Prompt by starrful

Down By The Sea

Little Finn raced through the sand, the sand sweeping behind him like a small tornado. She laughed quietly. He was just like his father, always so adventurous and lovable. She walked slowly, setting up a few chairs at their favorite spot. It used to be Finnick's favorite spot, too.

It had been 15 years already. In her opinion, 15 years too many. How she wished she'd begged harder for Finnick not to go. There was no use hoping anymore. She still had little Finn to take care of. He wasn't so little anymore, already 15, edging on 16.

She was 16 when she first met Finnick. It was at this spot, actually, not too far from the seaside. She was weaving her net, watching everyone else running about in the water, spearing fish. Finnick had come up for a break, tossing the bloody fish next to her.

"Hey, gorgeous," he'd said, smirking uncontrollably. She had rolled her eyes, continuing to weave her net. He had plopped down beside her, picking up another piece of rope. He had helped her weave for a while before smirking again.

"Aren't you going to say anything, gorgeous?" he had asked, slinging his arm around her.

"No."

"You just said something, sweetheart."

Annie was cut from her thoughts as little Finn splashed her with water. She smiled at her son, waving him away. Finn shrugged, choosing to chase after another girl, dousing her with water. She stomped towards him, her hands on her hips. She had hair the color of the sand, and skin just a tad paler. Freckles covered her face in a haphazard fashion, like the stars in the sky.

"Finn!" she shrieked, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. Her voice was like that of a siren's, so high pitched it hurt Annie's ears. She almost smiled to herself, remembering how she'd yelled at Finnick in much the same way. Almost.

The girl picked up a fistful of sand, chucking it at Finn's face. Annie allowed herself to laugh a little when Finn spat out a few grains of sand.

"Mom!" Finn whined, annoyed his mother chose the girl's side. Annie shrugged, turning back to setting up the chairs. He was too much like his father for his own good. Always pigheaded, barging into things without thinking through the consequences. It really was quite aggravating most the times. She missed him, though. There were so many good qualities. He was loyal, kind and never once did he hesitate to help one in need.

"Hey, gorgeous," he greeted, swinging down to sit in the seat beside her. She rolled her eyes, continuing to weave her net. He picked up the end of the net, adding his own knots to the net. She resisted the urge to tell him he was doing it wrong, but decided not to talk to the bothersome boy.

Once again, he left as soon as he finished his half of the net, leaving her with a conflicted feeling. She felt both annoyed and slightly embarrassed. He always left her with an odd feeling in her heart, not that she'd ever admit it.

"Go bother someone else, Finn!" the girl yelled again, shoving Finn into the sand. Finn bounced right back up again, quickly masking the hurt look on his face with a cocky expression. He rolled his eyes, but Annie could see the hurt in her son's eyes. She knew her son better than most people gave her credit for.

"Fine," he said, and this time, there was no doubt there was some bitterness and resent in his voice.

"Just leave me alone, Finn!" she yelled, shoving him away, wiping her tears from her face. Finnick stopped moving, his face scrunched up in pain as if someone had just punched him in the face. She had just punched him in the heart…

She wanted to apologize, really, she did. Apologizing would mean he won, though, and if Annie Cresta was anything but a loser. She wasn't about to lose to Finnick Odair, of all people.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, Annie," he muttered, slowly walking away, a dark cloud hanging above his head.

"I guess I'll go," Finn sighed gloomily. "I'll see you in school, Ash."

The girl looked down at her toes, obviously filled with guilt. It almost pained Annie to see her so defenseless.

"Wait! I'm sorry. I didn't really mean it, Finn," she muttered, mentally yelling at herself for the stupid apology. She wiped the tears from her face, extending her hand to the boy. Finnick eyed it curiously before taking it.

"Friends?"

His hand tightened.

"Friends."

"Wait, Finn! You sure you don't want to, um, go fishing with us?" the girl blushed furiously, holding out a spear and a net. Finn instantly brightened, snatching the spear and net.

"Of course, Ash!"

Down by the calm soothing sea

The night when you met me

The waves crashed on the rocks

Not a single person by the docks

Down by the raging black sea

Hidden away in the lee

The rain poured down on us two

The night you first said "I love you"

Down by the beautiful sea

A home that belongs to me

I'd share it with you any day

The sand, the stone, the bay

I wrote the poem. Haha, I'm so talented.