Annie's POV
Nathan walks into the living room, rubbing a black eye. "Oh god, Nathan what happened?"
"A marine happened," Nathan scowls.
"Why'd he hit you?" Johanna asks.
"I don't know, but I have a theory," his eyes slide over to Gale.
"Gale, you didn't," Johanna turns toward him.
"I didn't tell him anything," Gale raises his hands in the air.
"Well, how'd he hit you?," Johanna asks. "He's always been tough, but he is in a wheelchair. Are you really that pathetic?"
"Yes, I really am," he scowls.
"Annie, can I talk to you for a minute?" My mom gestures to the kitchen and I walk in. "Annie, you've been through a traumatic experience. Your father and I think it would be smart for you to see a grief counselor."
"Mom, I'm not going to talk to a shrink," I say. "I can take care of myself."
"Annie, you have nightmares."
"Yeah, I do," I say. "What's it matter?"
"Dear, you shouldn't have to relive that every night," Mom insists. "You're unstable."
"Whenever I have nightmares Finnick wakes me up," I say. "I'm fine."
"I didn't know that you were causing your roommate to lose sleep," she says. "If you won't do it for yourself, do it for him."
I bite my lip. "Fine. I'll try it. For Finnick."
"You really like him."
"Yeah, he's my friend," I say.
"That's not what I meant."
"Mom, I've explained this to you already. He's a good friend. Nothing more."
"Alright. I believe you."
I sigh. "No, you don't."
Gale's POV
"Oh my god, that's great," I say into my phone. "See you then."
I pump my fist into the air. "Anyone want to go to a New Year's Eve party? My bar reopened and I get to work New Year's Eve!"
"I don't know," Finnick says. "Everyone's going to be drinking, and sobriety tests will be all over the place . . ."
"I'm not allowed to drink while I'm working," I say to him. "I'll be designated driver."
"You should've started with that," Finnick laughs. "I'll go."
"Me too," Johanna says.
Everyone else agrees, and I smile. Working on New Year's Eve is a big deal.
Johanna puts her head on my shoulder. "Why are you smiling so much?"
"New Year's is a big deal where I work. If it goes well, I could get promoted to bar manager," I say.
"That's nice," Johanna says, before taking a deep breath. "I should probably go to work, though."
"Why? It's the day after Christmas," I say.
"I know. I work on the 26th. I have to go."
Johanna's POV
"Merry Christmas, guys," I say as I walk through the door.
"Merry Christmas, Jo," Dustin smiles at me. Remy and Ian don't say anything.
"Is there a reason they aren't talking to me?" I whisper to Dustin.
"Remy may have told us the details behind why you broke up," Dustin whispers back. "I think he was exaggerating. Ian doesn't."
"I got you all presents," I say. "Dustin, I got you tickets to that concert you wanted to go to. They were extremely cheap, so the band probably sucks. Ian, I got you a T-shirt signed by all the Beatles. And um . . . Remy, I got your present before . . ."
"Before you cheated on me," Remy crosses his arms.
"Remy, it was one time," I sigh.
"One time you slept with your roommate?"
"I didn't sleep with him," I say. "It was one kiss."
"What is it now?" he questions.
I purse my lips. "Exactly," he says. "That's just like you. Move from one boyfriend to the other. You're so needy."
"I'm not needy," I defend. "What did you expect me to do, anyway? Sit at home and watch romantic comedies?"
"No, but it would've been nice for you to care a little bit," Remy scowls.
"Well, sorry, I move on quickly. Anyway, your present was kind of romantic, so do you still want it?"
"I'm good," he says. "I got you some stuff from Victoria's Secret, but I left it in my car."
"Keep it," I say. I turn my attention back to Dustin and Ian. "I got you both amazing gifts. So, Ian, please don't listen to whatever bullshit Remy has told you."
"Jo, you did cheat on him," Ian says. "My ex-wife did that to me. I kind of have to agree with him."
"Well, that's a disappointment."
Finnick's POV
A high-pitched laugh comes from the living room. "Finnick, get over hear," Annie calls.
"What?" I ask. "Is someone hurt?"
"Of course not, don't be ridiculous," Katniss says. "We found something online that you might want to see."
"What is it?" I question.
They turn around, blocking the computer screen. "We were bored so we were searching Google, and we found a link to the most sold calendars of 2012," Annie explains.
"So?" I ask.
"You're in one of them," Katniss laughs.
I look over their heads and at the screen. They're right. I'm the August picture. "Oh god, close that window. That was an awful shoot."
"No, it wasn't," Annie says. "You look good."
"No, I look constipated," I click out of the website and sit on the couch. "How could I possibly look good?"
"You have an eight-pack," Annie chuckles, and sits next to me.
"I've had an eight-pack for as long as I can remember," I say to her.
She pokes my stomach. "It's like a freaking rock."
"I know." She continues poking me. "Stop that. It tickles."
She laughs. "This tickles?"
"Yes. Now stop."
She pokes me again. "No."
"I said stop!"
She pokes me. "No."
"Fine. If that's how you want to do this . . ." I reach in and tickle her ribs.
She screeches. "FINNICK! STOP!"
"No." I tickle her again, and she hops away. I jump after her and she dodges me again. I attack her ribs and pull her onto the couch with me. She giggles and pokes me in the stomach.
Katniss shifts her eyes awkwardly. "What?" I ask her.
She shakes her head. "You're both idiots." She walks into the kitchen and I glance at Annie.
Annie shrugs. "Maybe she's having a bad day."
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