Hey guys! I am alive, I promise. Let me explain why it takes me a wile to update (because I always feel really bad for not updating) I'm a high school junior in all AP/Duel Credit classes (except for Pre Calc because I suck at math) and I am very heavily involved in extracurricular, so I have a hard time updating during the school year, especially now that it is contest season, but I am trying. I promise! Over 700 reviews guys! Oh my gosh!

MiaBelles: I like her dad better than her mom, at least :)

Mikey Jacquez: I can't believe you couldn't guess! I gave all sorts of hints! Lol

TheWomanWhoCodesAndWrites: I love Gale so much! Annie's mom is a scary person...

Guest: Of course!

SugarCakes123: Spoilers... I cannot tell you, sorry! :) I suspect she isn't angry because of Gale... Again, spoilers... You will find out about KAtniss this chapter, I'm very glad you liked it!

ForeverYoung362: I missed them at Graceland :) I like Annie's dad :) It's all good! I want to keep her at Graceland. If she goes with her father it's bye bye Annie.

TARDISRose: I've seen Frozen 5 times and we are watching a bootleg copy in Theatre (shh... didn't hear that from me)

pumpkinking5: Of course Annie's dad will do all in his power, won't he?

Epicblonde52: Yay!

Emma: Next chapter, right here! :D

Paula: I won't have Godparents, probably... I know nothing about them, I'm sorry. I am Church of Christ so we don't really do that?

SunriseDestined: I'm sorry, I cannot tell you

MewWinx96: It's fine! I would really love to see people reading my other fics, but no worries :) I'm betting 10 bucks my theatre teacher is going to have a girl! It's so good! You will not regret seeing Frozen. I'll put that in my todo list... I need to read it. I honestly was like "Why did I send them away? I'm stuck..." So I sent them back. That is a new type of death threat! I love it! (gets hedge clippers ready) *Gale sighs and looks at Finnick jealously* I need to read this story again too... sadly I hardly remember most of it... Curses! *Gale fist bumps back... after a while* Oh, bigger cliffie this chapter...

pythagore29: He didn't die the first time! I refuse to believe it!

Katnissandpeetaaddict: Maybe... it'll be a pretty long story though

HazelEverdeen: I'm sorry. You're going to hate me this chapter...

3.6.9: We shall see :)

billieRueXSmurf: I'm glad!

billieRueXSmurf: That is why I do the responses :) I want to make y'all feel special because each review is special to me and I love you all so much!

Guest: Today is update day! I honestly know nothing about Godparents... so no one probably...

LiveTheWinter: This idea makes me so happy! :D

I love Finnick: Today :)

Ruby: It's funny because it was 2013 not too long ago :) I'm excited to introduce Ruby :)

Unknown: Yup!

Buttons301: Glad you like!

LSU Sarah: I understand! Homework is the devil... Oh I do care! Like totally! That is so exciting! Congrats! Aww that means a lot! :)

mahoganymaniac: Jo is a character :)

Whatsupitsemma: This review broke my heart! I miss you all too! I am trying, I promise :)

Rainbowdragon12: I'm glad you like it so much! It is an adventure to write :)

ILoveCandy11: Here you go!

Lalala: Okay :)

soccersquirll: Here you go!

MeaganOneDirection: I understand! That is why it takes me so long to update. Rehearsal is killer! Here is the next chapter!

Guest: I am here. I would never leave Graceland. It my baby and abandoning it would make me cry.

Chapter 9- The Bet

Annie

The evil woman is leaning over me, scalpel in one hand, a syringe in the other. "Now stop struggling, Annie. This will hurt so much less if you don't struggle."

I shake my head. "No, please! Let me go, mother!"

"Annie," she is smiling, her voice is lowering. "Annie." Her face is transforming into the one I know best. "Annie." Finnick is standing over me, the sinister look in his eyes. "Annie!"

I am gasping as I wake up. Finnick's hands are on my shoulder and his green eyes are filled with worry. "Annie," he say, pulling me in close for a hug.

I put my hands around his neck. "I was scarred, Finnick. She she was standing over me, like she was when she operated on my eyes. She was going to do it again. I don't want to go with her, Finn."

Finnick shakes his head. "I'll make sure you wont," he says. He kisses the top of my head and sees the book that is on my nightstand. "What is this?"

I sniff and wipe my nose with the back of my hand. "The Fault in Our Stars?" he asks, curiosity in his voice. I give him a small smile.

"It is about a hopeless love story." He gives me a look before turning the book over and reading the back.

"Looks pretty hopeless." His face is studying the back of the book hard. "Do I want to read this, Annie?"

I nod. "Yeah, it is in my top five, right above Thirteen Reasons Why. I think it might even be number one on my book list."

"What is your top five book list?" A smirk starts to consume his face and I pull myself out of my covers and make my way to my bookshelf, pulling four more books away from their brothers and sisters.

I sit crisscross next to him, nestling myself under the covers, my back leaning against the wall, as I show him the books. "Thirteen Reasons Why," I say as I pass him the book and he looks at the back cover.

"This is about a girl who committed suicide." He looks up at me and smiles. "It sounds like the happiest book ever!"

I roll my eyes and pass him another book. "Freak the Mighty," Finnick rolls his eyes as I pass him it.

"This is about a boy with a heart that is too big for his chest," he smiles and I shake my head. "Wait, like his heart is literally too big for his chest?" I nod. "Wow," is all he can think of to say.

I pass his the next book in the pile. "The Great Gatsby."

Finnick rolls his eyes and smiles. "I've seen the movie. We both know how that ends."

I push his shoulder with mine and give him the last book. "The Giver."

He looks at the back of the last book and sighs. "Annie, why are all the books in your top five so flipping depressing?" I give him a look and he sighs. "I mean, where is the joy and happiness? Why do you obsess over books with sick people?"

"Okay, then. What are your top five?" Two can play at this game. "Surely one of these books is on there?"

"No, actually." He smiles. "I haven't read any of them."

I gasp and put the back of my hand to my forehead. "Finnick Odair? You simply must read these books!"

He smirks. "Alright, but only if you read my top five."

I give him a sideways smile and shrugged. "Depends on what they are." Just like that he runs out of the room and leaves me alone on the bed. He runs back in later with five books in his arms. He passes me a book a brown cover. "Stardust?" I skim the back and laugh. Sounds like a sappy love story written for girls."

He laughs and shoves me. "Probably, but how else would I get all my moves? I have to win you over some how."

I roll my eyes and laugh as he passes me the next book. "Charlotte's Web. Isn't this a children's book?"

"Who is to say what is for kids and what is for adults? Besides, I am a child. You know this."

I nod. "Very much so. Sometime's I think Hunter is older than you."

He kisses my cheek and then sticks his finger in his mouth, then in my ear. "Gross, Finn!"

"Just because you are pretty, Cresta, you think you can get away with calling me a child and not get some childish act of revenge on you." He says, feigning innocence on his face.

"Whatever." I say as he passes me a smaller book. "Because of Winn-Dixie. You truly are a child, Finnick Odair."

He shakes his head. "Book number four is The Tale of Despereaux so yes, I do have an appreciation for books written for a younger audience."

"I'm afraid to ask about book number five," I say, feigning terror.

He passes me a black book with a white rose on the cover. "Beastly?" I ask. A modern Beauty and the Beast?

"I was actually inspired to read that because of you. You are constantly reminding me of Belle, in Beauty and the Beast, and I know would do a great job being her at Disney World. I bought the book as a present for you a while back, like before we started dating, a while back, and read it and I kept forgetting to give it to you."

I don't know how to respond, I just stare at the book in my hands. "Thats really sweet." I say after a while.

We stare at the ten books sprawled out on the bed. "Want to make a bet?" Finnick asks.

"Sure," I say back to him, staring at the books still.

"I'm going to bet at least two of these books will make it onto your top five list."

I nod. "I'm going to bet three of mine make it onto yours."

"What will the loser do?" he asks.

"Loser takes winner on a date?" I ask.

He holds out his hand for a handshake. "Sounds like a deal."

Peeta

I knock on the door outside of Annie's room, where Finnick and Annie are currently silent. Weird. "Come in!" I hear Finnick say. The two are cuddled up with one another, Annie sitting crisscross under her blankets and Finnick's head in her lap, sprawled out on her bed. The two both have books in their hands, with at least eight other books piled in the empty spaces between them. As sweet of a picture it is, I am afraid I'm going to have to ruin it.

"Effie wants us downstairs," I say. The two sigh and put their books down simultaneously, as if they had rehearsed it.

"Fine." Annie shoves Finnick off of her lap and grabs his hand in hers. "We'll be down in a minute."

I nod and shut the door behind them and go next door where Katniss and Johanna's room is.

I knock on the door and there is no answer. I open the door and see Katniss passed out on her bed. Her hair is free of it's braid and falling in dark waves past her shoulders. I press my hand lightly to her shoulder. "Katniss, you need to wake up."

She flutters her eyes open. Her gaze is soft as she looks into my eyes. "Hey, Peeta," her voice cracks on the last syllable of my name, but she ignores it, as do I. She has been in a good mood the past couple of days and I don't want to ruin it.

"Effie needs us downstairs." I say quietly, but kindly. She nods and sits up. I turn to leave, so she can fully wake up, but she grabs my hand and pulls me back and brings me down for a kiss. "What was that for?" I ask when she finally pulls away.

She shrugs and gets up. "Go get everyone else up. I'll see you in a minute." I'm taken aback by the sudden dismissal, but I ignore it and leave.

I walk down to the living room where Gale is sitting on the couch in the living room and Johanna is on his lap. They are watching some TV show I don't know. "Effie needs us downstairs."

Gale nods and pauses the show. The title appears at the bottom of the screen. Apparently they were watching American Horror Story. "Okay," Gale says as he and Johanna get up. They make their ay down the stairs and I follow. When we get to the bottom floor, Effie is counting everyone.

"Alright," she looks around. "Where is Katniss?" Effie turns her attention to me. "Did you tell her to come down?"

I nod. "Yeah, I had to wake her up, but I can go check on her, if you want."

Effie nods. "Please do that. We need to discuss what the summer trip will be this year."

I go to the elevator, my leg is starting to get a bit uncomfortable, but a little pain is nothing. I go to Katniss' room and knock. There is no answer. "Katniss?" I open the door and see her collapsed on the ground, an empty pill bottle thrown to the side. "Katniss!"

I pull out my phone and call 9-1-1 as quickly as I can manage. When the receptionist answers. "My girl friend just overdosed and is passed out on the floor and probably dying!" They send an ambulance over and I yell for Finnick and Gale. I'm amazed they heard me but next thing I know I hear them running up the stairs. "Katniss OD'd on pills and needs to go downstairs. An ambulance is on the way." They nod and pick up one side of her each. I want to help, but I know I would probably himder them, so I run down the stairs while they take the elevator. Effie and Haymitch are looking at me concerned. Effie has tears sparking in her eyes and Haymitch looks disappointed.

"Did she?" he asks. I nod.

Effie starts to cry and Haymitch looks to the kids. "Johanna, Annie, load them into the vans. Prim, stay with me." Effie passes Hunter to Annie and she puts him in the carrier.

Prim walks up to Haymitch looking worried. "What happened?" Tears are forming in Prim's eyes and I pull her in for a hug. We both start to cry.

The ambulance is here by the time Gale and Finnick get Katniss situated on the couch. The medics put her on a stretcher and load her into the ambulance. Effie rides with Katniss and Prim and I are loaded into a car which Haymitch drives. Gale and Finnick drive the vans loaded with everyone else. The older kids are terrified. The younger kids are confused because everything has happened so fast. Prim and I cannot understand what just happened.

The car ride is silent as we drive to the hospital. I cannot think of anything beside why Katniss would do this. I thought she was over her substance abuse. Was this my fault? I put my head in my hands and I feel Prim put her hand on my shoulder as we pull into the parking lot. "This wasn't your fault."

I shake my head. "I'm such an idiot."

She shakes her head. "No you are not."

"Yes! She kissed me after I woke her up! She never does that. She knew she was saying goodbye and I just let her say bye. I should have realized what she was doing." I cannot stop the tears. "Prim, I should have seen it coming."

She nods. "I feel like I should have, too." Her voice cracks as she is talking. "What if we lose her?"

I shake my head. "We can't lose her, Prim. We won't. I refuse to believe she will leave us for a second." Even as I speak, I have my doubts. Prim, Haymitch and I get out of the car and make our way to the waiting room, where Effie already is. Before too terribly long everyone is in the waiting room of the hospital. A doctor come out and looks at us.

"Katniss Everdeen?"

Cliffie, I'm sorry! Well, I'm starting a vlog for this story (and my other stories) so I will post a link on my profile page. On that Vlog will be bonus information, trailers, contests and other stuff. The vlog was not my idea. My friend is making me pretty much, but please check it out!

Thanks to my 127 faves and 156 followers! You are all amazing!

-Juliet