? Or she, Annie, hated the man? Wasn't it enough that they, Finnick and Johnny, followed them from Fish Biology and then he, Finnick, aggressively spun her around to be scolded? Why would she still entertain them?
"Well, it was alright, I guess." Finnick shrugged. He looked cautiously, Annie thought, at his best friend and then for a few passing seconds, towards her. "Same old, same old."
"Oh, how I wish I could step foot in there!" Linda said excitedly.
"Oh, I wouldn't wish that." Finnick mumbled. Annie noticed the slight frown on his face as she heard Johnny tapping his pen loudly and turning his head in another direction.
"You are so mean! You don't want to share your luxuries, Odair." Linda jokingly punched him by the shoulder. Finnick laughed.
"Well," he started. "We can't always get what we want."
HIS classes started the way Finnick had hoped. After Fish Biology, Johnny told him that they would be classmates with Linda and of course Annie in History. He didn't know what to feel but Johnny reassured him he would be alright. Annie was just, anyhow, a girl. After that, Finnick didn't know what to feel about Johnny and that statement. Just a girl? But he let that pass. He heard Annie ranting once more about the Capitol and he was just thankful he got to stop her before things could get worse.
But it was after the four of them came and sat at the History classroom when everything started to go downhill. There was always Linda and her big mouth and asked about a lot of things concerning his Capitol visits. No one knew about his trade except for Mags. Johnny had a hunch but Finnick neither confirmed nor denied. Worst of all, though, aside from the still indifferent attitude of Annie towards him, was David Gray. As how Linda put it, if there was anyone who could give Finnick a run for his money, it was David.
David not only possessed a more refined attribute compared to Finnick, but David Gray, with his dark brown hair, brown eyes, and lean figure (Linda's way of speech was taking a toll in the wireworks of Finnick's brain) also liked Annie. Of course Finnick had to remain distant and uncaring when he approached their group and asked Annie to the Bonfire.
"Well, I don't know if you already have plans, but I really hope to spend this year's Bonfire with you."
"You'd be the twelfth." Johnny sniggered. Well, his best friend could really make a nice comeback.
David curiously frowned at him, but turned his attention back to Annie.
She smiled nicely to him, uncomfortable with the situation as Finnick noticed how she tucked her hair behind her ears, and told him she'll think about it.
After David left and took a seat far from the group, Linda let out a squeal that earned her a scowling look from Annie.
"Oh come on Annie, you couldn't possibly say no to him! Unless of course someone..."
"Please be quiet, Linda." Annie mumbled.
Linda kept quiet but when Finnick turned to look at her, she was still grinning like mad and winked at him. Finnick rolled his eyes as he felt a kick on his chair. The next thing he knew, as their History teacher started her lecture, a small piece of paper—slightly crumpled—landed on his desk. He slowly unfolded the paper. He looked back at Linda and made a face. She innocently shrugged at him.
What are you waiting for? For Mr. Grover to marry? Believe me that won't happen. Get a move on Finnick or you'll have the rest of the District to compete with.
Finnick shook his head and started to write. What are you talking about? With a glance towards their teacher who was now busy reading an excerpt from their books, he threw the paper back. After a few minutes, the paper landed back to his desk.
Oh, please! I may talk very fast but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. You know what I'm talking about. Get a move on. NOW.
Finnick gripped his pen tighter and wrote back, restraining himself not to write Yes, I will ask her soon. Instead, he wrote something that was safer: This is not the best time. And don't ask me when. I heard thirteen's not a lucky number.
He pretended to yawn to be able to stretch his arms (and that led Johnny to chuckle at him). He threw the paper again, hoping it to be the last time. When it got back on his desk once more, he rolled his eyes. Linda could really hit a nerve sometimes.
Touche. But don't say I didn't warn you. So don't stop me from singing Annie and David's love for each other. Annie and David kissing on a ship, K-I-S-S-I-N-G...
Finnick finally tore the paper to bits.
WHAT could possibly be the best word to describe Finnick Odair?
Johnny Pearson thought as he lounged in the large white pool recliner of his best friend's house in the Victor's Village.
There were terrible things he had been hearing since Finnick's victory on the 65th Hunger Games and the recent he had just learned was about the infamous escapades with different women in the Capitol. Johnny wouldn't brag about knowing Finnick all his life, but as it was true, he couldn't help but wonder why Finnick seemed to already be tampered. Finnick had always been the stronger person between the two, and Johnny never imagined Finnick to be, well, shallow.
"Enjoying yourself, Johnny?" Finnick asked him after a swimming his final lap. He rested his arms on the pools edge and chuckled lightly.
"Well, it's not every day I get to relax, you know. My father's been telling me loads about fishing lately. I lost track when he was saying something about the blood and the spleen. There I was thinking I had enough gore at Mr. Grover's class."
He watched as Finnick pushed himself up and took the white towel that served as his pillow. He scowled at his best friend but he was thoroughly ignored. Finnick sat on the other recliner and dried himself.
"Mr. Grover's class is the worst. What could we not know about fish?" Finnick said. "We've been with fishes all our lives."
"And you are starting to smell like one too."
"Funny, that one coming from you."
"Aww, c'mon Fin. Can't you take a joke now? You've been gone five months and this becomes of your sense of humor?"
"Shut up."
"You didn't even get to see Linda at the Les Larmes. There was a ridiculous sea weed knot on her hair. Bless the sea horse it was confusing as to which was her real hair bun."
"You know," Finnick said as he laid back on the recliner, "You might find yourself in a sticky situation with Simmons, with the way you tease her all the time."
Johnny pretended to gag. "Oh please, I have some taste."
"So would you rather date Cathryn?"
"What? No way, that hag." Johnny paused for a moment and thought. "Maybe Liz..."
Finnick threw him back the towel and sniggered. Johnny scowled.
"Not Liz, John, never Liz. If you want to live a long life, stay away from her. Danny can dislocate all your bones for you."
"Well, what about you, Mr. Dapper You? Would you date Highburn?"
"Well I don't know about dapper, seeing that David has that written all over his face..."
Johnny chuckled loudly and sat on the recliner, finally facing Finnick.
"What is your problem, Pearson?" Finnick snapped.
But Johnny couldn't help laughing. It was all too funny to see Finnick react that way. It was like seeing him with Flickerman while answering all those Capitol love letters and throwing kisses away to the audience. What was his best friend playing at?
"Seriously, Finnick. Stop it." Johnny finally said, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Don't be such a cow."
"Oh, who's being a cow?" Finnick stood straight now, a threatening look on his face.
"Well you are! First you get all sweet and sugary with the Capitol women and then here you are now jealous of David Dapper Gray. I mean, this is not you! Not you at all."
"So what are you saying exactly?"
Johnny noticed the still angry look on his best friend's face. He cleared his throat and started to be more serious. Angering a victor couldn't be good for anyone's health.
"All I am saying is that," Johnny looked at him intently, wanting to get the meaning to come across. "You are stronger than this, Finnick. And you deserve better."
Finnick laid back, his hands behind his head, and turned away from Johnny.
"You deserve her, Finnick," Johnny continued, a small smile forming on his lips, hoping that Finnick could welcome this fact a lot of people had already known. "So don't punish yourself. You still deserve Annie."