"A moment can define so much. Whether it be a relationship, the path a person will go, or the person themselves. A person defines the moment, which in turn, defines them."

Katniss Pov:

"Finnick, I…"

I can feel the words dying to come out, but struggling to come out. Finnick continues to give me a patient and understanding look, which is a double edge sword. I want to say what's on my mind, but I am afraid.

I have seen what love has done to people. My mother became a zombie after my father's death. I view myself as an independent woman, so the idea of falling apart at the seams because of a guy doesn't sound all that appealing to me.

I am a self-defining person who doesn't need someone else to define me.

I have told myself this over the years. And over the years, this has worked.

No one has been able to break through my self-made walls.

Not Gale.

Not Peeta.

No one.

Except for this stubborn man who is patiently waiting for my answer.

If I tell him the truth, I risk hurting the both of us because I am damaged goods. If I tell him the lie, I risk hurting the both of us because my fears.

I'll tell the lie. That way, the pain will be less.

Just as I was about to speak, my father's words resonate in my mind. He always taught me to be open to love, no matter where it came from.

'Even if you failed after taking a risk, at least you can say that you tried. Living in fear is not a way to live. In fact, it isn't living at all. You are just simply existing. The greatest things occur once a person takes a risk.'

My father always loved saying this to me, as he always believed in taking risks despite the situation. He wanted me and Prim to get out of the slums of 12, even if it was technically impossible due to societal standards. Yet, he always wanted us to remember where we came from. He wanted us to stay grounded. He never wanted us to forget who we were.

Before my father died, I was a risk taker. I was more daring. I actually had gotten myself beaten a couple times by the Peacemakers because I constantly defied Capitol laws. But, no matter how many times I was beaten, I always came back swinging.

The constant beatings didn't change me.

My father's death did.

Once he died, I realized that I couldn't take any more chances. Otherwise, I would risk my family's well-being and put them in even more peril than they already were. The most rebellious thing I did since then was hunt, but that was only because it was really the only possible way for the family to survive. The rebellious child that was Katniss Everdeen died when her father did.

And never had his words rang as true as they did now, as I realized how I was living.

There was nothing wrong with how I lived after he died, it kept the family afloat. But at what cost?

I gave up myself so that others have a chance to live. I gave up on my dreams in order to give Prim a chance to pursue hers. I will never regret the choices I made to keep her safe from the world around us. She didn't deserve to see the ugliness that existed around us.

But my father's voice responded to this with a question of his own.

'But did you deserve to see the world's ugliness at such a young age?'

Of course not, but that doesn't mean that I had a choice. After my father died, someone had to step up and provide for the family. My mother was sure as hell not in position to do so, after her crippling depression turned her into a shell of her former self. Prim was too young and pure to be forced into such a compromising position.

Which left me.

'Fair enough. But take a look around, your family is safe. They are being taken care of. They are content. What about you? Are you content? How about taking care of yourself now? This is as good of time as ever to be selfish. You deserve it.'

You know what? You are right.

I deserve a moment of selfishness. My mother has freed herself from most of her depression, although she has moments of relapse. Prim has told me before that she is not a child anymore, that she is starting to become her own person. That girl has grown up so quickly while I was gone. I guess she had no choice either.

This is my chance.

This is my opportunity to do something for myself.

'Atta girl. I knew you were still in there behind that tough shell. Take a chance, you might be surprised.'

Thanks Dad. You were always my North Star, guiding me to where home is.

A hand waves in my face as a familiar voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Katniss, are you okay? Katniss?"

I turn to notice Finnick's patient look has turned into a combination of patient and worry.

I nod slowly while I answer, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking. Sorry about that."

Finnick gives me a look of understanding, with a hint of anxiousness mixed in there as well.

"It's okay. You didn't miss anything. I just thought that your brain finally gave up on trying to keep up with you."

I give him a cold glare in response. Only he would think that it would be a good idea to insult me in a moment like this.

He reads my glare instantly and quickly adds, "Sorry. When I get nervous and uncomfortable in a situation, I start trying to make jokes. Just a nervous reaction."

I can tell he feels guilty about it, so I drop the glare as soon as he finishes apologizing.

He does deserve an answer.

Better give him one in a way that he might like.

"Well, just because I love you, doesn't mean that I'm going to allow you to be a jackass. If anything, I'm going to be tougher on you for that…" I sarcastically add with a little smirk on my face.

"Aw, come on Everdeen! I'm not a jackass! That hurts my… Wait, what? Did you just say what I thought you said?" Finnick asks in joyful confusion.

I playfully roll my eyes before I respond, "And Johanna calls me brainless… And yeah, you jackass, you heard me right."

I always thought his genuine smile was attractive. But his elated smile beats that one by a country mile.

I quickly add, "Just, let's try and go slowly. I just…"

His hand covers mine as he interrupts with a knowing look and says, "I know. I agree."

"Thank you."

"Can you stay with me, here, tonight?"

"Okay."

I sink into his arms, knowing that I made the right choice.

Just as I am about to fall asleep, the doors fling open.