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Please tell me what you think or I might not be able to continue writing. This was another hard chapter to write because I don't really know how to introduce Finnick and Annie's relationship... anyone have any ideas? You sha'll get credit for them. Also I now have a poll so you can vote for what my next story should be about... so go vote, please and thank you. Do you feel any of my characters might be OOC (Out of character)? Please let me know so I can fix it! If you have an Annie/Finnick story you want me to check out/tell people about let me know, I'd be more than happy to help. VonToksolo, thanks for being the first to story alert (hope I did your user right) MisicalDivergentTribute I love you! Thanks so much for being the first to review! Yay! I just checked and I do have a review This chapter is for you :3
Disclaimer: I don't own the hunger games. If I did, why would I be writing this?
Chapter 2
I opened my eyes and almost forgot about where I was. I looked at the clock beside my bed that read:5:30. That was earlier than I normally woke up, for sure. I wan't sure if anyone else was up or not, so I decided it would be best to assume someone would fetch me when it was time to leave my room.
I stood up and walked to the bathroom, deciding to go ahead and brush my teeth. As I brushed them I thought about all the best memories I had, and to make sure I never forget them.
Come on Annie, we are going shopping today! Aren't you exited", Coral exclaimed. I couldn't help but laugh at her, she was more exited then I was. I could here 4 year old Andy asking why he wasn't invited and my sister telling him because sweetie, this is girl stuff, for girls. I'd almost rather Andy come with us, but then dad would be left alone by himslef so that wouldn't be fare to him. I could here Coral's foot steps as she walked up the stairs to check on me, and I realized her makeup was still only half-done, she must really want me out of bed. Coral waled over to my closet and pulled out a dress for me to wear, and helped me change into it. Then she brushed my curly hair and put it into a braid down the middle of my back for me. "Wow Annie, you look great, I hate to say it but, we better finish my make up", Coral said laughing. We walked down stairs and Andy had decorated his face with makeup and had hairpins in his short wavy hair. "Andy! What are you doing", Coral practically yelled at him". "I wanna go to the store with you and Annie, see I am a girl!", He said batting his eyelashes at Coral. "Aww Andy, lets go get your face washed, if you really want to come, then you can come", Coral said laughing at the little toddler.
That was almost five years go, I still remember it though, its one of the first real memories I have of my brother. I've always wanted to watch him grow up and have children someday, but now thats been taken away from me because of these horrid games. My sisters wedding, my dad and my little brother. I already know I don't even have the smallest chance of coming back. But I'll try, and I'll do everything I can to get back to them. I have to. If I die trying, then so be it. My mom always said its better to die fighting for what you belive in than to live your life in a lie. My mom was great. I have to win this, we have to win this, together.
I promised her I'd win, or I'd die fighting for her, I knew that she somehow heard me, I just knew that if no one else was looking out for me, she would be, just like she always did when she was still with us. She always forgave us when we broke something, or made our lunches before school and tucked us in our beds at night and would hum while she was making breakfast for us.
I've always wanted to love someone that much, to be married to the love of my life someday and to have 2 children dancing in the sand of the beach while the dolphins put on a show for them. I've never been truly in love before. I've only ever had one boyfriend, Henry, and it only lasted for a month or two, we just werent meant for each other. I mean yes, he was sweet, but I honestly don't think we would have ever made it together. He was way better than anyone I deserved. I pulled on a pair of white sweat pants, and a black shirt. I don't even know what I'm suppose to wear.
I heard a knock on my door an went to answer it.
Finnick Odair leaning on a door frame, with a white botton up shirt, completly un bottoned, naturally, revealing his sun tanned skin did not seem out of place. He walked in and sat next to me.
"Andy, that's your little brother right?", He asked me. I just nodded "He cornered me, and demanded I teach you how to use a trident or he would kick me", Finnick said and I couldn't help but smile.
I felt like a was gonna cry. No, I can't cry in-front of Finnick Odair. But I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. I actually saw general sadness behind Finicks eyes. He just squeezed my hand for a moment before letting it drop back to the bed.
"I'm Finnick Odair, Marvine's mentor, Mags, will be yours. Not to worry, she is a great woman, even in her current age.", Finnick said. I just smiled and nodded, pretending I'm not crying infront of probably the most popular victor, or the sex symbol of the capital. God Coral would be so jealus. Finnick Odair is sitting on my bed.
"I'm Annie Cresta", I finally mumble.
Its a pleasure meeting you, although I would've preferred it under better conditions. I was looking into his captivating green eyes, it was already hard to look away.
"I would have much rather met you at the produce stand", I agreed.
"Yes! I'd be standing by the watermelon, tons of girls around me, of course, could you blame them", He winked.
"And I would accidentally knock into your group, because they were clogging the exit", I continue.
He laughs like I'm not a complete freak.
"And then you'd give up on trying to leave and come join my adoring fans", He proposes.
"Or I'd just find another way because I had places to be" I argue
"And I'd rush to your aid and help you carry your things, because thats just the knight in shining armor Finnick Odair is", He said
I turn my head and look at him, his cocky smile fading into something softer. I fiddle with the braclet on my arm.
"That would be a much nicer way to meet you.", I finally say
He sits up and puts his hand on my sholder, avoiding my eyes for once.
"It really would have" He finally says. He gets up and walks to the door, turning around to look at me, "We are all meeting for dinner in a few minutes", He says before walking out.
I wish I could tell Cora that I just had an acutual conversation with Finnick Odair. I was never one of his adoring fans but she sure was. She would love this.
"We are arriving at the capital tomorrow and this will be your first time seeing it, am I correct?"
Shelly has made her own process, cut a peice of meat, talk for about two minutes then take a bite. Her favorite topic is the capital. I am sitting beside Marvin, across from Finnick. Mags is sitting at the head of the table, her smile is so kind I already trust her.
"Your going to love the capital Annie, all the colors, its the best place ever.", Shelly informs me.
"I can assure you there is nothing nicer than home.", I mumble.
Mags looks a bit stunned, Shelly just looks like she has ever heard anything dumber in her whole life and Finnick looks completly shocked, which looks a bit out of place on his normal arrogent face.
"Well, as charming as district four is, its certantly not good as the capital.", Shelly says and I decide not to respond.
"Well Shelly, you must admit, the capital does not have this", Finnick says motinonig to him self. Shelly giggles and blushes. "You have me there"
I look down at my plate, not wishing to eat.
"You should eat something.", Mags says"
"I don't think I can.", I admit
"Try", She urges.
My stomach rolls just thinking about it but I decide to try to eat, because Mags is sweet, and she knows whats best.
I feel a pair of eyes staring at me and I suspect them to be Mags' but I look up and my eyes lock with Finnick's.
"Have you thought about what your going to do yet?", He asks.
I'm not sure what he means by that, in the arena, or in training or for the interview or for what, but honestly, I havn't even thought about any of them.
"The only thing I've actually thought about is how I wish this day would have gone", I say, feeling raw and beaten and how I'm going to die soon and never see my brother or my family again.
"Its okay", He assures me "You and Mags will work something out".
Mags is watching Finnick with an expression that might be considered thoughtful on her face. "I'm mentoring Marvine", She says.
I can tell by the looks on Marvine and Finnicks face that this isn't just news to me, its news to all of them. Especially since Finnick had just told me earlier today Mags was going to be mentoring me.
"Why", Shelly askes.
This is a valid female mentors always mentor the female tributes but Mags shoots Shelly a look that tells her not to say anything more about it.
Mags stands up and leaves and Finnick quickly follows her out of the room.
Its midnight when I here a knock on my door, and honestly, all I really want to do is sleep. "It's open", I say
I'm expecting it to be an Avox but I'm actually a bit suprized when Finnick pocks his head in the door. "May I come in?", He asked and I just reply with "Yes"
I begin wondering why he is going out of his way to see me twice today, the idea that he is just a good guy doesnt seem as foreign as it did this morning.
He enters the room fully with a tray in his arms. " I thought you might be hungry, you havn't eaten anything today", He explains, sitting on the bottom of my bed.
"Why do you care"I can't help but ask, I'm tired and upset and I feel alone and I can't help but wonder why I trust him so much.
His green eyes seem just as unsure as mine do for a moment but he quickly covers it up with his normal act. "Because you are Finnick Odairs tribute, imagine how poorly I'd look if my tribute faints in the chariot tomorrow", Finnick says.
His easy and lighthearted expression covers something that might be actual concern but I can't tell when he keeps changing like that.
"You put on a good act", I say carefully, slowly picking up a strawberry. Was this because we joked about meeting at the fruit store earlier?
"Well, my acting skills are craved by the capital you know, well those and other skills", He says winking, as he pops a grape into his mouth. His smile softened making his face even prettier.
"I think you are nicer than you pretend to be.", I say.
"It seems I am", He says, sounding just as suprized as I am."More people will like me now!'', He says like a child.
I look at him as he runs his hands through his hair. I want to tell him I'm sorry for being Annie Cresta, kind and gentle and not a terifing career, I want to say I'm sorry for how pathetic I will be in the arena this year. Mostly, I want to say I'm sorry for being me, as fruitless as that is.
"My sister calls me Shell.", I blurt hating the silence.
"Thats an odd nickname for a girl named Annie", He says his tone telling me to continue
I look u to his gaze and he smiles at me, I decide I like it when he smiles at me.
"Finnick", I ask
"Annie", He jokes
"If I wrote a letter to my sister would you mail it to her for me, I know its against the rules but the words I never said are hurting me."
And he does something strange.
"No.", He says while nodding his head up and down. I raise my eyebrow.
"Its against the rules so if anyone heard me saying yes it would be bad for everyone", he explains, still nodding his head.
I bite the inside of my cheeck trying not to smile but I can't help it, a smile takes over my face, and Finnick is smiling wildly as well.
"I need to tell her not to watch it, the games, I don't want her to see me be killed, I want to die alone so no one gets hurt from it"
This time general sadness takes over Finnicks eyes and he doesnt even try to hide it.
"Don't count yourself out so quickly, you've got the hottest mentor, don't count me out so quickly", He says.
I point at my self "Seashell", Remember
"Well you know what I think Seashell?" He says
"I think your alot stronger than you think." He says leaning against the foot board of the bed.
I almost choke on the apple I was chewing trying not to laugh. "Not that I'm douting your keen eye but I really don't think you know what your in for", I say.
"I know you can tie knots and make nets, I'm almost certain you can swim", He says. Its ture, my family makes nets, and I can swim.
"Now eat the rest of this fruit", Finnick says "I want you strong the next time I see you."
"Carefull I might be stronger than you", I tell him
"Oh Annie, I hope so", Finnick says oddly. I can't help but feel its ten degrees cooler once he's gone.
The next thing I'm going to do when I see Mags is ask her why she switched tributes, and maybe thank her for it. As for now, I curled up in the blankets and drifted to sleep.
A/N what did you think about chapter 2? I hope you like my story so far, it sure is killing me to wrote this, my brain is numb xD
Please leave a review? Pretty please? I'll love you forever! I'm posting the next chapter tomorrow as long as I get a review. Sorry this chapter and the last one were so short. I promise the next ones will be longer than these two!