"I can't play with you now, Annie," the bronze-haired boy told the petite brunette jogging after him. Ever since he'd 'rescued' her, as she'd put it, Annie Cresta had been following Finnick Odair around demanding that they play together. Annie's idea of playing was rather boring to Finnick, consisting mostly of collecting seashells and making bracelets out of beads, "I'm going fishing,"

"But you never catch anything!" Annie stopped as Finnick turned towards her and let out a small, exasperated sigh. She tilted her head before asking in a small voice, "You'll play with me after, right?" Not wanting to disappoint the younger girl, he nodded,

"Sure," Annie smiled, satisfied with his answer and settled herself down on a towel on the shore. The younger boy waded into the water holding his makeshift spear. Closing his eyes, Finnick attempted to concentrate as his father had told him to.

"Finnick! Finnick, look!" Finnick's eyes shot open and he let out a small sigh as he spun round to face the younger girl racing towards the small pools of water between rocks in her bare feet. Crouching down, she motioned towards the tide pools, "There's crabs!" she reached a hand into the pool causing Finnick to panic and jog towards her,

"Annie don't!" he yelled. Annie's eyes widened and she yanked her hand from the water instantaneously. Blinking confusedly, she began to laugh, Finnick slowing as he neared her,

"I was only going to touch it," Finnick panted for breath, crouching over with his hand on his knees,

"That- That's what I. . . mean, " he spoke between breaths, inhaling deeply, "It'll pinch you," but Annie didn't seem to be listening,

"Why don't you fish for crabs instead?" Annie asked him, tilting her head. Finnick laughed, causing her to pout and frown heavily, "What's so funny? It'd be easier than fishing for fish, and you can eat crabs too,"

"No one wants to eat crabs, Annie,"

"Dad eat crabs, Mama eats crabs," Annie replied hotly, her frown deepening, "Only sometimes though. . . Help me fish him out?" Finnick shook his head before pulling her to her feet with his free hand,

"Leave him alone," Annie yanked her arm out of his reach quickly, folding her arms. Finnick sighed, "C'mon Annie, I'll show you how to fish?" Annie considered the idea for a moment, tapping her foot against the ground as Finnick watched impatiently. Eventually, she nodded and Finnick grinned, grabbing her hand once more and pulling her towards the water,

"Wait!" Annie cried, stopping as the water reached her ankles. Finnick spun and gave her a curious look. Annie looked slightly frightened as she spoke in a small voice, "Not too deep. . ." Finnick had almost forgotten about her 'near-death experience'.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he replied firmly, but his voice had a soothing quality to it. Holding out his hand, he spoke once more, "Do you trust me?" Annie stared at his outstretched hand for a moment before her eyes met his and she nodded, allowing him to take hold of her hand. She took note of the roughness of his palms for such a young boy whereas Annie's were smooth and soft. Finnick led her until they were about knee-deep when he stopped. Annie hitched her trousers up for precaution, "You have to be quiet, okay?" Annie couldn't remember how long they were standing there for; she had practically zoned out before Finnick raised a finger to his lips to signal for her to be extra quiet. Annie returned the gesture to show that she understood. Instantaneously, Finnick stabbed his spear down into the water and Annie flinched at the noise it made. The boy yelled in triumph as he pulled the dead fish out from the water and Annie stared in horror, "I caught one! Yes!"

"That's barbaric!" Finnick blinked at her in disbelief,

"That's how fishing works Annie-"

"Well, it's awful. Why aren't you kinder? Why don't you pull them out of the water like my Dad?" Finnick swallowed before replying,

"This is the kinder way, Annie. It's a quick death, so they don't suffer. Remember how you felt when you were drowning?" Annie flinched a little at his words, but Finnick carried on tentatively, "Well, that's just how the fish feel when you pull them out of the water - they suffer." Annie became quiet at this, Finnick moving his gaze away. He raised his spear and began his way back to the shore, "You coming?" he called back, "I'll play with you now," Annie nodded before hurrying after him, splashing up water as she moved. Finnick placed his catch into the bucket he had brought before turning to face Annie. He looked pleased with himself, "Dad's gonna be so proud. . " he murmured aloud, almost grinning. His next sentence was directed towards her and he spoke louder, "You must be my good luck charm, Annie." Annie tilted her head before smiling smally. Finnick smiled back before speaking again, "So, what do you want to do?" He dreaded the answer, knowing it would be something boring like collecting rocks or making necklaces. He was surprised at her answer.

"Can you ride a bike?" Finnick blinked at her confusedly before she carried on, "Only Clarisse got one for her birthday, but she said I can use it. It's at my house so I could go get it, if you want?" she watched him hopefully, his mouth curling into a small smile,

"Go on, then," Delighted, Annie sped away only to return with the bike a few minutes later. It was a little big for the two children, but Annie managed to hop up onto the saddle with ease. Tentatively the girl began to pedal, squealing as the bike wobbled from side to side. Finnick stepped along-side her, trying to grab ahold of the handlebars to steer her. As the bicycle toppled over, Finnick at least managed to save Annie from hitting the ground. The brunette pushed hair from her face as she giggled,

"Your turn," Finnick raised his arms in defence and shook his head wildly,

"I can't ride a bike,"

"Neither can I," Annie persisted, taking hold of his arm and tugging, "C'mon Finn,"

Minutes later, the two were whizzing round the beach as Finnick pedaled and Annie clung to him from the back. The bucket containing the catch lay forgotten as the tide persisted to move inwards. Annie almost screamed as she lost her footing but this soon became laughter as she wrapped her arms around her friend's neck and held on for dear life.

"Finnick," Annie spoke through fading giggles, "Finnick stop, I feel sick. . ." The young boy pressed down on the brakes harshly and Annie fell backward onto the soft sand. Hurriedly, Finnick jumped from the saddle and crouched down beside her, hiding laughter,

"Sorry Annie, you okay?" she nodded with a hiccough, rising to her feet and wiping grains from her denim trousers,

"Annie!" the young girl's head whipped around at the sound of her sister's voice, "Mom wants you inside, now!" Annie shot Finnick an apologetic look before calling back to Clarisse,

"Okay! I'll be there in a minute!"

"Is that my bik-?!"

"I said I'll be there in a minute, Clarisse don't nag me!" Finnick's eyes widened and a smile crept across his face,

"You said she let you use the bike,"

"She didn't say I couldn't" Annie smiled back, pulling it up by the handlebars and beginning her way towards her house. Raising her right arm, she called back to him, "Bye, Finnick Odair!"

And from that day on, Finnick and Annie became inseperable, united and indivisible. No one could doubt their friendship.