Chapter 5- The Perfect Day at the Oasis

I had relief from one of my nightmares last night. I dreamt about my parents dancing around the store again. I always crave seeing the love between them. This time though when I looked at their faces, they had changed. Instead of seeing my mother and father I saw Finnick and I dance. The joy in both of our faces was quite a sight to see. I slowly woke up and welcomed the sunlight streaming through my window instead of cringing to it.

Finnick is late today, 3 hours to be exact. And then I remember. We had a deal that he would only work for 7 days. Now another one of those lumps forms that I can never swallow. When my butterfly flew away when I was 6 my father told me that when you love something set it free and if it comes back it was meant to be. I'm not expecting Finnick to come back but, I love him so I'll set him free. 13 and in love….how melodramatic is that? No more thinking about Finnick…back to work as usual. I braid back my dark brown hair and get to work.

As I am dusting off some cabinets a voice booms behind me, "I'll take 2 pounds of bait for a big fishing trip."

I turn around ready to care for a customer but instead see Finnick Odair smiling like he had just made my day…which he did.

"Finnick!" I run and hug him and he laughs.

"Is this going to be our secret handshake? You running into me every time you see me?" He says after I let go.

I laugh, "I guess it could be hu?"

"Come on! I've got to show you something!" He grabs my wrist and leads me out the door.

"I can't! I have a store to take care of."

Suddenly, I hear wheels coming down the hall and see father in his fancy wheelchair that he normally avoids. He smiles when he sees me.

"No you don't. I'll take care of the store while you two are gone," he tells me.

"Father! You're finally using that thing!"

"I figured I might as well start moving again, especially with a store that is now Capitol approved on my hands. You two go. I need to take care of my store," he says with the strongest voice I've heard him use every since he was hit with arthritis.

"You look great sir. Don't worry I'll take care of her," Finnick says from behind me.

"I know you will boy."

…

"Finnick, where are we going? Are we lost?"

We have been traveling through the forest of District 4 for about 30 minutes now. Apparently Finnick knows where we are going but, men get prideful about directions.

"Annie I promise you I know where we are going," he says with yet another grin. "My father used to take me here when I was a child. We technically aren't aloud to be here but, I know I can trust you."

"At least tell me where we are going." I was getting a bit impatient with him.

"We are going to…an oasis."

"Okay Finnick," I say skeptically.

Through the trees of the forest I can see it. I can see the sun and sand and as Finnick and I walked through the last clump of trees, I can see it all. Behind us, lay the forest in a crest shape but, in front of us is a paradise. The sand feels like powder sugar in between my toes. The water is clear enough to see right through . The forest makes a semi-circle from the water edge on the left and the water edge on the right so it's like Finnick and I have our own beach…oasis.

"So…what do you think?" Finnick is to my left, smiling at my expression.

"It's…beautiful. Thank you,"I barely squeeze that out. The sight is truly indescribably beautiful.

"Come on Ms. Drama queen! Let's swim!" And with that Finnick takes off his shirt and jumps in the water.

I would jump in. I want to. But I can't. Whenever I look at water I think of my mother's confused face and her body slowly sinking down under the surface.

Finnick resurfaces, looks around for me, and finds me still standing where he left me. He comes out of the water and motions for me to join him but, I shake my head. I'm such a baby. Out of nowhere tears start coming out of my eyes. Finnick runs to me with a look of concern on his face. He grabs my hands and waits for an explanation.

"Finnick, I haven't been honest with you. My mother didn't die of childbirth. My mother drowned."

Silence. For a long time he didn't talk and we stood in silence.

"So now you're afraid of water," he says carefully.

"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Yeah, that kind of hurts, you not telling me. I understand though," he looks at me deeply in the eyes. "But if you're willing to try to come in the water…I won't let anything hurt you. I promise."

I nod and let him lead me to the water like a 5 year-old. He's so gentle that I forget he's there.

"Just close your eyes and I'll guide you."

I do what he says. He puts one arm around my waist and I reach for his hand. I suddenly feel the wet stuff attack my toes and I step back.

"No, it's okay. I've got you."

And in that moment I put all my trust in him and let him guide me deeper and deeper. Suddenly water isn't my worst fear anymore. It's…my escape. I let the water engulf another inch of me with every wave.

"Annie? Are you okay?"Finnick asks from beside me.

"I am more than okay Finnick. Thank you."

I open my eyes and find his staring directly into mine. We are now face to face. My breathing becomes inconsistent. Suddenly he brushes a strand of hair from my face. Then slowly he tilts my chin upward and lightly brushes his lips against mine. My heart is beating so fast that I'm afraid he can hear it.

"I've been wanting to do that for a long time," he says.

"Yeah. It's about time," I say with a smile and we both laugh.

We build a warm fire by the coast and watch the sun set in the distance. I wish we would never have to leave our paradise. And I can tell he feels the same because we stay here hours after the sun finally set.

"Annie, I think I love you." He says as we walk back hand and hand.

"I think I love you too." I respond and look up at him.

He puts his arm around my shoulder and kisses me lightly on the forehead.

Let's just say today was a perfect day.