A/N: Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know that sadly this story is coming to an end and this is the second last chapter. I'll say a proper thank you next chapter, but for now I hope you enjoy this one :)
Finnick's POV
I woke with a jolt when my phone started to ring at 3am in the morning. It was Annie, and immediately I was filled with an intense fear that something was seriously wrong.
"Annie?" I asked, trying not to sound too frantic.
All I could hear was Annie struggling to regain her breath, and I could tell she was crying hysterically. "Finnick…" she managed to say, her voice breaking my heart.
"What is it Annie? Are you okay?" Trying not to sound frantic was impossible.
"I just…had a really bad nightmare." she sobbed. "I needed to hear your voice…To make it stop."
"Oh Annie…" I said, my stomach dropping. "You're going to be okay. I'm going to stay on the phone with you."
"I keep seeing it Finnick…over and over."
I could tell that what was happening to Annie was even worse than on New Years Eve, but once again I felt totally helpless. Quickly jumped out of bed and threw on my tracksuit pants, dressing gown and sneakers and crept out of my apartment, careful not to wake anyone.
"Okay Annie, let's play a game." I said desperately as I hailed a cab. "Let's try and name all the creatures that live in the sea."
Annie was quiet for a moment, and I was afraid that I had lost her in a flashback. Finally with a trembling voice she whispered, "Dolphin."
The relief was instantaneous. "Starfish."
"Whale." she said more confidently.
"Sea horse."
"Clownfish." she laughed suddenly. "That's you."
"Very funny." I replied, feeling more sure that Annie was coming back to me. "Mermaid- that's you."
"Mermaid's aren't real." she retorted.
"They are to me." I replied.
"Fine. Sea turtle."
We continued the game until the cab pulled up outside Annie's apartment building. As fast as I could, I climbed the stairs of her fire escape and hoped desperately that I was standing outside of the right window. Softly I tapped on the glass, careful not to frighten her. On the end of the line, I heard Annie pause and put the phone down. The next moment, she was pulling back the curtains and opening the window as quietly as she could.
She had been crying, a lot, and she started once again as soon as I was inside her room. She threw her arms around me and held on so tight I almost couldn't breath, but that didn't matter. I kissed her on the forehead as slowly she stopped crying once again.
"You didn't have to come." she said softly.
"Yes I did." I told her. "I was way too lonely all by myself."
Annie rolled her eyes, seeing right through me. "Thank you anyway." she said softly. "Nice dressing gown, by the way."
"Ready to be ripped right off me." I laughed.
Annie rolled her eyes again, pulling me towards her bed. I discarded the dressing gown and my sneakers and got under the covers with her.
"You can take your shirt off too." she suggested simply.
I laughed, pulling my t-shirt over my head. "Whatever you say."
We lay back in bed together, and she rested her head on my chest while I wrapped my arms around her, anchoring her to me.
"I like to hear your heartbeat." Annie said suddenly, drawing circles on my chest with her finger.
"I like to hear yours too." I replied seriously. We were quiet for a moment. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Annie kept up the circles on my chest. "Today is the anniversary of their death." Her voice was steady until the last moment.
My heart dropped. "Annie, I'm sorry…I had no idea."
"It's okay." she said. "I'm going to the cemetery in the afternoon. Could you come with me?"
"Of course I will." My arms tightened around her.
"Thank you, Finnick." she whispered. "Jellyfish."
I smiled in the dark. "Sea urchin."
Slowly, our replies got further and further apart as sleepiness overcame us. Eventually, Annie stopped drawing circles on my chest, and that was how I knew she was asleep, and that it was okay for me to sleep too.
It seemed as though I had only just closed my eyes when Annie's kisses woke me up in the early hours of the morning. For a moment I was a little confused about where I was and how I got there, but having Annie in my arms brought it all back. When my eyes came into focus, I saw a much happier Annie looking back at me than the night before. Her eyes were red rimmed and she looked ehxusted, but at least there was a small smile on her face. It was a far better awakening than my usual alarm, that was for sure.
"Good morning." I said sleepily.
"Good morning." She kissed me again. "My aunt and uncle will be awake soon."
"And I'm sure I'm the very last person they would want to see at this hour. Especially in your bed." I continued.
"Right." Annie said, "Even though you do look dazzling handsome in the morning."
"Your words, not mine." I said, sitting up.
She watched as I slipped on the rest of my clothes, but I could tell that her mind was drifting again and her eyes started to glaze, as though she was looking into another world.
"When should I come back?" I asked softly.
She broke out of her thoughts. "Is 1pm okay?"
"Absolutely." I smiled. "Or I could just stay here..." I suggested, "Hide out in your closest."
Annie laughed. "Finnick, I might love you in your dressing gown, but I'm not sure the rest of the world will."
"Are you kidding, I can pull off any outfit." I joked. "But…you're probably right."
"I'm always right."
"Hey, you just called me handsome so no argument from me!"
We heard someone moving around the kitchen, and I knew that it was my queue to leave.
"I'll see you later." I told her, kissing her once more.
"Bye, Finnick."
Just as I was about to climb out the window, I looked back to her as her eyes clouded over again. This was going to be a hard day.
"I love you, Annie Cresta." I said to her.
Slowly her eyes met with mine. "I love you too, Finnick Odair."
I met Annie again at her apartment in the afternoon, and together we rode the subway three stops to the cemetery. There was something so peaceful about at cemetery, and it was so silent I thought I was even breathing too loudly. Annie knew exactly where to go, and she silently lead the way through the maze of gravestones until coming to a stop in front of a simple but beautiful marble headstone. It was strange feeling, standing at the grave site of Annie's parents, and my heart was breaking for all that Annie had lost.
"This is it." she said, taking a deep breath.
I gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand tight as we stood close together for a moment. We were alone, just the two of us, and I wanted Annie to know that while she would always miss her parents, I would be there for her, her family in the future.
Slowly, Annie knelt down on the grass and placed her small bouquet of flowers against the marble. She didn't say anything for a long time as she stared, and I knew that she was in a far off place in her mind. I didn't interrupt her, but kept a tight hold her hand as if to remind her that she was still there, still alive.
"I wish they could have met you." she murmured softly, as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I wish I could have met them too." I replied honestly.
Eventually, Annie decided it was time to go, and we took another silent trip back to her apartment.
"Thank you for coming, Finnick." she said as we stood on her doorstep.
"I'm here for you, always." I promised.
I knew I couldn't take away Annie's pain, but maybe, just maybe, I could make it a little more bearable.
It was my birthday, a day I usually dreaded. Every year, my parents would insist on taking me out for an expensive breakfast before throwing an over the top party surrounded with school 'friends' that I didn't like, all for the sake of our reputation. Birthday parties were somewhat of a competition on the Upper East Side, and I was sick of all of those games. So this year, I decided to have small dinner with my new group of friends at a place Annie and I had found in Brooklyn.
So far it hadn't been a great day- my parents lectured me once again about Annie before giving me a cheque that felt more like a bribe than a birthday gift. At least I had Mags' amazing birthday cake to look forward to when I got home, but if I had it my way I'd rather have just had breakfast with her. I even had an algebra test at school, which wasn't fun at all.
I was practically counting down the seconds until the last class of the day was finished, so I could go home and get ready to see Annie again. Finally, school was over and I walked out of the front doors with Katniss and Peeta. As we left the school grounds, I suddenly recognised Annie's voice.
"Finnick!" she called excitedly.
I spun around to see Annie at the gates, a beautiful smile on her face. I almost couldn't believe that she was actually here, and I couldn't cross to her quick enough.
"Hey there." I said, pulling her close. "What are you doing here?"
"To surprise you!" Annie grinned. "It is your birthday, after all."
"Well my day has just gotten a whole lot better." I kissed her deeply, not caring that the whole school was probably looking at us.
"Ughhhh." I suddenly heard someone say. I turned to see Johanna rolling her eyes. "If you two spend the whole night like that I think I'm going to be sick."
"Hey, you have to be nice to me today Johanna, it's the rule of birthdays." I replied.
"It's going to be the longest night of my life." Johanna laughed, walking off.
I turned back to Katniss and Peeta, who were standing by, amused. I couldn't stop playing with Annie's hands, and I was almost bouncing with excitement that my girlfriend had come to see me after school. I felt like I wanted to introduce her to the entire school so everyone would see how amazing she was, but at the same time I wanted to be alone with her as quickly as possible.
"I guess I'll see you tonight." I said happily to Katniss and Peeta. "Don't get lost!"
Annie and I walked hand in hand towards my apartment. I was itching with anticipation to be alone with Annie, and it was killing me to only hold her hand as we walked home. Finally we left the elevator and Annie raced me to my bedroom. As soon as my door was closed, Annie turned to me, a cheeky look on her face.
"Come here, you." she said slowly, pulling me into her arms.
"Is this my birthday present?" I asked, stringing kisses down her neck. "Because I'll gladly unwrap you now."
Annie laughed. "That was so bad, Finnick."
"I know." I kissed her forehead, "But come on, I just had to."
"Hmmm." Annie murmured. "I'll let it go for now."
We fell back onto the bed and within seconds Annie was loosening my tie and unbuttoning my shirt. There was an intensity in her eyes as she tried to undo the buttons as quickly as possible, but every few second she was distracted by kissing me. I couldn't keep my hands off her and we moved together with more desperation than last time. My hands were tangled in my hair, my shirt now on the ground, when Annie suddenly started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" I asked, my eyes locking with hers.
She bit down on her lip. "I just really, really like this." she giggled.
I could help but laugh too. Only Annie could make this so much fun. "Me too." I told her.
It was so different, being with Annie. As she kissed me again, her long hair falling across her shoulders, I thought back to the day I first saw her at the pool and couldn't believe I had ever considered letting her go.
So my average day had just turned into the best birthday ever, and as Annie and I lay together, wrapped in each other's arms, I never wanted this moment to end. However, I was well aware that we had a dinner to get to in a few hours.
"We better get ready." Annie said sighing, as if she could read my mind.
"Nope sorry, the dinner's cancelled. I'm staying here with you instead." I told her.
Annie laughed. "I don't think so, mister."
"Oh come on, Annie!" I laughed too.
I pulled her closer, tickling her, and she squirmed in my arms, giggling.
"Finnick!" she exclaimed as she wrestled with me.
We ended up tangled together in the sheets, her hair splayed out against the pillow as she laughed again. I dipped my head closer and kissed her, and she sighed, relaxing in the arms.
"Maybe just five more minutes." she said dreamily, and gentle smile on her face.
As I watched her face, I was overcome by just how much I was enjoying this. I had never had this before- staying in bed with a girl longer than needed, and I was content just to lie with her as we spoke.
"What are you smiling at?" she asked, intrigued.
"I just really, really like this." I told her, mirroring her words from earlier.
She laughed. "Me too."
She reached up to play with my hair, still smiling. "Your hair might need some work though, better get up because I know how long it takes you."
"Oh very funny." I rolled my eyes, but I knew she was right about us getting ready.
Groaning, I got out of bed and she followed. We got ready together, and of course, her hair took much longer to untangle than mine did to do. It reminded me of the night of the ball, as I sat on my bed and watched her brush through her hair in front of the mirror. She looked lost in thought as she moved the brush through her hair, and I couldn't believe how completely unaware of how gorgeous she was.
I couldn't stand not being close to her, so I stood and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her close. I watched her smile in the mirror as I pressed a kiss to her neck.
"Finnick, we're getting ready, remember?" she said, turning to face me.
"Hey, you're the one still doing your hair." I reminded her.
This time Annie was the one to reach up and kiss me, suddenly forgetting the dinner all together. "Hmmm." she murmured, breaking away. "You are way too distracting."
"You're making it really hard to leave, Miss Cresta." I whispered to her, and I could feel her shiver happily.
"Well I'll just have to come home with you after dinner." It was my turn to shiver in anticipation. If only Annie knew what she did to me.
Eventually we managed to drag ourselves away from my bedroom and out into the fresh night air. On the way, we continued our game of naming sea creatures, but I soon realised that Annie's knowledge was much more extensive than mine. Finally we reached the small restaurant in the heart of Brooklyn. It was nothing special, a dimly lit place with peeling wallpaper, an old jukebox and a pool table, but it had so much character that I immediately felt comfortable when Annie and I walked in.
We took a seat at a booth in the corner, and waited for the others to arrive. Eventually they turned up- Katniss and Peeta hand in hand, Delly, an unhappy Johanna, Madge, and to my surprise Gale.
I had hinted to Madge that she should bring along Gale, but I wasn't sure if she would actually ask him. The two of them kept making eye contact before looking away shyly, and it was cute to see the two of them finally together. I never thought that I would ever have any interest in the love lives of my friends, but there was something about being in love that made me want the rest of the world to experience it too.
So as far as birthday celebrations went, this was by far the best. We ordered meals and laughed over drinks, and were probably way too loud loud for the rest of the people eating. Sure Johanna made sly jokes about what Annie and I got up to after school, but I had to hand it to her, she actually chose a good song on the juke box. After we had finished eating, Peeta challenged us to a game of pool.
To be honest, I think it was just an excuse for Peeta to use the cliched move of teaching Katniss how to hold cue properly, and soon Gale caught on and did the same for Madge.
I looked across at Annie, but she shook her head with a cheeky grin. "I know how to play pool just fine, thank you very much." It was just as well, I thought, because I wouldn't sure if I could handle it if we got too close.
She was actually really good, and we ended up winning easily. Johanna was not impressed, but before we could play another game Annie was reaching for my hands, laughing happily. She looked totally carefree, and it was a relief to see her happy again after the week she had had.
"Finnick, let's dance!" she laughed, pulling me away from the pool table.
There was no way I was going to argue with her, so I spun her around as she giggled. Annie was an amazing dancer, and it was different to see her let loose on the floor as opposed to the restrained dancing at the Christmas Ball. She was radiating life and I couldn't help but smile as she laughed. I was so lost in how much I loved this girl, and time almost seemed to stand still as we danced.
Eventually though, the waiters were looking restless and I could tell we had outstayed our welcome. As the eight of us eventually stumbled out of the bar and into a cab, driving through the streets of New York City as if we were flying, I thought of the future and wanted it to be just like this.