5.

Love is weird, but normal is boring. Who would want to be normal when you could be different. It may be weird but you are you and that's all that matters.

The next few minutes have to be the most awkward minutes of my life. Finnick apologizes a million times before practically running down the hall. I hear his door slam before I'm knocked out it my daze.

But the thing is, I enjoyed the kiss. I, someone who have never kissed someone before, kissed him back. And I enjoyed it, I wanted more.

The other shock is the fact that he kissed me in the first place. Famous Finnick Odair, who could have any woman he wants, kissed me. And he apologized for it after, like it really meant something, like he's not just playing with me.

I sigh and duck quickly into my room. I can't believe that just happened. I throw off my clothes and climb into bed in my under clothes.

I try to lie in bed and go to sleep but I can't keep Finnick from my thoughts. I guess I'm just like any other girl who fascinates over Finnick Odair. The idea disgusts me and excites me all at the same time and I feel my heart rate start to quicken.

I mentally slap myself when I begin to imagine kissing him again. He's my mentor for the Hunger Games, where I would most likely die in the next couple of weeks. The thought pushes my fantasies from my mind.

After that I manage to drift off into a light sleep. I wake up to another "its a big big day!" from Daisy. I see that my training outfit has been laid out on my chair. I'm dressed in a black jump suit with blue stitching, and the number 4 stitched on both my arms. I feel a queasy nervousness find its way into my stomach and I only manage to choke down some oatmeal for breakfast which Daisy forces me to eat.

I don't see Finnick all morning until I'm about to leave. He gives me a few instructions, says goodbye without looking at me before leaving. Well that couldn't be more awkward. I shake my head, grip my butterfly filled stomach and step into the elevator.

Daisy escorts us down to the training centre before bidding us good-bye. When we step inside we realizes that we are early. Only the careers and the tributes from 6 and 7 are here. I notice the girl from 6, Spring maliciously eyeing the knives. I guess I better watch out for her throwing knives in the arena. I gulp at the thought and decide not even to glance at the careers. Just as I thought Ivan goes to join them and I find myself standing alone.

The girl from 7 eventually walks over to me. "Hi I'm Oak Lilly" she tells me "just call me Oak though". I smile and pretend to be friendly, whilst I can only think that she could be dead in just a few days time.

"Im Annie" I tell her, trying to be friendly.

"Hi Annie" she says "my District partner Alec, Alyssa and I have made an alliance and I was wondering if you wanted to join". I feel slightly taken aback by the offer, why would anyone want me in their alliance.

"Ill talk to my mentor about it" I promise. That's when Alec walks over and joins her, he looks skinny but strong. Next District 10 arrives and Alyssa walks over to join us. I feel sad when I see her, its just so cruel that a 12 year old would have to be apart of the games.

"Did you ask her" Alyssa asks Oak.

"Yea she needs to consult with her mentor" Oak whispers back.

"Okay" Alyssa says. Alyssa is a little shorter than me with a skinny build, tanned skin, pretty long brown hair that reaches her waist and big blue eyes. She rocks back and forth on her heels, looking like she could take off at any second. I wonder if she is a fast runner. Soon all the other tributes arrive and Atala (the head trainer) steps up to talk to us.

Above us I can see the game makers watching us. The sight of them makes me angry and I quickly look away.

"Welcome tributes" Atala begins and I direct my attention to her "as you all know in a few weeks 23 of you will be dead, 1 of you will be alive. Who that is depends on how well you pay attention over the next few days. I suggest you pay attention to the survival stations, everyone wants to grab a weapon but most of you will die of natural causes. Learn as much as you can from each trainer, listen to what they have to tell you. You may think you know all you can about something, but you can be surprised by how much there is to learn. Another thing, no fighting with the other tributes, you'll have plenty of time for that in the arena. There are 4 compulsory exercises, the rest is individual training. Remember, exposure can kill as easily as a knife."

I feel a bit jostled as we are quickly dismissed and tributes go to all the different stations and I am left standing there. I look around at all the places I can go and decide to start with plants. I stay at the station for a while until I have memorized all the edible and poisonousness plants that most likely will be in the arena. Next I learn how to make a fire, this confuses me and I can't quite seem to get it.

That when I notice someone sitting across from me. I look up to see the girl from 12 smiling at me. "Here let me help you" she says kindly before helping me start the fire. I manage to make my own fire three times in a row and I quickly thank her.

"I'm Annie" I say trying to be friendly.

"I'm Coal Mellark" she replies before leaving the station. I stare after her for a moment before I decide that I should try something new.

Training until lunch continues as plain and uneventful as ever. I go to the knot tying station and quickly excel there, and I can make a fish-hook out of almost anything. All stuff I already know so I didn't spend much time there. Then I learnt how to hold a spear properly before lunch started.

Alyssa invites me over to her table and I gratefully sit down with them. I notice that the girl from 6 is eating alone. "Is she with the careers?" I ask out of curiosity. I thought Ivan was talking about asking her to join.

"She refused them" Oak tells me with a hint of a smile, "I was very tempted to walk up and pat her on the back at that moment". I nod in agreement, she must be pretty strong if she thinks she can last without them. The thought gives me shivers and I quickly finish my meal in silence. The rest of training is uneventful. I learn how to throw a spear. Which I'm actually okay at before we are sent back upstairs.

I change in a normal pair of jeans and a t-shirt before joining everyone for dinner. The next few days pass in the same order. Uneventful. Nothing else happens between Finnick and I though he has gotten over being awkward and instead acts the same as before. Like nothing ever happened, like the kiss didn't happen. This makes me relieved and disappointed at the same time. I learn some new skills at training and manage to visit every station.

I find out that I am fairly good with spears, and I have definitely learned all the plants. I think I might manage to find food by fishing and I might be able to defend myself with a spear. The thought of killing someone makes me feel sad and unsettled and I quickly push any images of that from my mind. I would never do that anyway, no matter what. I could kill an innocent human being, I just couldn't. I also accept Oak's offer into their pack, Finnick seems to think it will get me farther in the games. I don't agree that it will help me either way but it will be nice not to be alone in the arena.

Now I'm waiting for my turn in the private training session. Ivan has just been called in and its my turn next. I feel really bad for the latter Districts because by then the Game Makers are too drunk to really care or notice what the tributes are doing. At least for the earlier Districts they are still a little sober. Sober enough to pay attention at least.

"Annie Cresta" a voice calls through the speakers.

I swallow my nerves and walk up the ramp, through the big metal doors and into the training centre. It looks so much bigger without all the tributes in it. The game makers watch me patiently as I go from station to station. I show them my skill with plants, and fire starting. I make a net and some fish hooks. Then I practice with the spears. I manage to hit all the targets but 3. They don't all hit in fatal areas but at least I still hit the target.

"You are dismissed" a voice booms. I put down the spear and quickly exit the room. I know I couldn't have done very good, but I might get higher than a 2. At least. Hopefully.

"How did it go?" Finnick asks when I walk into the room.

"Pretty good" I tell them "I might get a decent score".

"That's good" Mags offers "tell us about it". I quickly recap the events from the afternoon. They nod up and down and offer praise at certain points.

"That's very good Annie" Daisy praises when I am finished. I giver her a grateful smile which she returns. Today she has bright yellow hair, yellow make up and is wearing a bright green jumpsuit, the colours hurt my eyes,

"Do you have a token Annie?" Finnick asks me while coming to stand behind my chair.

"Yes" I say while holding onto my necklace. Finnick notices the necklace and smiles.

"I have to take it to be checked by the game makers, they need to make sure it doesn't give you an advantage in the arena" he tells me. I nod reluctantly, not wanting to lose the most important thing to me "I promise I wont lose it" he reassure me when he sees my reluctant expression.

"Alright" I finally say. I try to unclasp the necklace from my neck but my hands are shaking so much that I cant do it.

Finnick laughs before leaning down "let me help you" he says. He unclasps the necklace and I can feel him breathing on my neck. I shiver and he backs away from me. "You'll get it back shortly" he tells me before disappearing down the hall. I stare after him in astonishment, did that really just happen? I sigh, why am I getting so worked up about it? This isn't the first time he's effortlessly flirted with me for his entertainment.

I look to see everyone staring at me. Mags looks somewhat disappointed and...scared? Why would she feel scared? I give her a confused look but she just looks away from me with a shake of her head. Was this some big secret or something?

A/N: I know this is short but I did a double update today which should make up for it! If I don't get a chance to reply to you wonderful reviews I just have to say that I am really happy you like the story. I am very thankful that you are giving me advice and helping me make my story better. I was wondering if you could review ideas for Annie's angle for the interveiws, I'm having trouble coming up with one. Thanks and I hope to Pm you soon xoxoxo