I would love to thank everyone who has reviewed on my story. It really gets me motivated, so I'm going to try to update at least once a day.
It has been about two months since I moved in with Finn. It has been going great, but the bad thing is, is that the reaping is today. His mood has changed dramatically. He doesn't joke around anymore and he mopes around the house. He is sitting at the counter with his head in his hands.
"Finn? You okay? You seem a little depressed." I go over and rub his back.
"Of course I am depressed Annie! It's the reaping! Two more kids are being sent to their death, and I can't stop one of them being you! You might be leaving me forever today! And I have to go to the Capitol." He takes his face out of his hands and tears are welling in his eyes.
"What's wrong with going to the Capitol? I mean, they make us fight to the death on live TV, but they keep everything in order."
"What's wrong with the Capitol? Annie, everything is wrong with the Capitol! I just found out that Snow makes…we can't talk about it here. Want to go to our spot?"
"But Finn, the reaping is in ten minutes and you and I both still have to get ready. So go get showered." He gets up and goes upstairs to the shower. I go into my room, and get on my only dress. It is sea green and off the shoulder. It comes up to about my knees. I slip on some flip flops, as I don't have any other shoes to wear. After I am done dressing, I go down into the kitchen and make myself a plate of shrimp and crab stew. I eat, and run upstairs to yell at Finn. He is just getting dressed now, and I literally drag him out of the house and into the square. We sign in and kiss goodbye. He walks onto the stage, and I walk to the 17-year-old girl section. The Mayor walks onstage and says his usual speech. Then our escort hops onstage. Her name is Electra, and her hair is silver and looks like wires. She is wearing a neon orange top with neon yellow shorts. "Hello District Four! Time for the reaping!" She skips over to the boy's bowl and pulls a name. "Raycen Mills! Come on up!" A fourteen year old boy walks onto the stage with tears streaming down his face. "Now, look at you! Don't cry! This is a huge honor! Now for the ladies!" Electra pulls the first slip of paper her hand encounters. Please, don't let it be me. "Annie Cresta!" I look up at Finnick with tears in my eyes. His eyes are wide, and his mouth open. No color remains in his face. "Annie Cresta? Darling, come up." I walk up with my hands tightly curled into fists. I turn and find it is hard to keep my composure. "District Four, here are your tributes for the 70th Hunger Games, Raycen Mills and Annie Cresta!" Everyone claps, even though they hate to. We are ushered into the Justice Hall, where we will be saying our goodbyes to our family, if we have any. I don't so I just expect Finnick. He comes in and rushes over to me. Tears are streaming down both our faces. I bury my head into his chest. "Finn, what are we gonna do?" He pulls me up and looks at me.
"Annie, I am going to do my best to get you out of that arena. Even if that means murdering the Head Gamemaker myself. I will. You ARE going to come home to me." I just smile and nod. There honestly isn't anything that I can say that will make either of us feel better. We just sit there, entwined and crying. But when he has to go, I hold him even tighter and whisper words of love to him. I know I will see him on the train, but still, I need him now. He is literally pulled off of me and dragged out. I slump to the ground, my body wracked with sobs. The Peacekeepers pick me up and have to carry me to the train. They dump me into Finnick's arms and as soon as they do, I stop crying. He thanks them and carries me to my room. He is about to leave, but I grab his shirt. "Don't…..leave." I whisper. He lies next to me, wrapping his arms around me.
"I won't leave you. Ever. I swear."