Thanks for all the reviews you guys make me so happy! :) If it isn't clear already Finn is the nickname I'm going to use for Finnick. Whenever you see Finn it also means Finnick but its just shorter. Annie and Finn are finally talking! Annie's such a shy girl let's see what Finn thinks of her , now that's he's finally talked to her. I understand that you need to go through training to become a life guard but lets pretend you don't here in District Four. Here you go:

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games (nuff said)

Word Count: 3,434

Annie's Point of View

Recap-

He walks to the water, ankle deep. Cautiously I stand next to him. It's not that I'm afraid of the water, or drowning its just that I've never really had the chance to learn. He begins by telling me that there are four strokes to swimming but he's only going to teach me freestyle because its what life guards use. I listen attentively. When he stretches his arm to bring me deeper in the water (waist high) do I feel nervous. I don't want him to touch me yet when he does I never want him to let go. He stands behind me, takes my limp arms in his long ones. His hands over mine he mimics the motion of your arms as your swimming this particular stroke. Finn presses his chest against my back. I can't help but feel all tingly inside. He's so warm against me.

He must be able to feel the rapid beating of my heart. Once I have that mastered we go deeper and he makes me float. I duck all the way underwater with my back toward the sky. Flutter kicking the way he taught me to, I'm able to float by myself. He seems pleased and tells me that I'm learning fast. Then we walk even further into the ocean until the water his neck high for me and shoulder high for him. He slowly swims across me so I can watch his form. Finn tells me its my turn.

Ducking into the water I try my best. I know I'm not going that fast but I didn't think I would. I remember everything he taught me and use it. I love this feeling of gliding through the water without a care in the world of where I'm going. That no one is hurting my feelings. I think I have fallen in love with...

being out in the open, swimming, getting away from the world for a little while.

I swim past Finnick a little ways then swim back so I stop right in front of him. Once I get myself to a standing position I look at Finn. His eyes look content, while a smile threatens to appear. It seems like forever until he says something.

"That was great, better than great. You learn fast." he tells me

"Thank you." I say still feeling all tingly inside whenever he looks at me

"So did you want to... mee-meet up here again to-morrow?" he asks nervously, rubbing his neck with his fingertips

"Umm..."

"I mean you don't have to... I understand if you can't..." he makes it seem like he wants to see me tomorrow

"No its okay. I'll see you here tomorrow... after school." I tell him watching a small crab crawl across my feet

"Good." he sounds relieved

Its become increasingly awkward. I just stare at the beautiful blue water while his eyes tattoo themselves to my skin. He's watching me again. To break the quiet tension I start walking back to shore without even caring if he's following me or not. Of course he is though. I'm freezing being soaking wet from head to toe like this. As soon as I see my backpack lying on the sand I remember the one thing I forgot to pack. A towel. Shoot. With Finn behind me already at his sports bag I can only guess that he'll offer me his towel. I know I can't take it.

Instead I hastily grab my backpack rushing to the locker room. I hope he doesn't notice me leaving so quickly. If I take Finn's towel it would make me think of him differently. Like someone I could possibly become friends with. Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta cannot be friends. I'm sure he's just been kind to me because its polite and his parents have taught him well. Plus its not like I need a friend anyway. I've always been by myself and there's nothing wrong with that.

As usual the locker room must be negative fifty degrees Fahrenheit. I go to a rack of towels Ms. Fish supplies us, taking one into the bathroom stall with me. Carefully I dry off then peel my suit off. Its dripping wet and heavy so I don't put it back in my bag in fear of ruing the only backpack I have. With my warm clothes on my back, a towel around my neck, and the suit in my hand I take it to the sink to rinse the salt water off it. Before I lock everything in my locker, I just hope my suit doesn't cause it to smell.

Since its only me in here I take a seat on one of the benches. I manage to dry my hair a little by spastically moving my towel wrapped hands in my dark hair. I don't feel anymore water dripping down my back once I'm done. If I keep my hair hostage in a ponytail it won't dry by the time I get home so I leave it down. Then I walk back out to the beach.


Finn's Point of View

Rewind to Monday-

As I walk to work I can't seem to think of a time I'd been any happier. I finally get to work with Annie. When I asked my boss if she could fix us a new schedule where I get to be with Annie more, I didn't think she would accept the challenge. Then she made a comment that I liked Annie. I hope the blush on my face didn't make her think I do. I wonder if its that obvious. Its not like I'm creepy, watching her work all the time. Besides I only sneak short glances.

Only a few other people are here as I stroll in. With a smile on my face I say hello to everybody. Some don't even say 'hi' back, just confusingly watch me head to the locker room. Once I get in I place everything into my locker then head back out. A lot more workers have arrived in the short time that I was gone. Ms. Fish has everyone gathered in a tight group. I join in quietly, listening as she speaks. I can't be widen my smile knowing already that this will be about the new schedules.

"Its come to my attention that we need to mix things up around here. I have assigned everyone a new rotation. Those of you who only lifeguard will be running the concession stand but don't worry you will still get to go back to the water. And the others who have fed our beachgoers can try saving some. I've been working on these all weekend so pass these around. I tried organizing this so that people can be with others that they get along well with. We will gather again right before the end of the day to discuss how everyone feels about their new work shift, but if you feel more comfortable talking about this privately just let me know."

I notice a small smile on her lips as she hands me the pile of papers. Eagerly I take one then pass it to my left. This new rotation thing has symbols, names, and squares. It doesn't take me long to find my name under Monday. According to this diagram like thing Annie and I will be out on the beach every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Tuesdays and Thursday we'll be behind the grills. I can't wait!

I look for Annie in this crowd of people. She's standing a few feet away from me with the new rotation in her hands. Annie's always been a really shy, closed up girl. She doesn't talk to many people, doesn't rely on anyone really. I know that whenever I talk to her I have to be gentle. Weaving in and out of people I slowly get to her. Almost everyone is leaving to get to different parts of the beach, be with different people. I stand next to her quietly. She doesn't seem to notice me or is doing a really good job of pretending. Unfortunately I don't get to see her beautiful face, she keeps it down studying her paper.

Its only been minutes but it feels like someone is slowing down time. Once I do say something I surprise her. To get her attention I lightly touch the edge of her elbow. She's so jumpy, I find it adorable.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." I apologize

"It's okay." she says timidly rubbing her elbow. I really hope I didn't hurt her.

"Um so... it says we're life guarding today, Wednesday and uhhh Friday." I begin

"Yeah." she says shyly

"I'm looking forward to that actually." I CAN'T BELEIVE THAT JUST TUMBLED OUT OF MY MOUTH! Oh lord now she's onto me. Now she probably thinks I'm some weird dude that spends his weekends slowly driving through neighborhoods, looking in peoples' windows. Immediately I feel my nerves tense.

"Oh why?" she says unexpectedly. I was hoping she would just shrug it off but her curiosity makes me even more nervous.

"Well... I... just yah know... wanted to..." Out of nervous habit I scratch the back of my neck. Once she realizes I'm out of words she tells me,

"Its okay." she says. I'm so at a loss for words right now. I've always just having a normal conversation with Annie, but now that its actually happening I can't believe it. She looks at the ground, clearly feeling awkward and out of place right now.

"So you've never life guarded before have you?" I kindly ask wanting to keep the conversation going

"No I haven't." Why won't she look at me? I already miss her beautiful green eyes. Since she probably has no clue what she's doing right now I should probably help her right? I mean that is something a friend would do right? Wait a minute Finn, this is the longest conversation you've ever had with her and you already think she considers you a friend? That is true, Annie doesn't trust easily so why would she consider me a friend? I guess it would just be friendly to teach her some life-guarding things. It would be kind of rude of me if I didn't offer my help. Plus I get to find time to talk to her more. Once I gain enough courage to ask her my offer I say weakly,

"Well I'd be happy to help, if you want that is." Please say yes, please say yes, please say y-

"Thank you." she responds. Did she just accept my offer? She did, didn't she! Okay I need to calm down, play it smooth.

"Really? How about we meet here as soon as school is over tomorrow? Before work starts that is. I could teach you everything you need to know." I hope I don't sound like a five year old girl on Christmas.

"Sure." she stammers out

"Great! Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow after school. Don't forget your bathing suit." Quickly I turn to go to the locker room. She's going to think I'm some sick bastard getting all riled up because I get to see her in a tight suit.

No I'm all riled up because not only did we just have a conversation (I don't care how awkward it was, it still counts.) but we have plans for tomorrow as well. I still can't believe she's going out of her way just to see me tomorrow, before work too! Which means I get to spend some of my morning with her and most of my afternoon. I feel like a little girl with a brand new doll skipping to the locker room.


As soon as the last bell of the day booms through the school I practically sprint out of the health room. I told Ma this morning I wouldn't come home after school to get to work early. She completely understood. Sprinting to the beach I see that Annie isn't here yet I'm not worried though. Quickly I go into the locker room to change into my swim suit. No one else is here because work doesn't start for like another hour or so. After I've packed everything into my backpack and locker I step out of the locker room.

I see Ms. Fish prepping the food stand with another girl. I wave to both of them happily. Just like any coach would recommend I stretch before we start heading into the water. As I'm stretching my arms over my head I see the most adorable human being in the world. Annie's walking a few yards away to the girl's locker room. Her eyes catch mine as I wave to her giddily. She sends me a forced smile.

I feel like she doesn't want to be here. Did I force her to come?... I don't think I did. I remember asking her and her accepting the offer. I must have made her feel so uncomfortable that she felt forced to say yes. I just have to try my best today to erase all the awkward tension.

Once she is cautiously walking out of the locker room I finish my calf stretches. She looks queasy but I pretend I don't notice as she's slowly walking toward me. Sending her a bright smile she looks down at the sand. Haphazardly she sits on the sand in front of me, I can't ignore her now. I sit next to her but not too close sensing how already uncomfortable she feels. I look at her, her cheeks are red and her eyes don't meet mine.

"Are you okay Annie?" I feel extremely tempted to hold her but I know I really shouldn't.

"Um I don't want to- ow..." she whimpers holding her little stomach

"Annie is it your stomach? You can tell me." I hope she isn't sick I ask worriedly

"I just don't want to take my..."

Now I understand why she feels sick. In my eyes she's nothing short of beautiful, but why does she feel so insecure? It probably doesn't help that I'm shirtless too. I need to make her feel more comfortable around me. I should tell her the truth. I myself have been a victim of self-consciousness. When I was in Junior High I hated the way I looked. To me everything about my body was wrong the shape of my eyes, my weight, height, even the way my voice sounded bothered me. After a while I came to accept myself. I learned that I'm not going to change who I am because I should like myself. So I grew more confident in my actions and left the past behind.

"You don't have to hide from me."

"I'm sorry but I don't feel- comfortable being in just a bathing suit." she tells me quietly

"It's okay. I was the same way actually." I tell her soothingly. She looks at me this time with so much hope in her eyes.

"Really?" she questions brightly

"Yeah just a few years ago. I wouldn't take my shirt off ever, well when I took a shower, but that was it. Then I finally just accepted myself for who I am. I found that I don't want to change myself. I like the way I look." I say carefully

Slowly Annie takes her eyes off me and looks at her feet. I can see the gears turning in her head. I think I've made an impression on her which is just what I want. Hesitantly her tiny hands find the hem of her shorts and she tugs them off slowly revealing her pale legs. I know this next part will be extremely difficult for her so I supply her with a smile. For what feels like a second her eyes glance over me. With a deep breath those hands of hers discover the end of her shirt and she cautiously slips it over her head. Her green eyes stay locked on the sand.

I feel nothing but proud for her. Curiously I take in the small female in front of me. Her red bathing suit matching mine. The way her hips curve give way to her little legs. How her cheeks look as pink as the sunset. She is just breathtaking. Realizing I must be staring I say,

"See? You don't have to hide from me."

"Okay." she says barely audible which I can't help but find extremely cute

Together we slowly walk to the water. She gets in ankle deep and I can already tell her fear has set in. I come up beside her and give her my arm. Her fingers lightly press into my forearm as I lead us deeper into the water. Once we're in about waist deep her nervousness can easily be read on her face. I give her a comforting glance, she looks at me warmly. As not to frighten her I slowly make my way behind her.

I grab her warm arms in mine pressing my chest lightly against her back. She begins shaking at my touch, but when I take a small step back she seems fine. Now that her shaking has ceased I begin motioning her arms to what you'd do if you were swimming. As I tell her what her arms should and should not be doing my heart warms at the feel of her so close to me. Our skin is touching and she's not resisting me. With her hair so close to my nose I can't help but find that her hair smells like oranges. Thank god I'm behind her because I can feel my cheeks gradually reddening.

When we finish working on upper body I explain what flutter kicking is. In order to do this I have her duck under water so her back just peeks over the surface. She lays her whole body out fluttering kicking, managing to float all by herself. I am extremely pleased with her, she's definitely a fast learner.

I take her even deeper into the water with the water at her neck and at my shoulder. Her confidence must be increasing because this time she doesn't hesitate to come out with me. I tell her to stay right where she is and I'll swim in front of her to show her what the stroke looks like when you put everything together. Obediently she stands there shivering slightly from the wind. I swim across her. Once I get back up from the water I catch her eyes staring at me. She looks mesmerized by something.

Since its her turn I watch her swim noticing that she's doing everything right but if she'd do it faster she'd make more progress. I'm so proud of her for learning so quickly. When she comes back up I smile widely at her. She gives me an adorable blush.

Bad ending I know! I'm sorry I haven't updated in a lonnngggg time, but anyone in High School understands why. Please review. I'll try posting sooner this time.